How to Tap Tap: 3 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

The Tip-Tap is a form of dance that is based on the arrangement of various basic steps that can be performed more or less quickly. Once you have mastered the steps, you will be able to learn and create new sequences and combinations, which can be adapted to any type of tempo and rhythm. Learn to tap dance yourself by practicing the movements and combination below.

Steps

Step 1. Learn the basic steps

• Stamp - Take a step with the whole foot, toe and heel together, shifting the weight of the body from one foot to the other.

  

• Stomp - Same as the "stamp" but without the shift of weight from one foot to the other.

  

• Brush - Gently slide the sole of your foot on the floor. Make sure you keep your foot relaxed and perform the movement with your thigh. It can be performed both forward and backward.

  

• Step - Take a step by shifting the entire weight of the body onto the foot and lifting the other as desired.

  

• Flap - Made up of two movements, namely a "brush" and a "step", performed in succession with the same foot. Make sure you can hear two distinct sounds. This step is more commonly called "fal-lap" because of the sounds emitted.

  

• Shuffle - Consisting of a succession of two "brushes", one forward and one backward in rapid succession. Make sure your foot is completely relaxed.

  

• Ball Change - supports the sole of the foot by shifting the weight of the body over it for only a fraction of a second, then shifting all the weight back to the other foot.

  

• Cramp Roll - Shift your body weight in this order: right sole, left sole, right heel, left heel. Once you have placed the foot part on the ground, do not move it until you have completed the rest of the sequence. Start slowly, but you will be able to perform this step faster and faster as you master it. This step should produce four sounds.

  

• Hop - Jump on one foot without moving the weight of the body, and landing on it.

  

• Leap - Jump on one foot and land with all your weight on the other foot.

  

Step 2. Learn to combine movements

• Keep your knees bent, loose and relaxed.

  

• Start by lifting your right leg.

  

• Stomp with your right foot on the ground and lift it up again.

  

• Hop with the left foot keeping the right leg raised.

  

• Shuffle with the right foot (the one that was previously raised) forward, maintaining a slight angle.

  

• Step back with your right foot, shifting your weight on top of it.

  

• Flap (fal-lap) with the left foot.

  

• Shift your body weight back onto the right foot by stepping back (not too wide) on the ball of the foot.

  

• Start over starting this time with one stomp with the left foot.

  

• Repeat the sequence of steps but on the left side.

  

Step 3. Find a teacher to help you perfect your style

Advice

• Remember to always keep your knees slightly flexed.
• Remember: a shuffle is with the knee, a brush is with the knee, but a tap is with the hip!
• Knowing the basic steps of the Tip-Tap can be useful during a theatrical audition: you will almost certainly be required to perform a “Triple Time step”, which you can learn by reading the following succession of steps.
• Whether you are happy or not, smile! You will feel and appear more confident about yourself, but most of all you will make people want to look at you.
• Use all your energy charge to impress your audience.
• Make sure you have a clear idea of the sequence of steps you are about to perform… before you do it!
• Learn to execute your steps slowly at first so you can be sure you are mastering them when you attempt a quick execution.
• While tap shoes are really "desirable", a pair of tennis shoes will do just fine to start with, and will do less damage to the floor.
• While dancing, move your hands and arms to better balance your body weight. Remember: Tip-Tap is an art form, and as far as your ability to express yourself is concerned, and using your hands and arms in expressive ways, it certainly improves the perception and execution of the same. Whatever step you are taking, never let your arms dangle.
• Keep time.

Warnings

• Try to avoid Tip-Tap dancing on delicate floors or surfaces, as you will most likely scratch them.
• Practice outdoors or in places with little (preferably no) furniture or delicate objects.
• After practicing Tap-dancing, you will definitely have sore thighs - don't worry, it means you've worked properly.