In tap, your shoes are part of the sound, which can make buying a pair feel more official than it is. You can take tap classes for months without owning any. Here is when a pair is worth buying, how to size them, and where to find them in Halifax.
You do not actually need tap shoes to start
Tap began long before tap shoes were invented. Your feet do all the work, and the shoes only amplify the sound. A good tap teacher can tell whether the sound is coming from the right movement just by watching, whether or not they can hear it.
So for a first class, or a first several classes, come in indoor sneakers, socks, or bare feet.
When a pair is worth buying
Buy tap shoes once you are tapping fairly regularly and have the budget to invest. They protect your feet, support your joints through a lot of repetitive striking, and let you hear your own sounds clearly, which is a real part of learning the style.
If you are still deciding whether tap is your thing, put the money into classes first.
Sizing: they run small
Tap shoes typically run small, so size up a half or a full size from your usual street shoe.
They should feel snug rather than painful. The material stretches as you break them in, so a pair that fits perfectly in the shop will feel loose in a month, and a loose tap shoe robs you of control over the sound.
Choose laces over slip-ons
Because they stretch over time, avoid slip-ons. Laces let you tighten the same pair for much longer, and they give you some adjustment across the width, which matters if one foot is slightly wider than the other.
Which style of shoe
Tap shoes vary by design, sole structure and heel height, each suited to different corners of the style. For a first pair, look for a full sole oxford or a jazz style tap shoe. Both give you foot and ankle support while you are still building strength.
Thinking ahead to performing with us in a showcase? Black tap shoes are highly recommended, since they match nearly any costume.
Where to buy tap shoes in Halifax
- Twiggz at Mic Mac Mall
- Pulse Performancewear
Looking after them
Two habits keep a pair sounding right. Check the screws holding the taps every so often, since they work loose with use and a rattling tap changes your sound. And keep them as indoor shoes only: outdoor grit dulls the taps and scratches the studio floors, which is why outdoor shoes stay at the door here anyway.
Come and make some noise
Tap classes at the studio build from a warm-up into rhythm drills and combinations, from graceful soft-shoe to fast, dynamic footwork. See what is running on the tap classes page or the full drop-in schedule, and remember that sneakers, socks or bare feet are perfectly welcome for your first one.
See you at the studio.