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Jazz dance played a major role in tap development. Tap dancers have used rhythms from blues,
ragtime, swing, and big band music.
The term "tap" came into popular use as late as 1902.
In the 1800s, the dance had been referred to as "buck-and-wing," "buck dancing," or "flat-footed dancing." Metal taps attached
to shoe bottoms weren't commonly used until after 1910. Before then, most shoes were made of leather uppers and wooden soles,
while others had hobnails or pennies pounded into the toe and heel.
With the rise of vaudeville, travelling black road
shows and Broadway revues, more and more opportunities for tap dancers opened up. Still, racism was prevalent, and black and
white performers usually danced on different theatrical circuits and for segregated audiences.
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