Tapless Choreography

To tap or not to tap, that is the question!  Whether it is physiologically superior, that is the next question!  There is no real evidence that this style of choreography is superior from a physiological standpoint, but it does open the door to a new way of thinking about developing choreography for your class.  But, as is the case with any different style of choreography that you attempt to teach, it is important to read your participants and to evaluate their ability to catch on and keep up.  

Many instructors feel that removing taps provides a smooth "flow" to the choreography.  But there is nothing "wrong" with tapping.  Many patterns include taps - L steps, diagonals or corner to corners, over the top, across the top, etc - and while you can remove taps by lifting the knee on an L step or traveling when you get to the other side on an over the top, you should keep several factors in mind when developing tap free choreography.  

If you use the choreographic breakdown technique to allow your participants to work harder through repetition, all the traveling around in a circle can make some people dizzy.  An across the top or over the top should be introduced first with the taps and then the travels or non-tapping transfers can then be demonstrated. Because you are turning a full circle, to avoid dizzyness in the learning process, it's a good idea to alternate the basic over the top with taps and the full circle variation. This also reinforces for those who prefer to tap, that the basic variation is a viable alternative.  

Once you begin to introduce the concept of weight transfer instead of tapping, you will find that you develop a mix of "tappers" and "non-tappers" within your class.  At this point, pathways for both groups will make it frustrating for one group or the other if you do not offer options for both.  As you develop your combinations, try offering variations for both groups. 

An example would be:  over the top, tap, over the top, tap for the "tappers" and over the top, travel, over the top, travel (aka - revolving door) for the "non-tappers".  At the end of the 8 counts, both groups are in the same place.  Until your group begins to demonstrate a consensus of pathways for the transfer, avoid using tapless moves that eliminate tapping as an option.

A lot of instructors feel pressured that if they are doing any taps, they are doing something "wrong".   This comes in large part from "tap-attitude" displayed by some instructors who lead them into thinking they are inferior because they tap - even when they do a standard move, like a diagonal or an across the top.  But, if you are constantly using taps to transition to the other lead, it may be time to rethink your choreography - instead of tapping down to change lead, simply use a single lift step instead.

Again, there is nothing superior about "tap-free" moves, but once participants get the flow of removing taps, you will find that they will transfer automatically.  That group then gets frustrated because they are facing somewhere else and all of a sudden lost.  You may find that once your class exhibits mixed pathways, you actually have to cue a tap if you do use one - and with ample warning to allow them to avoid the weight transfer. 

In the beginning, you may make yourself crazy trying to figure out how to make standard moves transfer automatically.  Remember - you don't have to remove all your taps. You should not get caught up in trying to remove all your taps at once, but after you get the hang of it, you'll understand better what all the tap-attitude is about! 

Next - The Step Speed Issue

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