[Callers] Buzz Step Swing

[Jeff Kaufman via Callers]

Teaching a buzz step seeing does not and should not mean talking and
talking while the air goes out of the room. A good buzz step swing
mini-lesson should be mostly people practicing different sub skills as a
group, individually, or in couples.
On Jun 20, 2015 10:35 AM, "Lindsay Morris via Callers" <
callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> John, respectfully, I have to disagree with your disagreement. A simple
> walking swing works just fine  even when the other person is doing a buzz
> step.
>
> The HUGE problem that I see with beginner lessons is that people stand
> around bored while the teacher talks and talks. All the air goes out of the
> room. Keeping the beginners moving is job number one.
>
> So, I have them do a right elbow swing, to get the body dynamics right.
> Then maybe 30 seconds of talking about ballroom position, have them do a
> walking swing, a moment on how to  balance, and they are good for the
> night. Especially if they get to practice that with three or four different
> people during the lesson.
>
> I can move a competent newcomer from walking-swing to buzz-step swing
> during the dance, just with "look at my feet."
>
> Always appreciate the perspectives on this list though.
>
> > On Jun 20, 2015, at 5:16 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
> callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> >
> > Dale said, "Don't teach advanced techniques to new dancers.  Forget the
> buzz
> > step."
> >
> > Sorry, but I must disagree most strongly.
> >
> > In an average evening of contra dancing you will spend nearly thirty
> minutes
> > swinging (if the dances are in the Modern Urban Contra Dance style rather
> > than the older styles).
> >
> > I think it is incredibly unfair to a newcomer to make them suffer for
> thirty
> > minutes rather than teach them how to swing.  They can also cause a lot
> of
> > suffering to whomever they are swinging with if they have lousy
> technique.
> >
> > I would not agree that it is advanced either. I strongly believe that a
> > couple of minutes teaching the basics of a buzz step swing will give
> > everyone a much more enjoyable evening.  Some of them won't get it, but
> for
> > those that do it can completely change their experience of the evening.
> >
> > Happy dancing,
> > John
> >
> > John Sweeney, Dancer, England john at modernjive.com 01233 625 362
> > http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
> >
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