Ginger Daniels Movement Specialist
Hello all! I decided to write about movements derived in tap dance and drumming today because I have been working with a client who is recovering from a stroke. He is loving the fact that I have been implementing these movement patterns with him. Now, he does not have total control of the right side of his body, yet he's tapping and drumming!!! You should be totally inspired. SO, I thought, why not teach everyone a little tap and a little drums, right? It is truly a wonderful thing for the brain to dance and to create rhythms. Music is felt throughout the entire being, and when you are really moving succinctly in a rhythmic pattern, the body can become abundantly joyful. An old dance called the shim sham is a tap dance from the 20s that has been passed down through generations. I've learned several versions of it from my vast array of tap teachers over the years. I'm going to teach a pattern from that dance that is actually very aerobic that I learned while I was attending Stephens College from a Chicagoan named Lane Alexander. The music you'll hear on the video I made in the attachment below is by the Dorsey Brothers. It was recorded I think in the 30s on this track, and it is called The Shim Sham Shimmy. You can hear how the drums lay down to create a similar pattern that the dance creates. I am also going to teach you a piece of the drum pattern without sticks and I'll be banging on a can, just so you know you can drum on anything. Oh, and no tap shoes required. Remember, you can also dance anywhere you like. All you need is a little space. I chose this piece because it is timeless and routed historically for dancers and drummers alike. YOU DON'T NEED TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY COORDINATED EITHER. Try it, you'll be surprised. You also will have this video to refer to as often as you like so you can really get it. To my dancers and drummers who may think this is too easy, pshaw. You'll be reminded about how much fun it is and you can embellish as much as you like. My boyfriend told me recently that what I have to say and teach is actually more valuable than I know, which is why I've been charging you to view SOME things. However, I decided that since this is based in dance and drums, and not what you're all accustomed to trying, this is FREE. Click the second video below, if you care to learn something new. The first video is what it looks like with music and all...the drums are my electronic kit, so the sound is not what you'd expect, but you get the idea. I've even included a little Bill Robinson and Shirley Temple for you, performing another version of the shim sham....enjoy. I hope you get inspired....you know who you are. Move Well, Eat Well, Be Well (TM) Ginger Daniels email for inquiries
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