Breaking Down the Basics: Essential Tap Dance Steps for Intermediates

Tap dance is a dynamic and expressive form of dance that combines elements of jazz, ballet, and musical theater. If you're an intermediate tap dancer looking to improve your technique and expand your repertoire, this blog post is for you. In this post, we'll break down some essential tap dance steps that every intermediate dancer should know.

1. The Shuffle

The shuffle is a foundational tap dance step that involves quickly sliding the feet while tapping out a rhythm. To perform a shuffle:

1. Start with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Slide your back foot forward while tapping with your front foot.
3. Quickly switch feet, tapping with your back foot and sliding your front foot forward.
4. Repeat, maintaining a steady rhythm.

2. The Ball Change

The ball change is a simple but versatile step that involves shifting your weight from one foot to the other while tapping. To perform a ball change:

1. Start with your feet together.
2. Step forward with your right foot, tapping with your left foot.
3. Bring your left foot up to meet your right foot, tapping again with your left foot.
4. Step forward with your left foot, tapping with your right foot.
5. Repeat, alternating which foot leads.

3. The Brush Pick Up

The brush pick up is a more advanced step that involves a series of taps and brush steps. To perform a brush pick up:

1. Start with your feet together.
2. Step forward with your right foot and tap with your left foot.
3. Brush your left foot across the floor to meet your right foot, tapping as you go.
4. Step back with your left foot and tap with your right foot.
5. Brush your right foot across the floor to meet your left foot, tapping as you go.
6. Repeat, alternating which foot leads.

These are just a few of the essential tap dance steps for intermediates. With practice and dedication, you can master these steps and take your tap dancing to the next level. Happy dancing!