With step names like brush, shuffle, and stomp, you can hear the sound of tap just by talking about it.

The sounds are important, and tap dancers aim to get the best possible sound when dancing. In fact, early clog dancing–a style that helped shape what we now know as tap–was actually scored by judges who sat behind screens or underneath the dance floor and listened to the dance. ¹

Good tap shoes help dancers get the best sound with each step. So, we’ll look at the anatomy of a tap shoe, and see how the right footwear puts life in your step, flap, slap, and stamp. If you’re buying tap shoes–especially if you’re buying for the first time–take a look at these tips.

Invention of the Tap Shoe

Tap dancing grew out of a combination of Irish clogging and European stepdancing and African tribal dances. All of these styles relied heavily on rhythmic steps and sound. As these styles combined, dancers favored the hard-soled shoe of clogging, because the sounds of these shoes emphasized rhythm.

Between 1910 and 1920, dancers began to nail or screw “taps,” metal plates, to the soles of their shoes, to get new and unique sounds. At this point, “tap dancing” officially emerged.

Types of Heels

Heeled tap shoes became more popular with theatrical-style tap. If you’re buying your first tap shoes, start

with a low-heeled shoe. This shoe offers good support for a beginning dancer.

Tap shoes come in several styles, including the traditional lace-up Oxford, the Mary Jane style, the Jazz style, the theatrical-style heeled tap, and the tap sneaker. Beginners most often choose a low-heeled Oxford.

Leather, Canvas, or Synthetic

The upper part of a tap shoe is made of either leather, canvas, or a synthetic material. Most tap dancers will choose leather shoes–they’re usually of high quality, and they withstand heavy use. But, leather shoes can stretch over time.

Although leather tap shoes are an excellent choice, a beginner may want to choose a non-leather shoe. Non-leather tap shoes are less expensive, and if fitted properly, they’ll perform very well.

Types of Taps

In the not-so-distant past, a tap dancer had to buy shoes, buy taps and soundboards, and then take all those parts to a shoe-repair shop for assembly. Today, life is a little easier.

Most tap shoes come with taps already attached. But, some shoes still come without them, so read the product description carefully when buying.

As shoe manufacturers started attaching taps to their shoes, they also developed their own brands of taps. You’ll learn what tap you like best through experience and by learning the differences in their sounds.

Taps attach to shoes with screws. Screws are better than nails, because you can adjust the sound of your tap shoes by loosening or tightening the screws.

Full-Sole, Split-Sole, and Shape

Tap shoes have either a full sole or a split sole. You’ll choose your shoe based on your tap experience, your preference for sound quality, and your preferred dance style.

A full-sole tap shoe is the original shoe, and its reinforced sole, often leather, gives good support. Dancers who like a very supportive, extra sturdy shoe might choose a full-sole tap shoe with a reinforced fiber or metal shank.

A split sole offers greater flexibility for more advanced dancers. But, not all advanced tap dancers prefer a split sole, because it doesn’t give enough support for moves like toe stands. Some dancers also think split-sole shoes don’t sound as good as full-sole shoes.

Toe Box

The toe box on a tap shoe gives extra support for performing toe stands. Many Oxford-style full-sole tap shoes have a reinforced toe box. If you’re a beginner, don’t worry about this feature when buying your first shoes.

Fitting Tap Shoes

As with any dance shoe, your tap shoes need to fit well. When buying your first pair, you should try on the shoes. Walk around, and perform a few steps to make sure they fit.

Tap shoes should be snug. If you’re buying leather shoes, keep in mind that they will stretch and soften with wear. If there’s any wiggle room when you buy them, they’ll only get bigger.

With the exception of heeled styles, each tap shoe has special sizing guidelines for men, women, and children. To find your tap-shoe size, you’ll have to count up or down several sizes from your street-shoe size. Each manufacturer sizes shoes differently.

Taking Home Your First Tap Shoes

If you’re a beginner, the safest bet is for you to choose a full-sole Oxford-style shoe. If you’d like to save money on your first pair of shoes, you might choose a non-leather shoe. And, make sure that the taps are already attached with screws.

Before wearing your new tap shoes, have your instructor inspect them with you. You’ll make sure the screws are tight, and you’ll look for sharp edges on the taps. A very loose screw or a sharp edge can easily damage a dance floor, so you should check your shoes regularly.

Image Sources:

• magandafille on Flickr
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• tiffany renee on Flickr