How to Do the Barnyard Shuffle in Tap Dancing

The barnyard shuffle combination is an ideal dance step to teach young hoofers. Dress them up as farmers--with straw hats, bib overalls and red bandannas tied around their necks--and base the entire dance routine on the barnyard theme.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Step left and shuffle and step down on your right.

2. Step on the left and shuffle right, followed by stepping down on the right. Left: Shuffle and step.

3. Flap on your right and flap on your left. A flap is a brush step to the front.

4. Scrape the outside edge of the right foot against the floor, then scrape the inside edge of the right foot against the floor. Do the scrapes again. Dancers should put their hands on their waists while doing this. It's a novelty step and can look very countrified.

5. Put the steps together: Step shuffle step, step shuffle step, step shuffle step shuffle step, flap flap, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape. The count is as follows: 1 and a 2, 3 and a 4, 5 and a 6 and a 7 e and a 8. Scrape on the count of "1 2," "3 4," "5 6" and "7 8." There are two counts per each scrape. Each flap takes two counts; hence, the "e and" on the first flap and "a 8" on the second flap.