1. You're the Star
Many dancers spend years perfecting their art, but never develop the confidence to choreograph. If you've studied tap dance at least through the intermediate level, it's possible to choreograph a tap dancing routine. Every dancer should seek out opportunities to choreograph. Watching your choreography performed is both motivating and inspiring. Seeing your finished product performed can be fulfilling, and the creative process involved in developing that idea can also be enjoyable.
2. Take a Break
Don't feel compelled to cram a high number of advanced tap combinations into the same routine. The overall aesthetic appeal of the routine is important. Just because a tap step is easy doesn't mean it won't fit the mood or tone of a certain part of your tap routine. Aim for a subtle balance of complicated tap combinations blended with some simple and intermediate steps. Choreographing a tap routine for a large group presents its own unique problems such as careful placement for lots of dancers. Choreographing a tap solo can be much more difficult because all eyes are on just one performer for the whole routine.
3. Match, Not Mix
Match the song's tempo. If you've chosen a fast-paced song for your tap routine, make sure your steps mimic that energy. There is nothing worse for an audience member to listen to a vibrant song and have the performer appear to be in slow motion. Carefully consider the choreography you choose for the music you've selected, and don't hesitate to choreograph tap dancing routines without music. They're a bit more challenging to choreograph, but they're a big hit with audiences.
4. Fancy Feet
Overall, in most tap routines all dancers will wear the same footwear, although there are some situations where this isn't necessary. In a production number when a large number of dancers will be performing, different groups might wear different footwear. Perhaps, the style of one portion of the routine would be better suited for high-heeled tap shoes, and another section might require flat tap shoes. Your choreography in this case will have to take into consideration offstage costume or shoe changes.
5. Keep a Notebook Handy
Some of your best choreography won't even happen in the dance studio. Carry pen and paper with you. Inspiration might strike when you're sitting in a traffic jam or waiting in line at the supermarket. Write down every tap combination or sequence that you think of and you can later pair them with the appropriate songs.
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