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Glossary of Popular Theatre TAP Steps

Buffalo= leap, shuffle leap or flap, shuffle leap on 8

Grape Vine= crossing ball changesEssence= step, brush, step step

Back Essence=same as above but stepping behind first

Open Essence=same as above but with no brushes

Cincinnati= brush chug, shuffle step

Time Steps= starting with shuffle or stomp brush, hop shuffle leaf,

brush step step, on 8 and = single

Double =Exchange Leap with Flap

Triple= Exchange Lead with Shuffle Leap

Military Time Step= shuffle hop step, ball change, shuffle hop step, ball

change, shuffle hop step, shuffle hop step, shuffle hop step, ball

change.

Other Time Steps= wing, cramp roll

Travelling Time Step= shuffle hop leap shuffle step

Time Step Break= shuffle hop leap shuffle leap shuffle leap shuffle ball

change

Jump Over the Leg(for men) = extend one leg in front and crossed over

the other, jump over the leg and end facing the opposite direction

Falling off a Log= leap shuffle leap leap leap. The first two leapps are

done with legs extended forward and the third turns over and faces the

opposite direction. It starts on count 8.

Paradiddle= scuffle step heel

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Shim sham= scuffle step scuffle step scuffle step step scuffle step

starting on the count of 8.

Shave and a haircut= dig double pull back dig leap slam

Tack Annie= brush dig step coming in

Bombershay= step brush step heel or flap out heel twist flap in

Round Step= scuff heel step heel toe heel flap ball change

Paddle Turn= step ball change ball change ball change turning to the

direction of the step.

Trench= leap and outward scrape or leg extension backwards in seriesSpot turns= a series of inward turns

Waltz Clog= leap or flap shuffle ball change crossing in front done in

waltz time.

Wings= scrape the foot out, brush back in and land. Can be done on 2

feet, one foot, changing feet or staggered feet.

Railroad step= stamp step step step done progressively faster to soundlike a train

Grab off= shuffle pick up change step or leap shuffle pick up change

step scissoring

Maxiford= leap shuffle pick up change toe

Bell kick= heels clicking in the air with turned out knees

Draw back= brush heel step

Shuffle draw back= brush heel shuffle heel step

Cramp roll= dig dig heel heel

Flap cramp roll= flap dig heel heel

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Pass cramp roll= same as flap cramp roll but moves side to side and

changes feet by dropping opposite heel first

Pick ups= brush back and land on 2 feet, 1 foot, changing feet and

staggered

Double toe roll= toe toe land land taking off both feet

Double flap= 2 flaps done in the air.

Walking riff= riff heel heel walk toe drop

Barrel roll= pirouette with airplane arms and an arched back

Chaine= a series of travelling step turnsCramp roll turn= stamp change cramp roll making 1 turn

Flap heel turns= continuous flap heels making 1 turn on every 2 flap

heels

Break= leap shuffle ball change leap shuffle ball change stamp.

Suzie Q = stamp crossed and turned in, followed by a heel twist and a

step

Sugar = a series of steps turning out and twisting the hips

Truckin= stamp followed by a chug with a finger shake in front

Shorty George = a series of digs with hips moving side to side and

fingers pushing down to the floor.

Camel Walk = a step forward on flat foot, undercut the other foot with

a change of weight, sometimes with the trailing foot dragging.

Famous tappers for you to look at!

Nicholas Brothers, Gregory Hines, Maurice Hines, Sammy Davis Jr., Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ann

Miller, Donald OConnor, Tommy Tune, Savion Glover, Honi Coles, Cholly Atkins, Bill Bojangles

Robinson, Bunny Briggs, Sandman Simms, Tap Dogs, Stomp, Eleanor Powell, Shirley Temple,

Brenda Buffalino