Tap dancing is a rhythmic and visually captivating art form, and the right footwear is crucial for both performance and comfort. While flat tap shoes are a standard choice, women’s tap dance shoes, particularly those with heels, offer a unique blend of style and technical challenge. This guide explores the world of women’s tap dance shoes, drawing insights from experienced dancers and providing recommendations for finding your perfect pair.
Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Ayodele Casel and Lisa LaTouche, inspiring female tap dancers in heels
For many dancers, the allure of women’s heeled tap shoes comes from the powerful visual statement they make. Iconic female tap dancers like Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Ayodele Casel, and Lisa LaTouche have demonstrated the incredible artistry possible in heels, pushing technical boundaries and inspiring a generation. While the history of women in heeled tap shoes extends back to chorus lines and Hollywood films, contemporary dancers have elevated the form, proving that heel tap shoes are not just about aesthetics but also about serious skill and innovation. These pioneers showed that women could execute complex footwork in heels with the same precision and dynamism as in flats.
This article will delve into the nuances of women’s tap dance shoes, discussing the technical adjustments needed, the reasons dancers choose heels, and essential features to consider when selecting your own pair.
Technique Considerations for Women’s Tap Dance Shoes
Dancing in heeled tap shoes requires specific technical adaptations. The altered weight distribution, primarily on the balls of your feet, changes the dynamics of certain steps.
Adjusting to Heel Height
- Pullbacks: Executing pullbacks in heels demands a higher relevé to achieve the necessary clearance and sound. The shift in balance necessitates greater ankle strength and precision in lifting the heel.
- Paradiddles: Due to the reduced distance between the toe and heel taps in heeled shoes, paradiddles require a more compact and controlled movement. Smaller, more precise footwork becomes essential for clean and articulate rhythms.
These adjustments are not limitations but rather opportunities to refine technique and develop a nuanced understanding of weight transfer and balance in tap dance.
Why Choose Women’s Heeled Tap Shoes?
The choice to dance in women’s heeled tap shoes is often driven by a combination of aesthetic and performance considerations.
Enhanced Leg Line
One of the most cited reasons for choosing heels is the elongated leg line they create. This visual effect can enhance the dancer’s silhouette and contribute to a more elegant and powerful stage presence. While heel heights vary, with common options ranging from 2.25 to 3 inches, many dancers find that a 2.25-inch heel provides a noticeable leg line enhancement without compromising stability or comfort.
Personal Preference and Style
Beyond aesthetics, personal preference plays a significant role. Some dancers simply enjoy the feeling of dancing in heels and find that it aligns with their personal style and artistic expression. The challenge and unique sensations of heeled tap shoes can also be motivating factors for dancers seeking to expand their technical range.
Switching Between Heels and Flats: Important Considerations
Many tap dancers, especially professionals, are proficient in both heeled and flat tap shoes. However, transitioning between the two, particularly within the same performance, requires caution.
Injury Prevention
Rapidly switching between heel and flat tap shoes can place stress on the Achilles tendon due to the sudden change in foot and ankle alignment. This can increase the risk of injury. Therefore, careful warm-up and gradual acclimation are crucial when alternating between shoe types, especially in demanding performance settings.
Key Features to Look for in Women’s Tap Dance Shoes
Selecting the right women’s tap dance shoes involves careful consideration of several key features to ensure both safety and optimal performance.
Robust Heel Construction
A strong, stable heel is paramount. The heel must be capable of bearing your full body weight without any risk of breaking or wobbling. This is especially critical for maintaining balance and preventing injuries during dynamic movements and weight-bearing steps.
Secure Fit
Secure footwear is non-negotiable in heeled tap shoes. Avoid styles that are too open or loose-fitting, as slipping or sliding within the shoe can lead to ankle rolls and other injuries. Straps, buckles, or other fastening mechanisms should provide a snug and reliable fit to keep your foot securely in place throughout your dance.
Reinforced Straps
For women’s tap dance shoes with straps, especially buckle or T-strap designs, reinforcement is highly recommended. The elastic components of straps can weaken over time and under the stress of heeled dancing. Consider taking your new heeled tap shoes to a cobbler to replace standard elastic straps with stronger, more durable alternatives. This preventative measure can significantly enhance the shoe’s security and longevity.
Bridge Support
A “bridge” – a small, triangular metal piece connecting the heel to the sole – offers crucial reinforcement for heeled tap shoes. This feature, installed at the junction of the heel and sole, distributes weight more effectively and reduces stress on the heel itself. The bridge is particularly beneficial for steps that place significant pressure on the heel, such as reverse cramp rolls (inverted cramp rolls).
Importance of Stretching
Regardless of footwear, stretching is an essential component of tap dance training. However, it becomes even more critical when dancing in women’s heeled tap shoes. Pay extra attention to stretching your Achilles tendons, hamstrings, and IT bands to maintain flexibility, prevent tightness, and minimize the risk of injury associated with heel elevation.
Exploring Women’s Tap Dance Shoe Brands
Several brands offer women’s heeled tap shoes, each with its own characteristics. It’s important to note that some brands primarily produce character shoes to which taps can be added, rather than shoes specifically engineered as tap shoes from the ground up. True tap shoes are designed with the percussive demands of tap dance in mind.
Character Shoes vs. Dedicated Tap Shoes
Brands like Bloch and Capezio offer character shoes that can be fitted with taps. While these may be visually appealing, they are fundamentally character shoes adapted for tap, rather than shoes designed specifically for the technical requirements of tap dancing. Laduca shoes, known for their comfort and quality, also fall into this category. While these can be options, dedicated tap shoe brands often offer superior construction and features for serious tap dancers.
Roxane Butterfly’s Shoes by Casimiro
Roxane Butterfly’s signature shoe, designed by Casimiro, stands out for its unique design. Featuring a Cuban heel and supportive mesh around the ankle, these shoes are praised for their blend of feminine aesthetics, comfort, and excellent sound quality. The design prioritizes unrestricted movement and percussive clarity.
Miller & Ben Tap Shoes: T-Step and Broadway Divas
Miller & Ben Tap Shoes offer two notable heeled styles: the T-Step and Broadway Divas.
- T-Step: While offering a classic T-strap look, some dancers have noted the need to reinforce the elastic straps on the T-Step for enhanced durability.
- Broadway Divas: The Broadway Divas are lauded for their sturdiness and firm support. With a 2 ¼ inch heel, they are designed to provide a solid platform and produce a resonant, quality tap sound.
Shoe Fit Tip: Remember that a cobbler can stretch leather shoes to improve the fit if they feel too tight. This can be a useful option for achieving optimal comfort in your women’s tap dance shoes.
Choosing the right women’s tap dance shoes is a personal journey that involves understanding your technique, preferences, and the specific features that support your dancing needs. By considering these factors and exploring the available brands and styles, you can find the perfect pair to elevate your tap dance experience.
