Vance's Fantastic Tap Dictionary
A - B

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Abe Kabbible A commonly used movement in jazz dancing:
A. Measure Count Movement
1 1 Step L (to L side)
2 Step R (XF of L)
3 Step L (to L side)
4 Heel tap R (to R side)
B.
and Step L (to L side) [A]
1 Step R (XF of L)
and Step L (to L side)
2 Heel tap R fwd (to R side)
and Reverse A
3
and
4
C.
and Leap fwd to L ft (to L side) [B]
1 1 Step R (XF of L)
and Leap fwd to L ft (to L side)
2 Heel tap R fwd (to R side)
and Reverse B
3
and
4
Accelerando A gradual increasing of speed or tempo in music.
Accent A stress or special emphasis on a sound. The primary accent in music refers to the first beat of each measure.
Active Foot The free or working foot with the weight on the opposite or supporting foot.
Ad Lib To dance as one wishes without regard to a set pattern of movements-to improvise.
Allegro A musical term which means quick or lively.
Arsis Weak beat, or the unaccented part of a measure of music
Back Flap Same as the more commonly used term "back brush step."
Back Flap,
Heel Drop		 Same as the more commonly used term "back brush step, heel drop."
Balancé A basic ballet movement swaying from one foot to the other. This movement is used in various forms in tap.
Back-Front Same as a ball change.
Ball Beat A dropping of the ball of the foot.
Ball Change A changing of the weight on the balls of the feet from one foot to the other; executed forward, to the side, or in place.
Ball Tap Same as "Tap Ball."
Bandy Twist A basic movement originated by Jim Bandy, a dancer of the vaudeville days.
Bar In common usage, a measure of music.
Barrel Roll,
Barrel Turn		 A complete turn of the body with the arms extended in a windmill fashion. With the weight on the L ft, extend the R foot back touching the floor (no wt). Lean extremely forward with the right hand practically touching the floor; the L arm is extended back overhead, both arms are in line with the shoulders. Execute a complete turn R, pivoting on the L in a backward motion. (R outside turn)
Beat The regularly recurring and periodically accented pulse or throb which constitutes the unit of measurement in all measured music;  tempo.
Bells A clicking of the heels together while in the air:
Raise the L leg diagonally to the L side. Flex the knee of the R foot; leap into the air while clicking the heels together and land on the R foot. Movement may be executed to either side.
Black Bottom Dance craze of 1926 which followed the Charleston containing the African - American influence. Strictly a theatrical form of dance and rarely ever used in social dancing.
Bombershay Theatrical term of which there are numerous variations:
A. Measure Count Movement
1 1 Step R flat (XF of L) [A]
2 Step L (to L side)-AST
twist on R heel,
toe raised to R side

3 Repeat A
4
B. Measure Count Movement
1 1 Step R (flat) XF of L [B]
and 2 Flap L fwd (to L side)
AST twist on R heel, toe
raised to R side
3 Repeat B
4
C. Measure Count Movement
8 Hop L
and a Shuffle R (to R side)
1 Step R (flat) XF of L
and 2 Flap L fwd (to L side)
AST twist on R heel, toe
raised to R side
and Brush R bk (to L ft)
3 Step R flat (alongside of L)

Boogie Woogie  A percussive style of playing the blues on the piano, characterized by a persistent bass rhythm and florid figurations of a simple melody often in contrary motion to the bass; 8 beats to the measure and written in 12 measure phrases.
Bop A musical style accenting the off-beat.
Bounce A medium tempo in 4/4 time.
Break A two measure movement that follows a six measure movement to complete an eight measure phrase. Breaks are commonly associated with Time Steps but may be used in any format.

Single Buck Break:
A. Measure Count Movement   
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1. 1 Hop L
2 Step R bk
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
4 and Shuffle R fwd
2. 5 Hop L
and 6 Flap R fwd
and 7 Ball change L-R

Toe Tap Buck Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 1 Hop L
and a Shuffle R (to R side)
2 Step R bk
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
4 and Shuffle R fwd
2 5 Hop L
and 6 Flap R fwd
and 7 Ball change L-R

Single Standard Full Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 1 Hop L
2 Step R  [ double: Flap R fwd ]
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
4 and Shuffle R fwd
2. 5 Step R
and 6 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
7 Flat tap R fwd (no wt)

Standard Break - Triple:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1. 1 Hop L
and a Shuffle R (to R side)
2 Step R (to L ft)
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L
4 and Shuffle R fwd
2. 5 Step R
and 6 Shuffle L
and Step L
7 Flat tap R fwd (no wt)

Single Half Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 Hop L
2 Step R
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L

Double Half Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 Hop L
and 2 Flap R fwd
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L

Triple Half Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1 Hop L
and a Shuffle R (to R side)
2 Step R (to L ft)
and 3 Shuffle L fwd
and Step L

Single Time Step Break:
8 and Shuffle R fwd
1. 1 Hop L
2 Step R bk
and 3 Flap L fwd
and Step R
4 and Shuffle L fwd
2. 5 Hop R
and 6 Flap L fwd
and 7 Ball change R-L

Soft Shoe Break:
1 1 Step L bk
and a Flap R fwd
2 Step L bk
and a Shuffle R fwd
3 Hop L
a and Shuffle R (to R side)
a Step R (to L ft)
4 and Shuffle L fwd
a Hop R
2. 5 Step L (XB of R)
and 6 Flap R fwd
and 7 Flap L fwd
and Brush R fwd
8 Drop L heel
Break Out An old term for the finish of a Time Step.  Similar to a basic Buck Time Step:
A. Measure Count Movement
a 1 Flap R fwd
and Step L bk
2 and Shuffle R      
and 3 Hop L
Bridge Normally, the third eight measures of a thirty - two measure chorus. Some choruses have no bridge.
Bright A fast 4/4 time.
Broken An old term for a Half Break.
Brush A one-sound kicking movement, in any direction. With the knee in a flexed position, strike the ball of the free foot against the floor, the leg raises in the air until the knee is straight. This applies when the brush is executed in a forward movement. A brush may be executed in any direction but basically it is forward or backward.
Brush Step A forward Brush Step is the same as a Flap. Whether it is a forward or back brush step, the movement can be executed in any desired rhythm pattern.
Brush Flat A flat brush is executed in exactly the same fashion as a basic brush - the difference is that the entire flat of the foot strikes the floor in the pendulum movement.
Buck Same as a Chug. A forward movement accenting the heel drop: With the weight on one foot, the free foot is raised; force the heel of the foot to the floor with exaggeration, thus moving the foot forward approximately 3 inches.
Buck and Wing Black American clog dance marked by wing-like steps; this was the forerunner of the present style of Rhythm Tap.
Buffalo A movement normally traveling to the side but may be executed in place. Although the buffalo is executed in one fashion, the approach into the buffalo can vary.
Standard Buffalo:
A. Measure Count Movement [A]
and Brush L fwd (to L side)
8 Leap fwd to L ft (to L side)
and a Shuffle R fwd (to R side)
1 1 Leap bk to R ft - AST
Flex L knee XF of R
and Repeat A
2
and a
3
Bumps A movement employing the hips, usually done in burlesque.

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