Books on Tap Dance

Often-mentioned Books
Some Book Sources
Library of Congress

Often-mentioned Books

Tap! The Greatest Tap Stars and Their Stories - interviews with a wide variety of living tappers (at that time.) Great anecdotes and killer indices on tap dancers and filmography. A must have for tap reference.
Jazz Dance - The Story of American Vernacular Dance - written in the early sixties, this documentary of American dance includes much on tap an it practitioners to that time. A must read for tappers.
Tapworks, 2nd Ed: A Tap Dictionary and Reference Manual by Beverly Fletcher. Includes over 1500 entries, a history of tap, notes on teaching levels and performing, bibliography and videography. ISBN: 0-87127-247-4. Princeton Book Company, Publishers. http://www.dancehorizons.com/
Inside Tap by Anita Feldman - subtitled "Technique and Improvisation for Today's Tap Dancer" this book is and introduction to tap that offers traditional and improvisational instruction for the beginner as well as new and innovative material for the intermediate and advanced dancer. 200 pages, numerous photos. 1996, Princeton Book Company, Publishers. ISBN 0-87127-199-0. PH [USA]: (800) 220-7149 [Note: this book is available at the online bookstore Amazon.com. Recommended by members of the tap-jazz discussion list.]
Souls of Your Feet by Acia Gray - is a tap dance guidebook for professionals, students and brand new beginners to discover their inner rhythms through this indigenous American artform. Utilizing the traditional as well as contemporary basics, tap dance is broken down into easy to understand weight placement and tone qualities as well as the sharing of endless creative possibilities, secrets, a little history, traditions and many, many tools for an endless journey in rhythm!
"Footprints: A Tap Dancers World - Photographs by Peter Petronio" Photographs of several of the tap greats with some text by Sarah Petronio. Available from: Grand Weaver's Publishing, P.O. Box 152995, Austin, TX 78715; (512)443-3022. May be out of print.

Some Book Sources

Barnes and Noble: Web site for Barnes and Noble, one of the major bookstore chains.
Amazon.Com: A well-respected online book/music/video vendor. Readers reviews and book summaries are helpful. See their books on tap dancing
Dance Books On-line: A handy resource which includes some hard-to-find items.
Dance Book Club: In addition to your local bookstore and the online book vendors the Dance Book Club is described as "a pretty good source for a broad variety of dance books and videos (no minimum to buy like those crazy record clubs!)"; Dance Book Club; PO Box 831; Hightstown, NJ 08520; (609) 737-8178

Library of Congress

You can visit the Library of Congress catalog archive to search for books on tap and other dance-related subjects. Several search methods are included as options.

A listing of books from an old search with the SUBJECT 'tap dancing' from the Library of Congress TELNET site:

ITEMS 1-58 OF 58          SET 6: BRIEF DISPLAY          FILE: LOCI

                          (DESCENDING ORDER)

1. 95-83294: Nemeth, Bonnie. Tiny tappers : with Stomper the bunny: Auburntown, Tenn. : Dance Innovators Pub. Co., c1994- v. 1 : col. ill. ; 22 x 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .N46 1994
2. 95-14823: Feldman, Anita, 1951- Inside tap :: technique and improvisation for today's tap dancer; Pennington, N.J. : Princeton Book Co., 1996. xviii, 219 p. : ill. ; 23 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .F39 1995; Pennington, NJ: Dance Horizons, 1996. ISBN 0-87127-199-0
3. 94-45756: Frank, Rusty E. Tap : the greatest tap dance stars and their stories, 1900-1955: Rev. ed. New York : Da Capo Press, c1994. 336 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1785.A1 F69 1994
4. 93-211600: Petronio, Peter. Footprints : a tap dancer's world: [1st ed.] [Chicago : Footprints, c1993] 1 v. (unpaged) : chiefly ill. ; 23 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .P38 1993
5. 93-181200: Bowers, Thomas D., Jr. Issues in Afro-American tap dancing: [Dallas, Tex. (P.O. Box 224144, Dallas, Tex. 75222-4144) : T.D. Bowers, c1992] 50 p. ; 29 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .B69 1992
6. 93-137885: Gayle Tutterow's The tap talk dictionary.: [Largo, FL] : G. Tutterow, c1992. 1 v. (various pagings) : ports. ; 22 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .G4 1992
7. 93-5784: Couture, Susan Arkin. Alfonso's dream: 1st ed. New York : Macmillan ; Toronto : Maxwell Macmillan Canada ; New York : Maxwell Macmillan International, c1994. p. cm. CIP - NOT YET IN LC
8. 90-231781: Kelley, Charles. American tap dancing dictionary: [S.l.] : DEA, [c1990] 71 p. ; 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .K45 1990
9. 90-102200: Marker, Eva. Step-Tanz : 70 Schrittkombinationen fur Unterricht und Praxis: Wilhelmshaven : F. Noetzel ; New York : Sole agents, C.P. Peters, c1987. 104 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 21 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .M26 1987
10. 90-36636: Frank, Rusty E. Tap] : the greatest tap dance stars and their stories, 1900-1955: 1st ed. New York : W. Morrow, c1990. 331 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1785.A1 F69 1990
11. 89-40726: Caney, Steven. Teach yourself tap dancing: New York : Workman Pub., 1990. p. cm. CIP - NOT YET IN LC
12. 88-40201: Diggins, Dean. Tap technique :: graded exercises from beginning through advanced levels; 1st ed. Santa Fe, N.M. : Teal Press, 1988. 125 p. ; 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .D54 1988
13. 87-201470: Castle, Roy, 1932- Roy Castle on tap : his unique tap dancing course.: Newton Abbot ; North Pomfret, Vt. : David & Charles, c1986. 143 p. ; 23 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .C37 1986
14. 87-34992: Haskins, James, 1941- Mr. Bojangles : the biography of Bill Robinson: 1st ed. New York : William Morrow, c1988. 336 p. : ports. ; 22 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1785.R54 H37 1988
15. 86-90550: Sutton, Tommy. Tap along with Tommy : a technical guide for tap dance teachers: Decatur, GA : T. Sutton, c1986. 2 v. : ill. ; 21 cm. + 1 dictionary. (106 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.) LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .S88 1986
16. 85-208353: Hansen, Judith McCarty. Technique and theory of tap dancing: [Texas : s.n.], c1985 (Austin, Tex. : Worley Print. Co.) iii, 31 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .H36 1985
17. 83-3294: Marx, Trina, 1949- Tap dance : a beginner's guide: Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice-Hall, 1983. viii, 165 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .M27 1983
18. 82-194135: Tutterow, Gayle. The encyclopedia of tap :: combining Tap combination books 1-2-3 includes tap terminology ... plus nine great routines by Al Gilbert, Danny Hoctor, Art Stone.; Largo, Fla. (9980 Ulmerton Rd. 372, Largo 33541) : G. Tutterow, c1982. 84 p. : ports. ; 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .T865 1982
19. 81-120414: Shipley, Glenn, 1917- The complete tap dictionary: [San Francisco] : G. Shipley, c1980. 90 p. ; 22 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .S46
20. 81-50990: Sinibaldi, Thomas. Tap dancing step by step: New York : Sterling Pub. Co., c1982. 96 p. : ill. ; 29 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .S55
21. 81-1201: Washbourne, Diana. Basic tap dancing: Harmondsworth Middlesex, Eng. ; New York, N.Y., U.S.A. : Penguin Books, 1981. 96 p. : ill. ; 11 x 14 cm. NOT IN LC COLLECTION
22. 79-104567: Tutterow, Gayle. Tap combinations: Largo, Fla. : Tutterow, c1979- v. ; 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .T87
23. 78-300051: Gay, Moyra. Modern tap technique: London : Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, 1976. 48 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .G39
24. 78-100464: Duggan, Anne Schley, 1905- The complete tap dance book: Rev. by M. Evelyn Triplett. Washington : University Press of America, c1977. xlv, 106 p. : ill. ; 23 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .D77 1977
25. 77-17886: Draper, Paul, 1909- On tap dancing: New York : M. Dekker, c1978. x, 161 p. : port. ; 24 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .D68
26. 76-44412: Ames, Jerry. The book of tap : recovering America's long lost dance: New York : D. McKay Co., c1977. xiii, 178 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .A45
27. 76-935: Audy, Robert. Tap dancing : how to teach yourself to tap: 1st ed. New York : Vintage Books, c1976. 115 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .A83 1976
28. 75-158799: Atwater, Constance. Tap dancing; techniques, routines, terminology.: Rutland, Vt., C. E. Tuttle Co. [1971] 179 p. illus. 24 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .A8
29. 69-16335: Nash, Barbara. Tap dance.: Dubuque, Iowa, W. C. Brown Co. [1969] vii, 54 p. illus. 23 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .N37
30. 57-10988: Fletcher, Beale. How to improve your tap dancing;: for the beginning, intermediate, and professional dancer.; New York, A. S. Barnes [1957] 120 p. illus. 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .F55
31. 52-30646: Sprague, Sidney, 1912- The Sprague "photovision" learn to tap dance method.: Englewood, N.J., S. Sprague Studio of the Theatre [1952] 61 p. illus. 23 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .S6
32. 48-557: Bense, Jacques, 1912- Danses a claquettes;: methode complete theorique et pratique a l'usage des aspirants artistes choregraphes et professeurs. [En 100 lecons]; Paris, Editions Danse et rythme [1947] 285 p. illus., port., music. 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .B4
33. 47-4833: Duggan, Anne Schley, 1905- The complete tap dance book.: New York, A. S. Barnes [1947] xliii, 100 p. illus. 29 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .D77
34. 43-39945: [Hostetler, Lawrence A.], 1903- Tap dancing and new variations in social dances: [New York] Home institute, inc., c1937. 40 p. illus., diagrs. 23 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .H685
35. 43-17803: Dancing masters of America, inc. Tap terminology.: [Washington] c1943. 7 numb. l. 28 x 22 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .D3
36. 43-9506: [Hostetler, Lawrence A.] 1903- Self-instruction in tap dancing: [New York] Home institute, inc., c1937. 39, [1] p. illus., diagrs. 23 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .H68
37. 42-18024: Duggan, Anne Schley, 1905- Tap dancing simplified: [New York] Reader mail, inc., c1937. 32 p. illus. 19 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .D83
38. 42-3705: Sauthoff, Hermine Elizabeth. Tap dance for fun,: New York, A. S. Barnes and company [c1941] 94 p. illus. 29 x 22 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .S3
39. 41-25317: Stryker, Daisy Murrmann, Mrs. Tap dancing ...: [South Bend, Ind.] c1933. 2 v. illus. (incl. music) 33 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .S7
40. 40-511: Hungerford, Mary Jane. Creative tap dancing,: New York, Prentice- Hall, inc., 1939. xii, 213 p. illus., diagrs. 23 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .H85
41. 39-19412: John, Herbert. Steptanz im selbstunterricht;: steptanz fur anfanger durch die zeitlupe gesehen,; Dresden, Rudolph [1938] 55 p. incl. front. (port.) illus. (incl. music) diagrs. 22 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: MT950.J5 S8
42. 38-8999: [Shomer, Louis] 1910- Tip top tapping;: simplified lessons in tap dancing; a beginner's progressive guide to successful tap dancing for the home and stage;; New York city, Louellen publishing co., inc., 1937. 62 p. illus. 20 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .S5
43. 37-27311: O'Gara, Shiela. Tap it,: New York, A. S. Barnes and Company, incorporated, 1937. 88 p. illus. (incl. music) 29 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: MT950.O5 T3 ALSO GV1794 .O35
44. 37-20177: Burchill, Kenneth. Step dancing;: a course of twenty lessons for the beginner, 2d ed.; London, Sir I. Pitman & sons, ltd., 1936. xiii, 76 p., 1 l. illus., plates. 19 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .B8 1936
45. 37-15018: Wade, Rosalind. Tap dancing in 12 easy lessons,: Philadelphia, David McKay company [1936] 3 p.1., [9]-62 p. illus. (incl. port., music) 19 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .W3
46. 37-3477: Petsch, James J. Modern tap dance styled: [Hollywood, Calif., Printed by Hollycrofters, inc., ltd., c1937] 18 p., 1 l. illus. 31 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .P4
47. 37-450: Ferguson, Katherine. Elementary tap dances,: New York city, The Womans press, 1930. iv, 21 p. 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .F4
48. 36-2617: Judd, Marguerite. Tap dancing, with a musical note for every tap ...: New York, N.Y., The Womans press [c1935- v. illus. 28 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: MT950.J8 T3
49. 35-17199: Burchill, Kenneth. Step dancing; a course of twenty lessons for the beginner,: London, Sir I. Pitman & sons, ltd., 1935. xiii, 76 p., 1 l. illus., plates. 19 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .B8
50. 35-7120: Duggan, Anne Schley, 1905- Tap dances for school and recreation,: New York, A. S. Barnes and company, incorporated, 1935. 103 p. illus. 29 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .D82 ALSO MT950 .D82
51. 33-11653: Ballwebber, Edith. Illustrated tap rhythms and routines,: [Chicago, New York, Clayton F. Summy co., c1933] 96 p. illus. 32 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .B28 ALSO MT950 .B19
52. 32-11880: Duggan, Anne Schley, 1905- Tap dances,: New York, A. S. Barnes and company, incorporated, 1932. xxviii, 110 p. illus., diagrs. 29 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .D8 ALSO MT950 .D8
53. 32-4723: Ramsey, Rita. Home lessons in tap dancing,: New York, E. P. Dutton & co., inc. [c1932] 64 p. illus. 20 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .R3
54. 31-18582: Ormonde, Jimmy. Tap dancing at a glance: New York, Brewer, Warren & Putnam, 1931. [89] p. illus. 18 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .O7
55. 31-10496: Frost, Helen. Tap, caper and clog, fifteen character dances,: New York, A. S. Barnes and company, incorporated, 1931. 3 p.l., 72 p. plates. 29 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: MT950 .F75
56. 31-5594: Cadwell, Grace. How to tap dance,: St. Louis, Simon, 1931. 43 p. illus. 20 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .C3
57. 30-31562: Ballwebber, Edith. Tap dancing; fundamentals and routines,: Chicago, Clayton F. Summy co.; London, Eng., A. Weekes & co. [c1930] 70 p. illus. 32 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .B3
58. 30-21736: Hillas, Marjorie. Tap dancing;: fourteen routines with descriptions and references to appropriate music,; New York, A. S. Barnes and company, incorporated, 1930. x, 29 p. 23 1/2 cm. LC CALL NUMBER: GV1794 .H5

And a couple of Jazz Dance books:

5. 93-40957: Stearns, Marshall Winslow. Jazz dance : the story of American vernacular dance: 1st Da Capo Press ed. New York : Da Capo Press, 1994.xviii, 472 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.; LC CALL NUMBER: GV1624.7.A34 S74 1994
6. 92-22623: Giordano, Gus. Jazz dance class : beginning thru advanced: Pennington, NJ : Princeton Book Co., c1992. xxxiv, 209 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.; LC CALL NUMBER: GV1784 .G56 1992
27. 80-1091: Luigi. The Luigi jazz dance technique: 1st ed. Garden City,N.Y. : Doubleday, 1981. 224 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.; LC CALL NUMBER: GV1753 .L84

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Last Modified: 24-May-04