Glossary of Popular Theatre TAP Steps

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

Grape Vine = crossing ball changes
Essence = 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
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 series
Spot 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 sound
like 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
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 turns
Cramp 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