Tap dancing is a unique form of dance because its actions are intended to produce a variety of percussive sounds.  Tap dancers frequently perform as musicians in an ensemble; sometimes as vocalists or instrumentalists. These percussive sounds are integral to the musical performance, and on occasion the rationale for the song’s composition.
Feet and hand movements are precisely timed in a fashion similar to drummers, creating unique percussive sounds through intricate body movements.  A dance movement can produce multiple sounds.  The method of percussion also creates timbre, variability of impulse, attack, and decay.  An example comparison would be a drummer’s “rim shot” and the Tap dancers’ “Stomp”.
Kahnotation was developed in the 1930’s by Stanley Kahn and was published in 1951, making it the second oldest dance notation in continual use.  Stanley Kahn is considered a legend in the Tap community, recognized as such by the International Tap Association for having created Kahnotation and for having taught Tap dance for sixty years until his death in 1995.  The notation has been used in training and choreography for decades.  Some of the Kahnotation symbols are identical to common music notations (e.g., repeats, fermata) and are not duplicated in this proposal. Attached are two routines (“Shim Sham” and “EE”) demonstrating Kahnotation composed in musical script.
Enabled though standard musical notation practices, the inclusion of Kahnotation into musicXML will enhance student training and choreography, promoting a sustainable framework for archiving.  The use of common musical notation software will encourage more precise and effective written communication between Tap performers and other members of the musical ensemble.