How to Execute the Cincinnati in Tap Dancing

Back in the days of vaudeville, one tap dancing combination known as the "Cincinnati" was given a nickname and referred to as ‘Back to the Woods’.Here’s how you execute the Cincinnati:

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Stand in the middle of the room in front of a mirror, if you have one, arms extended out to the sides for balance, your weight is on your left foot; and you brush (back) with your right foot. Immediately lift and drop your left heel and then shuffle (which is a quick brush forward and back striking the balls of your feet on the floor) with your right foot. Drop the left heel again and step down on your right foot.

2. Repeat the combination on the left foot: brush (back) left foot; lift and drop right heel; shuffle left foot; lift and drop right heel again and step down on your left foot.

3. You can do this step in place or do it while moving backward. The count is: and-a 1-and-a-2 and-a 3-and-a 4. (And) brush back right, a (left heel drop) 1-and (shuffle) a (drop left heel again) 2 (step down on right foot), repeat on left: (And) brush back left, a (drop right heel) 3-and (shuffle left) a (drop right heel) 4 (step down on left foot).

Tips & Warnings

• Don't dance on a slippery floor.