All stepsLevel 3 · 19 / 29

5-Beat Riff Walk

Level 3 · Pre-IntermediateEssentialRolls & Riffs5 sounds
My progress
Show on the roadmap
Video 1 / 3 · Tutorial
LEARN HOW TO DO A 5-COUNT RIFF - TAP DANCE TUTORIAL · Janine's Tap Dance Studio
Speed
Loop
Find more “5-Beat Riff Walk” videos on YouTube

Description

The four-beat riff walk with an extra heel in the middle: brush and scuff with the free foot, drop the heel of the supporting foot, then dig the free heel in front and drop its toe to take your weight. Five sounds, and the feet alternate as you walk forward.

Breakdown

  1. Brush
  2. Scuff
  3. Heel
  4. Dig
  5. Toe (Flat)
Count (one cell per sound · counts vary by teacher)
Brusha
Scuff1
Heel&
Diga
Toe2

Practice Tips

  • The supporting-foot heel on '&' is the sound that most often disappears - stay up on that ball during the riff so the heel has room to drop firmly and on time.
  • Practice the riff and the heel slowly as '1 &' before adding the dig toe, so the middle sound never gets rushed.

Learn These First

4-Beat Riff WalkHeel

Next Steps

6-Beat Riff Walk7-Beat Riff Walk