How to Perform a Variation of the Standard Toe Tap Time Step in Tap Dancing

The time step slipped into oblivion after the death of vaudeville and was no longer routinely incorporated into dance performances; however, the step was kept alive by dance teachers who continued teaching it. The step finally re-emerged as an integral tap dance step and has stayed that way. It has been back in vogue for years. Regardless of whether you’re 55-years-old or 10-years-old, if you’ve taken tap dancing lessons, you’ve been taught to do the time step in one variation or another. The standard toe tap time step, including this variation, is done on the balls of your feet and not flat-footed, as is the preference of buck dancers. This step starts with a shuffle, whereas the buck time steps begin with a stomp.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Shuffle on your right foot to the front on the count of “8 &.”

2. Hop on your left foot on the count of “1.”

3. Toe tap your right foot to the back on the count of “&.”

4. Hop or heel drop on your left foot on the count of “a.”

5. Step back on your right foot on the count of the count of “2.”

6. Flap forward on your left foot on the count of “& 3.”

7. Step in place on your right foot on the step of “&.”

8. Do the combination starting on your left foot.

9. Recognize that the only difference in the standard toe tap time step and this variation is the addition of a heel drop (or extra hop, take your choice.)

10. Note that the only difference in the count for the basic/standard toe tap step (8 & 1 & 2 & 3 &) from the variation above is that an “a” has been added (when the dancer does the heel drop or hop).

Tips & Warnings

• See Resources below to watch a video of the time step being executed.

Resources

• Watch a video of this step at Expert Village.