Learning to tap dance can be a fun and rewarding experience, whether you're a complete beginner or have some experience under your belt. In this blog post, we'll cover 10 essential tap dance techniques that every beginner should know.
1. The Basic Step
The basic step is the foundation of all tap dance. It involves a simple rhythmic pattern that is repeated over and over again. To do the basic step, start with your feet together and then step out to the side with your right foot, followed by your left foot. Then, bring your right foot back to the starting position and repeat the pattern with your left foot.
2. The Brush Step
The brush step is a variation of the basic step that involves a different rhythmic pattern. To do the brush step, start with your feet together and then step out to the side with your right foot, followed by your left foot. Instead of bringing your right foot back to the starting position, however, brush your right foot across the floor and tap it next to your left foot. Then, repeat the pattern with your left foot.
3. The Shuffle Step
The shuffle step is a smooth, gliding step that is often used in tap dance routines. To do the shuffle step, start with your feet together and then step out to the side with your right foot, followed by your left foot. As you step out, shift your weight onto your right foot and then quickly bring your left foot up to meet your right foot, landing on the ball of your foot. Then, repeat the pattern with your left foot.
4. The Ball Change Step
The ball change step is a simple step that involves shifting your weight from one foot to the other. To do the ball change step, start with your feet together and then step out to the side with your right foot, followed by your left foot. As you step out, shift your weight onto your right foot and then quickly bring your left foot up to meet your right foot, landing on the ball of your foot. Then, shift your weight onto your left foot and repeat the pattern with your right foot.
5. The Heel-toe Step
The heel-toe step is a basic step that involves tapping with the heel and toe of your foot. To do the heel-toe step, start with your feet together and then step out to the side with your right foot, followed by your left foot. As you step out, tap with the heel of your right foot and then quickly switch to tapping with the toe of your right foot. Then, repeat the pattern with your left foot.
6. The Flap Step
The flap step is a quick, syncopated step that involves tapping with the ball of your foot. To do the flap step, start with your feet together and then quickly step out to the side with your right foot, followed by your left foot. As you step out, tap with the ball of your right foot and then quickly switch to tapping with the ball of your left foot. Then, repeat the pattern with your right foot.
7. The Cramp Roll
The cramp roll is a smooth, rolling step that involves a series of taps with the ball of your foot. To do the cramp roll, start with your feet together and then step out to the side with your right foot, followed by your left foot. As you step out, tap with the ball of your right foot and then quickly roll your foot over to tap with the ball of your left foot. Then, repeat the pattern with your right foot.
8. The Shim Sham Shimmy
The shim sham shimmy is a classic tap dance routine that involves a series of steps and turns. To do the shim sham shimmy, start with your feet together and then step out to the side with your right foot, followed by your left foot. Then, do a series of quick taps with the ball of your right foot, followed by a quick turn to the left. Repeat the pattern with your left foot and then do a series of quick taps with the ball of your left foot, followed by a quick turn to the right.
9. The Time Step
The time step is a sync
