How to Do a Heel Pas De Bourree in Tap Dancing

Pas de bourree is the French term for a walking or running ballet step usually executed on the points of the toes. In this example, we’re going to use it to describe a tap dance step--and we’re not doing it while wearing toe shoes, but tap shoes. The heel pas de bourree consists of six sounds, and the count is “a1 a2 a3.”

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Drop your left heel.

2. Step your right foot behind your left foot.

3. Drop your right heel.

4. Step your left foot to the left.

5. Drop your left heel.

6. Step your right foot forward.

7. Learn the steps: Heel drop, step heel, step heel, step.

8. Remember the count: a1 a2 a 3.

Tips & Warnings

• The dancer should be aware that a hop could be done instead of a heel drop.
• The pas de bourree is done in ballet and in jazz dancing, as well as in tap dancing. Watch the video linked to in Resources to get a better understanding of the step.

Resources

• Kelly-Anne Teaches the Pas De Bourree