Customer Reviews

package: Tap with Ginger Video Series (beginner+intermediate+advanced Levels) + Zoot CD Swing practice music [VHS]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I used to reserve Ginger's tap workshops at the library because they were easily the best workouts available until I discovered that everybody else had found out the same thing and were reserving them as well. This meant that sometimes I would have to wait weeks to get the tapes and my dancing in the meanwhile was going, quite simply, nowhere. I then decided the best investment would simply be to go ahead and buy them for myself. I couldn't have, literally, made a better move. Besides the fact Ginger is the most adorable woman this side, or any side, of the Atlantic, and a fabulous dancer, her instructions and demonstrations are very clear, so even if you have never put on a pair of tap shoes (which I hadn't), you would be able to follow them all the way from the basic shuffle to a stun-all-your-friends shim-sham. I have now worked up through the Beginner tape to the middle of the Intermediate one and have even peeked ahead to the Advanced One to see if the quality of instruction is the same, and it's quite simply head of the class all the way. If you've ever wanted to be Gene Kelly or Ginger Rogers--or better yet, Ginger of Paris--here's your chance.

EASY TAP LEARNING FOR ALL LEVELS STUDENTS

This DVD is an excellent introduction to Tap.
2 excellent features: The way it is filmed from the back, just like a real tap class, which make it easy to learn and follow along.

Also the 4 repetitions of each step and the additional 3 repetitions with music, this helped me to nail each step, one at a time.

When one of the step seemed challenging, hey, that is part of learning,
I just slowed down the image! I think any DVD player can do it. So I used this function when ever necessary.....
This 4 hour long instructional Tap DVD has given me month's free lessons and enjoyment.
Rob.

Some friends and I got together and decided dthe only way we'd ever exercise was if we all did it at the same time. We started out with aerobics but it was so boring we decided we'd try tap dancing instead. What a hoot--or should I say, hoof. Ginger is sensational and we've all gotten so good, we're thinking about putting on a show for our husbands!

Giannella & Co.

I took tap lessons from the second grade through my sophomore year of high school, and I am now a 42-year-old homemaker. When I decided to get back into tap, I struggled with choosing a dvd which would not be too easy and would not be beyond my ability. I put Ginger's dvd in for the first time today and started with the intermediate level. It was great fun. Since I am rusty, I found the intermediate level a little challenging but still very do-able. While Ginger does repeat each step or combination several times, she moves it along and does not put me to sleep. I believe I will be able to master the intermediate level after two to four more viewings. I hope then to use the intermediate level as a warm-up (since it certainly will not bore me and will be great practice for clarity of sound), and I hope improve my skills with the advanced level. Contrary to what some of the other reviews say, Ginger does not have a "funny" accent; she has a lovely French accent. She is a skilled tap dancer/hoofer, and she is very pleasant to watch.

I really like to "tap with Ginger". She has a funny accent but is pleasant to watch and easy to follow. There is a lot of variety on the DVD. It is harder than I expected. I have taken 2 years of tap dance before buying the DVD. I thought I could start with the intermediate but found the beginning level challenging enough. After a month of dancing with Ginger I have started the intermediate level.

"In this complete program for beginner-intermediate and advanced levels, you will learn 45 steps. Also, it comes with fun Swing Music practice from famous band ZOOT. Tap artist, Ginger de Paris adheres to the concept "Practice makes perfect" First each step is demonstrated to music. Next, it is shown in close-ups of the feet from the back, repeated 4 times and finally the viewer can follow along with 3 reviews to music. This is an EXCELLENT, reasonably priced introduction to Tap.
Beginner Level: Shuffle, Flaps, Cramp Roll, Clap Step, Comic Slide, Shim Sham Routine, Broadway Time Step, Rythm Time Step, Turning Time Step, Basic Roll, Essence...

Intermediate Level:Paddle Rolls,Trills, Paddle Roll Workout, Paddle Roll with Stamps and Variation, Walking Step, The Third, Rolling Step, Maxie Ford,Jump & Click, Time Step with stamps
Time Step with Thrid, train Step, Turning Step, Double Shuffle

Advanced Level: Warm Up, Boogie Step, Riff, the Chug, The Retro Step, Slides, Wings, Turn with Tap, Pull Backs, plus 5 different Hoofer Time Steps.
Recommended for public libraries and dance collections."
Editor Bette Lee Fox

"In this complete program for beginner-intermediate and advanced levels, you will learn 45 steps. Tap artist, Ginger de Paris adheres to the concept "Practice makes perfect" First each step is demonstrated to music. Next, it is shown in close-ups of the feet from the back, repeated 4 times and finally the viewer can follow along with 3 reviews to music. This is an EXCELLENT, reasonably priced introduction to Tap.
Beginner Level: Shuffle, Flaps, Cramp Roll, Clap Step, Comic Slide, Shim Sham Routine, Broadway Time Step, Rythm Time Step, Turning Time Step, Basic Roll, Essence...

Intermediate Level:Paddle Rolls,Trills, Paddle Roll Workout, Paddle Roll with Stamps and Variation, Walking Step, The Third, Rolling Step, Maxie Ford,Jump & Click, Time Step with stamps
Time Step with Thrid, train Step, Turning Step, Double Shuffle

Advanced Level: Warm Up, Boogie Step, Riff, the Chug, The Retro Step, Slides, Wings, Turn with Tap, Pull Backs, plus 5 different Hoofer Time Steps.

Highly recommended for public libraries and dance collections."
Editor Bette Lee Fox

EDITORIAL REVIEW FROM BOOKLIST MAGAZINE -JANUARY 2004 ISSUE
ONE OF THE 3 TOP LIBRARY MAGAZINES IN AMERICA-
Tap with Ginger. Golden Treasures. 2003. 4hr. DVD $44.95

A competent tap dance teacher shows wannabes various dance steps while voice over narration (spoken in a slight European accent) explains techniques and movements. The instructor stands on a raised dance floor, initially facing viewers before turning her back so the camera can record her foot movements. The steps are repeated four times and the beat is counted out. Music accompanies the fourth repeat. Viewers can choose beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels with 15 steps included in each. Shuffles, flaps, slides, paddle rolls, trills, rolling steps, riffs, and pull-backs are among the demonstrated steps. The DVD also features a tap dance dictionary and review lessons. This no frills, well-executed instructional is suggested for dancers at all levels. --Nancy McCray

I have Bonnie Franklin's Let's Tap and, to me, she is a much better teacher than Ginger. Bonnie demonstrates facing you and does the steps totally backwards (her left leg for your right, so it is like looking in a mirror -- quite impressive) and it is so much easier to follow. Ginger initially shows the steps facing away from you so you can't see what her feet are doing. For someone who doesn't know a fl-lap from a shuffle, it is very difficult to figure out what she is doing. When she does turn around for the faster sections, her legs are opposite yours. Also, the music is quite bad. NOT for beginners! An advanced tap dancer might get a lot out of it though.

Easy for me to learn from, because each step is filmed from behind and I don't have to transform the steps in my head.