These basic tap dance lessons will
teach you the very basic aspects of tap dancing. learn
the shuffle step, flap step, Irish steps, heel toe steps
and more.
The Basic Tap Dancing Shuffle
These basic Tap lessons are from the
ABC's of Tap DVD. You can order the ABC's of Tap on DVD
for only $15.99 plus S/H. To order call 1.800.440.2095
or order online with the button below.
Basic Tap Dancing Flap Step
All Basic Tap Dancing Steps With Music
These basic Tap lessons are from the
ABC's of Tap DVD. You can order the ABC's of Tap on DVD
for only $15.99 plus S/H. To order call 1.800.440.2095
or order online with the button below.
The Paddle and Roll is a standard
4-measure combination in tap. It falls into the "close
work" category because there is little movement across
the dance floor. It can be done in place or while moving
straight back. The Paddle has the heel of the free foot
striking the floor next to the toe of the support foot
followed by a Pull (brush back) and Ball-Heel to return
the foot next to the support foot as it lifts to become
the free foot. (If you are staying in place. To travel
backward place the ball at the instep of the support
foot.) Relax your leg as the control is actually in the
thigh.
Tap Glossary
All moves are made up of 'brushes',
'steps' (which get a weight change) and 'taps' (which
don't get a weight change.)
BRUSHES:
BR -BRUSH (hitting the floor with the ball in a pushing
motion. Also, with pulling motion-see PL.)
PL -PULL (a brush back w/ball of foot. Note: many
dancers and instructors use BRUSH BACK or SPANK
for this move. Brush starts with foot in the air,
spank with the heel down and toe up. Substitute.)
SC -SCUFF (fwd brush with heel. End in air.)
SH-FL -SHUFFLE (brush forward w/ball, pull back w/ball.
Basically, a BRUSH-SPANK.)
RF -RIFF (brush-scuff forward. End in air.)
RF-FL -RIFFLE (brush-scuff-pull. Basically, a shuffle with an
included scuff between the brush and pull.)
STEPS (get weight change):
ST -STEP (on flat foot or on ball, note context to choose.)
FL-AP -FLAP (brush fwd and down on ball w/weight. a "brush-ball")
SL-AP -SLAP (brush fwd and down on ball w/NO weight, a "brush-ball")
SP -STAMP (full foot step that gets weight change.
"Lick it and STICK it!")
SM -STOMP (full foot step that does NOT get a weight change.)
BL-CH -BALL-CHANGE (two quick steps, one behind heel (BL) of other.)
HP -HOP (leaving ground and landing on same foot.)
JP -JUMP (leaving ground and landing on opposite foot.
This action also called LEAP while JUMP involves
both feet.)
TO -TOE (stepping on ball of foot, in combination with HL.)
HL -HEEL (dropping heel in combination with BL or TO.)
DP -DROP (dropping heel of support leg when ball is down.)
CR -CRAMP ROLL (four steps crammed together. Toe, toe, heel, heel.
can be started R or L. If done as a pickup to a
downbeat it's performed 'triplet-down' with the
free foot lifted as the last heel drops.)
CH -CHUG (slide support leg forward, dropping heel.)
TAPS (no weight change):
DG -DIG (tap heel of free foot into floor. End on flr.)
PD -PADDLE (using the free foot to perform a heel DIG followed
by a TAP -or PULL- in quick succession. Also
called SCUFFLE.)
SM -STOMP (full foot step with no weight change.)
TP -TAP (step on ball of foot w/o a weight change. If it's
back it will be tip of foot.)
FL-AP -FLAP (a BRUSH-BALL step using same foot. Two sounds.)
CLAP -CLAP (self-explanatory. Bring hands together for sound.)
