How to Do the Shuffle Change in Tap Dance

The shuffle change is a fun move in tap dancing, because it allows you to hop from foot to foot while making more noise than seems humanly possible. You go from a shuffle to a shuffle, from foot to foot, creating a cool rhythm that's fun to do. You can start doing the shuffle change in tap dancing yourself. Don't be surprised if you find it hard to stop doing over and over and over.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Begin the shuffle change in tap dance by hopping up and shuffling your right foot forward and back.

2. Step onto your right foot.

3. Hop onto your left foot and shuffle it forward and backward.

4. Repeat the shuffle change by hopping to your right foot.

5. Shuffle your right foot forward, then backward and step.

6. Continue with your left foot by hopping on it and shuffling it forward and back.

7. Remember to keep your feet pointed out to the side as you do the shuffle change in tap dancing. It should look like the second position in ballet where you bring your foot forward slightly and to the side, with your toe pointing away from the center.

8. Pick up speed as you do the shuffle change, so that it sounds like "shuffle-CHANGE, shuffle-CHANGE."

9. Keep your heels off the ground as you do the shuffle change in tap dancing. Even though the impulse is to put your heels down as you shift your weight from one foot to another, resist it. You want to make the sounds in the shuffle change as cleanly as possible.

Resources

• Connie Hale demonstrates the shuffle change.