Resources
Please note that I can only speak from my personal experience. I'm not an expert in tap shoes or flooring, but I have picked up a good amount of info over the years. Any of the links I share are NOT affiliate links, and some have NOT been personally tested by me (only people I know or respect in the tap dance community).
TAP BOARDS
Do you need one? Where should you get it, or how should you make it? Read on for everything you ever wanted to know (and some things you didn't) about TAP BOARDS.
Do I need a Tap Board?
If you're dancing in tap shoes and you want to guarantee no damage to your floors OR you don't have any flooring that's suitable for tap dancing...then signs point to YES. Some people choose to tap directly on their hardwood floors, and they either don't mind the potential damage, or they have good quality shoes that won't hurt their floors. I'm more of a "better than safe than sorry" kind of gal, so I always tap on a board in my home (plus I'm very heavy-footed...check out the video shared below to see what I mean).
Can I make my own?
If you or someone you know enjoys a DIY project, then YES! Here's what you'll need to make your tap board...
- a sheet of some sort of wood
- something to lay under the wood for cushioning and joint support
- some sort of adhesive to hold the layers together (optional)
Let's talk about types of wood...
Hardwood is preferable for tap dancing because it's, well, hard. :) It tends to hold up best to scratches and dings, it's smooth, and it has a really nice sound. Maple and oak are usually considered the "gold standard" for tappers, but I use birch and am happy with it. Some other things to keep in mind for your personal situation - hardwood is VERY loud and can be slippery, especially at first before it's worn in a bit.
Some people use a manufactured wood like OSB plywood. This works and is less expensive than hardwood, but just be aware that it can and will splinter over time. To prevent this, you can apply some type of wax sealant (a varnish can make it slippery), or you can stick self-adhesive "wood" vinyl over the plywood. I'll shared a photo of this below as an example.
Now for the underlayment...
I'm definitely going to recommend having some sort of cushioning under the wood. This serves 2 purposes - a barrier between the wood and your floor (we don't want to do all this work just to have your tap board damage your flooring!) and more importantly, it provides support for your joints.
For my board, I use 2 foam flooring tiles (they look like big puzzle pieces) underneath the wood. I believe these are generally used for home gym or play area flooring. Other options for the underlayment could be a yoga mat (or yoga mat material) or an anti-fatigue mat. You want something that has some "give" for your joints. Some people take it a step further and cut the mat into small squares and glue them to the underside of the board. The squares of mat are spaced out a bit, and the space between allows your board to have a nice bounce - which your joints will like! See photo below for an example.
Do I need to adhere the mat to the board?
If you use the squares-with-space-between method, then definitely YES. If you use a larger mat that fits nicely under your board, then MAYBE. My board is not adhered to the mat underneath. I just lay the board on top of the foam flooring.
Now let's talk about the SIZE...
My current board is 4x4, and I think it's perfect. I've also tapped on a 2x4 board, and it worked fine as well. For your own board, I would consider where you're going to setup the board to tap on and where you're going to store it. Let those constraints help you decide on the right size for you.
Can I just buy a ready-made tap board?
Absolutely! This tends to be the pricier option, but you're also paying for something that's probably higher quality than what you can make yourself, plus it's specifically made for tap dancers.
I'm going to include links to a few options, but this isn't an exhaustive list - there are definitely many different brands out there. Also, please note that I have NOT used any of these products. This is not a personal recommendation, but rather just some suggestions to get you started with the search for a ready-made tap board.
A video showing the details of my current tap board:
Example of the mat cut into pieces and spaced out (NOT my board):
Example of a tap board made with self-adhesive "wood" vinyl adhered to OSB plywood (NOT my board):
TAP SHOES
Do you need them? Are the ones you have now uncomfortable? Read on for everything you ever wanted to know (and some things you didn't) about TAP SHOES.
Do I need a Tap Shoes?
If you're just getting started with tap dancing - NO. If you've been tapping for awhile and you know you want to stick with it, I'd definitely recommend getting a quality pair of tap shoes. Tap shoes aren't just for the noise (although that's obviously the BEST part), they're also designed to support your foot while tap dancing.
Are some shoes better than others?
Definitely. Tap shoe quality varies greatly based on the structure, the brand, and the cost. I'm not a tap shoe expert, and I might be over-simplifying things, but I personally think of all tap shoes as falling into 1 of 3 categories.
Category 1: Less than $50, Okay Quality
Tap shoes that fall into this category will most likely lack either comfort, quality, or good sound (or a combination). They're not made to be durable or sound great, but they can be good "starter" shoes.
Many adults tappers I know start at this level and then upgrade once they're sure they want to continue with tap lessons.
Category 2: $50 - $150, Better Quality
Tap shoes in this category will feel and sound better than less expensive ones. The shoes are usually made from better, more durable materials, and offer better support. They tend to have better quality taps, hence the better sound.
This is the category I recommend to most "recreational" tap dancers. They're good quality, should last a long while, and most people find them comfortable for tapping a few times a week.
Category 3: More than $150, Best Quality
These tap shoes are the best of the best. They're made for comfort and great sound, plus hours & hours of tap dancing.
Because these shoes are typically built up on a thicker platform base, they're super loud and clear. This also makes them heavier, which in turn can make some steps harder for beginners. For this reason, I tend to NOT recommend these to most of my students. However, if you have your eye on a pair, and you're committed to tap dancing for a length of time, they're definitely worth the investment!
The moral of the story? Choosing tap shoes will always come down to your personal needs and preferences. If you want a quality pair that will last, I'd recommend looking to spend in the $70-$100 range...but you definitely don't need to spend that to enjoy tap dancing. :)
What about sizing and fit?
This is important! Tap shoe sizing varies greatly...like a ridiculous amount, sometimes even within the same brand. If you're able to try shoes on at a local dancewear store, this would be your best bet to ensure a good fit. If you're shopping online, do your research on the brand AND the particular style for sizing. Look for sizing charts and read reviews.
As far as fit, you want them to be snug but not tight...and be aware that most shoes will stretch a bit after a few lessons.
Do you recommend any particular brands?
Yes! I always recommend Bloch and Capezio. These are the only brands I've worn as an adult. They're reputable, good quality, and they last. That being said, I haven't worn every style they offer, and I always recommend reading reviews before investing in any sort of dance shoe.
One last tip...
If you're comfortable doing so, you can buy used tap shoes! A site like eBay has tons of quality used tap shoes at a fraction of the cost. If you're not ready to fully invest, this might be a good option for you!
