OK, so I have an 8 year old dancer who is competing a tap solo this year. What kind of tap shoes do you guys like for your soloists? Especially ones who are younger... I am having a hard time getting a crisp clear sound from her in her regular old Bloch split-soles. Any suggestions? I miss Leo's!

A full sole would be best. Split soles are not good at all.

Why do you say that? It seems that dancers can feel the floor better with a split sole and can manipulate the foot better than with a full sole.

majere wrote:

A full sole would be best. Split soles are not good at all.

Really? I much prefer the sound of my Bloch split-soles over the ones I used to wear back in the day with full soles. But I also prefer split soles because (in my opinion) they're much easier to do toe stands and other toe work than full-sole shoes.

OP — Do you have a local dance store where she can try on several pairs to see which ones make the best sounds? That would be my suggestion for you. I think each dancer prefers a certain type of shoe.

Yes, but the one store that we usually use only carries Bloch. I have also considered the fact that her shoes may be too big or maybe the taps need to be loosened some. My only 2 choices thus far, are to stay with her Bloch's maybe get a smaller size and adjust the looseness of the taps or order online some other brand. I was just curious what other teachers are using...

Blochs are crap, imo. Any capezio is much better than any bloch. Their taps are thin and don't sound deep or strong. Split soles are also crap, imo. I let some of my students wear them, but serious tappers need a strong shank. My Miller and Bens are awesome, but probably too much for an 8 yr old.

Do you think that even a young dancer should have a strong shank? Also, wouldn't it be like a pointe shoe? Different people require different strength shanks? I don't know... When I tapped, I broke my soles in til my foot could completely point. I just felt like I could feel the floor better. I am interested in your theory on a full shank. And yes, that would be too much for an 8 year old!!!! lol!

I agree with those recommending a full sole with a strong shank, although I suppose it could be argued that the shoe would depend on the style of tap. Something heavy, with a lot of stunt work requires a shoe that supports the foot more than a split sole. For something lighter, then I suppose it becomes a matter of preference. My main argument against split soles is that they can encourage improper technique. Try shuffling with a pointed foot, for example. A full sole eliminates that even as a possibility. If you can get your hands on a pre-2010 Capezio CG09, those were my favorite affordable student shoe. The new ones are okay but IMO the sound quality isn't as good. I have heard good things about the Bloch Respect too. If you like the sound of capezio taps, you can always buy them and have them put on the shoe.

Now that I think about it... I see what you are saying about poor technique. It would be easier to curl the toe in a split sole. My tap dances are usually very light and airy. I never got into that whole heavy movement. Just clean tap sounds light on the feet. I like to call it "Happy Tapping".

Another shoe some of my students about that age use and like is the SoDanca TA48. It is a nice all leather shoe with a full sole. If you want something a little lighter (again depends on your tapper - and you would know him best) Capezio makes a shoe with what I call a semi-flexible sole. It offers more support than a split sole, but more flexibility than a full sole and it is definitely a lightweight shoe. It is called the Fluid and I forget the style number. If you are interested in something more like this I would actually do a search for the Capezio Coppola. It was the same idea as the fluid except had a wood heel instead of plastic giving a better sound quality. You might be able to get a good deal on a pair online since they have been discontinued.

lmtdance wrote:

Why do you say that? It seems that dancers can feel the floor better with a split sole and can manipulate the foot better than with a full sole.

www.dance.net . . .

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Also, you could see if you could switch out the tap plates before investing in a new shoe. My oxfords are bloch but I switched the taps out for Capezio TeleTones.

Name one professional tapper that uses split soles. How about any professional tap companies. Go look at ANY tap festival and see if those tap kids are wearing split soles. Yeah, they aren't...because split sole tap shoes are crappy shoes that competition dancers sometimes wear when performing a jazz routine in tap shoes full of fouettes and some kind of lyrical roll to the ground.

Any tap dancer I know would never ever ever dance in split sole tap shoes much less perform in them, and I have never taken class from someone wearing split sole shoes. In fact I know of someone that came and interviewed for a job and as soon as we saw her pull out her jazz taps we said, "Next." We let her teach the class and her limited knowledge of tap confirmed her shoe choice.

I've been in 2 professionally tap companies and 2 professional jazz companies (that also incorporated tap occasionally) and you just don't use split soles. I've been tapping for 31 years, and teaching tap for 18 and have never ever ever had a student doing a solo dance in split sole...and my dancers have nice clean light sounds, but they can also accent, and produce shading and dynamics when necessary especially on a crappy stage. They also support their feet far more when doing advanced tap work.

I personally like Capezios with a good tele-tone tap.

Imadanseur YES!!!!!!! No split soles!!!!!! No no no!!! It's like giving your kids a deshanked pointe shoe and teaching them a pointe dance. Would you do that? Nope. I hate those stupid shoes. First of all the taps ALWAYS stink and the sounds are 900 times better on a full sole. You can't do a lot of work in them either, and they are NOT better for toe stands....there's no support!!! There was an article in dance spirit, or one of them about not using split soles.... I know this issue has come up before.

And yes capezio. Unless you can talk the parent into a professional shoe

imadanseur wrote:

Name one professional tapper that uses split soles. How about any professional tap companies. Go look at ANY tap festival and see if those tap kids are wearing split soles. Yeah, they aren't...because split sole tap shoes are crappy shoes that competition dancers sometimes wear when performing a jazz routine in tap shoes full of fouettes and some kind of lyrical roll to the ground.

No need to be rude about it. We don't even compete, and we certainly don't do fluffy tap routines. But the majority of tappers at the studio where I teach prefer to wear split soles. It's a matter of opinion. Just because "no professional tap dancers" (according to you) wear them, doesn't mean they're crap. It's your personal preference.

imadanseur wrote:

In fact I know of someone that came and interviewed for a job and as soon as we saw her pull out her jazz taps we said, "Next." We let her teach the class and her limited knowledge of tap confirmed her shoe choice.

Ah. So not only are you making a general statement that only poor tappers would use split sole tap shoes, but now you're making a sweeping generalization that people who use them (myself included) are somehow inferior teachers who don't know anything about tap. Wow. If this were an adult forum where I could use adult phrases, I'd probably tell you to go "you know what" yourself. How pretentious.

No need to be rude about it.

No need to be so defensive about it. It's not rude, just the truth.

But the majority of tappers at the studio where I teach prefer to wear split soles.

Because they are being taught by teachers who wear them and don't know the difference or haven't ever worn a really good pair of tap shoes. They are being taught by teachers who haven't ever danced in a professional tap company and most likely haven't had the privilege of studying with well known tap legends, or had the opportunity to see and interact with real tap companies. It would be embarrassing to go take a class from Arthur Duncan or the late Fayard Nicholas in a pair of split sole shoes. They would have said, "What are those?" Maybe they aren't exposed to tap steps where they actually need a more supportive shoe and they can't tell the difference.

It's a matter of opinion. Just because "no professional tap dancers" (according to you) wear them, doesn't mean they're crap. It's your personal preference.

No it's not a matter of opinion. If it makes you feel better to believe that...that is okay. You can continue to wear them and use them, and let your kids wear them. That really isn't my problem, however someone asked for advice on what an 8 year old dancer should be wearing for a tap routine. I'm going to answer with FACTS. I've tapped professionally, I've judged, and I know what tap shoes are worn in the industry and what sounds good on stage. It's not my personal preference. If you'd like I would be more than happy to get recommendations from 20 tap dancers and professional teachers and I guarantee you that not one of them is using a split sole tap shoe. You want recommendations from dancers that are in Tap Kids? How about the kids on Broadway in Billy Elliot? I can get references from all those sources. I guarantee I'm not making this up. I guarantee this is not a personal opinion, and I guarantee it isn't an attack against you.

Who are the most relevant tap dancers and teachers right now? Jason Samuel's Smith, Savion Glover, Chloe Arnold, Diane Walker, Greg Russel, an Brenda Buffalino to name a few. Why aren't any of them wearing split soles? They all have companies and some have or had youth companies. There has GOT to be a reason why they don't let their students wear split sole shoes. If they were good shoes they would use them. They aren't...so they don't.

So not only are you making a general statement that only poor tappers would use split sole tap shoes.

I'm sure there are good tappers that use split sole tap shoes, but not great tappers...because anybody who knew anything about the art form would know that it is an inferior shoe. Anyone that actually understood and studied tap and was raised listening to rhythms would know the difference.

but now you're making a sweeping generalization that people who use them (myself included) are somehow inferior teachers who don't know anything about tap.

I'm not making a generalization. If you were going to purchase a piano are you going to buy a Steinway or a digital key board? If you were going to buy a violin are you wanting a Stradivari or the one from "the cheap violin store" for $49.99 on line? True tap dancers are concerned about tone, durability, touch, appearance, and quality...just like musicians. I didn't say you were inferior, you put that on yourself, but if the shoe fits (no pun intended.) Maybe some teachers don't care about the sounds produced or the sounds that their kids make. I don't know the reasons behind it, but I do know what shoes serious tap dancers and tap teachers wear.

Wow. If this were an adult forum where I could use adult phrases, I'd probably tell you to go "you know what" yourself. How pretentious.

If this were an adult forum I'd probably tell you I've had more professional "you know what" tap experience than you have. I've put on tap shows, have run tap festivals, and I'm currently dancing in a tap show. I know what I'm talking about pretentious or not. In a 2 hour tap show we would break our feet if we all wore split soles.

Just because you've done something the same way for 20 years doesn't mean it is the RIGHT way or the BEST way especially for your students. If you want good sounds on stage get a pair of shoes known for making good sounds. Get a shoe that has good recommendations from real tap dancers that are actively tapping and using them consistently. I love tap, its something I've studied and know a lot about. I've researched shoes and actually helped a company almost 10 years ago design a prototype for a tap shoe. I promise I know a lot about this subject and if you want to get into actual shoe design I'm totally up for that. It's boring as all heck, but I'll go there if asked.

The only thing split soles are good for is a pretty pointed foot and toe stands. I can do toe stands forever on my Miller and Ben's, but those without a shank just look prettier. All sounds are better in a full sole shoe. What do you want more from a tap routine or class, better sounds... or a prettier toe stand or point? And how much of your class incorporates toe stands or pointing? Not very much, I hope.

I have to agree with imadanseur. Professional tappers don't wear split soles. They usually use harder shanks than regular tap shoes.

If you are properly tapping with a loose ankle, split soles show a "dangling" foot. You miss the reverb you get from a lot of steps. For example, when doing thirds I can literally just slap my foot down and away to make the sounds with out trying. My shoe is basically doing the work like a seesaw.

The CG09s are a great shoe. I have those as a back up pair for when my legs are tired. I also hand picked them for one of my students, and another student of mine has Miller and Ben's. In class the kids are always jealous that our sounds are so much louder and cleaner than theirs are. I tell them over and over again that it's the shoes. Good tap shoes make all the difference!

cheerspirit wrote:


The CG09s are a great shoe. I have those as a back up pair for when my legs are tired. I also hand picked them for one of my students, and another student of mine has Miller and Ben's. In class the kids are always jealous that our sounds are so much louder and cleaner than theirs are. I tell them over and over again that it's the shoes. Good tap shoes make all the difference!

I don't want to hijack the thread. However, I prefer tapping in character tap shoes. But with the pair I currently have I am having issues with toe stands. I am not sure if it's the shoe (capezio jr footlight...I have worn jr footlights for ten years) or the fit of the shoe. I just like character shoes better, they are more comfortable to me and I guess it's just because I've used them for so long. What is the best character shoe to tap in

EDIT - has anyone used this shoe tapemporium.com . . .

It looks perfect.

Wish I could help there, but I haven't worn character shoes in over 20 years. I learned tap in character shoes, which you probably did as well. The transition to flat shoes was a weird one. I can't imagine toe stands being good in any typical character shoe, as they don't really have any kind of box in the toe. Might I suggest a good in between?
tapemporium.com . . .
tapemporium.com . . .
tapemporium.com . . .
or how awesome are these?
tapemporium.com . . .
oohhh, I want a pair of those, now!

I bet you could do anything in those shoes!

Lol, majere, I think your edit happened at the same time as my post!

^Chloe Arnold's company Syncopated Ladies always wears character shoes. My tap teacher who is 70 still teaches and dances in character shoes!

I haven't danced in the shoes you linked, but I think Sarah Reich wears them often and loves them. Look at her in this link:

Girl usually in the middle with white and tan shoes.
www.youtube.com . . .

imadanseur wrote:

^Chloe Arnold's company Syncopated Ladies always wears character shoes. My tap teacher who is 70 still teaches and dances in character shoes!

I haven't danced in the shoes you linked, but I think Sarah Reich wears them often and loves them. Look at her in this link:

Girl usually in the middle with white and tan shoes.
www.youtube.com . . .

Sweet. Now I have to find a spare $200+

If split-soled shoes are needed to "make toe work easier" then obviously there is a lack of proper technique and strength in the required muscles. Like others said, would you teach someone to do a pointe work in split sole jazz shoes?

Shoe choice in the context of split-sole vs full sole isn't really a matter of preference- its a proven industry standard and a matter of proper technical and physical development, which should be our highest priority as dance educators, not saying that those aren't your highest priorities, but just saying it for posterity sake.

*and by heels/heel taps I mean character taps. I know some of you said you prefered tapping in them, but does anyone else still teach students in them?

AM I THE ONLY PERSON LEFT WHO MAKES MY GIRLS TAP IN HEELS?
Personally, I prefer my La Duca Roxie's to tap in.

My female students start in the bloch 'tap on' (mary jane style) although my kids with really wide feet have to use the Sansha Tee Comet, then around age 8/9 move to Capezio Jr Footlight tap, then they get to go with a higher heel when they are at a solid intermediate level. I only allow flat taps (no slip-ons...shiver) in our higher intermediate and advanced classes and even then they also have heel taps and perform one number in each (one usually MT or precision line/Rockette Style and one rhythm tap).

For my male students I prefer the Capezio Extreme Unisex Taps, though some fit better in the Bloch Men's Jazz Tap (which is full sole as well).

We do have some of our advanced students (only female at this time) that dance in split sole taps, but I only work with those students 2 out of every 6-8 weeks and that is what their main teacher prefers(I swap classes with another teacher for two weeks every other month to keep the students/us refreshed and challenged).

This really might be going into hijack territory, but I gotta say it. I had the pleasure to spend some time with Phil Laduca this past summer, and I can tell you he puts a lot of pride and care into his shoes! I would love to own a pair of his heeled jazz boots, they are too die for. As far as tapping in them, I couldn't say since I haven't worn them before.

I don't know of anyone in the area who still teaches students in heels. Its not wrong, just not very common place. I actually consider teaching my adults in heels each year, however I have yet to follow through. My adults tend to do less tricks and "hoofing" and more classic, broadway style anyways.

taps2much wrote:



AM I THE ONLY PERSON LEFT WHO MAKES MY GIRLS TAP IN HEELS?
Personally, I prefer my La Duca Roxie's to tap in.

Nope. The studio I grew up in still does (I'm actually going to be tapping in their recital this year.

I plan on making my students tap in heels. But right now I just have one tapper and she's been tapping for years and I didn't want to make her buy new shoes.

I think all girls should know how to tap in heels. They don't have to all the time, but they should know how. If you're having troubles with your students dropping their heels, put them in heeled shoes for a while

And yes...full sole.

I hate tap...just my personal preference. I do know how to tap and am fairly proficient, but I hate it. That said, once I was forced to puchase a pair of K360s for a college class, and I will NEVER wear anything less than a professional shoe now. The sound it remarkably better, and they're made with real leather...go figure! The shoe melts to your foot and is so much more comfy. They're sturdy and the sounds are crisp and loud. I've had split sole tap shoes, and I can't dance in them. It's actually harder for me. I need the strong shank and the weight of a full soled shoe. They're more comfortable than a cheap full soled shoe (if you're only dancing for a short time), but a quality tap shoe, broken in, is by far more comfortable than a split sole.

I don't know that I'd recommend them for a 9 year old unless they're a prodigy, but the CG09 is a fantastic shoe for students. I will also second the vote that Capezio is much better than Bloch for tap shoes.