Tap shoe advice needed, please

[carawayseed]

I know almost nothing about tap (understatement), so sorry in advance for the probably very silly questions about the shoes.

I just wondered what age heel taps are recommended for. Also, why heel taps are available to buy separately, and should horseshoe or full heel be purchased. Do heel taps fit any tap shoes, or do those have special holes in the heel. Also wondering if heel taps are compulsory for exams.

Any other advice appreciated. DC's first exam at the end of this month.

All in know is that shoes with toe taps only are cheaper but seem to be worn only by beginners.

Dd asked for heel taps around the time she took her grade 1. Can't remember whether it was before or after. I've never fitted them myself I always bought shoes with them fitted.

Tap shoes without heel taps fitted always used to be for younger children, and the individual teacher would decide on which grade they would need heel taps fitted.

I think that more manufacturers are fitting heel taps as standard now, but you can still buy shoes without.

Heel taps can be bought - they do come in different sizes and are supplied with screws. Best thing to do is take them to a shoemenders (I've used Timpsons) and ask them to attach the taps.

I didn't even know you could get tap shoes without heel taps. My daughters have just got normal tap shoes from the dance shoe shop and they have taps both toe and heel. they started tap at 5 and 6.

I think more shoes are made with taps attached nowadays.

that is probably why I haven't seen them then.

I bought basic tap shoes and then DD immediately realised that everyone else has tele tone (sp?) taps on heel and toe and I had to have those fitted. Definitely would have been cheaper to get the shoes with heel and toe taps straight away!

You need to talk to the teacher my DD's teacher wanted heel taps from day 1 and they were definitely needed for grade 1 with ISTD.
They are easy to fit. My concern would be if your DC has not been practicing with heel taps and needs them to take the exam are they under prepared.

'Teletone' taps are regarded as making the best sound and Capezio tap shoes come already fitted with them (I think).

Beware of some budget shoes which have the taps riveted on, ones with screws are better as you can tighten them if they work loose.

PS - keep screwdriver in dance bag!

Thank you all

I will check with the teacher, but am glad I posted for the information and tips.

taxiforballet my dd has asked for a "tap tool" for Xmas, it's a keyring with screwdrivers and a little torch! Teletone taps sound better when they are loosened. The shouldn't be screwed tight.

Agree, the sound is better if they aren't screwed tight - that's the advantage of screwed-on ones rather than riveted, isn't it?

But mine can work too loose after a while, so I adjust them every so often, otherwise they sound like a horse with a loose shoe!

Dd has just had me tightening hers!

Get her to do her own!!!

To be fair to her I did them when she was at school as she had asked for a screwdriver. It took a lot if searching to find one.

One of our local shoe shops (cobblers, not Clerks type) will fit the toe and heel taps, which is great.

Our Dance teacher supplied them! Everyone wore what she recommended. So much easier. She sold them on as second-hand ones too!!!

DD (aged 7) started tap wearing character shoes/school shoes a term ago (can't blame the teacher). Their school has just sold us "heal and toe" tap shoes.