<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>But keep in mind that no beginner _ever_ does a walking swing, unless that is specifically taught, and usually not even then. They see and/or feel that others are doing a double-time step so they do one too, and since the swing is a clockwise (to-the-left) circle they lead with their left, hence a slipping step rather than a buzzstep. (Either that or they skip.) When I do an actual beginners’ workshop I teach both walking and buzzstep swing, but for something quick on the floor, I think teaching the buzzstep gives better results.<br class=""><font color="#5856d6" class=""><br class=""></font>Read Weaver<br class="">Jamaica Plain, MA<br class=""><a href="http://lcfd.org" class="">http://lcfd.org</a><br class=""><font color="#5856d6" class=""><br class=""></font>On Jun 20, 2015, at 10:28 AM, Lindsay Morris via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#00afcd" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>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. <br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#00afcd" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>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. <br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#00afcd" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>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.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#00afcd" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>I can move a competent newcomer from walking-swing to buzz-step swing during the dance, just with "look at my feet."<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#00afcd" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>Always appreciate the perspectives on this list though.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#00afcd" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>On Jun 20, 2015, at 5:16 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#12c00e" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>Dale said, "Don't teach advanced techniques to new dancers. Forget the buzz<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>step."<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#12c00e" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>Sorry, but I must disagree most strongly.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#12c00e" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>In an average evening of contra dancing you will spend nearly thirty minutes<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>swinging (if the dances are in the Modern Urban Contra Dance style rather<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>than the older styles).<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#12c00e" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>I think it is incredibly unfair to a newcomer to make them suffer for thirty<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>minutes rather than teach them how to swing. They can also cause a lot of<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>suffering to whomever they are swinging with if they have lousy technique.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#12c00e" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>I would not agree that it is advanced either. I strongly believe that a<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>couple of minutes teaching the basics of a buzz step swing will give<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>everyone a much more enjoyable evening. Some of them won't get it, but for<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>those that do it can completely change their experience of the evening.<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#12c00e" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>Happy dancing,<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>John<br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote><font color="#12c00e" class=""><br class=""></font><blockquote type="cite" class=""></blockquote>John Sweeney, Dancer, England john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362<br class="">http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent</blockquote></div></blockquote></div></body></html>