Editing Tap dance (section)

==Tap shoes==
[[File:Tapshoes.jpg|thumb|Tap shoes]]
In the earliest years of tap dancing, tap shoes often had wooden soles.<ref name=beholders>The Origin Of Tap Dance, Beholders.org, 12 Sept 2011</ref> The soles of modern tap shoes are either full-sole or split-sole. A full-sole tap shoe has a continuous base material along the underside of the shoes; a split-sole tap shoe has a gap in the base material under the arch of the foot, making them more flexible. Modern tap shoes have soles with heels of varying height (one inch or more) and are commonly made of wood or stacked leather.<ref name=":3" /> Some beginner tap shoes have heels made of plastic.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2016-12-28 |title=Anatomy of a tap shoe |url=http://www.abbystandingtap.com/anatomy-of-a-tap-shoe |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.abbystandingtap.com}}</ref> The toe box of the tap shoe is located on the front of the shoe for the purpose of reinforcing the shoe; however there are tap shoes that use a soft leather instead.<ref name=":4" /> A single tap shoe has two taps: one under the heel, and another under the toes.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-25 |title=Tap Shoe Guide {{!}} Bloch US |url=https://us.blochworld.com/blogs/advice-and-education/tap-shoe-guide |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=BLOCH Dance US |language=en}}</ref>

Popular tap shoe makers include [[Bloch (company)|Bloch]] and [[Capezio]].

=== Styles ===
There are several styles of tap shoes:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellerose |first=Author Samantha |date=2021-09-12 |title=How to Choose the Right Shoes for Tap Dance Classes? |url=https://danceparent101.com/how-to-choose-the-right-shoes-for-tap-dance-classes/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>

* Mary Jane
* Character Heel
* Oxford

===Taps===

Depending on manufacturer and model, tap characteristics can vary considerably. For example, some taps have relatively low weight and small footprint whereas others may be thicker and fill out the edge of the shoe more, making them heavier as a result. A tap's "tone" is influenced by its weight as well as its surface shape, which may be concave or convex.<ref name=DanceAdvantage>{{cite web|url=http://www.danceadvantage.net/2011/07/05/the-taps/ |title=Customizing Your Tap Shoes: The Taps|publisher=Dance Advantage|date=2011-07-05 |accessdate=2013-02-25}}</ref> The tonal quality of a tap can also be influenced by the material it is made from, and the presence of a soundboard.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="180px">
File:TapShoeSide.jpg|Side view of tap shoe, showing taps mounted to bottoms of heel and toe
File:TapShoeHeel.jpg|Metal tap on bottom of heel
File:TapShoeToe.jpg|Metal tap on bottom of toe
</gallery>

Taps are mounted to the sole of the shoe with screws, and sometimes adhesive as well. The screws are driven into a ''soundboard'' – a thin fiberboard integrated into the sole that can be firmly "gripped" by the screws – to reliably attach the tap to the shoe. When no adhesive is used, the screws can be loosened or tightened to produce different sounds, whereas tonal quality is fixed when adhesive is used.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}