Bloch tap shoes are perfectly designed and customised to provide for any age and proficiency level. With Kashmir lining and AAA-grade leather available, Bloch tap shoes are the go-to for tap dancing professionals and students alike, thanks to their quality, comfort and – most importantly – sound! From the anatomy of tap shoes to choosing the most comfortable size, here is our guide to tap shoes. What is a Tap Shoe Made of?

If I don’t have enough metal on the lateral side (outer edge) of the front of my shoe, my pinky toes get really sore after practicing wings. Also, small taps make those satisfying notes you get from striking the taps against each other more elusive. Wide or narrow, long or short, the dimensions of your foot will affect the type of tap you buy and where you place it. Split-sole shoes are much lighter than whole-sole shoes – although it should be mentioned that some dancers prefer weightier shoes, especially for rhythm tap. Please note that this service takes 48-72 hours to the Scottish Highlands & Islands, the Isle of Man, plus additional rural post code areas AB30, 32, 41-44, 51,99, DD8, 9, 10, DG7, 8, 9, FK3, 8, SN5 0, SN5 3 to SN5 8, SN6 6, YO25 4 to YO25 6, YO 25 8 & YO25 9and Northern Ireland. More difficult to perform certain steps, particularly if the steps belong to the rhythm or funk/urban tap stylesYou have to play around. There are so many tap-to-shoe variations that it is absolutely possible to be physically and harmonically satisfied with your tap shoes. Like a Fingerprint… Slip on tap shoes typically have a split sole. A slip on fastening allows dancers to slide the shoe on without having to take the time to tie laces and adjust the shoe’s pressure on the foot. Lace up tap shoes

Pre-fixed toe and heel plates: These tap-shoe plates are ideal for beginners, as they create a good sound, are secure and don’t require any fine tuning. They are ready fitted on the tap shoes. A good fitting pair of shoes is essential for tap. Shoes that are too small can be uncomfortable to wear – you can normally tell if they are too small as, like outdoor shoes, the toes have reached the end of the shoe.

However, if you can feel the tap moving up and down when you move, it’s likely the tap needs tightening. You can do this easily with a twist or two, taking care not to over tighten as this can damage the hole holding the screw in place. All styles of tap shoes are specifically designed to meet the range of needs, material preferences, dance styles and foot sizes of different dancers. Tap shoe styles include the Mary Jane, Oxford, character heels and boots, which all feature different materials and shoe elements. Listed below are common tap shoe soles and fastenings, as well as information on what functionality you can expect with each shoe. Tap Shoe Soles What is a full sole tap shoe? Did you know that some tap dancers refer to themselves as musicians and their tap shoes as musical instruments? And so, just as a violinist would want the best quality sound from their violin, it’s important to choose the correct tap shoes. From premium materials to hand-made, artisanal construction, quality is in every shoe we create. Bloch leads the way as the ultimate dancewear destination. We strive to equip you or your child with the tools and confidence to dance courageously and beautifully.

Tap shoes should have both a toe plate and a heel plate fitted so that the dancer can use different parts of the foot to create different qualities of sounds.Most tap shoes come with plates ready fitted, but others will need plates attaching. Below is an explanation of the different types of tap-shoe plates:

Full sole tap shoes have a continuous base material on the underside of the shoes. The full, hard soles ensure correct foot and ankle support for dancers. What is a split sole tap shoe? The anatomy and materials that make up a tap shoe are designed to provide the perfect tap sound while accommodating the tap dancer. Although there are many different variations of the tap shoe, common tap shoe components are listed below. Heel While tap shoes should feel firm on the feet, it is important to recognise if the shoes are too tight. If the shoe is hurting the side of your feet, that is a good indicator that the shoe is too narrow. If toes are bending, curling or overlapping when the shoe is worn, that indicates the dancer needs to try a bigger size. In some cases, tap shoes may feel slippery because the dance floor is slippery. If you think that the dance floor you are dancing on could be the reason your tap shoes feel slippery, it’s important to speak to your instructor or a studio representative. Dirty, dusty, wet or waxy floors can feel slippery to dance on. Try Rosin sprayOver time, you may notice the tap on your tap shoe loosening. This is often nothing to worry about – taps attached with screws are designed to loosen slightly over time, which helps create a clearer sound when you dance. Generally, three different types of tap shoes are available: teletone, duotone and supertone.” -About.com Split sole tap shoes are similar to split sole jazz shoes – but with taps attached. Split sole tap shoes are flexible because the base, or underside, of the shoe does not have continuous material. Instead, there is a gap in material under the arch of the foot. Tap Shoe Fastening Slip on tap shoes