Are you interested in learning tap dancing?
This is a hugely rewarding and fun skill for you to learn. It hones your sense of rhythm, confidence, and coordination.
With that said, you might be wondering what tap dance steps you should learn as a beginner. Don’t worry, though – we got you!
Keep reading for 7 essential tap dance steps that every beginner should master.
Table of Contents
1. Shuffle
The Shuffle is one of the most important tap dance fundamentals. It’s like the ABC of tap dancing. This move involves two alternating actions: the brush forward, known as the ‘strike,’ and the brush back, or the ‘spank.’
To do it, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lift one foot off the ground, then use it to brush the floor forward. That’s the ‘strike.’
Then, without putting your foot down, brush it back. That’s the ‘spank.’ The strike and spank make up one shuffle. Start slow, then gradually speed up as you get more comfortable.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t rush it. Take your time to master this step, as it’s the basis of many other steps in tap dance. If you are having a hard time, you can always have a dance teacher help you out.
2. Flap
The Flap is another basic tap dance step that every beginner needs to know. It’s a forward-moving step that sounds like its name – Flap!
To do a Flap, start with one foot in the air. Then, brush that foot forward (‘strike’) and step onto it, keeping the weight on the balls of your feet. Sounds simple, right?
It’s important to get the technique right. Make sure to keep your ankle relaxed and let your foot swing freely. Practice the Flap slowly at first, then gradually speed up as you become more comfortable.
Just like the shuffle, the Flap is a crucial building block for many other tap dance steps. So take your time, don’t rush, and keep practicing until you master it!
3. Time Step
The Time Step is another must-learn tap dance step. Think of it like a rhythm pattern for your feet, a mini-dance in itself! Below is how you do a basic Time Step.
Start with your feet side by side. Pick up your right foot and tap the ball of your foot down – that’s your ‘stomp.’ Next, place your weight on your left foot.
Then, do a quick Shuffle with your right foot. After that, hop onto your left foot and tap your right foot behind – that’s your ‘leap.’ Finally, bring your right foot in front and tap it down – that’s your ‘hop.’
The sequence goes like this: stomp, step, shuffle, leap, hop. Each part makes a sound, and altogether, they create a nice rhythmic pattern.
Practice the Time Step slowly, then speed up as you get the hang of it. Like the Shuffle and Flap, mastering the Time Step will make learning other tap dance steps a breeze!
4. Brush
The Brush is a simple but versatile tap dance step that you’ll use a lot. As the name suggests, it’s just a brush of the floor with your foot. It’s one of the building blocks of tap dancing.
To do it, start by putting your weight on one foot. Lift your other foot off the ground. Now, brush the ground with the ball or heel of your foot.
You can brush forward, backward, sideways, or even in a circle! When you Brush, make sure your foot is relaxed. Don’t try to control it too much, just let it swing freely.
Practice brushing in different directions to get comfortable. As you explore more tap dance steps, you’ll find that the Brush is a key part of many of them!
5. Maxi Slide
The Maxi Slide is a playful and energetic tap dance step that adds flair to your routine. It’s a slide-step combo that can make a dance sequence shine.
To execute a Maxi Slide, start by standing with your feet together. Place your weight on one foot and slide the other foot to the side far enough to create a gap but without losing your balance.
As your sliding foot lands on the ground, simultaneously tap the heel of your stationary foot. Then, shift your weight to the sliding foot and bring your other foot in, tapping its heel as it lands.
So the sequence is – slide, tap, in, tap. It may take a bit of practice to master the Maxi Slide, but once you do, you’ll add a vibrant touch to your tap dance steps! Keep practicing, and you’ll be sliding around the dance floor in no time.
6. Paradiddle
The Paradiddle is a fun tap dance step that sounds exactly like its name – a rhythm of taps and slides. It adds a playful element to your tap dance routine.
To do it, you need to first step onto one foot. Next, brush the other foot forward (that’s the ‘strike’). After that, step onto the foot you just brushed forward.
Now, tap the heel of the foot you’re standing on. That sequence – step, strike, step, tap – is your Paradiddle. It might seem tricky at first, but don’t worry.
Like all tap dance steps, the Paradiddle becomes easier with practice. So, keep trying until you get it right. Soon, you’ll be paradiddling with the best of them!
7. Cramp Roll
The Cramp Roll is a rhythmic tap dance step that sounds like a galloping horse. It’s a cool move that makes your feet sound like they’re playing a drum roll.
First, stand straight and shift your weight onto one foot. Start by tapping the ball of your other foot, then your heel.
Now, quickly switch and tap the ball and heel of your first foot. So, it’s ball, heel, ball, heel – all in quick succession.
Remember, the sound should be even, like a drum roll. To get this step right, start slow, then speed up as you get more comfortable. The Cramp Roll may take some practice, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ve taken a big step forward in your tap dancing journey!
Master These Tap Dance Steps Today
Mastering these tap dance steps will not only elevate your dance skills. They will also improve your overall physical coordination, rhythm, and creativity.
So why wait? Start practicing these steps today and become a confident tap dancer in no time. Let’s tap our way to success together.
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