We all know that no one can learn to dance from a book. However, particularly in a dance form as precise as tap, a clear how-to book can prove to be a beneficial addition to studying with a teacher. The steps are arranged, just as any dictionary would be, in alphabetical order. Easy to read diagrams, explained in the introduction, accompany each entry to demonstrate every part of the step.

The real fun in reading Mark Knowles' compilation of movements is not merely in learning the steps more clearly, but also in understanding the evolution of tap dance as an art form. Many teachers and dancers use a wide variety of different names for exactly the same tap step. Although this may become frustrating in a class, by referring to The Tap Dance Dictionary, one can see that some names illuminate the parts of a step, others the structure, and still others the sounds and rhythms the step produces. 

When you need a movement clarified after class or when you're curious as to why someone is calling a step by a particular name, The Tap Dance Dictionary is an excellent resource!