Tap dance is a style of American theatrical dance, distinguished by percussive footwork, that marks out precise rhythmic patterns on the floor.  Some descriptive step names are brush, flap, shuffle, ball change, and cramp roll.

In the late 19th century in minstrel shows and showboat routines.  Two techniques were popularized.  One was a fast style in wooden sole shoes, and the other style was with a soft shoe.  These styles gradually coalesced, and by the 1920s metal plates, or taps had been added to leather soled shoes.  In the 1920s and 1930s black dancers contributed to the development of new styles of tap dance.  Jazz provided a further rhythmic complexity.  The style further expanded in the 1930s and 1940s, when dancers added movements from ballet and modern dance.  In the late 1970s interest in tap dance underwent resurgence.      

 

Scuff left, and drop your right heel.  Then dig your left heel.

Next wing on the right foot, and brush left toe back, and step on the ball of your left foot.

Now scuff dig on the right foot, balancing on the right heel.  Repeat scuff dig on the other side.  

Finally, drop your right toe, and your left toe.

 

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