Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

9 participants
4383 discussions

calling New England squares : intro and break

by David Merrill

Hi: After this year's DEFFA survivors dance and armed with this year's Ralph Page Weekend syllabus, (and my first impromptu chance to call squares) I'm left with a question. Are the intro, breaks, and close traditional and standard for particular dances, or are they generally improvised by the caller as his own signature? (Bow to partner, and then to corner seems to be how most begin but they seem fairly divergent from there on out!) Thanks from a very inexperienced sort-of-caller, Dave Merrill _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee® Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

19 years, 4 months

Teaching the swing

by Camilla Streeter

I've been sitting on the sidelines for a while enjoying the conversation. I'm been an avid dancer for almost twenty years and I truly enjoy bringing new people in to contra dancing through one-on-one teaching. I think that Rick Mohr has a wonderful way of explaining the mechanics of the swing. He recently taught the buzz step to the gathered crowd at Rehoboth and it was great to watch. I used the same language the other night with a beginner and he got it easily. Rick also has a nice way of explaining the weight distribution concept so that the gents don't get sore right arms. I agree with Jeff that if you find the right language you can teach this successfully. The buzz step swing is such a great thing, it seems a shame to let someone miss it. Camilla Streeter --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

19 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] The Language

by Jeffrey Petrovitch

Thanks Camilla. I remember talking with some dancers a while ago, and they had mention Rick's method of teaching the swing, but I really didn't understand it, till now. What great language!!! At first as I was reading it, I was like how is this going to teach me to swing, but as soon as I got up and tried it, it all made sense. Good language, good communication, and there you have it, the buzz-step. All in about ten minutes or less. Another interesting point I think, callers think a lot about how to teach contra dancing in a workshop sense, but a lot of the times forget about the teaching they do every time they call a dance. Of course, the walk-through. And having good language for the walk-through is just as important. Finding a balance of good words, not too many (you don't have have a ten minute walk-through) not too short, so the dancers don't understand... But being able to give a good walk-through is a good tell of a good caller... Jeff

19 years, 4 months

Teaching a Swing

by laleslierjg＠comcast.net

I heartily agree with Chris on the stepping or walking swing for beginners! My husband, Bob Golder, who has been dancing for 30 years, and several other very experienced dancers, only do a walking swing. They can keep up with the fastest of buzz step swinging partners, and are very smooth. The stepping swing is easy to teach, and is a natural movement for dancers. In addition, it keeps them moving smoothly. I always tell them that when they are ready, and feel it in the movement, they will naturally begin buzz step swinging. And even if they don't, walking swings can be just as terrific! And in general to everyone, it is very enjoyable to be on this email list! The discussions and suggestions are thought provoking and very helpful. Thanks to everyone! warmly, Linda Leslie > > Hi Tom, > > I agree with all but two of these. Here's why I disagree: > > 2) Beginners have a delay in their reaction times to calls. They have to > process the call, translate it to what they know before they can tell > their bodies what to do. This is unlike an experienced dancer who has > muscle memory tied directly to the ears (or something like that). 8^) > When I have called to dances with a high percentage of beginners, the > dances with 8 count swings, by the time the dancers get into swing > position and start turning, they can't even get around once sometimes. 8 > count swings also indicate a higher piece count in the dance and make it > more difficult. I have had better luck with 12 count swings when dealing > with beginners. > > 8) I am convinced that (with rare exceptions) when you teach someone > anything about the swing, they only can move up one notch along the > learning curve. They can only keep one instruction in mind when they are > practicing the swing. It took me a long time to learn how to buzz step > well and to incorporate it in such a way that didn't cause discomfort > for my partner. Since the swing is one of the first, hardest and most > common moves that they learn, it needs to be easy and quick to learn. > That's why I teach the walking swing. They have enough to learn about > posture, frame and dealing with eye contact. Why burden them with extra > information when they already know how to walk forward and it will work > just as well? By all means, let them know that the buzz step exists and > show them what it looks like. But also let them know that they don't > have to do it for a swing to be fun. I can show someone how to do a > walking swing in less than 30 seconds and have them dancing and their > mind will be clear enough to learn the other calls that they are being > taught. I have seen too many people befuddled by the buzz step and in a > daze while the first dance is being taught. > > Hmmm... I guess that number 8 touched a nerve... 8^) > > Happy Dancing, > > Chris > > http://www.chrisweiler.ws/ > > > Tom Hinds wrote: > > > It occurred to me that many of the behaviors on this list are due to > >insecurity (dancing with other beginners, waiting to be asked etc.) That got > >me to thinking about what callers can do to make sure the beginners have a > >good experience. So, I've come up with my own list for callers. These items > >may contain items that some may not agree with. But this may generate some > >good discussion. > > > >10 things a caller can do to help beginners have a good experience: > > > >1) Prepare a logical program that starts easy and builds. > > > >2) Like a professional dance teacher, warm up muscles slowly. Use dances > >with 8 count swings (max) early in the evening. Keep the first couple of > >dances shorter. New and not so new dancers are entering the hall and you want > >them up and dancing sooner rather than later, > > > >3) Be prepared well enough so that you don't have to use cards. Watch the > >dancers. Watch the dancers. > > > >4) Encourage everyone to dance with everyone else. When a dance ends, > >suggest that those who just danced ask those sitting out for the next dance. > > > >5) Demonstrate what smooth dancing looks like (especially if many newbees are > >skipping). > > > >6) Teach safe dancing - like proper allemandes. If you see dancers dancing > >out of control take measures to make sure that they don't hurt anyone. > > > >7) If you make a mistake, admit it. Often if something doesn't work, the new > >dancers think it's because of them. > > > >8) Teach the buzz step swing in the beginning workshop. Teach it well. > > > >9) If a dance has a tricky move, show the dancers how to perform the move > >with finesse. If the dance has a challenge in the timing department, > >communicate to the dancers how to be on time. > > > >10) If you call a challenging dance and the new dancers look a bit confused, > >tell the crowd that that was a very difficult dance and that they handled it > >very well (this one from Ted Sannella). If the dance was so challenging that > >sets broke down, tell the dancers that you picked a bad dance (in other words > >it's you, not them). > > > >Tom Hinds > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 19, Issue 11 > ***************************************

19 years, 4 months

Teaching the swing

by Tom Hinds

Yes I understand what you mean. All of your points are valid points. I guess all of our experiences are different. I've never been to your dance and I don't think you've seen me teach a beginning workshop. I have a couple of points for you to think about. It is possible to get most beginners (maybe 95%) to do the buzz step in about 10 minutes. To do it you have to teach one thing at a time and work from the ground up (feet, then knees, then upper body). Some of them might regress into a sloppy swing during the regular dance but I did give them the opportunity. The problem with teaching the walking step swing is that once people learn it, it is VERY difficult to unlearn. Not worth the effort for many. I called a dance in North Carolina where most of the dancers were fairly skilled. Except, all of the men did the walking step swing. Why? Because the walking step swing is taught at the beginning lesson. So, I spent a good 10 minutes of the regular dance teaching them the buzz step swing. They all got it. They retained it for one dance. Here's another reason: One move that is in every dance is the swing. Many dances have two swings. If you listed all of the moves that you called in an evening and the amount of time spent dancing each move, the swing would be at the top of the list. The amount of time swinging might even be more than many of the other top moves combined. Why not concentrate on the move that is done the most and gives (many people) the most enjoyment? Chris mentioned the issue with reaction time. Great observation! My workshops for the first 15 minutes or so center on two main things: reaction time and progression. I really can't describe what I do but is is kinda of like a gently hash calling in contra formation. To be honest, I have always used only 8 beat swings in the first two dances of the evening and have never seen any problems with the beginners ending a swing on time. For me it's the dancers who have a bit of experience and imitate the experienced dancers who end swings late-twirl, twirl, twirl. Tom callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > callers(a)sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > callers-request(a)sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Teaching a Swing (laleslierjg(a)comcast.net) > 2. Calling Katie's Trip to Starbase 12 (Rickey) > 3. Re: Calling Katie's Trip to Starbase 12 (David Millstone) > 4. Re: Teaching a Swing (barb kirchner) > 5. Re: Calling Katie's Trip to Starbase 12 (Seth Tepfer) > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:25:13 +0000 > From: laleslierjg(a)comcast.net > Subject: [Callers] Teaching a Swing > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Message-ID: > <031520060025.10891.44175EE90000FBDC00002A8B220075074409069D0A07049C0A040E04(a)comcast.net> > > > I heartily agree with Chris on the stepping or walking swing for beginners! My husband, Bob Golder, who has been dancing for 30 years, and several other very experienced dancers, only do a walking swing. They can keep up with the fastest of buzz step swinging partners, and are very smooth. The stepping swing is easy to teach, and is a natural movement for dancers. In addition, it keeps them moving smoothly. I always tell them that when they are ready, and feel it in the movement, they will naturally begin buzz step swinging. And even if they don't, walking swings can be just as terrific! > > And in general to everyone, it is very enjoyable to be on this email list! The discussions and suggestions are thought provoking and very helpful. Thanks to everyone! > warmly, Linda Leslie > > > > > Hi Tom, > > > > I agree with all but two of these. Here's why I disagree: > > > > 2) Beginners have a delay in their reaction times to calls. They have to > > process the call, translate it to what they know before they can tell > > their bodies what to do. This is unlike an experienced dancer who has > > muscle memory tied directly to the ears (or something like that). 8^) > > When I have called to dances with a high percentage of beginners, the > > dances with 8 count swings, by the time the dancers get into swing > > position and start turning, they can't even get around once sometimes. 8 > > count swings also indicate a higher piece count in the dance and make it > > more difficult. I have had better luck with 12 count swings when dealing > > with beginners. > > > > 8) I am convinced that (with rare exceptions) when you teach someone > > anything about the swing, they only can move up one notch along the > > learning curve. They can only keep one instruction in mind when they are > > practicing the swing. It took me a long time to learn how to buzz step > > well and to incorporate it in such a way that didn't cause discomfort > > for my partner. Since the swing is one of the first, hardest and most > > common moves that they learn, it needs to be easy and quick to learn. > > That's why I teach the walking swing. They have enough to learn about > > posture, frame and dealing with eye contact. Why burden them with extra > > information when they already know how to walk forward and it will work > > just as well? By all means, let them know that the buzz step exists and > > show them what it looks like. But also let them know that they don't > > have to do it for a swing to be fun. I can show someone how to do a > > walking swing in less than 30 seconds and have them dancing and their > > mind will be clear enough to learn the other calls that they are being > > taught. I have seen too many people befuddled by the buzz step and in a > > daze while the first dance is being taught. > > > > Hmmm... I guess that number 8 touched a nerve... 8^) > > > > Happy Dancing, > > > > Chris > > > > http://www.chrisweiler.ws/ > > > > > > Tom Hinds wrote: > > > > > It occurred to me that many of the behaviors on this list are due to > > >insecurity (dancing with other beginners, waiting to be asked etc.) That got > > >me to thinking about what callers can do to make sure the beginners have a > > >good experience. So, I've come up with my own list for callers. These items > > >may contain items that some may not agree with. But this may generate some > > >good discussion. > > > > > >10 things a caller can do to help beginners have a good experience: > > > > > >1) Prepare a logical program that starts easy and builds. > > > > > >2) Like a professional dance teacher, warm up muscles slowly. Use dances > > >with 8 count swings (max) early in the evening. Keep the first couple of > > >dances shorter. New and not so new dancers are entering the hall and you want > > >them up and dancing sooner rather than later, > > > > > >3) Be prepared well enough so that you don't have to use cards. Watch the > > >dancers. Watch the dancers. > > > > > >4) Encourage everyone to dance with everyone else. When a dance ends, > > >suggest that those who just danced ask those sitting out for the next dance. > > > > > >5) Demonstrate what smooth dancing looks like (especially if many newbees are > > >skipping). > > > > > >6) Teach safe dancing - like proper allemandes. If you see dancers dancing > > >out of control take measures to make sure that they don't hurt anyone. > > > > > >7) If you make a mistake, admit it. Often if something doesn't work, the new > > >dancers think it's because of them. > > > > > >8) Teach the buzz step swing in the beginning workshop. Teach it well. > > > > > >9) If a dance has a tricky move, show the dancers how to perform the move > > >with finesse. If the dance has a challenge in the timing department, > > >communicate to the dancers how to be on time. > > > > > >10) If you call a challenging dance and the new dancers look a bit confused, > > >tell the crowd that that was a very difficult dance and that they handled it > > >very well (this one from Ted Sannella). If the dance was so challenging that > > >sets broke down, tell the dancers that you picked a bad dance (in other words > > >it's you, not them). > > > > > >Tom Hinds > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Callers mailing list > > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 19, Issue 11 > > *************************************** > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 21:26:12 -0500 > From: "Rickey" <holt.e(a)comcast.net> > Subject: [Callers] Calling Katie's Trip to Starbase 12 > To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <000001c647d7$d70a3930$5f511e42@maxx> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi, > > I got such great responses to my very first question posted to this list > that I thought I'd try another. "Katie's Trip to Starbase 12", by Merilee > Karr calls for a "Swinging Star" (a double star, both wrist grip right-hand > star and left hands across star at the same time). This takes up all of B1. > The number of times around is not specified in my version. It can take a > bit of time to get this star together, and as it uses a buzz step, it can > really get going once assembled - so the lack of instructions as to the > number of revolutions may be intentional. B2 starts with the left-hand > hands across star, and it is important where that one ends. Perhaps the > only thing to do is to point out where this second star ends when teaching > the dance. Has anyone else on this list called the dance? How do you deal > with this? > > Thanks, > > Rickey Holt. > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: 14 Mar 2006 21:56:59 EST > From: David.Millstone(a)VALLEY.NET (David Millstone) > Subject: Re: [Callers] Calling Katie's Trip to Starbase 12 > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Message-ID: <7901099(a)retriever.VALLEY.NET> > Content-Type: text/plain > > I used to call it a lot-- the swinging star is a nice gimmick and when you're in > the right foursome, you can have a great time in that figure. > > > the lack of instructions as to the number of revolutions may be intentional > > Yes, I think that's the case. And yes, I agree with your solution to emphasize > where you end up the LH star. > > In one of those wonderful cross-country leaps (Merilee Karr is in Portland, OR, > and Seth Tepfer is in Atlanta), nspired by Merilee's dance, Seth wrote another, > Swinging on a Star." I often use that one instead. I like the way it ends > slightly better than the original. > > Seth's dance is here: > > http://www.dancerhapsody.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Choreography#SwinginStar > > Both dances, in my opinion, work better if not allowed to run too long. > > David Millstone > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 06:25:59 +0000 > From: "barb kirchner" <barbkirchner(a)hotmail.com> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Teaching a Swing > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Message-ID: <BAY102-F183417EA38F92C9527B4EADEE60(a)phx.gbl> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed > > i also strongly agree! i *never* teach a buzz-step swing. i *do* demo a > swing with one person walking and one person buzzing, and point out to them > that they can walk to matter what the other person is doing. > > i also tell them that after awhile, they will "feel" the buzz step, and when > they do, they should go ahead and try it out. > > in my mind, it's more important to explain to everyone that they need to > carry their own weight during a swing. i also tell them that it's important > to swing in a way that's comfortable for both people, and "comfortable" is > the important word here. > > also, the swing is the first thing i teach - it's the one figure that's > guaranteed to be in every dance. as soon as they figure out "lady on the > right" and the pointy hands thing, i'm ready to line them up. > > it's my perception that if they can get oriented at the end of a swing and > be comfortable with that, they don't have much trouble getting oriented once > they're in line. so i teach the swing first, they are scattered around the > area. i explain about the pointy hands, then have them swing and end with > the pointy hands facing me. doing it again, face down the hall. do it > again, face the stage. they lady's always on the right, they get used to > following instructions - lots of info about orientation and position in a > small, coherent lump in a short time! > > i see so many people swinging poorly these days, especially at places like > the thursday night dance and greenfield - the focus always seems to be how > many twirls/dips you can fit in, and there is no comprehension of the > musical phrase. i also hear a lot of guys complaining about chronic right > shoulder pain... > > i'd be interested to hear anyone's thoughts on the current state of the > swing and what we, as people trying to set good examples in our communities, > might do about it. even if we teach new dancers good form, what can be done > about poor form from experienced dancers? > > barb > > http://www.barbkirchner.us > > ----Original Message Follows---- > From: laleslierjg(a)comcast.net > Reply-To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Subject: [Callers] Teaching a Swing > Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:25:13 +0000 > > I heartily agree with Chris on the stepping or walking swing for beginners! > My husband, Bob Golder, who has been dancing for 30 years, and several other > very experienced dancers, only do a walking swing. They can keep up with the > fastest of buzz step swinging partners, and are very smooth. The stepping > swing is easy to teach, and is a natural movement for dancers. In addition, > it keeps them moving smoothly. I always tell them that when they are ready, > and feel it in the movement, they will naturally begin buzz step swinging. > And even if they don't, walking swings can be just as terrific! > > And in general to everyone, it is very enjoyable to be on this email list! > The discussions and suggestions are thought provoking and very helpful. > Thanks to everyone! > warmly, Linda Leslie > > > > > Hi Tom, > > > > I agree with all but two of these. Here's why I disagree: > > > > 2) Beginners have a delay in their reaction times to calls. They have to > > process the call, translate it to what they know before they can tell > > their bodies what to do. This is unlike an experienced dancer who has > > muscle memory tied directly to the ears (or something like that). 8^) > > When I have called to dances with a high percentage of beginners, the > > dances with 8 count swings, by the time the dancers get into swing > > position and start turning, they can't even get around once sometimes. 8 > > count swings also indicate a higher piece count in the dance and make it > > more difficult. I have had better luck with 12 count swings when dealing > > with beginners. > > > > 8) I am convinced that (with rare exceptions) when you teach someone > > anything about the swing, they only can move up one notch along the > > learning curve. They can only keep one instruction in mind when they are > > practicing the swing. It took me a long time to learn how to buzz step > > well and to incorporate it in such a way that didn't cause discomfort > > for my partner. Since the swing is one of the first, hardest and most > > common moves that they learn, it needs to be easy and quick to learn. > > That's why I teach the walking swing. They have enough to learn about > > posture, frame and dealing with eye contact. Why burden them with extra > > information when they already know how to walk forward and it will work > > just as well? By all means, let them know that the buzz step exists and > > show them what it looks like. But also let them know that they don't > > have to do it for a swing to be fun. I can show someone how to do a > > walking swing in less than 30 seconds and have them dancing and their > > mind will be clear enough to learn the other calls that they are being > > taught. I have seen too many people befuddled by the buzz step and in a > > daze while the first dance is being taught. > > > > Hmmm... I guess that number 8 touched a nerve... 8^) > > > > Happy Dancing, > > > > Chris > > > > http://www.chrisweiler.ws/ > > > > > > Tom Hinds wrote: > > > > > It occurred to me that many of the behaviors on this list are due to > > >insecurity (dancing with other beginners, waiting to be asked etc.) > That got > > >me to thinking about what callers can do to make sure the beginners have > a > > >good experience. So, I've come up with my own list for callers. These > items > > >may contain items that some may not agree with. But this may generate > some > > >good discussion. > > > > > >10 things a caller can do to help beginners have a good experience: > > > > > >1) Prepare a logical program that starts easy and builds. > > > > > >2) Like a professional dance teacher, warm up muscles slowly. Use > dances > > >with 8 count swings (max) early in the evening. Keep the first couple > of > > >dances shorter. New and not so new dancers are entering the hall and > you want > > >them up and dancing sooner rather than later, > > > > > >3) Be prepared well enough so that you don't have to use cards. Watch > the > > >dancers. Watch the dancers. > > > > > >4) Encourage everyone to dance with everyone else. When a dance ends, > > >suggest that those who just danced ask those sitting out for the next > dance. > > > > > >5) Demonstrate what smooth dancing looks like (especially if many > newbees are > > >skipping). > > > > > >6) Teach safe dancing - like proper allemandes. If you see dancers > dancing > > >out of control take measures to make sure that they don't hurt anyone. > > > > > >7) If you make a mistake, admit it. Often if something doesn't work, > the new > > >dancers think it's because of them. > > > > > >8) Teach the buzz step swing in the beginning workshop. Teach it well. > > > > > >9) If a dance has a tricky move, show the dancers how to perform the > move > > >with finesse. If the dance has a challenge in the timing department, > > >communicate to the dancers how to be on time. > > > > > >10) If you call a challenging dance and the new dancers look a bit > confused, > > >tell the crowd that that was a very difficult dance and that they > handled it > > >very well (this one from Ted Sannella). If the dance was so challenging > that > > >sets broke down, tell the dancers that you picked a bad dance (in other > words > > >it's you, not them). > > > > > >Tom Hinds > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Callers mailing list > > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 19, Issue 11 > > *************************************** > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 08:30:24 -0500 > From: Seth Tepfer <labst(a)emory.edu> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Calling Katie's Trip to Starbase 12 > To: millstone(a)VALLEY.NET, "Caller's discussion list" > <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Cc: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Message-ID: <6.1.2.0.2.20060315082648.06adff28(a)pop3.service.emory.edu> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed > > At 09:56 PM 3/14/2006, David Millstone wrote: > >In one of those wonderful cross-country leaps (Merilee Karr is in > >Portland, OR, > >and Seth Tepfer is in Atlanta), inspired by Merilee's dance, > > It is worth mentioning that when I first started to dance in 1993 Merilee's > dance was common in GA and FL. I had no idea who Merilee was, or where she > lived. > > >Seth wrote another, > >http://www.dancerhapsody.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Choreography#SwinginStar > > My wife mentioned that she got dizzy in the original, when doing the > swinging star (to the right) followed by the left hand star. I always > thought that switching direction would lessen the dizziness, but hey, what > do I know? I love that swinging star move, so for her I wrote a slightly > different version that continued the star to the right - right into the > neighbor swing. > > Glad you like it! > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 19, Issue 12 > ***************************************

19 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] 10 things

by Jeffrey Petrovitch

In response to the recent discussion regarding the swing, I would say as a caller, teaching the walking swing is easy. It gets new dancers doing something, when the caller says "swing". As a dancer I think perhaps teaching the walking swing is perhaps one of the most limiting factors in starting a dancer to dance. I think teaching the "buzz-step" is really important in establishing perhaps one of the great pleasures of contra dancing. I do not claim to have a full-proof way to teach the "buzz-step", but in teaching it is all about the language. It is about using language so that the new dancers understand. If you are teaching new dancers any dance move, if it is an allemande, do-si-do, and even the swing and they are not understanding how to do a certain dance move, then the caller or teacher is not using the correct language to teach them. From the many beginners workshops I have seen, I see a lot of good callers, good teachers, teach the "buzz-step" with success. I encourage people to go to beginners workshops, not necessary for learning how to contra dance, but to learn how to teach contra dance. You will see so teaching/language work well and so not... It's all about the communication, not necessary the subject matter. Jeff

19 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Calling Katie's Trip to Starbase 12

by David.Millstone＠VALLEY.NET

I used to call it a lot-- the swinging star is a nice gimmick and when you're in the right foursome, you can have a great time in that figure. > the lack of instructions as to the number of revolutions may be intentional Yes, I think that's the case. And yes, I agree with your solution to emphasize where you end up the LH star. In one of those wonderful cross-country leaps (Merilee Karr is in Portland, OR, and Seth Tepfer is in Atlanta), nspired by Merilee's dance, Seth wrote another, Swinging on a Star." I often use that one instead. I like the way it ends slightly better than the original. Seth's dance is here: http://www.dancerhapsody.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Choreography#SwinginStar Both dances, in my opinion, work better if not allowed to run too long. David Millstone

19 years, 4 months

Calling Katie's Trip to Starbase 12

by Rickey

Hi, I got such great responses to my very first question posted to this list that I thought I'd try another. "Katie's Trip to Starbase 12", by Merilee Karr calls for a "Swinging Star" (a double star, both wrist grip right-hand star and left hands across star at the same time). This takes up all of B1. The number of times around is not specified in my version. It can take a bit of time to get this star together, and as it uses a buzz step, it can really get going once assembled - so the lack of instructions as to the number of revolutions may be intentional. B2 starts with the left-hand hands across star, and it is important where that one ends. Perhaps the only thing to do is to point out where this second star ends when teaching the dance. Has anyone else on this list called the dance? How do you deal with this? Thanks, Rickey Holt.

19 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] 10 things

by Tom Hinds

It occurred to me that many of the behaviors on this list are due to insecurity (dancing with other beginners, waiting to be asked etc.) That got me to thinking about what callers can do to make sure the beginners have a good experience. So, I've come up with my own list for callers. These items may contain items that some may not agree with. But this may generate some good discussion. 10 things a caller can do to help beginners have a good experience: 1) Prepare a logical program that starts easy and builds. 2) Like a professional dance teacher, warm up muscles slowly. Use dances with 8 count swings (max) early in the evening. Keep the first couple of dances shorter. New and not so new dancers are entering the hall and you want them up and dancing sooner rather than later, 3) Be prepared well enough so that you don't have to use cards. Watch the dancers. Watch the dancers. 4) Encourage everyone to dance with everyone else. When a dance ends, suggest that those who just danced ask those sitting out for the next dance. 5) Demonstrate what smooth dancing looks like (especially if many newbees are skipping). 6) Teach safe dancing - like proper allemandes. If you see dancers dancing out of control take measures to make sure that they don't hurt anyone. 7) If you make a mistake, admit it. Often if something doesn't work, the new dancers think it's because of them. 8) Teach the buzz step swing in the beginning workshop. Teach it well. 9) If a dance has a tricky move, show the dancers how to perform the move with finesse. If the dance has a challenge in the timing department, communicate to the dancers how to be on time. 10) If you call a challenging dance and the new dancers look a bit confused, tell the crowd that that was a very difficult dance and that they handled it very well (this one from Ted Sannella). If the dance was so challenging that sets broke down, tell the dancers that you picked a bad dance (in other words it's you, not them). Tom Hinds callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > callers(a)sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > callers-request(a)sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Ten things (Gale T. Wood) > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 11:06:25 -0500 > From: "Gale T. Wood" <Gale(a)robbinsauto.com> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Ten things > To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: > <79C5F2A3DD0551469291F6CD6BF5422E02FB33(a)officemail.robbinsauto.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Here Is the list presented by wikipedia: > 1. Dressing Impractically > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Dressing_Impractically> > 2. Skipping the Beginners Workshop > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Skipping_the_Beginners_Workshop> > 3. Waiting to Be Asked > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Waiting_to_Be_Asked> > 4. Sticking to Beginner Friends > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Sticking_to_Beginner_Friends> > 5. Sitting out Dances > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Sitting_out_Dances> > 6. Getting Too Fancy Too Quickly > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Getting_Too_Fancy_Too_Quickly> > 7. Tolerating Bad Behavior from Other Dancers > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Tolerating_Bad_Behavior_from_Other_Dancers> > > 8. Not Asking Questions > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Not_Asking_Questions> > 9. Not Counting > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Not_Counting> > 10. Leaving Too Early > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Leaving_Too_Early> > 11. Expecting Perfection > <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ten_Stupid_Things_Beginners_Do_to_Mess_Up_ > Their_Contradance_Experience:Expecting_Perfection> > The other list would pertain to Experienced dancers! > And I do agree with that list....I remember doing all those things when > I was trying to 'compete' with the CDance > clique ... happily I have 'mellowed' with age and experience. Do I still > transgress...sure on occasion I do like to cut loose, but.... > I am having a better time not competing. > Thanks Gale > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 19, Issue 9 > **************************************

19 years, 4 months

A Question on Thanks to the Dean

by Rickey

HI ALL, It seems to me that Steve Zakon-Andersons Thanks to the Dean has 3 progressions even though I know that it is a double progression dance. (A1) Allemande left below (1 ½ ) PROGRESSION #1 Ladies chain ( ½ ) (A2) Women Allemande Right once around and back to their partner All Balance and Swing your Partner (B1) Circle left about once and lead up or down the set to new neighbors PROGRESSION #2 Circle left with these neighbors ¾ around (B2) Dos-i-do this same new neighbor (who is now below you) (Does this mean that the circle left ¾ has undone PROGRESSION #2???????????) Allemande Right with this same new neighbor ( 1 ½ ) WHICH LOOKS LIKE PROGRESSION #3 ??????????? Can you straighten me out? Ive checked the web site but it does not help with this. Thanks, Rickey Holt, caller Contra Dances in Exeter, NH P.S. I am hoping to use this dance tomorrow night.

19 years, 4 months

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