How to Do the Buffalo Click Step in Tap Dancing

Even if you aren't a dance aficionado, you have probably heard the term "Shuffle off to Buffalo," which is an old dance expression. Perhaps at one time it meant literally to skedaddle to Buffalo, New York. The Buffalo step has been around for more than 100 years. Sometimes it is called Off to Buffalo or The Roll or Roll the Log. It is generally done while the dancer travels to the side. The Buffalo was made popular by dancer Pat Rooney during the late 1800s.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Raise your right foot and bend your right leg, placing your right foot in front of your left ankle. The sole of your right foot is facing to the left. This is called the sur le cou de pied position (ballet term).

2. Step or leap (your choice) onto your right foot to the right. Your weight is on your right foot.

3. Shuffle on your left foot. You might find it easier if you shuffle slightly diagonally to the left rather than straight to the front. Discover what works best for you.

4. Jump up and click the left toe tap against the right heel tap and then land on your left foot. Turn your right foot outward a bit, which will help with the clicking part. It's easier for the left toe tap to find the right heel tap if the right foot is turned to the right. Do not keep your feet parallel because this would make the airborne feat more difficult to accomplish.

5. Standing on your left foot, which is the foot that you landed on, repeat the Buffalo Click Step. Your right foot should be situated in front of your left leg. The right foot is lifted, just as it was in Step 1. Step or leap onto your right foot. Shuffle on your left foot and then jump and click the left toe tap against the right heel tap, landing on your left foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Rod Howell demonstrates how to do the Buffalo Click Step in the video demonstration found in the Resources section. In the second video, Emily Larew shows you how to do a basic Buffalo with no frills. In the third video, Sarah McLellan shows you how to do shuffles. She recommends, if you are a beginner, to stand with your hand on the dance barre or on some other supportive object, which will help maintain your balance and posture while learning how to do shuffles.

Resources

• Tap Dancing Demo by Rod Howell
• Tap Dancing Demo by Emily Larew
• Tap Dancing Demo by Sarah McLellan