The Tap Dance Blueprint: A Step-by-Step Guide to Intermediate Techniques

Tap dance is a dynamic and expressive form of dance that combines rhythm, music, and movement. If you've mastered the basics and are ready to take your tap dancing skills to the next level, this guide is for you. In this post, we'll cover some intermediate tap dance techniques that will help you improve your timing, coordination, and musicality.

1. Heel-toe Tap

The heel-toe tap is a basic tap dance step that involves tapping the heel of your foot and then the toe in quick succession. To do this step:

1. Start with your feet together and your weight evenly distributed.
2. Tap the heel of your right foot down to the floor.
3. Quickly tap the toe of your right foot down to the floor.
4. Repeat the process with your left foot.

2. Brush Pick Up

The brush pick up is a more advanced tap dance step that involves brushing the ball of your foot across the floor and then picking it up quickly. To do this step:

1. Start with your feet together and your weight on your right foot.
2. Brush the ball of your left foot across the floor to the right.
3. Quickly pick up your left foot and bring it back to the starting position.
4. Repeat the process with your right foot.

3. Cramp Roll

The cramp roll is a tap dance step that involves rolling your foot from the heel to the toe while tapping. To do this step:

1. Start with your feet together and your weight on your right foot.
2. Roll your left foot from the heel to the toe, tapping as you go.
3. Quickly roll your right foot from the heel to the toe, tapping as you go.
4. Repeat the process, alternating feet.

4. Shim Sham Shimmy

The shim sham shimmy is a classic tap dance routine that involves a series of steps and turns. To do this routine:

1. Start with your feet together and your weight on your right foot.
2. Step forward with your left foot and brush the ball of your foot to the right.
3. Step back with your left foot and tap the heel of your right foot down to the floor.
4. Step forward with your right foot and tap the toe of your left foot down to the floor.
5. Turn to the right and repeat the process on the other side.

These are just a few of the intermediate tap dance techniques that can help you improve your skills and take your tap dancing to the next level. Remember to practice regularly, focus on your timing and coordination, and most importantly, have fun!