[Callers] Buzz Step Swing

[Tom Hinds via Callers]

One of the California square dance organizations decided to structure  
their lessons based on the frequency of which calls were used at one  
of their festivals.  If a call had a high frequency, it was taught  
earlier in the year, giving dancers plenty of time to practice it.    
It makes sense to me to approach the beginning lesson for a contra  
dance in a similar fashion. Since a swing is used frequently at a  
contra dance, that means spending some significant time teaching the  
swing, either buzz or walking.  In my opinion there are some dance  
techniques/style points that must be taught for safety's sake and  
swinging is one of them.

I usually teach the buzz step swing because it's just what you do if  
you are physically able.  Why not go for the gold?  The experienced  
dancers who buzz will appreciate dancing with new dancers who dances/ 
swing well and can buzz too.

As others have mentioned, the swing is not taught or not taught  
well.  That's been my experience here in Charlottesville.  Having  
watched many a beginning workshop here, I'm convinced that new  
callers simply don't know how to teach swinging.  With that said, I  
encourage callers to watch other beginning workshops.  There's always  
something to learn.  I'm always learning.

Lastly, and I hate to say this, it seems younger newbies can learn  
the buzz step swing well and quickly (ok they learn EVERYTHING   
QUICKER than I do).  The older newbies have a much more difficult  
time- like will never get it.   If I have a group of older people  
I'll teach the walking step swing.  If they're all younger, the buzz  
step swing is taught.

T