How to Practice Tap Dance

You've got the shoes and you're taking the lessons. Now it's time to improve your tap dancing skills with dedicated practice sessions. With a little motivation, you can find ways to master the steps and develop your personal style.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ask your instructor if there are any areas you should concentrate on when you practice at home. She may be able to give you a regimen to follow each day.

2. Stretch before you start, getting your feet and legs warmed up. Use the same exercises you use in class or try ankle rolls and basic calf and hamstring stretches.

3. Find an area with flooring that won't damage your tap shoes. Consider purchasing a portable roll-up or click-and-go practice floor.

4. Learn and repeat basic steps (like shuffle, brush, stamp, heel and ball change) to the front, side and back with the left and right foot. Aim for clear sounds with your taps and perfect posture and body positioning.

5. Master single steps, then combine them. Rehearse combinations by making up simple routines to keep practice from becoming monotonous.

Tips & Warnings

• If you'll be practicing tap on a rough floor, purchase a second pair of shoes for class use only. Most instructors won't appreciate scuffed taps scratching their pristine wood floor.
• You can still practice tap in your stocking feet. Although you won't be able to hear the tap sounds, you can still work on form, posture and step combinations.