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Tap Terminology: Ball Change: Brush

This document defines various tap dance terminology: 1) Ball change, brush, chug, buffalo, shuffle off to buffalo, Manhattan, cramp roll, dig, drawbacks, essence, flap, heel drop, hop, hamp, leap, lamp, Irish, jump, maxi ford, paradiddle, riff, riffle, running shuffles, scuff, scuffle, shuffle, slap, soft shoe, spank, stamp, stomp, trenches, toe drop, and toe point tap. 2) Ball change involves two quick weight changes from one ball of the foot to the other. Brush is striking the ball of the foot or toe against the floor. Chug emphasizes the

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VeronicaLeeFolkedahl
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2K views

Tap Terminology: Ball Change: Brush

This document defines various tap dance terminology: 1) Ball change, brush, chug, buffalo, shuffle off to buffalo, Manhattan, cramp roll, dig, drawbacks, essence, flap, heel drop, hop, hamp, leap, lamp, Irish, jump, maxi ford, paradiddle, riff, riffle, running shuffles, scuff, scuffle, shuffle, slap, soft shoe, spank, stamp, stomp, trenches, toe drop, and toe point tap. 2) Ball change involves two quick weight changes from one ball of the foot to the other. Brush is striking the ball of the foot or toe against the floor. Chug emphasizes the

Uploaded by

VeronicaLeeFolkedahl
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TAP TERMINOLOGY

Ball Change:
Two quick changes of weight from one ball of the foot to the other.

Brush:
Striking of the ball of the foot or the toe tap against the floor. This is usually done in a direction. A
backward brush is called a spank.

Chug (single or double):


Forward movement emphasizing the heel drop with weight on the same foot.

Buffalo:
Step consisting of a step, shuffle, and a small jump (with shuffling foot going behind).

Shuffle Off to Buffalo:


3 Buffalos, followed by a flap, ball change.

Manhattan:
Flap, opposite heel drop, same heel drop, spank, heel, toe, heel.

Cramp Roll:
Step using toe and heel drops in a specific pattern.

Dig (Heel or Toe):


Digging of the heel (or toe) into the floor without weight transfer.

Drawbacks:
Spank, heel drop, step- moving backward

Essence:
Basic movement associated with soft shoe dancing. Side/back flap, ball change, alternating sides.

Flap:
Brush and step with transfer of weight.

Heel drop:
Forceful dropping of the heel on the floor, with the weight placed on the ball of the same foot.

Hop:
Jump into the air, landing on the same foot and keeping the heel lifted.

Hamp:
Jump into the air, landing on the same foot and landing on the whole foot.

Leap:
Jump into the air, landing on the opposite foot and keeping the heel lifted.

Lamp:
Jump into the air, landing on the opposite foot and landing on the whole foot.

Irish:
Movement adopted from Irish folk dances, which consists of a shuffle, hop, and a step. This can be
done traveling forwards or backwards and the shuffling foot usually crosses when stepping.

Jump:
Spring into the air from both balls of the feet and landing on the same.

Maxi Ford (can turn):


Step named for a famous dancer. Consists of a step, shuffle, jump, toe tip behind.

Paradiddle:
Heel dig, spank, step, heel drop.

Riff:
Movement combining a brush and a scuff on the same foot.

Riffle:
Riff combined with a spank.

Running shuffles:
Leap shuffles in succession.

Scuff:
Forward movement hitting the heel of the foot on the ground.

Scuffle:
Scuff followed by a spank.

Shuffle:
Brush followed by a spank.

Slap:
Flap without weight transfer.

Soft Shoe (single or double):


Type of dance, originally done without shoes consisting of a step, ball change pattern. Double Soft
Shoe consists of a flap, ball change pattern.

Spank:
A backward brush of the ball of the foot.

Stamp:
Step onto the entire foot with weight transfer. (Like sticking a stamp to a letter)

Stomp:
Stamp without weight transfer.

Trenches:
Step, with opposite leg extending back.

Toe Drop:
Dropping the toe with weight on the foot.

Toe Point Tap:


Striking the tip of the tap shoe against the ground.

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