How to Learn Basic Tap Steps

From the days of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, tap dancing has captivated a wide array of audiences. Anyone can learn it no matter what is your age or ability. There is even something called wheelchair tapdancing. Tap dancing can be done with taking the basic steps and working with them to complete amalgamations. The first and most important thing is mastering the basic steps. As you grow as a tap dancer, you will learn how to take the basic steps and make them into something more advanced.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Music
• Tap shoes

1. Find a good dance instructor. You can do this on your own, but without a teacher you can really hurt yourself or break some bones. There is also some instruction DVDs or video tapes out.

2. Learn 'Walk'. This is the most basic step where you just walk around. Increase or decrease the speed to the rhythm of the music.

3. Learn 'Step-heel'. Take the ball of your foot down first then follow with the heel to make two different sounds.

4. Learn 'Heel-step'. This is the reverse of the 'Step-heel'. Take the heel down first and then follow with the ball of your foot.

5. Learn 'Stamp'. In a rapid motion, stomp the entire foot on the ground.

6. Learn 'Ball-change'. Take a step backwards then a step forward with the same foot.

7. Learn 'Hop'. This move is performed just as it sounds. Hop up on one foot and landing on the same foot.

8. Learn 'Spring'. This is like the 'Hop', but you land on the opposite foot.

9. Learn 'Drop'. This is like the 'Spring, but upon landing, bend your knee and make sure your foot is flat when it strikes the floor.

10. Learn 'Brush'. Swing your leg forwards and backwards. In a sweeping motion, only the ball of your foot strikes the ground.

11. Learn 'Straight Tap'. Strike the ground in front of you with the ball of your foot.

12. Learn 'Toe Tap'. With the ball of your foot, strike the ground behind you. This is the opposite of the 'Straight Tap'.

13. Learn 'Heel'. Using only the heel, strike the floor.

14. Learn 'Shuffle'. Put one foot in front of you. Quickly swing your foot forwards and backwards. Remember to keep the foot stretched out in front of your body. Even though you are performing a sweeping motion, your foot stays in the front of your body.

15. Learn 'Side Shuffle'. This is the same as the 'Shuffle' but you keep your leg on the side of you.

16. Learn 'Back Shuffle'. Just as the name suggest, this is one of the 'Shuffle' moves. This one is performed with the leg behind your body.

17. Practice and repeat. Continue to practice all of the above basic steps to perfect them. Once you are comfortable, you can start to combine them to make your own combinations.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't by expensive shoes while learning to tapdance. As your skills grow, you may want to invest in more expensive shoes that lasts.
• Many dancing schools and gym clubs offer tapdancing lesson. Check with one of them if you are serious about learning.
• Learning to tap can be dangerous, use caution when learning on your own.
• You can break your ankle and bones learning this on you own if you don't have the right posture and technique. The author strongly suggests acquiring the help of a trained instructor.