What is Timestep Tuesday?
Published on August 1st 2018 by Hillary-Marie
#TimestepTuesday is a fun, social media celebration of tap dancers practicing (or as we like to call it, shedding).
What is a timestep? (0:55)
A timestep is essentially a step that keeps time, but more specifically, there are two types of timesteps:
- The traditional timesteps (single timestep, double timestep, triple timestep)
- The conceptual timesteps (three and a break, AABA)
Three and a Break (1:35)
Choreograph an eight count phrase (also known as two bars in 4/4 time) and we’ll call this phrase your ‘A’. After you’ve choreographed your ‘A’, you’ll repeat it and do it a total of three times. Next, you’ll choreograph a new eight count phrase, which we’ll call your ‘B’ or break (be sure that this phrase is in the same tempo and groove as your A). Do your A three times and then do your B (this is why it’s called three and a break).
A: Shuffle Shuffle Step Heel Paradiddle Stomp l Paradiddle Paradiddle Paradiddle Stomp
1 e + a 2 + 3 e + a 4 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4
R R R R L R L R L R
A: Shuffle Shuffle Step Heel Paradiddle Stomp l Paradiddle Paradiddle Paradiddle Stomp
1 e + a 2 + 3 e + a 4 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4
L L L L R L R L R L
A: Shuffle Shuffle Step Heel Paradiddle Stomp l Paradiddle Paradiddle Paradiddle Stomp
1 e + a 2 + 3 e + a 4 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4
R R R R L R L R L R
B: Step Step Heel Heel Paradiddle Stomp l Toe Toe Toe Toe Shuffle Step Step
1 + 2 + 3 e + a 4 1 + 2 + 3 e + 4
L R L R L R L L L L L L R
AABA (3:35)
AABA is a common phrasing structure in 32-bar jazz standards. We’ll start the same way. Choreograph an 8 count phrase (two bars in 4/4 time) we’ll call your ‘A.’ Do this once on the right foot, a second time on the left foot and from here, create a new eight count in the same groove and tempo as your ‘A,’ which will be your ‘B.’ In the case of AABA, your ‘B’ is called a bridge. Finally, repeat your ‘A’ on whatever foot is most accessible, completing your AABA phrase.
A: Flap Heel Flap Heel l Flap Flap Flap Ball-Change
a 1 2 a 3 4 a 1 a 2 a 3 a 4
R R L L R L R L R
A: Flap Heel Flap Heel l Flap Flap Flap Ball-Change
a 1 2 a 3 4 a 1 a 2 a 3 a 4
L L R R L R L R L
B: Shuffle shuffle step heel, Shuffle shuffle step heel, shuffle shuffle step heel, shuffle ball change
1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a 1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4
R R R R L L L L R R R R L L R
A: Flap Heel Flap Heel l Flap Flap Flap Ball-Change
a 1 2 a 3 4 a 1 a 2 a 3 a 4
L L R R L R L R L
Why I Love Teaching Timesteps (5:40)
- Strengthen musicality
- Gain knowledge on phrasing
- Practical application of technique
- The repetition is an opportunity for additional practice
- Offers students an at-home practice tool
Why I Love Practicing Timesteps (7:27)
- Repetitive nature
- Hone your technique
- Strive for clarity
Links
Click here to check out this week’s #TimestepTuesday post
Following me on Instagram: @hillarymarietap for weekly #TimestepTuesday videos
Click here to check out other #TimestepTuesday videos
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About The Author, Hillary-Marie
My name is Hillary-Marie, and I created iTapOnline back in 2016 to give passionate tap dancers and tap teachers around the world quick and easy access to a high-quality tap dance education online. I have the coolest job in the world because...
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