The Tap Source

Warm-Up #2 Posted

2012-04-27T01:00:00.000-04:00

Now you can enjoy both warm-up videos!

Across The Floor: Switching Pullback / Pick-up

2012-04-25T23:09:00.001-04:00

Here is another part of the full class I posted, it is an across the floor flap ball change progression that includes a switching pullback. You may have learned this as a "pick-up" or "alternating pullback", depending on where your teacher was from.

Once my students have mastered the switching pullback in the center, I add it to a simple combination to help them begin to incorporate the movement with other steps. When they are first beginning, I allow them to take off from a flat foot (in this case a 'stamp').

There are also holds before and after the pick-up sounds, allowing the student to focus on that section.

ACROSS THE FLOOR FLAP BALLCHANGE PROGRESSION
Flap ball change R, flap ball change L,
Stamp R, switching pullback to land on L foot
Repeat

Counts: a1a2, a3a4, 5 (hold 6) a7 (hold 8)

Repeat the combination to the end of the floor. On the return trip, begin with the left foot.

Tips and Variations:

Make it more challenging by adding a toe back or shuffle before the switching pullback (on count 6)
More advanced dancers should replace the stamp with a step (heel lifted)
Remember to keep your heels off the floor during the flap ball change for clear sounds.

Across The Floor: Flap Progression

2012-01-22T21:24:00.000-05:00

Here is another part of the full class I posted last week, it is an across the floor flap progression that repeats a basic pattern but adds another sound on each repeat.

I like to give this combination to my intermediate students when I notice that they have been forgetting to dance with their heels lifted off the floor. It is simple enough to remember and is easy for hear if a student drops their heels as the flap sound will get muffled. If during the progression they put their heels down, I send them back and they have to do it again (I'm a meanie!).

ACROSS THE FLOOR FLAP PROGRESSION
Flap R, flap L, flap R, hop
Reverse
Flap R, flap L, flap R, toe back L, hop
Reverse
Flap R, flap L, flap R, shuffle L hop
Reverse

Counts: a1 a2 a3 4, a5 a6 a7 8 | a1 a2 a3 a4, a5 a6 a7 a8 | a1 a2 a3 &a4, a5 a6 a7 &a8

Repeat if you have enough room. If not, turn around and repeat the combination starting with the L foot.

Tips and Variations:

Add a 4th section by doing: flap, flap, flap, shuffle toe back hop (Counts - a1 a2 a3 e&a4)
Make it more challenging by replacing the flaps with flap heels or shuffle steps.
Make it easier by replacing the flaps with marches.
Remember to keep your heels off the floor at all times during this step for clear sounds.
Your foot should come off the floor immediately after the toe jab to help with speed and clarity.

Warm-Up Video Posted

2012-01-17T23:48:00.001-05:00

I was finally able to record part of the class I posted back a few weeks.

Here is the first part of the warm-up.. look for more videos soon!

Depending on which way you prefer to follow, you can watch me facing away or towards you. In a class, usually the students would be behind the teacher, but its sometimes easier to see what I'm doing from the front. Sometimes the timing is a bit off from one side to the other - I recorded one with music and one without, so my timing isn't quite exact.

Full Intermediate Class #1

2012-01-06T00:16:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! I thought it might be fun to post a full tap class for those of you who practice at home. So here it is!
Below is a typical intermediate class that I teach - I am hoping to have some time this weekend to video some of these steps and combinations for you.. until then - here is the annotated version of an intermediate tap class. Enjoy!

Abbreviations & terms I use:
R = Right foot
L = Left foot
double time = twice as fast (if normal is 1 2 3 4, double time is 1 & 2 &)

WARM-UP (Music: "Domino" Jessie J - www.youtube.com . . .)
8 alternating toe drops R & L
8 alternating heel drops R & L
16 toe drops double time
16 heel drops double time

2 toe drops R, 2 toe drops L, repeat for a total of 8x
repeat with heel drops
repeat double toe drops, but double time
repeat double heel drops, but double time

16 toe heels in place (step, heel drop)
16 heel walks in place (heel, toe drop)
16 toe heel toe heel (step, heel drop, toe drop, heel drop - to improve weight shifting to front and back of the foot)

8 shuffles to the front, 8 shuffles with the leg turned out, 8 shuffles to back, 6 shuffles to the side, reverse

16 alternating shuffle steps
16 alternating shuffle step heel
16 alternating shuffle steps *double time* (leap shuffles)
16 alternating shuffle step heels *double time*

8 shuffle hop steps moving forward
8 shuffle hop steps moving backwards
16 running flaps moving any direction
16 running flap heels to return to original position

8 backwards flaps moving backwards (spank step or brush back step)
8 running flaps forward
repeat the back and forth 3 more times

Stretch out ankles by lifting one foot of the ground and circling the ankle in one direction, reverse direction, repeat on the other foot

CLASS FOCUS STEP: Alternating pullback
We will be learning an alternating or switching pullback (may also be called a switching pickup) today!

To develop muscle memory in the foot, begin by stamping your R foot on the ground slightly in front of your L foot. Bend both your knees and as you straighten them, you will move the R leg in a backwards motion, ending with your R leg straight and slightly off the ground behind you.

Try it again and this time try to strike the toe tap of your R foot on the floor and you move it backwards, creating a crisp and clear 'STRIKE' sound.

STAMP front, straighten and STRIKE back.

Repeat until you can do this successfully a few times in a row.

Repeat with your other leg.

Now we are going to do the pullback. Begin again by stamping your R foot in front of your L. This time, pick up your L foot off the floor. You are going to switch feet and as you switch feet, make the STRIKE sound with your R foot, moving the leg backwards like we did before.

If you are not getting it right away, make sure you are bending your R knee before you try to switch feet.

If you are still having trouble, go back to doing the STAMP STRIKES until you are able to get the sound easily.

Try this on both feet.

Congrats! You have learned a switching pullback!

Side note: the technical way to do a switching pullback is without your heels touching the floor, however to learn the movement, I begin my students flat-footed and lift the heels once they get the motion and sounds down.

ACROSS THE FLOOR #1
Music: www.youtube.com . . .

Flap R, flap L, flap R, hop
Reverse
Flap R, flap L, flap R, toe back L, hop
Reverse
Flap R, flap L, flap R, shuffle L hop
Reverse

Counts: a1 a2 a3 4, a5 a6 a7 8 | a1 a2 a3 a4, a5 a6 a7 a8 | a1 a2 a3 &a4, a5 a6 a7 &a8

Repeat if you have enough room. If not, turn around and repeat the combination starting with the L foot.

ACROSS THE FLOOR #2 - You didn't think we were done with pullbacks, did you?
Music: www.youtube.com . . .

Flap ball change R & L
Stamp R, *hold*, switching pullback *hold*
Repeat

Counts: &1&2 &3&4, 5 *6*, a7 *8*

Reverse the combination

ACROSS THE FLOOR #3
Nice and easy: Toe heel turns (two toe heels to make one turn, travels sideways like a chaine) - start at a speed you feel comfortable and try to increase it a little bit

> Keep your knees soft (slightly bent) to keep from spinning out of control!
> Pay attention to your upper body as it turns - are you keeping your tummy tight and not arching your back?
> Make sure you are spotting something eye-level
> Keep your rhythm even and the sounds the same loudness - if you have extra time, try accenting the heels (making the heels louder) or the toe parts.

CENTER COMBO (counts are in parentheses)
Music: www.youtube.com . . .

1st Set of "La la la la la": Hit pose of your choice
2nd Set: Change your pose
3rd Set: step L, cross R foot over L
4th Set: spin all the way around, untwisting your legs and end facing front

Shuffle ballchange R, shuffle hop step R, reverse (+1+2, +3+4, +5+6, +7+8)
2 shuffles front R, 2 shuffles side R (+1+2, +3+4)
slide to the R hold hold (5 6 7)
ballchange LR (+8)

Reverse first step

3 toe heels traveling to the right, R L R, slam the inside of your L foot on the ground, slightly bending your knees (1+2+3+ 4)
reverse (5+6+7+ 8
step R, inside single pirouette (picking up L foot) (1 2)
step L foot down (landing pirouette) (3)
drop heels to L on "noise"- if you're feeling girly you can pop your hips to the L (4)

THE END!

If you stuck with me until the end - great job! Hope to have some videos to go with these combos up soon.

Have a great week!

Center Combo: Flap Ball Change

2011-11-20T18:34:00.001-05:00

brush R backwards, hop L, toe jab R, hop L
flap ball change R (traveling R)
shuffle L, hop R, step L (in front of R)
flap ball change R (traveling R)
Reverse

Counts: a1 a2, a3 a4, a5 a6, a7 a8

Tips & Variations:

This combination can be done center floor by traveling to the right and left. It can also be traveled forward or backwards by traveling each side on the diagonal.
For intermediate dancers, try turning a quarter or half turn on the brush hop toe hop. A half turn would allow the dancer to travel across the floor in the same direction, a quarter turn would create a sort of "staircase" pattern.
You can also try turning the shuffle hop step - a half or full turn would work.
For advanced dancers, add a single pullback as follows: brush hop toe hop, flap ball change, shuffle L single pullback R step L, flap ball change

Glossary: Timesteps

2011-11-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Our explanation of timesteps:

Single Buck Timestep
stamp R
hop L
step back R
flap L
step R
reverse
1 2 3 +4 +

Double Buck Timestep
stamp R
hop L
flap R
flap L
step R
reverse
1 2 +3 +4 +

Triple Buck Timestep
stamp R
hop L
shuffle step R
flap L
step R
reverse
1 2 +a3 +4 +

Double Triple Timestep
stamp R
hop L
shuffle step R
shuffle step L
step R
reverse
1 2 +a3 +a4 +

Triple Triple Timestep
stamp R
hop L
shuffle step R
shuffle step L
shuffle step R
reverse
1 2 +a3 +a4 e+a

Intermediate Timestep/Cramproll Center Combination

2011-11-10T12:38:00.001-05:00

This combination begins on count 7:

step R (7) , stamp L (8) to begin
double timestep* L, triple timestep R
double timestep L, triple timestep R

stamp R, cramproll (step L R, heel drop L R)
stamp L, cramproll (step R L, heel drop R L)
sugar sugar RL
repeat stamp cramproll section
-----
Counts & tips after the jump

Counts:
7, 8, 1+2+3+4, 5+a6+7+8
1+2+3+4, 5+a6+7+8

1 2+a3, 4 5+a6, 7 8
1 2+a3, 4 5+a6, 7 8

Tips & Variations:

There are many variations of "timesteps" depending on where you learn them. In this combination, I use a "buck" triple timestep (stomp, hop, shuffle step back, flap, step) and double (stomp, hop, flap, flap, step). You can substitute any timesteps here that fit in 4-counts.
This is a section of a tap dance where I had my students change formation from a clump to a straight line (in the video you will see me traveling on my timesteps). If you "jump" into your cramprolls, you can use the stamp cramproll section to travel sideways or forward.
You could also make the cramproll section into a turn and do: 2 stamp cramproll turns to the R, step dig, reverse on the L

Happy tapping!

Snappy Shuffle

2011-09-28T09:07:00.000-04:00

Check out this post by The Dance Buzz: Tap Teaching Tip: The Snappy Shuffle

Good stuff!

Riff Updates!

2011-09-26T23:45:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let you know that the Riff Glossary page has been updated with some new videos that will hopefully clarify any questions. Sometimes its just easier to learn from videos.

The videos are short and just show the riffs without explanation.

Enjoy!

Center Combo: Flap Heel Heel

2011-08-16T21:45:00.004-04:00

Transcript after cut

Part 1
flap R (to R), heel drop L, heel drop R
flap L (to R), heel drop R, heel drop L
flap R (to R), heel drop L, heel drop R
brush back L, heel drop R, toe back L, heel drop R

Reverse Part 1

Part 2 (repeat ending of Part 1) - this is sometimes referred to as the "Broadway" and I've also heard teachers call this the "Shirley Temple"

flap R (to R), heel drop L, heel drop R
brush back L, heel drop R, toe back L, heel drop R

Reverse to L

(syncopated) Stamp R (in front), step L R (in place), Stamp L (in front), step R L (in place), stamp/stomp R

Happy National Tap Dance Day!

2011-05-25T15:12:00.001-04:00

Happy National Tap Dance Day everyone!

Advanced Tap Combination

2011-03-27T21:33:00.001-04:00

Just got back from a great tap class from Maud Arnold (co-producer of DC Tap Festival) at a Dance America convention. Here is the teacher's room combination - enjoy (first few counts are improv):

Twister

2011-01-07T21:01:00.000-05:00

Body faces front and travels R:
brush R
heel drop L
step R (invert knee)
brush L toward R
step L
heel dig R toward R

Repeat

Video after jump

Tip: Exaggerate the twisting motion of the R leg between the heel dig and the step

Cramproll Combo

2010-12-21T13:09:00.001-05:00

flap R, stamp L bringing leg in - 3x
double cramproll reversing heels (flap R step L heel drop L heel drop R)
Reverse
flap R, stamp L, double cramproll reversing heels
Reverse
4 double cramprolls reversing heels R L R L

Counts: +12 +34 +56 +7+a8, +12 +34 +56 +7+a8,
+12 +3+a4 +56 +7+a8,
+1+a2 +3+a4 +5+a6 +7+a8

Tips & Variations

A normal double cramproll would be performed as flap R step L heel drop R heel drop L
This can be performed with single cramprolls or triple cramprolls
This combination can be performed traveling across the floor by traveling on the flap stamps forward or on the diagonal (creating a 'zig zag' pattern).
This combination can be performed center floor by traveling the flap stamps to stage right and left.

Traveling Cramproll

2010-12-20T14:06:00.002-05:00

shuffle R
toe flip L (to travel towards R)
toe heel R
heel drop L
Repeat

See video after the jump!
Count: a1e+a2

Tips and Variations

This step travels sideways.
Speed Drill Combination: 4 to the R, 4 to the L, 2 to the R, 2 to the L, 1 to the R, L, R, L

Advanced / Intermediate Center Combo

2010-12-19T19:05:00.002-05:00

heel L shuffle R heel L toe jab R heel L toe heel R stamp L
3 paradiddles* R L R stomp L
Reverse
heel L shuffle R heel L toe jab R heel L, toe jab R heel L, toe jab R heel L
stamp R double heel drop RR, **shuffle L, switching pullback R to land L, 3-count riff R crossing behind L foot

Counts: 1e+a2+3+4, 5e+a 6e+a 7e+a 8
1e+a2+3+4, 5e+a 6e+a 7e+a 8
1e+a2+3+4+, 5 +6 e+a7 +a8

Tips & Variations

* paradiddle = heel dig, brush, toe heel all on the same foot
**This is a version of a graboff, but instead of stepping on the foot, you riff.
The 3-count riff is performed on the outside of the shoe in order to get the sounds in in the crossed position.

Advanced / Intermediate Center Combo

2010-12-19T18:55:00.003-05:00

scuff R heel L stamp R heel R, reverse, repeat R & L sides (1&2&, 3&4&, 5&6&, 7&8&)

Combination continued after the jump!

*paradiddle R step L brush fwd R single pullback L toe heel R (1e&a 2 & a3 &4)
*stamp L scuff R heel stand R, stamp L scuff R heel stand R, stamp L (5 & 6 & 7 & 8)

Repeat * section (1-8)

brush back R, heel L, toe jab R, heel L, flap R to R, heel R, step L (bringing L into meet R) (&1&2&3&4)
jump, wing, syncopated pullback, stamp stamp (5&a6 e&a7 &8)

Reverse entire combination

Tips & Variations:

Replace the wing or pullback with your favorite variation of wings or pullbacks.

See more center floor combinations

Advanced Intermediate Tap Barre

2010-12-12T19:14:00.006-05:00

After each part, turn around and perform other side.

Part 1: 8/4/2/1/1 shuffles en croix with ballet arms
8 shuffles to the front, arm in 5th high
8 shuffles to side, arm in 2nd (shuffles can be parallel or turned out - teacher's choice)
8 shuffles to back, arm in front of body (plie on supporting leg)
8 shuffles to side
repeat with 4 shuffles in each direction, then 2 shuffles, then 1 shuffle

Part 2: Scuffle/riffle/double shuffles
8 slow scuffles (scuff, brush back)
16 fast scuffles
8 slow riffles (dig, scuff, brush back)
16 fast riffles
14 double shuffles (two shuffles performed in rapid succession.. 1&a2 3&a4 5&a6)

Part 3: Cramprolls
4 - Flap R front, heel drop R, heel drop L*
4 - repeat to side
8 - alternate front and side
8 double cramprolls
6 triple cramprolls
*- can change to 3 or 4 heel drops to increase difficulty

Part 4: Toe Stands
6 or 14 slow shuffle toe stands (with one hand on barre)
turn and face barre
4 or 8 - shuffle R, toe stand R, toe stand L, step R, step L (&1&2&3....&5&6&7...)
turn to face other side and reverse from beginning of part 4

Part 5: Pullbacks
6 - stamp RL pullback* (one hand on barre)
turn and face barre
4 - shuffle R, switching pullback L to R, shuffle L, switching pullback R to L
turn around and begin stamp stamp pullback with L
* - can substitute traditional pullback with syncopated or single or pullback/pickup of choice

Tips & Variations

Depending on your time constraints and level of class, include only a few parts of the tap barre or switch in parts from the beginner tap barre.
For added difficulty, perform center barre.
Encourage students to "test" themselves by lifting their supporting hand (the one holding the barre) a few inches to test that they are not depending too much on the barre's support, especially during the toe stand and pullback sections.

Riff Traveling Turn Combination

2010-12-12T16:44:00.002-05:00

See riffs explained here

5-count riff R
5-count riff L
brush back R
heel drop L
toe jab back R
heel drop L

Count: &a1 &2 &a3 &4 &5 &6

----

Tips & Variations

This turn travels across the floor and stays on the same foot (does not reverse)
One repetition = one rotation
Since this is a 6-count turn, it will not fit easily into an 4/4 piece of music, but if you continue repeating it, in four rotations you will have end on count "8" of the 3rd measure (if that makes sense to anyone, please let me know... basically 6 counts x 4 turns = 24 counts divided by 8 = 4 measures... ok my head hurts now).
The easiest part to turn on is the brush back and heel drops. It may be possible to get two rotations in one repetition by spinning more when the heel is lifted for the heel drop, but it probably won't be easy to increase the speed if that is the case.

Riff Turn #1

2010-12-12T16:38:00.006-05:00

3-count riff R
brush step R across left
heel drop RL
toe drop RL

Count: &a1 &2 &3 &4 (slow) OR &a1 &a 2& a3 (quick)

Tips & Variations:

See riffs broken explained here
Begin turn facing front, after crossing R foot over, use heel and toe drops to unwind body
This turn does not travel
My favorite arms for this turn go out with the riff, then come into the body during the unwinding

Glossary: Riffs

2010-12-12T16:38:00.004-05:00

When riffs are referred to in posts on this site, they refer to the following steps:

3-Count Riff
dig R
heel scuff fwd R
heel drop L
Count: 1 2 3 or &a1

4-Count or "Walking" Riff
dig R
heel scuff fwd R
heel walk R
Count: 1 2 3 4 or &1&2

5-Count riff
3-count riff R
heel walk R
Count: 1 2 3 &4 or &a1 &2

6-Count riff
3-count riff R
heel walk R
heel drop R
Count: &a1 &a2

7-Count riff
5-count riff Rheel drop L
heel drop R
Count: &a1 &2 &3

8-Count riff
5-count riff R heel drop L
heel drop R
toe drop R
Count: &a1 &2 &3&

9-Count riff
5-count riff R heel drop L
heel drop R
toe drop L
toe drop R
Count: &a1 &2 &3 &4

Riffle
dig R
heel scuff fwd R
brush back R
Count: 1 2 3 or &a1

Previous Riff Combos: All, Turns, Across the Floor

Across the Floor: Waltz Clog Combination

2010-12-12T16:22:00.003-05:00

stamp R chug R ball change
stamp L chug L ball change
waltz clog R, waltz clog L
step step (or march march)

Count: 1234 5678 | 1&2&3 4&5&6 7 8

See video after the jump

Tips & Variations:

Find waltz clogs broken down here
This step does not reverse.
Remind students to go from flat-foot on the stamps and chugs to dancing on the balls of their feet during the waltz clogs and marches
Double the step - keep first 8 counts the same, but change the end to: double waltz clog RL flap flap
Triple the step: keep first 8 counts the same, change the end to: triple waltz clog RL shuffle step shuffle step

Glossary: Waltz Clog

2010-12-12T16:21:00.001-05:00

Our explanations of single, double and triple waltz clogs

Single Waltz Clog
leap onto R
shuffle ball change L

Count: 1 & 2 & 3

Double Waltz Clog
flap R
shuffle ball change L

Count: a1 & 2 & 3

Triple Waltz Clog
shuffle step R
shuffle ball change L

Count: &a1 & 2 & 3

To turn, complete two waltz clogs per one rotation (or think half turn for each waltz clog).

Glossary: Cincinnati

2010-12-12T16:12:00.002-05:00

These are the steps this site uses when referring to "single, double or triple cincinnatis". Different tappers may know a "cincinnati" as something else.

Single Cincinnati
heel drop L
shuffle R
heel drop L
step back R

Count: a1&a2
Tip: "A cin-cin-na-ti" has 5 syllables and a single cincinnati has 5 sounds

Double Cincinnati
heel drop L
shuffle R
heel drop L
shuffle R
heel drop L
step back R
brush back L
heel drop R
toe jab back L

Count: a1&a2&a3&a4
Tip: My students like to say "I like it, I love it, a Cin-cin-na-ti" for the rhythm

Triple Cincinnati

heel drop L
shuffle R
heel drop L
step R across L
brush back L
heel drop R
step back L
brush back R
heel drop L
step back R

Count: a1&a2&a3&a4
Tip #1: This is a single cincinnati crossing with two drawbacks.
Tip #2: My students say "A cin-cin-na-ti, draw-aw-back, draw-aw-back" for the rhythm

----
Other tips & variations

All of these steps reverse themselves (so you perform one on the right and then one on the left) and are generally performed traveling backwards.
Some tappers prefer to start all of their single cincinnatis with a brush back, adding a sound and making the first count "&a1" instead of "a1"
Advanced dancers: change up your cincinnatis by replacing heel drops with toe drops