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How to tap dance basic steps


4 Fundamental Tap Dance Steps for Beginners

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Dance, Performing Arts

Have you ever watched good dancers make even the most complicated techniques look effortless? Watching an experienced dancer perform a tap routine can be magical. And, this can also happen for you if you learn these 4 tap dance steps that are simple but essential elements of all tap choreography. 

Get ready to train your own feet to create a unique mixture of motion and music! This beginner’s guide will give you easy-to-follow steps and a tap-dancing video for each move.

What are the fundamental tap dance steps for beginners?

There are 4 basic tap dance moves: shuffle ball, ball change, step-heel and heel-step, and single buffalo. Once you learn these steps, you’ll be on your way to tap dancing like a pro!

  • Shuffle
  • Ball change
  • Step-heel and heel-step
  • Single buffalo

You may also like: 5 Dance Basics to Nail Down

1. Shuffle

https://youtu.be/7D582WY2Et4Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How to Do Shuffles in Tap Dance (https://youtu.be/7D582WY2Et4)

The shuffle is one of the first tap dance steps you should learn. It’s a combination of two moves that are even more basic: the brush and the strike. 

  • First, perform the brush by standing on one leg and bending the other as you lift your foot off the ground. 
  • Next, turn both feet out without letting the raised foot touch the ground.
  • Then, perform a brush by swinging the foot forward. As it passes your standing foot, point it slightly, so the ball quickly brushes against the floor. Don’t let your heel touch the floor at all. 
  • Last, follow it with a strike. This is simply the same movement in reverse, where you’ll swing your foot backward instead of forwards.

 

2. Ball Change

https://youtu. be/7wmmBLi1EyIVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How to Tap Dance: Shuffle Ball Change (https://youtu.be/7wmmBLi1EyI)

 

In tap, there are several different ways to shift your weight from one foot to the other, but the ball change is by far the most common. To pull it off perfectly, make sure that only your toe tap (the smallest of your shoe’s metal plates) makes any noise.

  • First, stand with your feet side by side but not touching.
  • Next, lift your heels so that only the balls of your feet are in contact with the floor.
  • Then, place your right foot behind you and rock back onto the ball of it. As you do so, your left foot should completely leave the floor for a moment.
  • Last, switch feet and do the same thing, rocking your weight from one ball to the next.

 

3. Heel-Step and Step-Heel

https://youtu.be/o9gi2eQQfcQVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How To Perform A Tap Step Heel (https://youtu. be/o9gi2eQQfcQ)

These two tap dance steps are the opposite of one another and when you perform them in a pair of tap shoes, they each produce two very distinct sounds. 

  • First, try to heel-step, which simply mimics the natural progression of walking across the floor. The rules are very basic: when you place one foot in front of the other, bring the heel of your foot down first. It may help to exaggerate the movement and “stomp” your heel to the floor. 
  • Next, bring the ball of your foot down, too. Repeat with the opposite foot.
  • Then, continue until you’ve moved forward several feet.
  • Last, try the step-heel, which is the reverse of what you just did. The ball of your foot should come down before your heel. This will come more naturally if you’re used to wearing high heels. 

Note: Make sure when you’re doing the step-heel that the ball of each foot makes complete contact with the floor before the heel joins it. The more you arch your foot, the more force you’ll need to complete each step.

 

4. Single Buffalo

https://youtu.be/unszgGPxC0YVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How to Tap Dance: Buffalo Step (https://youtu.be/unszgGPxC0Y)

This series of step, shuffle, and small jump is a stylized way to transition between tap dance moves.

  • First, step down onto the ball of your right foot.
  • Next, lift your left foot behind you and perform a shuffle, moving it forward and back again. 
  • Then, return to your original position and hop onto the ball of the foot, placing it behind your right foot while you simultaneously lift your right foot into the air in front of you.
  • Last, bend your right knee outward so that your toe falls on the other side of your left foot.

 

Have Fun Learning The Fundamental Tap Dance Steps!

Practice really can make perfect if you put your mind to it. Once you have these steps down, you’ll know how to tap dance like a pro.

If you enjoy learning and practicing these simple tap dance moves, why not take it a step further and work with a private dance teacher to improve your skills? Online videos are great, but tap dance lessons with an instructor can make sure you’ve mastered the basics and more to help you feel confident performing or competing as a tap dancer.

Have fun learning these exciting but important tap dance steps as you make magical music with your feet!

Suzy S.

Free Tap Dance Syllabus with Videos

Spank (Brush Back, Draw, Pull) - 1 - swing the foot back (coming from the front or diagonally side) hitting only the ball tap

Spank Step (Back Flap) - &1 or a1 - swing the foot back (coming from the front or diagonally side) hitting only the ball tap, step

Spank Step Heel - a1 2 or &a1 - spank step heel

Spank Step Ball Change - &1&2 or a1 a2 - spank step STEP step

Shuffle - &1 or a1 - brush spank

Shuffle Step (Running Shuffle, Leap Shuffles, Jogging Shuffles) - &a1 - brush spank step

Shuffle Ball Change - &1&2 or a1 a2 - brush spank step STEP

Buffalo - 1&a2 - (cross foot in front) step (leap) SHUFFLE STEP

Cramp Roll - 1&a2 - step STEP heel HEEL

Irish - a1 a2 or e&a1 - shuffle HOP step

Maxie Ford - 1&2&3 or 1e&a2 or 1 a2 a3 - step SHUFFLE STEP toe  (toe crosses in back)

Waltz Clog - 1&2&3 or 1e&a2 or 1 a2 a3 - step SHUFFLE BALL CHANGE

Heel Stand - 1 - jump onto the back edges of your heels and balance

Step Heel Turn - 1&2& - step heel STEP HEEL(turning - 2 step heels per rotation)

Flap Heel Turn - &1 2 or &a1 - brush step heel BRUSH STEP HEEL (turning)

Slide - 1 - run or push off of one leg and allow your feet to glide along the floor without leaving the floor

OPTIONAL STEPS

Clunk - 1 - hit the inside of the toe and heel tap against the floor at the same time

Leap - 1 - push off of one foot and into the air and land on the ball of the other foot

JUMP TO:  Top  1  2  3  4  5  6  7

LEVEL 2 (essential steps in teaching order, optional in alphabetical)

ESSENTIAL STEPS

Hop Shuffle - 1&a - hop BRUSH SPANK

Shuffle Heel - &a1 - brush spank HEEL

Scuff - 1 - swing your foot forward and hit the back edge of the heel tap as the foot swings

Double Buffalo - a1&a2 - (cross foot in front) flap SHUFFLE STEP

Double Cramp Roll (Flap Cramp Roll) - a1&a2 - flap STEP heel HEEL

Double Irish (version 1) - &1&2&3&4 or a1 a2 a3 a4 - shuffle ball change, shuffle HOP step

Irish Flap - a1&a2 - shuffle HOP flap

Double Maxie Ford - &1&2&3 or a1e&a2 - flap SHUFFLE STEP toe

Double Waltz Clog - &1&2&3 or a1e&a2 - flap SHUFFLE BALL CHANGE

Alexander (Broadway, Shirley Temple) - &1&2&3&4 or a1 a2 a3 a4 - flap HEEL heel SPANK heel TOE heel

Back Essence - &1&2 or a1 a2 - spank step (cross behind) STEP (out) step

Flap Heel Heel - &1&2 or a1 a2 - brush step HEEL heel

Bombershay Modern (Bombershe, Toe Clip)- 1&a - step SPANK DIG

Drawback - &a1 - spank HEEL step

Pullback (Pull, Grab Off, Pick-Up) - a1 - jump backwards and as your feet leave the floor they both do a “spank” (brush back) at the same time then both feet land on the balls of the feet at the same time

Scuffle (Dig brush, Dig Spank, Paddle) - &1 or a1 - dig spank

Scuffle Step (Paddles, Dig brush Step) - 1&a - dig spank step

Scuffle Step Heel (Dig Brush Toe Heel, Paddle and Roll, Paradiddle - 1&2& or 1e&a - dig spank step heel

Scuffle Ball Change - &1&2 or 1e&a - dig spank step STEP

Buck Single Time Step - 8 1 2&3&4 5 6&7& or 8 1 2 a3 a4  5 6a7 a - stomp (some people add a spank after the stomp) HOP step FLAP step

Traditional Single Time Step - 8&1 2&3&4&5 6&7& or 8 a1 2 a3 a4  a5 6a7 a - shuffle HOP step FLAP step

Buffalo Turn - 1&a2 - (cross foot in front) step SHUFFLE STEP (turning)

Step Irish Turn - 1e&a2 - step SHUFFLE hop STEP (turning)

Step Toe Hop Turn - 1&a2&a - step TOE hop STEP toeHOP (turning)

In and Out Pullback (Jumping Jack Pullback) - a1 a2 - start feet apart, pull both feet into the air and land feet together, pull into the air and land feet apart

Toe Stand - 1 - "jump" up to the tip of your toes and balance on them

Slap - a1 - brush touch

OPTIONAL STEPS

Bombershay Broadway (Bombershe) - a1 2 - spank stamp, STEP/twist and lift right toe

Clicks (Toe & Heel) - 1 - click either the toe taps or heel taps together

Crossing Pullback - a1 - pull both feet into the air and land so that one foot is crossed in front of the other

Heel Stand Turn - 1 - jump onto the back edges of your heels while turning

Jump Click - 1 - propel yourself into the air and click either the toe taps, heel taps, or both toe and heel taps together

Leap Heel - 1 2 or 1&  - push off of one foot and into the air and land on the ball of the other foot, heel

Smack - 1 - step on the ball of the foot with a straight leg (can also be done without weight

Slam - 1 - jump-out with straight legs and barely go into the air (it's more like a scoot back on your toes)

Travel Step - 1&a - step out to the side, SPANK, STEP IN

JUMP TO:  Top  1  2  3  4  5  6  7

LEVEL 3 (essential steps in teaching order, optional in alphabetical)

ESSENTIAL STEPS

Shuffle Step Heel - &1&2 or e&a1 - brush spank step heel

Double Shuffle - 1&a2 - brush spank brush spank

Double Irish (version 2) - &a1&a2 - shuffle (front) HOP shuffle step

Alternating Cramp Roll (Around the World Cramp Roll, Trading Cramp Roll) - 1&a2 - step STEP HEEL heel

Pendulum Shuffle - a1 a2 - brush to the front then spank in front of the standing foot, then brush back out to the front and then spank diagonally back to the side

Double Scuffle - 1&a2 - dig spank dig spank

Double Scuffle Step Heel - 1e&a2e or 1&a2&a - dig spank dig spank step heel

Double Back Essence - a1&a2 - spank step (cross behind) FLAP step

Traditional Double Time Step - 8&1&2&3&4&5&6&7& or 8 a1 a2 a3 a4 a5 a6 a7 a - shuffle HOP flap FLAP step

Traditional Triple Time Step - 8&1&a2&3&4&5&a6&7& or 8 a1&a2 a3 a4 a5&a6 a7 a- shuffle HOP shuffle step FLAP step

Buck Double Time Step - 8 1&2&3&4 5&6&7& or 8 1 a2 a3 a4 5 a6 a7 a- stomp (some people add a spank after the stomp) HOP flap FLAP step

Buck Triple Time Step - 8 1&a2&3&4 5&a6&7& or 8 1&a2 a3 a4 5&a6 a7 a - stomp (some people add a spank after the stomp) HOP shuffle step FLAP step

Cincinnati - &1&2&3 0r &a1&a2 - spank HEEL shuffle HEEL step

Single Pullback (One-Foot Pullback) - a1 - start on one foot, push off the floor into the air and as your foot leaves the floor do a spank then land on the ball of the foot

Trenches (Hoofer & Broadway Style) - 1 - step on one foot while the other slides backwards coming off the floor at the end of the slide

Riff - a1 - (this is taught many different ways) touch dig or touch scuff or brush scuff

3-Beat Riff Walk (Slam, Flam, Slurp, Third) - &a1 - touch dig toe or brush dig toe

4-Beat Riff Walk - a1 a2 - touch scuff dig toe or brush scuff dig toe

5-Beat Riff Walk - a1&a2 - touch scuff HEEL dig toe or brush scuff HEEL dig toe

Maxie Ford Turn - 1e&a2 - step SHUFFLE STEP toe (turning)

Stamp Cramp Roll Turn - 1 2&a3 - stamp STEP step heel HEEL (turning)

Double Pullback - 1&a2 or &a*1 - pull PULL step STEP

Wing - &a1 - start on the balls of the feet with feet together, scrape both feet outwards and into the air, then spank both feet inwards at the same time and land on the balls of the feet with your feet together

OPTIONAL STEPS

Boomerang  - 1&2& or 1e&a - stamp STEP spank step

Double Flap - 1&a2 or &a*1 - brush step BRUSH STEP (done in rapid succession)

Scuff Dig Ball Change - &1&2 - scuff dig STEP step

Single Heel Stand - 1 - jump up onto the back edge of one heel tap

Skipping Pullback - &a1 - single pullback STEP

Step Heel Heel - 1&a - step HEEL heel

JUMP TO:  Top  1  2  3  4  5  6  7

LEVEL 4 (essential steps in teaching order, optional in alphabetical)

ESSENTIAL STEPS

Triple Cramp Roll (Shuffle cramp Roll) - &a1&a2 or a1e&a2 - shuffle step STEP heel HEEL

Irish Pullback - a1&a2 - shuffle SINGLE-PULLBACK step

Double Toe Stand - 1&a2 or &a*1 - toe TOE step STEP

Toe Stand Turn - 1 - "jump" up to the tip of your toes and balance on them (turning)

Nerve Taps - 1 - vibrate either your toe or heel tap against the floor rapidly

Switching Pullback (Swapping, Alternating Pullback) - a1 - start on one foot, push off the floor into the air and as your foot leaves the floor do a spank then land on the ball of the other foot

Maxie Ford Pullback - 1e&a*2 - step SHUFFLE switching-pullback toe

Double Maxie Ford Pullback - a1e&a*2 - flap SHUFFLE switching-pullback toe

Shuffle Pullback Ball Change - a1&a2 or e&a*1 - brush spank SWITCHING-PULLBACK STEP

Waltz Clog Pullback - 1e&a*2 - step SHUFFLE switching-pullback step  

Double Waltz Clog Pullback - a1e&a*2 - flap SHUFFLE switching-pullback step

Shuffle Pullback - e&a1 - brush spank SWITCHING-PULLBACK

Over The Top - 1 2 - step KICK LEG INTO THE AIR, jump over the airborne leg and land on the original stepping foot

Shim Sham - [8 a1 2 a3 4 a5 a6 a7]3 times, 8 1 2 3& &5 6 7 - [stomp spank step. STOMP SPANKS STEP, stomp spank step STEP, stomp spank step]3 times, stamp TOE STEP HOP step hop STEP jump-out jump-in

Step Riff Heel (Hop Riff Heel, Leap Riff Heel) - 1&a2 or &a*1 - step TOUCH DIG heel or step BRUSH SCUFF heel

Heel

6-Beat Riff Walk - &a1&a2 - touch scuff HEEL dig toe heel or brush scuff HEEL dig toe

7-Beat Riff Walk - &a1e&a2 - touch scuff HEEL dig toe HEEL heel or brush scuff HEEL dig toe HEEL heel

8-100 Beat Riff Walk - e&a1e&a2 - touch scuff HEEL dig toe heel HEEL heel or brush scuff HEEL dig toe heel HEEL heel, for riff walks higher than 8 - start with a riff and then add X number of sounds to get a X-beat riff walk

Riffle - &a1 - touch dig spank or brush dig spank

Riffle Step - e&a1 - touch dig spank step or brush dig spank step

Hines Riff (Split Riff) - &a**1 - touch scuff PULL dig STEP or brush scuff PULL dig STEP

Stamp Step Riff Heel Turn - 1 2&a3 or 1 &a*2 - stamp STEP touch scuff HEEL or stamp STEP brush scuff HEEL

Stamp Step Toe Heel Turn - 1 2&3 - stamp STEP toe HEEL (turning)

Paddle Turn - 1&a - spank step STEP (turning)

Traditional Quadruple Time Step - 8&1e&a2&3&4&5e&a6&7& or 8 a1e&a2 a3 a4 a5e&a6 a7 a - shuffle HOP shuffle step heel FLAP step

Buck Quadruple Time Step - 8 1e&a2&3&4 5e&a6&7 or 8 1&ea2 a3 a4 5e&a6 a7 a& - stomp (some people add a spank after the stomp) HOP shuffle step heel FLAP step

Single Traveling Time Step - 8&1&2&3&4 5 6&7& - shuffle step SHUFFLE BALL CHANGE BALL CHANGE hop STEP shuffle step (some people start it with the hop)

Double Traveling Time Step - 8&1&2&3&4 5&6&7& - shuffle step SHUFFLE BALL CHANGE BALL CHANGE hop FLAP shuffle step (some people start it with the hop)

Triple Traveling Time Step - 8&1&2&3&4 5&a6&7& - shuffle step SHUFFLE BALL CHANGE BALL CHANGE hop SHUFFLE STEP shuffle step (some people start it with the hop)

Quadruple Traveling Time Step - 8&1&2&3&4 5e&a6&7& - shuffle step SHUFFLE BALL CHANGE BALL CHANGE hop SHUFFLE STEP HEEL shuffle step (some people start it with the hop)

Crossing Wing - &a1 - start on the balls of the feet with feet together, scrape both feet outwards and into the air, then spank both feet inwards at the same time and land on the balls of the feet with your feet crossed

Single Wing (One Foot Wing) - &a1 - start on the ball of one foot, scrape your foot outwards and into the air, then spank it in and land on the ball of the foot

OPTIONAL STEPS

Backwards Cramp Roll - 1&a2 - dig DIG toe TOE

Cramprolet - 1&a - jump heel HEEL

Cramp Roll Time Step - 8 1 2&a3 a - stomp HOP cramp roll step

Criss Cross Cramp Roll - 1&a2 - step DIG heel TOE

Dig Slide  - 1 - run or push off of one leg and allow your feet to glide along the floor without leaving the floor and the front foot should have the back edge of the heel touching the floor during the glide

Flap Step Ball Change - &a1 & 2 - brush step STEP step STEP

Heel Grind Time Step - 8&a1&2&3 4&a5&6&7, 8&a1&2&3&4&5&6&7 - hop SHUFFLE STEP dig STEP spank step, hop SHUFFLE STEP dig STEP spank step, hop SHUFFLE STEP dig STEP spank step, shuffle ball change flap ball change

Hop Scuffle - 1&a - hop DIG SPANK

Maxie Ford Clunk - 1e&a2 - step SHUFFLE STEP clunk (clunk crosses in back)

Penguin - &a1 - brush spank dig (put your weight on the dig)

Scap - &1 or a1 - scuff step

Scuff Dig Toe - &a1 - scuff dig toe

Scuffle Dig Toe - e&a1 - dig spank dig toe

Scuffle Step Turn - 1&a2&a - dig spank step DIG SPANK STEP (turning)

Single Heel Stand Turn - 1 - jump up onto the back edge of one heel tap (turning)

Single Toe Stand (One Foot Toe Stand) - 1 - "jump" up to the tip toe of one foot and balance on it

Single Toe Stand Turn - 1 - "jump" up to the tip toe of one foot and balance on it (turning)

Spank Toe Step - &a1 - spank toe step

Spots - &1&2 - spank HOP toe step

Stamp Roll - 1&a2 - stamp STEP heel HEEL

JUMP TO:  Top  1  2  3  4  5  6  7

LEVEL 5 (essential steps in teaching order, optional in alphabetical)

ESSENTIAL STEPS

Shuffle Dig Toe - e&a1 or a1 a2 - brush spank dig toe

Shuffle Toe Step - &1&2 or e&a1 - brush spank toe step

Riffle Step Heel - a1&a2 or e&a*1 - touch dig spank step heel or brush dig spank step heel

Double Buffalo Toe - a1e&a2 - (cross foot in front) flap SHUFFLE TOE STEP

Double Flap Cramp Roll - a1e&a2 - flap FLAP heel HEEL

Triple Double Cramp Roll - &a1e&a2 - shuffle step FLAP heel HEEL

Irish Pullback Flap - a1e&a2 - shuffle SINGLE-PULLBACK flap

Irish Pullback Flap Heel - &a1e&a2 - shuffle SINGLE-PULLBACK flap heel

Maxie Ford Toe - 1e&a*2 - step SHUFFLE TOE STEP toe (last toe crosses in back)

Double Maxie Ford Toe - a1e&a*2 - flap SHUFFLE TOE STEP toe

Buffalo Pullback - 1e&a2 - (cross foot in front) step (leap) SHUFFLE switching pullback

Double Heel Stand - 1&a2 or &a*1 - dig DIG step STEP (group sounds tightly together)

Shiggy Bop (Shovel, Heel Slide) - &a1 - with your weight on one foot scuff that foot forward, dig, STEP

Crossing Drawback - &a1 - spank HEEL step (cross over the left foot)

Double Drawback - &1&2 or a1 a2 - spank HEEL flap

Triple Drawback - a1&a2 - spank HEEL shuffle step

Scuff Heel Step - &a1 - scuff HEEL step

Switching Pullback Toe - &a1 - start on one foot, push off the floor into the air and as your foot leaves the floor do a spank then STEP on the other foot, toe

Treadmill - &a1 - brush SWITCHING-PULLBACK

Pullback Toe - &a1 - pull both feet into the air, hit both toes at the same time, land on both feet at the same time

Dwing - 1e& - dig/WING

Swing - 1e& - step/WING

Twing - 1e& - step/WING

Single Wing Toe - e&a1 - start on the ball of one foot, scrape your foot outwards and into the air, then spank it in and land on the ball of the foot, TOE

Double Wing (Separated, Staggered, Alternating) - &a***1 - start on the balls of the feet with feet together, scrape both feet outwards and into the air - one before the other, then spank both feet inwards - one before the other, then land on the balls of the feet - one before the other

Switching Wing - &a1 - start on the ball of one foot, scrape your foot outwards and into the air, then spank it in and land on the ball of the other foot

Traveling Pendulum Shuffle - &a1&a2 - brush spank TOE brush spank HEEL

Shuffle Flap - &1&2 or e&a1 - brush spank brush step

Shuffle Toe Toe Step - a1&a2 - brush spank toe TOE step

OPTIONAL STEPS

Alexander Clunk - &1&2&3&4 or a1 a2 a3 a4 - flap HEEL heel SPANK heel CLUNK heel

Backwards Wing - &a1 - start on the balls of the feet with feet apart, scrape both feet inwards and into the air allowing one foot to cross in front of the other, then brush both feet outwards at the same time and land on the balls of the feet with your feet apart

Click Buffalo - 1e&a2 - (cross foot in front) step (leap) SHUFFLE click-left-toe-tap-to-right-heel-tap STEP

Double Cincinnati - &1&2&a3 or &a1e&a2 - spank HEEL shuffle HEEL flap

Drawback Heel - &1&2 - spank HEEL step heel

Dub Dub Dig Toe - 1&2& - dig TOE dig toe

Heelo - 1&a - heel HEEL toe/STEP (traveling right, toe and STEP are at the same time)

Jordan Pullback - 1e&a2 - pull PULL step heel STEP

Jumper - 1 2&3 - jump-out hop heel STEP (cross behind) (travel to the right)

Lopsided Cramp Roll - 1&a2 - step STEP heel heel

Maddie Mill - 1&a - clunk SWITCHING-PULLBACK

Radiohead - &a1 - scuff SINGLE-TOE-STAND step

Rod Roll - 1&a2 - step STEP HEEL step or step STEP HEEL stamp

Scuffaloeo - 1&a2&a - dig spank step DIG TOE step

Scuffle Toe Slap Heel - &a1&a2 - dig spank TOE brush touch HEEL

Shayberbom - 1&a - step SCUFF SMACK (STEP)

Shuffle Ball Change Heel - a1&a2 - brush spank step STEP HEEL

Spat - &a*1 - spank single-toe-stand FLAP

Spear - &a1 - toe HOP HEEL

Spiel - 1&a - dig SPANK toe

Toe Stand Shuffle Step - &a1 - brush spank toe (stand)

Tori - 1&a - jump-together HEEL touch-out-to the-side

Twister - 1&a2 - HOP shuffle step/DIG (do the step and DIG at the same time)

JUMP TO:  Top  1  2  3  4  5  6  7

LEVEL 6 (essential steps in teaching order, optional in alphabetical)

ESSENTIAL STEPS

Shuffle Dig Step Shuffle Toe Step - &1&2&3&4 - brush spank toe STEP brush spank dig STEP

Shuffle Toe Pullback Ball Change - a1e&a2 - brush spank toe SWITCHING-PULLBACK STEP

Double Toe Buffalo - a1e&a*2 - (cross foot in front) flap SHUFFLE TOE toe STEP

Double Buffalo Toe Pullback - a1e&a*2 - (cross foot in front ) flap SHUFFLE TOE

Riffle Cramp Roll - &a1e&a2 - riffle step STEP heel HEEL

Irish Shiggy Bop (Irish Shovel) - a1&a2 - shuffle SCUFF DIG step

Irish Wing - a1e&a2 - shuffle SINGLE-WING step

Double Maxie Ford Toe Pullback - a1e&a**2 - flap SHUFFLE TOE switching-pullback toe

Double Toe Maxie Ford - a1e&a**2 - flap SHUFFLE TOE toe STEP toe

Double Waltz Clog Toe Pullback - a1e&a**2 - flap SHUFFLE TOE switching-pullback step

Hop Riffle - 1e&a - hop RIFF SPANK

Pendulum Riffle - &a1&a2 - touch (or brush) dig spank (cross other foot), touch (or brush) dig spank (uncross)

Riffle Dig Toe - a1&a2 or e&a*1 - touch dig spank dig toe or brush dig spank dig toe

Bombershay Toe - 1e&a - step SPANK DIG TOE

Shuffle Pullback Heel - e&a*1 - brush spank SWITCHING-PULLBACK heel

Flam - *1 - do a step followed by a heel with hardly any space between them

Hoofer’s Shuffle - &a1 - hit the outside of the ball tap, straighten the leg for a split second and let the ball tap brush a tiny bit to the side, tap the ball tap in place or slightly to the other side

Shuffle Heel Step - e&a1 - brush spank HEEL step

Double Pullback Toe - 1e&a*2 or &a***1 - pull PULL toe TOE step STEP

Switching Pullback Flap - &a1 - start on one foot, push off the floor into the air and as your foot leaves the floor do a spank then FLAP on the other foot

Single Wing Heel Toe - 1e&a2 - start on the ball of one foot, scrape your foot outwards and into the air, then spank it in and land on the ball of the foot, heel, TOE

Switching Wing Toe - &a*1 - start on the ball of one foot, scrape your foot outwards and into the air, then spank it in and land on the ball of the other foot, toe

Wing Toe - &a*1 - start on the balls of the feet with feet together, scrape both feet outwards and into the air, then spank both feet inwards at the same time, hit the toes of both feet and land on the balls of the feet with your feet together

Same Side Wing - &a1 - start on the balls of the feet with feet together, scrape both feet outwards and into the air towards one side, then spank both feet inwards at the same time and land on the balls of the feet with your feet together

OPTIONAL STEPS

Annalisa's 8-beat Riff Walk - e&a1e&a2 - touch scuff HEEL dig toe SPANK STEP stamp or brush scuff HEEL dig toe SPANK STEP stamp

Bam Bam - &a1 - stamp SCUFF jump-out

Blur - 1&a2&a3 - step SHUFFLE STEP scuff dig toe

Clapull - &a1 - pull both feet into the air, clap, land both feet on the floor at the same time

Clunker - 1&a2&a - clunk HEEL TOE smack (step) HEEL heel

Ditto - 1&2&3& - dig TOE spank TOE dig toe

Dodo - 1 2 - HOP/toe (both at the same time), HEEL/toe (both at the same time)

Drawbershay - 1e&a - step SPANK heel DIG

Farmer - 1 a2 - heel stand, spank STAMP

Flabbergast - a1&a2 - brush step DIG heel STEP

Hit - 1 - HEEL/step (at the same time)

Jackhammer - &1&2 - spank stamp SPANK DIG

Jimmy - &a1 & 2 - scuff dig CHUG/drag-right-dig-out-to-side step STEP

Jinnyshay - a1e&a2e - spank step SPANK DIG stamp SPANK DIG

Megamines Cramp Roll - &a1e&a2 - riff HEEL dig DIG toe TOE

Nicaela Quick - a1e&a2 - spank TOE touch dig toe STAMP

Rise - 1e&a*2 - pull toe step FLAP stamp

Scopper - 1e&a2 - dig spank DIG step STEP

Scout - 1&a2 - scuffle scuff jump-out

Scuffit - 1e&a - dig spank scuff step

Scuffout - 1&a2&a3 - dig spank HEEL scuff HEEL TOE smack (step)

Shay Roll - a1&a2 - spank dig HEEL toe TOE

Shuffle Heel Step Heel - a1&a2 - brush spank HEEL step heel  

Shunk - &a1 - brush spank clunk/STEP (do the clunk and step at the same time)

Skunk - &a*1 - scuff, hit the inside of the toe tap, hit the inside of the heel tap, HEEL

Spackle - 1e&a2 - spank toe DIG TOE smack (step)

Squiggly Wiggly - 1e&a*2 - dig spank toe DIG step STEP

Steel - 1e&a2 - dig spank scuff dig toe

Stephunky - 1&a2 & - step SPANK heel TOE toe

Sugar Bop - a1&a2 - spank dig (turn foot inward) TOE toe (turn outward) STEP

Swiffle (Tessa Backdraw) - 1&2&3& - spank HEEL toe HEEL step heel

Toto - 1&a2&a3 - toe SINGLE-PULLBACK toe HOP HEEL smack (step)

Tucker - 1e&a2 - step SHUFFLE pull jump

JUMP TO:  Top  1  2  3  4  5  6  7

LEVEL 7 (essential steps in teaching order, optional in alphabetical)

ESSENTIAL STEPS

Hop Shuffle Hop Scuffle Hop Riffle Hop Stomp Spank - 1&a2&a3e&a4&a - hop RIFF SPANK hop DIG SPANK hop BRUSH SPANK hop STOMP SPANK

Step Riff Brush Heel - 1e&a2 - step TOUCH DIG BRUSH heel or step BRUSH DIG BRUSH heel

Toe Dig Bombershay - 1&a2&a - toe SPANK DIG dig SPANK DIG

Drawback Flam - &a*1 - spank HEEL flam

Switching Pullback Flap Heel Toe - &a**1 - start on one foot, push off the floor into the air and as your foot leaves the floor do a spank then FLAP HEEL on the other foot, toe

Treadmill Heel - e&a1 - brush SWITCHING-PULLBACK heel

Buffalo Wing - 1e&a*2 - (cross foot in front) step (leap) SHUFFLE switching wing

Maxie Ford Wing - 1e&a**2 - step SHUFFLE switching-wing STEP toe (toe crosses in back)

Double Waltz Clog Wing - a1e&a**2 - flap SHUFFLE switching-wing step

Frap - &a1 - touch (brush if traveling) dig (scuff if traveling) step

Frap Cramp Roll (NOT flap) - a&1&a2 - frap (riff step) STEP heel HEEL

Scuffle Pullback - e&a1 - dig spank SWITCHING-PULLBACK

Buffalo Scuffle - 1e&a*2 - (cross foot in front) step (leap) SHUFFLE scuffle STEP

switching pullback

Irish Pullback Heel Flap Heel - &a1e&a*2 - shuffle SINGLE-PULLBACK HEEL flap heel

Single Pullback Toe - &a1 - pull toe step

Irish Pullback Toe Flap - &a1e&a2 - shuffle SINGLE-PULLBACK-TOE flap

Hot Toe - 1e&a***2 - step SHUFFLE TOE scuffle STEP toe (last toe crosses in back)

Waltz Clog Scuffle - 1e&a**2 - step SHUFFLE scuffle STEP step

Scuff Front - a1 - scuff both feet at the same time then land on the balls of both feet at the same time

Double Scuff Front - 1e&a or &a*1 - scuff SCUFF step STEP

Frapback - &1&a2 - spank HEEL frap

Cincinnati Flam - &1&2&3 or &a1&a2 - spank HEEL shuffle HEEL flam

Joe Toe Pull - 1e&a*2 - pull PULL toe step heel STEP

Pullback Dig Toe - &a1 - pull both feet into the air, land on the back edge of both heels at the same time, drop both toes at the same time

3 Sound Pullback - &a1 - pull both feet into the air, tap your toe taps on the floor while in the air, land on the balls of the feet

Pullback Shuffle Step - 1&a2 - pull both feet into the air, shuffle both feet at the the same time while in the air, land on both feet at the same time

Single Pullback Opposite Toe - &a1 - pull TOE step

Switching Toe Pullback - &a1 - start on one foot, push off the floor into the air and as your foot leaves the floor do a spank, toe, then STEP on the other foot

Pendulum Wing - &a1 - BRUSH single-wing, SPANK single-wing

Scissor Wing - &a1 - start on the balls of the feet with one foot in front of the other, scrape the front foot backwards and into the air while at the same time scraping the back foot forwards and into the air, then spank the foot in front and brush the foot in back at the same time and land where you started

Five Count Wing - 1e&a2 - start on the balls of the feet, scrape your feet outwards and into the air, then spank them in, then brush them out again, then spank them in again, then land on the balls of the feet

Five Count Single Wing - BONUS STEP - 1e&a2 - scrape the outer edge of one ball tap outwards and into the air, then spank it in, then brush it out again, then spank it in again, then land on the ball of the foot

Heel Flam - 1 - drop one heel just slightly before the other

Jump Flam - 1 - propel yourself into the air and land so that the ball of one foot hits the floor just slightly before the other foot

OPTIONAL STEPS

Baloney - 1e&a2 - pull PULL step heel TOE

Brittanyshay - 1e&a2 - step SPANK TOE step DIG

Broken Riff - 1e&a**2 - riffle HEEL hit-outside-of-toe-tap hit-outside-of-heel-tap HEEL

Clickety Clank - 1&a2&a3 - step SHUFFLE click STEP HEEL clunk

Click Pullback- BONUS STEP - - &a1 - pull both feet into the air, click the inside of each foot together, land both feet on the floor at the same time

Click Wing - &a*1 - start on the balls of the feet with feet together, scrape both feet outwards and into the air, then spank both feet inwards at the same time and click them together in the air, then land on the balls of the feet with your feet apart

Drawman - &a1 - spank HEEL step/TOE (at the same time)

Faluffalo - BONUS STEP - a1e&a**2 - (cross foot in front) flap SHUFFLE single-pullback-end-with-a-flap FLAP

Maddalo - BONUS STEP - 1e&a*2 - (cross foot in front) step SHUFFLE pullback-to-toe STEP

Riff Raff - 1e&*2&a*3 - HEEL riffle HEEL riff TOE step

Rooster - &a**1&2 - hoofer’s shuffle HOP HEEL step heel

Rorymeister - 1&a2&a - stamp TOE TOE toe step STEP

Ruffle - 1e&a**2 - touch dig spank toe STEP HEEL smack (step) or brush dig spank toe STEP HEEL smack (step)

Sh-sh-sh-shuffle - BONUS STEP - 1e&a2e&a3 - STEP shuffle (as you shuffle push off the left foot into the air) shuffle shuffle (while in the air - yeah I know) step STEP

Sloppy Joe - 1&a2&a3 - dig DIG spank TOE dig toe STAMP

Teeler - BONUS STEP - 1e&a***2 - pull PULL toe TOE dig DIG step STEP

Toe Stand Wing - &a1 - start on your toes with feet together, scrape both toes outwards and into the air, then spank both toes inwards at the same time, then land on your toes with your feet together

Toro - 1&2 - stomp scuff smack (step)

JUMP TO:  Top  1  2  3  4  5  6  7

NOTES

This tap dance syllabus is designed to give you a rough idea of what level each of these steps can be taught at. Like any syllabus, it is flexible. Some classes move very quickly and others more slowly. Also, I doubt anyone will get to each step in every level. I know I certainly don't. I try to hit the important ones and the rest are optional if I get around to them.

take the first step. Online lesson №1 (photo, video)


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| Free dancing

Free dance

Tap dance - take the first step. Online lesson No. 1 (photo, video)

The basic movement of tap dance is a step. This movement serves as the basis of the foundations in all types of step. In the Irish jig, in the American tap, in the European step, or in the good old tap dance, there is one common element - the step. The step can be found in absolutely any dance of the tap dancer. Everything starts with him. nine0004

Before learning

When learning tap dance, you need to get used to new shoes. Shoes with metal heels are the main and indispensable accessory for a step dancer. When performing a “step”, you need to stand in one place and take a normal step, while placing your foot evenly across the entire foot. Now we will analyze the four basic elements of tap dancing: ball-change, flap, shuffle, brush.

Tap dance - take the first step. Online lesson №1 (photo, video)


Ball-change

This element is very easy to implement. First, we strike with the right foot, while the entire foot is placed on the floor. After that, we strike with the toe of the left foot. Now it remains for us to alternate the step with the kick of the toe.

Tap dance - take the first step. Online Lesson #1 (photo, video)


Flap

This is a simple step with a little twist in execution. The leg is not placed on the entire foot, but first a heel strike is made, and then a toe. After that, the leg is placed on the floor and a similar movement is made with the second leg. When performing this element, the heel and toe strike is not done strongly, in order to create a feeling of lightness. Light strokes in the step make the dancer imposing. nine0004

Tap dance - take the first step. Online lesson No. 1 (photo, video)


Shuffle

This movement is performed similarly to the previous element. However, when performing Shuffle, a step forward is taken and the dancer's body leans, as if continuing to move.

Brush

Performs a heel strike with the foot forward. Then he returns to his original position, hitting with his toe.

This video demonstrates all four elements in various combinations. Having studied these elements and bringing them to automatic performance, you can experiment with them during the dance. nine0004

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    How to Learn to Tap Dance

    Home Male and female Teaching How to learn to tap dance

    Contents of the article:

    • 1 The basics of tap dancing
    • 2 The secret of success
    • 3 Basic elements in dance
    • 4 Rhythms of tap dancing

    Basics of tap dancing

    Tap dancing is a dance based on tapping the floor with the feet. Simply put, it is music played with the feet. Each time the celebrity of this dance only increases. It is compared with the Irish jig, because the tap-dancing rhythm is also of paramount importance there.
    In order to start tap-dancing, you need to buy special comfortable shoes for this. It should be in the form of shoes with metal heels. It is also important that the flooring is solid. This is necessary for a clearer sound of heels. nine0147 Tap dancing shoes can be purchased at a specialty store or made to order at any shoe repair shop. It is important that the shoes fit well enough on the foot. Very tight shoes will rub the foot, causing discomfort, and also further lead to foot deformity. Too loose shoes can lead to injury.
    For such a dance, it is better to choose a place for classes in advance. It is best to dance outdoors on a special platform. It is important that there are no foreign objects nearby. This will improve the quality of classes, because swings and turns require a lot of space. It is advisable to tap dance under the guidance of an experienced master who can teach correctly and point out shortcomings. You can also learn to tap dance on your own. You should not engage in tap dancing in a multi-storey building, because it will cause negativity among the neighbors. It is best to do this in a special sports club. Suitable for any hard surface floor. Linoleum or carpet should be avoided, such coatings interfere with sound. nine0147 After the theory is mastered, you can move on to practice. If the classes will be held at school, then for clarity, a lesson will be shown with step-by-step instructions on how to start tap dancing. Then you need to slowly begin to repeat after the instructor, alternately performing each element of the dance. Performing everything slowly but clearly, you can quickly memorize the main elements of tap dancing.

    The secret of success

    For a good mastering of the tap dance movements, you need to train every day for half an hour. Additional classes also do not interfere. You can simultaneously master some other dance, for additional physical training. nine0004

    The basic elements of the dance

    All the basic elements of the dance are formed with the heel, toe and swing. Legs can be crossed, legs are swung, the toe can alternate with the heel. U-turns and jumps also look skillfully, with which leg swings are made. Turns are performed with the help of a sock, which is placed on the heel. And all this is done at a fast pace. The main thing here is that the leg stance must be performed correctly and at a certain slope. Movement must be precise. nine0147 First you need to learn everything separately, each element. The main thing is the rhythmic step. Then there are 4 main movements. To execute the first brush element, you need to hit with your heel, putting your foot forward, and then put your foot back, hitting with your toe. Ball-change consists of performing a kick with one leg and subsequent kicks with the other leg. And so each leg alternates in turn. Flap is done by hitting the heel and toe of one foot, and then the other foot. Shuffle is an element that is executed when stepping forward. All these movements are worked out to automaticity, and then they are easily combined in a dance. nine0004

    Tap-dancing rhythms

    Each time a heel tap on the floor, and then a toe tap. And so there is an alternation between them. Learn sanchal at a slow pace and without music. Once the basics have been learned, you can turn on an easy tempo, and then a fast one.
    Knowing the main movements, you can begin to combine them into a dance. Otherwise, you can improvise, showing imagination. After all, such a dance is, first of all, an art. Their elements are added to the basic methods, and a new dance is obtained. Now you can create your own individual dances, with the basics of tap dancing. nine0147 So, to learn how to tap dance you need:

    • Enroll in a dance school.
    • Buy video tap dance course.
    • Find a tap dance choreographer.

    It is not always necessary to choose one option for tap dancing. You can enroll in a dance school and buy a course of video lessons. Thus, you can learn to dance not only at one time, at school, but also at home, according to the course of video lessons.

    Like many dances, tap dancing is performed to music. If you master the dance technique well, then you can perform tap dance without music. The rhythm that will be performed during the dance will be the melody of the tap dance itself. nine0004

    Learning something new, correctly combining movements and improving skills, you can achieve a lot. You can watch video lessons on the Internet, both individually and the complexity of the compositions.

    Learn more

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