Arts >> Dance >> Tap Dance

Parts of a Tap Shoe

Tap shoes owe their origins to a number of dance styles: European step dancing and Irish clogging, as well African tribal dances. Just as with clogging, from which the style of tap dancing evolved, the sounds that the dancer makes with the shoes are important. The shoe itself is as important as the dancer in creating the distinctive style of dancing, so it's worth-while to explore the parts of the tap shoe that make up the marvelous whole.

  1. Styles of Tap Shoes

    • Tap shoes come in various styles, and all share similar parts. The most common style is the Oxford tap shoe, which is a plain, usually black, lace-up shoe with low heels. The Mary Jane style of tap shoe is similar to the Mary Jane shoe, with its buckled strap across the arch of the foot. The Jazz style of tap shoe is more casual than the Oxford tap shoe, and can be a slip-on. There is even a more glamorous high-heeled tap shoe, as well as a tap shoe that resembles a sneaker.

    Upper Portion of the Tap Shoe

    • The upper portion of the tap shoe which includes the tongue, cuff, counter and toe box are made of various materials: leather and vinyl, as well as canvas. The more expensive and, in the opinion of some experienced dancers, best material is leather. The toe box on some tap shoes can be reinforced, which allows the more experienced tap dancer to spend a lot of time on the tips of their toes.

    Sole

    • The sole of the shoe can be made of leather, or some other material. In some cases, the sole can be even reinforced with metal to offer more support for the dancer. There are two main styles of soles for tap shoes: the split sole and the full sole. The split sole means that the sole of the tap shoe is sewn together in two pieces, for maximum flexibility, allowing the dancer to point one's toes in the same manner as a ballet dancer. The full sole does not allow this flexibility.

    Taps

    • The tap shoe has two sets of taps: one on the heel and one on the toe. The taps should be the same width on the heel and on the toe. The best tap shoes attach their taps with screws, which allows the dancer to adjust them to acquire the sound they like. It is possible to buy the taps separately from the shoes, and attach them yourself. Make sure you consult with a professional before doing so, unless you have enough experience to do this yourself.

    Laces

    • Laces help to fit the shoe to the dancer's feet. Fairly thin laces work well, as the eyelets on the tap shoes are small. You can either buy replacement shoe laces at the same store where you bought your tap shoes, or at your local shoe or grocery store.

+:
+:

Tap Dance

Related Categories