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Hi Jim,<br>
<br>
I never use music during the pre-dance lesson until the very end of
the lesson. I don't think there is a need until the end.<br>
<br>
My entire lesson is filled with moves -- either as a couple or as a
foursome. We repeat the moves; we repeat the moves, again and again.
For moves like courtesy turn, pass through, right-and-left through,
ladies chain, 1/2-hey, and full hey -- once they learn the actual
move, then I add the count -- either 8 or 16. Again, with no music,
just my voice.<br>
<br>
Then, during the last 4 minutes or so of the lesson, I ask the band
to play a single tune -- whatever the band likes, reel or jig. I
want the tempo at regular dance speed -- 112-118 or so. The dancers
are still in their foursomes. Then I call those moves to the music
-- hash call so no one knows what move is next. The dancers dance to
the music, do the moves at speed in the right tempo, finish the
moves on time, and learn to listen to the caller. I don't worry
about lining up for a contra and learning the progression -- I can
teach that in 30-seconds during the first dance of the evening.
Basically, I want dancers to have fun and confidence in dancing.<br>
<br>
I think this lesson does a good job of getting new dancers confident
and dancing to the music.<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
Woody<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><br>
Woody Lane<br>
Caller, Percussive Dancer <br>
Roseburg, Oregon <br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.woodylanecaller.com">http://www.woodylanecaller.com</a><br>
cell: 541-556-0054<br>
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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 9/10/2019 12:41 PM, jim saxe via
Callers wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:5623FBF7-3ADF-4218-B0EC-DCEFE9198FFB@gmail.com">
<pre class="moz-quote-pre" wrap="">I'd like to hear from any of you who can share experience or advice about making use of music during the introductory lesson (a/k/a "new dancers' orientation", "beginners' workshop", etc.) that often precedes a regularly scheduled contradance.
What source of music do you use? (Recorded music played on a device that you control? Live music played by a musician assisting with the lesson? Music that you yourself can play on some instrument while leading the session? Your own singing of song lyrics, nonsense syllables like "la la la", or dance calls? Music that may happen to be coming from the evening's band doing their sound check at the other end of the hall? ..) How--in as much detail as you care to supply--do you use that music in your teaching? What do you think/hope your use of music contributes to the effectiveness or fun of the lesson?
I tossed out a few ideas on this topic, with much uncertainty about which ones were any good, in a message I sent on September 2 in the "Brain Dead - Need Suggestions" thread. I'm re-raising the topic here under a more descriptive Subject line in hope of getting responses from people who can offer comments based on actual experience.
Thanks.
--Jim
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