How to Do the Manhattan in Tap Dance

Once you've learned the basic moves in tap dancing, you can move on to the more difficult steps and combinations such as the Manhattan step. Master the Manhattan step so you can incorporate it into your tap dance practice or routine.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Stand in front of a mirror on a hardwood or other non-carpeted surface so you can see and hear yourself correctly. Wear shorts or leotard that won't cover your feet--you want to be able to see them and don't need extra fabric getting in the way or causing you to trip.

2. Place your hands at your sides, elbows slightly bent, to keep your balance. Flap right--brush the ball of your right foot forward on the floor. Drop your right heel, then your left heel. So far you should hear four sounds--"fa-lap, heel, heel."

3. Brush your left foot back, keeping the weight on your right foot. Drop your right heel--"brush, heel."

4. Tap your left toe back. Drop your right heel--"toe, heel." Put these steps together and you have the Manhattan. You should hear eight sounds now--"fa-lap, heel, heel, brush, heel, toe, heel."

5. Repeat this on the other side, starting with your left foot. Flap the left foot, drop the left heel, then the right heel, brush your right foot back, drop your left heel, tap your right toe and drop your left heel.

6. Practice the moves together, both sides, and work at it until you get quicker and more graceful. Try doing the moves in a square or adding them to other moves for new combinations and routines.

Tips & Warnings

• Start very slowly. Work on each part of the Manhattan step before putting them together. Tap dance routines require you to know how to do each step and combination quickly, so start slowly and work your way to a higher level.