Tap Dance Technique - Steps - Steps With Two Sounds

Steps With Two Sounds

• shuffle: combine two brushes, one forward and one backward. A faster shuffle can be achieved by making smaller movements that are closer to the body. There are actually many different ways to perform a shuffle. Broadway-style shuffles use knee movement to swing the foot into a shuffle. Hoofers generally execute a shuffle from movement in the upper leg and hip. While a faster shuffle may seem to come from the ankle, it is actually mush easier to get speed and clarity from the hip, which is why this method is preferred.
• scuffle or paddle: combine a scuff with a backward brush.
• flap: brush forward and a step (which is striking the ball of the foot on the floor with a change of weight; similar to a walking step, only done on the ball of the foot—the heel does not touch the floor). The flap is often counted as "& 1." It is similar to the shuffle, but instead of brushing the ball back after the brush forward, the dancer steps (i.e. brush step instead of brush brush, as in a shuffle).
• slap: brush forward and a touch, similar to the flap but without change of weight.
• pickup: standing on the ball of one foot, jump up, hitting the ground with the ball of the foot you stood on, and land on the other foot.
• pullback: standing on the balls of one or both feet, jump up, hitting the ground with the ball(s) of the foot/feet, and land on the same foot (or again both feet)
• riff: standing on one leg, swing the other leg to the front, first hitting the ground with the ball of the foot, then with the heel.
• ball change: two steps on alternating feet. The first step does not get full weight.