How to Do a Five-Tap Riff Step in Tap Dancing

To transform the three-tap riff step in tap dancing into a five-tap you must add two steps (two sounds). The two steps that you are going to add include a heel and a step. Remember not to brush too broadly when doing the riff step, because you want to keep your brushing foot underneath you so you can execute the heel strikes and heel drops.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Brush your right foot forward

2. Dig your right heel into the floor.

3. Drop your left heel.

4. Heel dig (again) on you right foot.

5. Step down on the ball of your right foot. Actually, you are lowering the ball of your right foot because the toe is pointed upward as a result of executing the right heel dig in the step above.

6. Think of the count "and a 1 and 2."

7. Realize that you can travel forward when doing the five-tap riff step. Once you step down on the ball of your right foot, the left foot is free to execute the step.

8. Remember to do a minimal brush rather than a big, sweeping one. Don't let your brushing foot get too far out in front of you.

Tips & Warnings

• Watching videos of dance steps being executed helps the dancer learn what the step and combination looks like and how it sounds (see Resources below).

Resources

• Emily Larew, Expert Village, Three- and Five-Tap Riff