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Tap Dance Terminology
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Flap
A step that consists of a brush and a step on the same foot.
Pickup
A hop on one foot while the other foot executes a brush and a step.
Step
A basic movement of placing the ball of the foot on the floor with weight transfer.
Scissor step
A step that involves a crossing and uncrossing movement of the legs.
Single wing
A variation of the wing step executed with one foot.
Slap
A brush with a downward tap, hitting the floor with the ball of the foot.
Buck
A dance move that involves kicking the leg out straight and then 'bucking' it back.
Irish
A step pattern of shuffle, hop, and a step.
Toe tap
Striking the floor with the tip of the tap shoe without weight transfer.
Waltz clog
A tap step with a rhythm that fits the 3/4 time of a waltz.
Paddle and roll
A combative motion involving the alternation of heel and toe taps, creating a rolling sound.
Tap break
An improvised or composed solo within a tap number allowing the dancer to showcase their skills.
Ball change
A quick transfer of weight from one foot to another.
Soft shoe
A style of tap dance performed in soft shoes without taps, emphasizing graceful and smooth movements.
Spank
A backward brush of the ball tap of the shoe against the floor.
Double heel
A step in which the dancer drops the heel twice in succession on the same foot.
Fallback
A tap dance move where the dancer falls backward, typically onto a toe tap.
Heel drop
The action of dropping the heel to make a sound, usually following a toe or ball touch.
Triple step
A three-beat step usually consisting of three quick steps in a row.
Waltz
A step performed in a 3/4 time signature, often incorporated into tap routines requiring smooth, flowing movements.
Cramproll
A tap step where the dancer uses a combination of toe and heel drops to produce a distinct sound pattern.
Pullback
A step that creates sound when the dancer hops and scrapes both feet backward.
Chug
A forward movement with a sliding motion, usually performed with the heels digging into the floor.
Maxie Ford
A tap step named after the vaudeville performer that includes a leap from one foot to the other with a shuffle in the middle.
Cramp roll
A four-sound step that involves alternating toe and heel drops in a specific sequence.
Double shuffle
A complex step involving two shuffles in a row on the same foot.
Triple shuffle
Three consecutive shuffles done on the same foot.
Buck and wing
A tap dancing style known for fast and intricate steps, typically including elements of the 'buck' step.
Time step
A repeated rhythm tap pattern that sets the tempo or serves as a break in the routine.
Wing
A step where the dancer swings one foot out to the side, brushes the floor, and brings the foot back in.
Over-the-top
A leap where the dancer jumps from one foot to the other, making a half turn in the air.
Toe stand
A stance on the tips of the tap shoes, with heels elevated off the floor.
Single buffalo
A variation of the buffalo tap step including a leap, shuffle, and step once.
Bojangles
A rhythm tap step named after the famous tap dancer Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson.
Chorus line
A group of dancers performing synchronized routines, often featured in musicals.
Time step
A rhythmic pattern repeated several times as a part of tap choreography.
Buffalo
A combination of steps that includes a leap, shuffle, and a step.
Brush
A sweeping movement where the ball tap of the shoe strikes the floor to create a sound.
Essence
A complex tap step that combines several tap movements into a smooth, flowing pattern.
Hoofer
A term for a professional tap dancer, someone who 'hoofs' or makes their living by dancing.
Shuffle
A basic tap step consisting of a brush forward and a brush back.
Stomp
A step that places the entire foot on the floor without weight transfer.
Double step
A movement where the dancer steps twice quickly on the same foot.
Scuffle
A brush forward followed by a spank (brush back).
Stamp
A step that places the entire foot on the floor with weight.
Trench
A low to the ground movement with a dragging motion of the feet.
Jazz square
A four-step move that creates a square pattern on the floor typically used in jazz and tap dancing.
Cake walk
A strutting dance originally performed by African Americans during slave times, known for its elegant and exaggerated movements.
Riff
A brush forward (with a closing tap) combined with a heel drop.
Double toe
Striking the floor twice with the toe of the tap shoe, without transferring weight.
Dig
Placing the heel on the floor with weight.
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