How to Do Flap Heel Toe Heel in Tap Dance

The flap heel toe combination in tap dance is one with which many tap dancers are familiar. However, in tap, as its dancers know, the quest for more sound and combinations is never over. Here, you'll learn how to add an additional heel to the flap heel toe combination, and with it, more contrasting sounds.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Begin the flap heel toe heel in tap dance by doing a flap with your right foot. Remember to put your weight on your foot after scuffing the toe of your right foot forward, so it makes this sound: "fa-LAP."

2. Set down the heel of your right foot so it makes a definite noise. Because the heel has a good bit of surface, it should make a nice, resounding "smack" as you drop it on the ground.

3. Lift the toe of your left foot and tap the tip of the toe behind your right foot. Since you are hitting the ground with the tip of your tap shoes, it should have a nice sharp sound that contrasts with the more solid sound of your heel.

4. Add the heel to the flap heel toe in tap dancing by picking up your weight on your right foot then dropping it on the ground, just as you did in step three.

5. Start the flap heel toe heel in tap dancing on your left foot, and continue the combination, switching from one foot to the other after striking the last heel of the combination.

6. Do the flap heel toe heel in tap dancing slowly at first, concentrating on making all of the contrasting sounds with your heel and toe.

7. Speed up the flap heel toe heel in tap dancing until you get a nice rhythm going.

Resources

• Dani Rhodes demonstrates the flap heel toe heel.