by Amanda Moonfire L.

Created on: May 28, 2011

Tap dance is a form of dance that is distinguished by the use of percussive sounds while performing. These sounds are generated by the sound of special metal plated tap-shoes. There are many variations to tap dancing, but the basics are pretty much the same, but the names may change from one tap variation to another.

In order to tap dance, you’ll need a pair of tap shoes. Although learning the dance steps does not require the shoes, if you need to know if you’re producing clear tap sounds, especially if you’re a beginner, investing in a pair of tap shoes is the way to go.

Since tap dance is percussive, this would mean that most of the steps in tap dance is a combination of different single sound moves into multiple sound moves, and eventually combined into a choreography. In order to create the correct sounds for each step, your feet, knees and ankles must be relaxed – think of them as unscrewed bolts to allow more movement and speed.

Beginner single sounds:

Step: this is a step on the balls of the feet and your weight shifts to the feet stepping down.

Tap: this is also a step on the balls of the feet, but your weight doesn’t shift, so this should allow you space to add more sounds into your foot such as the flap.

Brush: this is tapping once on the floor and swinging your foot forward or backward. Brushing backwards may be called a pick.

Heel: this is stepping down on the heel.

Stomp: this is stepping down on both the ball and heel of the foot, and shifting your weight to that foot.

Hop: this is hopping on the ball of one foot without shifting the weight.

Spring/Leap: this is hopping on the ball of one foot while shifting the weight.

Intermediate/advanced single step sounds: (it is advisable that these steps are done with someone supervising such as your dance instructor. Do not do these steps if you are a complete beginner. You may injure yourself.)

Click: this is a clicking of either metallic plates on both shoes. This sound is difficult to do on its own so it is usually done within a combination. This video has incorporated the click into the set.

Wing: this is by brushing the side of the metallic plate at the front diagonally to create a crisp scratch sound. Wings are usually combined with a step to bring your feet back together.

Multiple sounds:

Flap/Tap-step: this is exactly as it is – a tap and a step.

Step-heel: again, this is exactly as it is.

Shuffle: this is a combination of brushing forward and backward.

Ball change: this is done by first stepping on the balls of the foot, then doing the same again on the other foot while shifting your weight.

Cramp roll: this is a combination of a step, step, heel, and heel, but usually done fast.

Progressive tap: this is a combination of 2 or more taps and then followed by a step-heel.

There are more combinations listed here such as the Maxi Ford, Buffalo, Pull Backs, Time Steps, and more, but it is difficult to explain in words so you should browse video tutorials that can describe it visually for you.

Learning with a certified instructor in a dance studio might be pricey, but it will help you learn tap dance fast because you are seeing and experiencing it. But if you are unable to find an instructor now, that’s ok. The most important thing is that you are able to create the sounds properly. Tap dance videos in YouTube may help you along the way. Remember to relax your feet, knees and ankles as it is vital to being able to create different sounds from different angles of the tap shoes.

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