How to Do the Diller Step in Tap Dancing

In the Diller step in tap dancing, the dancer does several toe taps. A tap occurs when the dancer taps her toe (the ball of her shoe) to the front. Do not put any weight on the tap. Heel drops are also required in this combination. Always dance on the balls of your feet, unless you are specifically instructed to do otherwise, so the heel drops are easy to execute. The dancer will make 16 sounds (taps) in this combination.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Tap the toe (ball) of your right foot on the count of "1." Do not put weight on the tap.

2. Drop your left heel on the count of "and." Dance on the balls of your feet so you can drop your heels easily when required.

3. Step down on your right foot on the count of "2."

4. Tap your left foot to the front on the count of "3," followed by a heel drop on your right foot on the count of "and."

5. Step down on your left foot on the count of "4."

6. Repeat the tap heel drop step (tap on the right, drop heel on the left and step on your right) to the count of "5 and 6."

7. Finish the combination with a flourish: Kick to the front on your left foot on the count of "7" and ball-change: Ball on your left foot and change on your right on the count of "and 8." Remember that a ball-change is a step, step, transferring weight from the ball foot (which should be positioned to the back) to the change foot.

8. Put it together and do the Diller: Tap, heel drop, step; tap heel drop, step; tap heel drop, step; kick ball-change. The count is "1 and 2 3 and 4 5 and 6 7 and 8."

Tips & Warnings

• Watch the dance demonstration found in the Resources section. You can see how a heel drop is done, and (maybe even more important) hear what it sounds like. Watching video demonstrations is an excellent way to learn how to tap dance; however, your best bet is to enroll in a class so you can get personal instruction.

Resources

• Tap Dancing Demo: Masque Theatre School
• Tap Dance Blog Store