by Alexandra Heep

Created on: September 02, 2008   Last Updated: September 03, 2008

A good way to learn how to tap dance is through a certified instructor at a dance studio. Better yet, if you can afford private lessons, go for it. While many say it's easiest to learn at a young age, around three or so, it's never too late.

I was in my late thirties when I learned how to tap dance. While I learned at a studio, you don't really have to spend money, if you don't want to. Also, it's a good idea to get familiar with the steps, before you pay. Please allow me to share what I remember from my two years that I took dance classes.

The first and most important lesson is to distinguish the sound that your tap shoes make, and how to achieve the sound properly. The movement has to come from your ankles, not your legs. There are exceptions, but more on that will be mentioned later. The basic lesson is that there are moves that make a single sound or beat, and moves that make multiple sounds.

The single sound movements are called stomp, stamp, brush, step, hop and leap. Flap and shuffle make two sounds, so does a ball change, but it's a softer (more rolling) sound. There is also a move that is different from either. That one is called a cramp roll and makes four sounds.

If you examine tap shoes, you will see two metal plates on the soles: at the front to foot, and on the heel. When instructions call for making a move with only the ball of your foot, your goal is to make the noise with the plate on the front.

A stomp is just what it sounds like, putting your heel and toe down at the same time with energy, to create a very audible sound. When your foot hits the floor, shift your weight to the opposite leg to prepare for the next move. A stamp is the same as the stomp, but it's different from the stomp because you don't shift your weight to the other leg.

A brush means gently brush the ball of your foot against the floor. This move can be done with a forward or backward motion. With this step it's important that the movement comes from your thigh and that your foot is very relaxed.

A step is just what it sounds like, stepping down with your foot just like walking and shifting your weight to that foot. It's usually done with another step in turn; in that case you would pick up your other leg.

A flap is a combination of the brush and the step. It's commonly pronounced fa-lap to emphasize that this move needs to make two sounds. It's a mistake made by many that they only make one sound, as it takes some time getting coordinated enough to keep the foot relaxed for the brush part, yet follow up with the energy to step down.

A shuffle is two brushes performed quickly in succession. The ball of your foot needs to move from front to back. Keep your foot very relaxed as you do this.

A ball change refers to shifting your weight from one ball of the foot to the other (left to right or vice versa). Make sure the sounds your shoes make come from the front plate, not the heel. In essence, it's a quick weight change from one foot to the other by not putting pressure on the heel.

The cramp roll involves both feet. Set them down and shift your weight in this order: right ball, left ball, right heel, left heel. This works best if you practice it very slowly at first.

A hop is just what it sounds like. Jump in the air with one leg without shifting your weight, and land on that same leg. A leap is similar, but you shift your weight and land on the other leg.

You don't need tap shoes to learn the moves. Matter of fact, for my first dance lesson I showed up in tennis shoes because it was hard to find the tap shoes he wanted in my size. It's important that you warm up properly before attempting to learn these. Always keep your knees slightly bent to prevent injuries.

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