Parts of the Shoe (0:30)
Heel tap - located at the back of the shoe on the bottom. Toe tap, also called the ball tap, is located at the front of the shoe on the bottom.
FREE - Learn How to Tap Dance Lesson 1
Learn how to tap dance with this adult beginner tap dance lesson which slowly and clearly guides you through the basic steps of tap dancing.
This online lesson is fun and upbeat and most importantly, easy to follow! No prior tap experience is required - we start from scratch so you never feel lost or left behind.
Beginner Lesson 1 Notes
Use these notes while you watch the video. Lowercase means right foot, uppercase means left foot, and the red numbers show the counts.
Toes (0:43)
toes - 1 2 or 1& - lift the toe in the air while keeping the heel on the floor, then put it down forcefully. Alternate right and left, make the sounds fairly loud, and keep the rhythm even.
Heels (1:55)
heels - 1 2 or 1& - lift the heel in the air while keeping the entire ball tap on the floor, then put it down forcefully. Alternate right and left and keep the rhythm even.
Toe Toe Heel Heel (3:18)
toe TOE heel HEEL - 1 2 3 4 or 1&2& - toe on the right, TOE on the left, heel on the right, HEEL on the left.
Step (5:00)
step - 1 - step on the ball of the right foot with the heel in the air, then STEP on the ball of the left foot with the heel in the air. Put your weight on each step.
Touch (6:33)
touch - 1 - touch the ball of the foot to the floor without letting the heel touch and without putting weight on it. Touches do not switch feet, so do several on the right, then several on the left.
Step Heel (9:45)
step heel - 1& - step on the right, heel on the right. STEP on the left, HEEL on the left. Keep the sounds strong, especially the heels.
Step Touch (11:19)
step touch - 1 2 or 1& - step out on the right, TOUCH the left in close to the right, STEP out on the left, then touch the right in close to the left foot.
Review (12:56)
- toes
- heels
- toe TOE heel HEEL
- step
- touch
- step heel
- step TOUCH
Review with Music (13:50)
Final Combination
1 2 3&4 5 6 7&8 - toe TOE, toe TOE toe, TOE toe, TOE toe TOE
1 2 3&4 5 6 7&8 - heel HEEL, heel HEEL heel, HEEL heel, HEEL heel HEEL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 - [step heel]2, [step TOUCH]2
1 2 3&4 5 6 7&8 - [step]2 heel HEEL heel, [STEP]2 HEEL heel HEEL
1 2 3 4 5&6&7&8 - [step]4 [heel HEEL]3 heel
1 2 3&4 5 6 7&8 - [STEP HEEL step clap clap]2
1&2 3&4 5&6 7&8 - [STEP HEEL step]3, [TOUCH]3
Music - Final Combination (39:24)
Key
lowercase indicates right foot
UPPERCASE indicates left foot
[ ]2 means do whatever is inside the brackets 2 times
toe/TOE means do both toes at the same time
* indicates an additional sound without a specific count
Get the Next 11 Lessons
The Beginner Tap Dance Lessons Package picks up right where this free lesson leaves off. You will learn more beginner steps, build your speed, and put everything together in new combinations.
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I'm Here to Help
One of the best parts of the Beginner Tap Dance Lessons Package is that you can contact me if you get stuck. If your shuffle is missing a sound or a hop needs an easier option, I can help you adjust it.
Email me any time at rod@unitedtaps.com.
What Happens If You Keep Going?
By lesson 12, you will know 37 tap moves and have enough vocabulary to dance beginner combinations with more speed, strength, balance, coordination, and stamina. You'll be able to do fun combinations like the one below.