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Original poster

Does anyone here tap dance?

38 replies

Ilmb · 28/10/2018 09:18

I need to do some excercise but hate the gym. Love to dance but not a lot available where I live and with the hours I have spare etc. I use to tap when I was younger so haven’t done it for at least 20 years. I haven’t tapped since then and I never did the ‘grades’ I juat was in mixed ability etc.

Iv found somewhere and emailed he lady who teaches and she said it’s mixed ability, come and have fun etc but im scared! I don’t want to make a fool of myself! I don’t pick up routines quickly (although once Iv got them I remember them for years) so I don’t want to hold others back. I also have a back that’s quite knackered that I didn’t have when I was younger, will this affect my back? I’m thinking about shockwaves moving up the body... probably over thinking! Also what do you wear?! I don’t have any tap shoes...

OP posts:

tangoed2 · 28/10/2018 12:26

Go to a dance shop, get yourself some tap shoes and book yourself on!

If it's mixed ability you won't be the only one who struggles to pick up a routine and I'm sure you won't hold anyone back.

You won't know if it's bad on your back until you try, what's the most you've got to lose? The cost of a pair of tap shoes that you could probably shove on Facebook marketplace and get a couple of quid back for them anyway!

You'll only regret not doing it rather than doing it and deciding it's not for you! (Off to look for a tap class and dust my old shoes off 😂)

Original poster

Ilmb · 28/10/2018 13:12

Ah thanks. Nearest dance shop is miles away but could get there at some point. Unless I buy online? Any good shops online? This will sound silly but when I was a kid, my mum got my tap shoes from a charity shop and they only had the taps on the toes and not the heels! I always wanted heel ones too!

I wonder wether or not I’ll pick it up... I wasn’t that good but loved it.

OP posts:

Anythingforacatslife · 28/10/2018 13:15

Buy some shoes from eBay and get yourself along there. I go to an adult tap class at my children’s dance school, never danced before but I love it. If it’s mixed ability you’re not going to show yourself up and if it’s anything like our class everyone is concentrating so hard on what their own feet are doing that there’s no time to notice anyone else!

TwitterQueen1 · 28/10/2018 13:18

I've got some shoes size 5.5 if they're any good to you? I did it in my 20s and 30s and loved it. We had a lady in her 70s who did it too. We all did it for fun, not for the exams. Go for it!

Have you thought about line-dancing? I did that recently too - just as much fun!

Lonecatwithkitten · 28/10/2018 13:26

Online Dance direct and Dance mania are the best and you can send them back if they are the wrong size. Lace up tap shoes are the best as support your feet. You don't need expensive ones, you only need leather soles beyond Grade 3.
As a Dance Mum I buy everything from these two websites.

PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle · 28/10/2018 13:41

Do it!!
I tapped as a child and went back as an adult. I love it. The ladies are all friendly, we’re at different levels but just do what we can. If someone takes more time to learn a routine no one else will complain as it could be them next time. It’s great exercise and we have a lot of laughs. It’s also good mental exercise in learning the steps.
Shoes don’t have to be expensive and can last for many years.
Hopefully, you’ll love it.

Original poster

Ilmb · 28/10/2018 13:41

Thanks twitter but they would be too big for me. I don’t think line dancing is for me I prefer to salsa!

I have wide feet, can you buy wide fit ones anywhere? Also what would I wear??

OP posts:

Original poster

Ilmb · 28/10/2018 13:42

Thanks puddle

OP posts:

Original poster

Ilmb · 28/10/2018 13:48

Also do tap shoes come up big or small?

OP posts:

tangoed2 · 28/10/2018 14:00

It probably depends on the make but they do half sizes too which might be helpful, I've not bought online for a long time but dance direct were always good. There's a dance shop round the corner from me which were always helpful too, this is their website www.wholesaledance.co.uk

Hoppinggreen · 28/10/2018 14:10

I did it a few years ago until the class stopped ( and many years ago as a child)
It was pretty easy and not too hard to pick up at all, I also have a bad back and it didn’t bother me.
Beginners tap shoes usually only have toe taps from memory, you graduate to heel taps later so the beginners classes only have toe tap moves
Go for it OP, you will love it

Hoppinggreen · 28/10/2018 14:11

And also try not to laugh when the teacher shouts “show me your flaps” ( flaps are a step)

BaldricksCoffee · 28/10/2018 14:15

Go for it - I did Adult beginners tap for a while and it was great fun - I only gave up due to work commitments changing, and I'd like to start again.

Capezio tap shoes are generally considered the best, as they have Teletone taps which make a really good sound. Their sizing is American so a Capezio 6 would be a UK 4.

BaldricksCoffee · 28/10/2018 14:17

Forgot to mention, beginners tap shoes usually only have toe taps, but that is for childrens' classes really. Choose shoes with toe and heel taps which are screwed on, not riveted.

bobisbored · 28/10/2018 14:23

I used to go to an adult tap class. I had never danced before and was totally shit but I had great fun! I got shoes from eBay and wore leggings, T-shirt and a sturdy bra! Go for it. X

WeaselsRising · 28/10/2018 14:37

I recently went back to tap after a break of more than 30 years. It is amazing how much my feet remember that I wasn't consciously aware of.
The school I go to has shoes you can borrow for the first 4 weeks. After that you have to pay £1 a time to borrow them.
Everyone in my class wears running trousers or leggings with a t shirt.

WeaselsRising · 28/10/2018 14:38

I also have wide feet. The leather tap shoes come up a bit wider.

AngelOfDeathNix · 28/10/2018 14:54

Yes! I love it! I buy most of mine and my children's dance kit from First Position as they offer free returns and exchanges. Love Bloch or capezio tap shoes, look for heel and toe taps though.

Original poster

Ilmb · 28/10/2018 15:36

Thanks this is all helping and inspiring me!

Glad I know what flaps are!

OP posts:

Original poster

Ilmb · 28/10/2018 15:37

Oh and what’s the difference between riveted and screwed? Why do I want screwed?

OP posts:

Hoppinggreen · 28/10/2018 15:47

Now I feel cheated that our teacher only allowed us to have toe taps!
I’m going to shuffle ball change my anger away!!

RandomMess · 28/10/2018 15:52

I would go somewhere where you can try on you need to be comfortable!

You will remember steps from your childhood so easily then the new ones are a mental challenge

Dancer12345 · 28/10/2018 15:57

I do! Go for it! It’s brill, I love it so much. In my class we all learn the same stuff but some pick it up more quickly than others, some are better than others... but no one cares! We all have a laugh, give it our best, and like you, I hate the gym so it’s a great workout! Anyone who says dance isn’t hard work is lying!

toomuchfaster · 28/10/2018 16:02

I would ask the teacher if she has some shoes you can borrow for the first lesson. I did it as a child and went back to it about a year ago. It comes back quite quickly, and don't worry about picking it up. The teacher will manage the lesson to encompass all the levels of dancer.

Lonecatwithkitten · 28/10/2018 19:13

Bloch's come up wider than any other shoes and the lace ups are wider than Mary Janes. DD's teacher who is a world tap champion prefers Bloch to Capezio. Though her musical theatre teachers prefer capezio character shoes.

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