How to Use Rhythm Techniques in Tap Dance

Tap dancing is all about rhythm with your taps. The taps make the sounds that the dancer wants them to make. It takes practice and a good ear for the taps, to develop the rhythm techniques used in tap dancing. Learn how to develop skills in using rhythm techniques in tap dancing.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes
• Dance floor

1. Listen closely to the sounds of the taps against the floor while an instructor directs you in a new tap dance step. The sound the taps make is just as important as the movements of the feet in developing the correct techniques in your tap dancing skills.

2. Walk through the tap steps slowly to learn the correct position of each foot, ankle, shoe and tap throughout each count of a new tap routine to master the technique of the step. Concentrate on the counts of the step and practice each new step to the exact count, to master the sound that the tap should be making.

3. Let the rhythm of the step flow. The more you practice, the more confidence you will develop and you will know when to place extra emphasis on a particular step, brush, tap or stomp. Sometimes, you tap softly and sometimes you "stomp it" down. Your developing technique will show in your confidence, in the sound of your taps and the style you are developing with your tap dance steps.

4. Practice the steps until you "get" the sound you want. The sound of the taps is what it is all about in tap dancing. Technique and rhythm go hand in hand in tap dancing. Technique compliments the rhythm and vice versa.

5. Pick up your speed as your confidence in the step increases. No matter how fast you are dancing, you must stay in rhythm with the counts and the beats to show correct technique.

Tips & Warnings

• Tap dancing performed without any music allows the audience to hear the sound of the taps clearly. The better your technique in tap dancing, the clearer your taps will sound.