1. Make Tap a Snap with Proper Body Posture
It takes some attention to detail to achieve correct body posture in tap. As in ballet, you'll typically need to stand upright and avoid hunching your shoulders. On occasion, certain tap steps require leaning to one side or forward, but for the most part, you'll maintain an upright and elegant position. This means that you face the audience with your chin slightly tilted upward. Your neck should be elongated, and your abdomen should be tucked in. Slumping is almost never acceptable, unless, of course, you're performing some specific character dance where the music and style allows it. In some cases, a move might require you to lean over, but you'll usually still need to keep your back straight.
2. Eyes Off the Floor
It's difficult for novice tap dancers not to watch their feet while dancing. When learning complicated tap combinations, it's natural to automatically look at your feet. It's acceptable to look at your feet when you're first learning a new and complicated step. Once you get a little more comfortable, stop looking at your feet. Obviously, it's never O.K. to watch your feet while you're performing, although it does sometimes happen with young or inexperienced tap dancers. Essentially, the more often you practice complicated tap steps, the more comfortable you'll become while performing them. This reduces your need to watch your feet while dancing.
3. Rest and Relaxation
The easiest way to maintain proper body posture while tap dancing is to keep good posture during your daily activities. Don't look at the ground while you're walking, and walk with your shoulders upright, not slouched. Pay particular attention to your posture if you're wearing a backpack. Many individuals tend to slouch when they're carrying a heavy backpack. Sit upright instead of slouching. Paying attention to these important details while at rest makes you more likely to maintain proper body posture while you're dancing. Studying ballet is also one of the best ways to learn proper body posture for all forms of dance. Some studios require dancers to take ballet before attempting to study other forms of dance. Even if your studio doesn't, you still might consider adding a ballet class to your schedule. Studying ballet will improve your overall dance performance.
