Levels of Tap Dancing Classes

Information about steps and techniques typically introduced and perfected in the different levels of tap dancing classes, from absolute beginner to professional level.

Absolute Beginner Tap Class

Suitable for students with no tap dancing experience or less then a year of tap dancing experience. Some of the steps typically introduced in a an absolute beginner classes typically include the brush, shuffle, ball change, heel drop, flap, cramp roll, Irish, and an introduction to time steps.

Video of an Absolute Beginners Adult Tap Class

Video of Rod Howell's Absolute Beginner Tap Class

Basic Terminology and Signle Sounds
Toe Tap
Toe Punch (aka Toe Tip)
Toe Touch
Heel Dig
Toe Drop
Heel Drop
Brush
Spank
Scuff
Step
Stamp
Stomp
Hop
Jump
Leap
Chug
Heel Stand
Slide
Click
Clunk
Slam
Smack
Trench

Beginning Tap
Toe Toe Heel Heel
Shuffle
Flap
Slap
Scap
Toe Heel
Flap Heel
Flap Ball Change
Shuffle Ball Change
Grapevine
Irish
Cramp Roll
Waltz Clog
Buffalo
Paradiddle
Back Essence
Riff
Travel Step
Shirley Temple
Riffle
Bombershay (Toe Clip)
Crawl
Cincinnati
Drawback

Advanced Beginner Tap Class

The typical advanced beginner will have had about one year of tap dance training. Typically introduces basic time steps, pull backs, cross over steps, rhythm turns, paddle-and-roll combinations.

Intermediate Level Tap Class

Suitable for students who have mastered the techniques and steps introduced in the advanced beginner class.

Intermediate Tap
- Riff Walk (8 beats + )
- Over the Top
- Pullback (Grab-Off)
- Wings

Advanced Level Tap Class

Includes complex tap dancing routines and the most difficult and most acrobatic tap dances steps and moves

- Double Maxi Ford Grab-Off
- Single Pullback
- Hoofer's Shuffle
- Toe Roll

Turns by Difficulty

- Heel Stand Turn
- Paddle Turn
- Toe Heel Turn
- Flap Heel Turn
- Step Toe Hop Turn
- Maxi Ford Turn
- Stamp Cramp Roll Turn
- Riff Turn
- Toe Stand Turn

Resources

- American Tap Foundation Tap Class Level Descriptions
- Steps on Broadway Class Level Key
- Tp Fever Studio Lebvel Progression