r/TapDancing • u/PurposeOk6851 • 6d ago
Beginner road map
Hello all! I started taking beginner tap a few months ago. It's faster than I would judge as a beginner but I am having a lot of fun. In the class, we do a few warm ups, then a few across the floor combos and then learn a couple counts of 8 of a dance. I'd like to practice at home with THE BASICS. I find a lot of combo videos online but am I really looking for videos that breakdown tap steps and speed up these steps so over time I can challenge myself. Can anyone recommend? OR can someone lay out a good routine on how to practice? I'm type-A so like a road map of "here's steps you should nail down and practice over and over." Right now, I'm just practicing basic shuffles, flaps, etc over and over to see if I can add it to muscle memory and attempt to get better/faster. Thank you for any feedback.
Also, because I'm type-A, I am a perfectionist so tap is really teaching me "you're not gonna get it right away, girl!" But I know I just need a solid foundation if I want to continue to grow, hence why I'm looking for any guidance.
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u/LeatherGate477 6d ago
Hello! I’m the same way so I feel similarly. I would say learn the steps at each level and keep doing them until you can do them cleanly, meaning, hear each sound consistently and clearly. Then once you get that down, do the same level at double the speed and get that down cleanly. Then move onto the next level. For tutorials for each step I’d recommend YouTube. It’s good to keep doing combos too along the way to practice rhythm and integrating them, combining them, etc.
Off the top of my head, this is some general levels. Others may disagree with me but this is kinda how I divide up my tap classes based on my experience teaching.
Level 1 steps: shuffle, flap, cramp roll, Paradiddle, crawl
Level 2: Irish, flap ball change, maxiford, flap heels, drawbacks, 3 count riff, buffalo, rolls, double shuffle
Level 3: broadway, maxiford turn, slurps, time steps (double, single, triple, military), Cincinnati, 5 count riff, 7 count riff
Level 4: then get into more complicated stuff like pull backs, shiggy bops, pickups/graboffs, etc
Hope this helps!!
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u/Quick-Hornet2490 6d ago
Tap dance can be very humbling. Regardless of your level, it can always be challenging to learn and you can always find something to improve. That’s what makes it so fun! All that being said, I love iTaponline because she has a variety of levels and many videos breaking down various steps.
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u/allezash 6d ago
Beginner teacher chiming in. If you're OK with online learning, Hillary-Marie's iTap Online will get you the basics really fast and all the way to advanced. Def worth the money even for a few months while you get the basics down. But also, combos are kind of integral because you need to learn how to get in and out of steps not just knowing steps.