Tap Dancing Times

How to break into tap shoes.  The thrill of opening the box of a new pair of tap shoes is just unmatched. The urge to just wear them and dance to your heart's desires.  But you can’t. Not yet at least.  Different types of tap shoes have longer or shorter breaking in periods. For example, the Jason Samuel Smith tap shoes take way less time than the Miller & Bens. There is no set way and instructions to break into your tap shoes, but here are some suggestions I have.  Jumping on the balls of your feet.  For this tip, you just need to jump slightly on the balls of your feet or your toes. This helps with breaking into the upper part of the shoe as well as getting a feel for them. This can be done repeatedly for as long as needed to feel comfortable.  Paddle combo (or any simple combo that includes just the toe, heel) Simple tap combinations are one of the best ways to break into tap shoes. It allows for all the parts of the shoes to be put into use. You can...

3/5/2025: Anyone Can Tap Dance - Creative Writing Post Disclaimer: No hate on ballet dancers, I have respect for y'all. No hate on children or their parents and no hate on anything that is mentioned in this writing. This is just a short creative writing piece that I wanted to publish. The sounds of metal hitting the wooden floors are like music to their ears; in fact, it is. Their heart, blood, soul, sweat, and tears are put in to create the rhythmic patterns of countless steps being put together to create a masterpiece of music and dance combined. The sweat rolls down their forehead as they master a combination until they are satisfied with what they hear. They yearn for it, they live for it, they love every second of it, it's in their blood, and they keep coming back for more. This is the life of a tap dancer in a studio. Tap dancing isn’t just an activity for parents to put their little children in so they don’t make noise at home anymore. But for anyone of any age, of any b...

3/1/2025: Health Benefits of Tap Dancing Tap dancing isn't all about rhythm and having fun; there are also some health benefits. Here I found the most interesting and beneficial health benefits that tap dancing gives dancers. 1) Improved Balance and Coordination When I was in the second grade, we had a balancing competition- who would be the last one standing on one foot? Guess what, it was me. And I will forever thank my tap dancing classes for that. Balancing is a skill that is not talked about much but is certainly very important. Tap dancing is all about being able to balance and stabilize your feet quickly. Moves like single wings, toe-stands, and pickups help with building up that balance. I have never been one for hand-eye coordination, but when it comes to my feet, it's a whole other story. When your feet perform multiple steps at once, individually, or simultaneously, coordination needs to be developed for it to succeed. Your feet are always moving for the next step, ...

  2/6/2025: 6 Things Every Tap Dancer Needs! 1) Extra Tap Screws Even if you have super glue, tape, or a screwdriver, an extra screw can fix the problem as well. Many times when dancing, a screw from your taps can fall off. Since they tend to be tiny, they usually get lost. Having extra screws can help replace them when lost and tightened the taps.  2) Super strong glue! You moments before your performance on stage and your $500 tap shoe breaks. Oh no. Super glue can be used to glue back on a loose tap if you don't have a screwdriver, loose leather, a lace hole, buckle, and more. Having super glue on you or in your dance bag can be extremely beneficial for emergencies, even in dance costumes.  3) Metronome  This one is something that is not needed but can be very helpful when practicing, especially if you are just starting off. Tap dancing is all about rhythm and sounds, so having a metronome can help keep your beats in check. They are extremely affordable and you ca...

When it comes to picking tap shoes, you can almost often find yourself asking this question. “Should I buy split sole or full sole tap shoes?” A lot of people think that buying full sole tap shoes is better, as it gives support to your foot and has a richer sound.  Others think that purchasing a pair of split-sole shoes are easier on your feet and are better for developing skills.  Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each style. (But before you do, check in with your dance teacher/studio on what style you should get or what they prefer!) Full Sole/Hard sole tap shoe: Full sole: In a full sole tap shoe, you can be provided with many benefits. Material wise, they are usually better quality then a split sole shoe. The leather/top material of a shoe tends to last longer and provide a little more protection for your toes. This can help to avoid hurting your toes when performing steps like wings. The heel is sturdier and taller. It is usually made of better quality than a spli...

As a beginner, intermediate, or advanced tapper, picking the right tap shoes can be difficult. Tap dancing is all about skill , and tap dancing + tap shoes = bring those skills to life. Follow this guide for an idea of what your next pair of tap shoes should look like! But before you buy, ask your studio if you are going to need any specific style of tap shoes, as some studios require a certain color and style.  Beginners —You don’t know whether you are going to commit to the dance, so don’t splurge on $200 tap shoes you might never wear! When you’re just starting to tap dance, it's more important to get the correct foot motions and sounds .  To get those steps down, I recommend an affordable full-sole tap shoe that supports your foot comfortably. With just starting tap, beginner (and sometimes advanced!) tappers struggle with balance. A heel that isn’t too tall and laces will help support your feet.  You can get any tap shoe like this at your local Walmart, Target, or e...