How to Do a Four Tap Riff Walk

The four-tap riff walk differs from the Hollywood Walk, another tap dance that incorporates a four tap riff, in that the step occurs before the heel drop. In the Hollywood walk, the dancer does the heel drop and then the step. In addition, all of the riff steps are done on the right foot in the four-tap riff walk whereas the left foot is used in the Hollywood walk. The heel drop occurs on the left.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Brush to the front on your right foot and scuff your right heel against the floor. The count is "and 1."

2. Step down on your right foot to the front on the count of "and."

3. Drop your right heel to the count of "2."

4. Combine the steps and start to pick up the temp: brush, scuff, step, heel drop ("and 1 and 2").

5. Remember that riffs are intricate steps. You're trying to get four sounds in. Keep your ankle flexible as well as your feet so you can brush with the ball, scuff your heel, step (on the ball of your foot) and drop your heel.

Tips & Warnings

• Note that this step is called a riff "walk." When you step down, you are stepping to the front so you are moving, walking, whereas in other riffs you stay in place.

Resources

• Tap Dancing Demo by Rex Chiu