Suite101

If the Shoe Fits...


© Sara Clemence

Jan 17, 2000


If you get new shoes, you will be a great dancer.

OK, not really. But I have to admit that each time I buy a new pair of tap shoes, I secretly hope they will change my dancing life. The truth is, new shoes won't make you a tap genius, but if you choose wisely, they can improve your sound, control, and comfort.

Tap dancers of all levels wrestle with the question of what kind of shoe to wear. There is no simple answer to this, because all shoes have different looks, sounds, fits, and prices. Your shoes are the tools of your trade, and you should always choose your shoes according to your needs.

You will never have a "last" pair of shoes (unless you stop dancing or only drag them out once a year), so drop the idea that you can buy shoes that will last the rest of your life. Shoes wear out, stretch, and change sound. As you progress, you may find that you need a different type of shoe to dance a certain style. Over the years, I've gone from a pair of Capezio tie-taps to beige character shoes (the requirement at dance school) to high-heeled t-straps to a spectator oxford. Recently, I spent $175 on a pair of custom-made shoes from JustTap. Because I dance several hours a week, it is very important that I have great-fitting shoes. Also, I wanted a heavier shoe with a deeper sound.

I personally have never put taps on street shoes; that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't do it-just look at Tap Dogs. But make sure your shoes (and your taps) fit right.

Styles

You can spend anywhere from $25 to a few hundred dollars on a pair of tap shoes. The cheapest shoe on the market is probably Capezio's tie-tap. This patent-leather shoe costs $20 to $30, and the taps are permanently fixed to the soles.

Obviously, you get what you pay for: they aren't very sturdy, they won't fit well, and their sound stinks. But if you are just starting out, you're on a tight budget, or if you're uncertain about your commitment level, it might be the shoe for you.

At the other end of the range are the professional and custom-made shoes. Capezio's Gregory Hines model is a spectator-style (black and white) shoe with a mid-sized heel. It is a well-made, well-balanced shoe, but the cheapest I've seen it is $125. I know people who are thrilled with the Capezio K360, reportedly Savion Glover's pick, but this shoe will also run you a few hundred dollars. Both shoes generally need to be special ordered.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
2.   May 15, 2000 4:56 PM
To each her/his own, I guess. I tend to dance in just one pair of shoes. But when I was wearing the black-and-white spectator shoes, our artistic director used to make me wear homemade spats to cover ...

-- posted by saraclem
1.   May 8, 2000 10:25 PM
Capezio was selling this model for $85 in 1997, which is when I purchased mine. I have three pairs of character taps (one vinyl tan, one leather tan and one leather black-I definately recommend the l ...

-- posted by Trunkbutt



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