How to Do the Machine Guns Step in Tap Dancing

The machine gun step in tap dancing does indeed sound like the rat-a-tat-tat a machine gun makes. In this combination, the dancer will do a slap, which is different from a flap. A flap is a brush step to the front. In a slap, the dancer brushes her foot forward and then taps the ball of her foot against the floor, but puts no weight on it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Slap your right foot to the front. Remember, do not put any weight on the touch.

2. Heel drop your right heel. Remember to dance on the balls of your feet, so it's easy to drop your heels.

3. Drop your left heel.

4. Slap your right foot to the right (not to the front, as you did earlier.)

5. Drop your right heel to the right and drop your left heel in place.

6. Slap your right foot to the front and drop your right heel, then your left heel.

7. Slap your right foot to the right; this time, drop your left heel first, then your right heel.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn the count: a 1 and 2 a3 and 4 a5 and 6 a7 and 8.