How to Do a Drum Slap in Tap Dancing

In tap dancing, a “flap” used to be called a “slap.” Therefore, the name of this step, “Drum Slap,” can be interpreted as meaning drum flap. This combination consists of a shuffle, a hop and a flap. When you flap, you brush forward on the ball of your foot and then step down on it. A flap does take weight. A shuffle is a brushing forward and backward of the ball of your foot. A hop means to hop in place.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Shuffle on your right foot to the right side of the count of “and 8.” When you are instructed to shuffle to the right (or left) that means not to shuffle straight forward. Point your shuffling foot diagonally to the right or left, whichever is required.

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

3. Flap your right foot forward on the count of “a 1.”

4. Recall the steps: Shuffle hop flap.

5. Remember the count: and 8 and a 1.

6. Reverse the step, starting on your left foot.

Tips & Warnings

• In tap dancing, the shuffle and flap steps are very basic and beginning steps. In the drum slap you are incorporating both of those steps.

Resources

• Watch a video of tap shuffle combinations by Sarah McLellan at Expert Village.
• Watch a video of tap flaps by Sarah McLellan at Expert Village.