names = Foot tapping, podorythmy

image =

classification = percussion (Quebec music)

related = step dance

Step dance

Step dance is the generic term for dance styles where the footwork is the most important part of the dance. Body and arm movements and styling are either restricted or considered irrelevant.Step dance is one end of a spectrum of dance styles...

Foot tapping or podorythmy is a percussion technique that uses the feet as a musical instrument

Musical instrument

A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...

 to produce sound by hitting the feet on the floor. Some people consider it a dance, but it is really percussion. Dance will be called step dancing, stepping

Stepping

Stepping may refer to:* Walking, one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals* Stepping, Sønderjylland- Computing :* Stepping level, an aspect of microprocessor version designation* Stepping , a method of debugging- Dance :...

 or tap dancing. Foot tapping is the traditional percussion in Quebec and is related to the dance evening. Most foot tappers are fiddlers (violin players), but can also be accordionists, guitarists, pianists, harmonica

Harmonica

The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...

player or any other musician who knows how to do it!

It is believed that foot tapping began in the 19th century.

Terminology

A person who does the foot tapping is simply called a foot tapper or podorytmist

Shoes and equipment

Of course there are many players with very different personalities, so the type of shoes and foot board will be very different for everybody. It also depends upon whether the players are performing on stage or just playing in the kitchen for fun. But let's say there are three main type of shoes to choose from: the all leather soul, shoes with metal taps, or shoes with a graphite or fiberglass addition on the toes and heals. The choice of shoe itself depend of the comfort of the player. For the choice of foot board it is the same. Some use MDF or HDF (medium or high density fiber presswood), hard wood for a brighter sound, and some use vinyl kitchen flooring. In the kitchen, on a real floor, is sometimes seen as best.

Most famous foot tappers

Alain Lamontagne
Michel Bordeleau
Louis Pitou Boudreau
Olivier Demers
Frederic Bourgeois
Louis-Simon Lemieux
Pascal Gemme