Hello everyone!
Jeff asked me this question off-list and I thought it was worth sending
to everyone (with his permission). Does anyone else have some advice for
Jeff? His original question is at the bottom.
Chris
http://www.fortytwo.ws/~weiler/caller/
Chris Weiler wrote:
> Hi Jeff,
>
> Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. I just spent a week at
> Pinewoods enjoying American Dance and Music Week and taking the Square
> Dance Callers Course from Kathy Anderson. What a blast!
>
> I started calling last summer. I took a contra callers workshop from
> Tom Hinds and called my first dance in front of a crowd that
> week.Considering that I have only been calling for 11 months, I am
> doing very well about getting my name out there and getting gigs. Here
> are some thoughts about why that is:
>
> - Drive: I have been practicing on my own, going to every open mic.
> that I can, taking every callers workshop at the festivals I go to. It
> shows in my calling. I ask experienced callers questions and make sure
> that I take careful consideration of what they have to say. I am
> constantly looking to improve my calling through feedback, taping
> myself and practice.
>
> - Networking: At festivals and dances, I make a point to introduce
> myself to other callers and socialize with them. I keep in touch with
> several through direct e-mail and SharedWeight. This keeps me in their
> minds. The experienced callers are "plugged in" to the network of
> people who make these dances happen. Several of the dances that I have
> done are because callers have recommended me to fill in for someone
> who can't do the gig. After that, word will spread (if you do a good
> job!). This may sound calculating, but the reality is that it's a lot
> of fun. 8^) The callers that I took the workshop with are a great
> bunch and we had a great time talking, laughing and goofing around.
> Twice we got a bunch of us in the lake and had a water square. Lots of
> laughing, smiling and singing "because, just because".
>
> I hope this helps you. Feel free to ask questions like this to the
> list. There are plenty of callers there who had to make their own
> start and will tell you how it happened. If you give me permission, I
> would like to post this to the list .
>
> Hope your summer is going well! I'll be moving to Goffstown, NH in a
> couple of weeks, and hope to get to Nelson more soon! I have some
> squares I want to try! 8^)
>
> Chris
>
>
> Jeffrey M.Petrovitch wrote:
>
>> Chris:
>>
>> Just wondering if you could offer me some insight... I was wondering
>> how long
>> you have been calling for and how long did it take for you to get
>> your first
>> gig? How did you get your name out there?
>>
>> As a new caller, I have actually only started to learn how to call
>> about seven
>> months ago, but since then have found my way into the my normal
>> Nelson slot of
>> two or three dances a week, and I just booked my first gig coming up in
>> August.
>>
>> I am always looking for more calling opportunities, and wondering how
>> you
>> approached it.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>>
>> Jeffrey M. Petrovitch
>>
>> jeffrey.m.petrovitch(a)usa.net
>>
>>
Hello Everyone,
There was a lunch time lecture at my work (Hewlett - Packard) on Voice
Dynamics. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend, however, they posted the
following notes. I think it's relevant for callers. They are having a 1/2 day
seminar in August (at work) which I hope to attend. I may also sign up for the
evening class as I think the use of voice (and care of) is extremely important
for callers. I left in the credits for the author, out of respect for her
work. She is located in Northern California.
Also, when I was at NEFFA this past Spring (what a blast!).... I met with my
two Aunts who live outside of Boston. They are professional singers (~30
years) and have toured all over the world. They gave me a 1.5 hrs "voice
lesson", including excercises to do, and have also taught the information below
professionally. I am considering submitting this topic and asking my aunts to
teach a workshop at NEFFA next year, if there is any interest in the topic....
(any interest?)....
If there is interest, I will also post the notes from the August class, if I
attend....
Enjoy and take care of those vocal cords!
Karen Fontana
================================================
Class in Voice Dynamics from Carolyn Franklin:
Starts in Oct. on 10 for 3 weeks on Monday nights and
Wed nights 6:00 - 9:00. The class is listed at DeAnza
but located at Foothill. They are the same campus.
Private lessons. $65.00 per hour
phone number: 408-737-2151.
-------------------------------------------------
VOICE DYNAMICS
CAROLYN FRANKLIN, M.A.
A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO A BETTER SOUNDING VOICE
COPYRIGHT 1996 by Carolyn Franklin
ccvoicedynamics(a)cs.com
All Rights Reserved. No duplication Without Permission
This WORKSHOP is designed to:
1. Make a better impression on others. No matter
how well-dressed or educated you may be, your
style of speaking and quality of voice may inhibit
or enhance a first impression.
2. Increase the suppleness of your voice. You will be
able to talk longer and easier, not tiring. You will have
more range of pitch, volume and mood.
3. Increase your self-confidence. A firm, well-supported
voice is a great asset in communication. Correct use of your voice will
reduce incidence of interruption.
4. Entertain your listeners. Hold their attention and win their
confidence.
5. Teach you to "breathe"; increase your lung capacity for a healthier
you and increase your ability to control your voice.
6. Find out the "right" voice for you; one that best suits your
personal and professional needs.
7. Give you a range of "voices" to use for specific needs:
professional, business-like, friendly, confident or persuasive.
8. Be taken seriously when you speak.
BASIC PREPARATION FOR TALKING: "THE 3 ABSOLUTES"
RELAX You cannot make a good quality sound if you are
at all tense. The body MUST be relaxed so the
breath can flow freely through the "sound system".
The only part of the body that "works" is the
diaphragm; the rest of you is RELAXED.
BREATHE: Since the sounds (vowels) ride on the energy of air, breath, it
is critical to breathe correctly. That is, deep breathing from the
diaphragm.
WATER Drink plenty of water as it lubricates the body and keeps the
voice supple. NO OTHER DRINK is a substitute for WATER.
DAILY EXERCISES CAUTION: only do these exercises when you have no colds,
allergies or clogged sinuses.
"SOUND SYSTEM" is what I call the diaphragm, lungs, trachea, larynx
mouth, tongue and sinuses. When you speak, the
entire "sound system" is in operation mode.
RELAX: Mentally send messages to your muscles: chin, back, throat,
neck, shoulders and face to loosen up, let go and relax.
BREATHE: Shoulders DOWN, do NOT use the shoulders to breathe. Inhale
SL-OW-LY, hold the breath briefly, and them exhale SL-OW-LY.
This technique increases lung capacity and tightens the
diaphragm.
HM-M-M "Half-yawn". Open the back throat as in an unfinished yawn,
keep the tongue down flat, close your mouth and inhale. Push the
sound "H" hard through your nose, then add the M-M-M and
push the "M" also through your nose. Done correctly your nose
and head should vibrate. This exercises tightens the diaphragm
and opens the sinuses which create depth and richness to the voice.
CHIN WOBBLE: Open your mouth and RELAX it; push the chin down as far as
you can several times, then push the chin sideways as far as you
can several times. This will keep your mouth and chin supple.
PANT: Simultaneously inhale and pull the diaphragm "IN" as hard as you
can and as fast as you can. Then, push hard with breath saying "HUH"
simultaneously exhaling as hard and fast as you can. Do this
several times. It strengthens the diaphragm.
Thank You,
Hewlett-Packard Asian Pacific Employee Network.
(the organization that sponsored the event).
karen_fontana(a)yahoo.com
H650-691-9663
I have some questions for callers. Now that it's hot, I wanted to know if
callers think it's a good idea to call a less active program when the
temperatures are high? I'd like to suggest that some moves require more
expenditure of energy than other moves. So, my second question is, do you have
any dances that are active but at the same time don't drain the energy from the
dancers? Would you share these dances?
callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
> Send Callers mailing list submissions to
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>
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> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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>
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>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..."
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Cordless handheld microphones (Chris Weiler)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2005 11:17:20 -0400
> From: Chris Weiler <chris.weiler(a)weirdtable.org>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Cordless handheld microphones
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Message-ID: <42E25F80.5020709(a)weirdtable.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> I did my research, both online and at the Shure website. I decided to
> get the PGX24/Beta 58A set. It retails for $638, but almost everyone on
> the web is selling it for $449. With some serious hunting, I found one
> site that is selling it for $349 with free shipping. Not even eBay could
> match that.
>
> A few more gigs (A couple of which are already scheduled) and I'll be there!
>
> Off to Pinewoods! See some of you there!
>
> Chris
>
> http://www.fortytwo.ws/~weiler/caller
>
> Chris Weiler wrote:
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I have been thinking about getting a handheld cordless microphone and
> > was wondering which ones were the best for calling and why.
> >
> > I am looking to get prices. I have decided that when I earn (gross,
> > not net) the price of the microphone from calling, that I'll be ready
> > for one. (Or maybe not, but it works as a goal.)
> >
> > Thanks for your help!
> >
> > Chris
> >
> >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 11, Issue 10
> ***************************************
Here's a dance I like to call especially when it's hot. If anyone knows the name
of the dance and the composer please let me know.
A1, A2 In a ring of four balance. Pet. spin. Repeat three more times.
B1 Circle left. Swing neighbor
B2 Forward and back. Actives swing.
I usually do this one early in the evening (maybe the 3rd dance). Having done
the Pet. spins, the dancers can usually handle a higher level dance with the same
spins.
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. Starting A Contra Dance... (Jeffrey M.Petrovitch)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 14:10:12 -0400
> From: Jeffrey M.Petrovitch <jeffrey.m.petrovitch(a)usa.net>
> Subject: [Callers] Starting A Contra Dance...
> To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Message-ID: <155JgTskm4832S21.1121883012(a)cmsweb21.cms.usa.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Hey Everyone:
>
> A friend and I were thinking about starting a contra dance in Chesterfield,
> New Hampshire. Chesterfield is about 10-15 minutes West of Keene, New
> Hampshire and about 10-15 minutes East of Brattleboro, Vermont. We were
> thinking about having the dance on Thursday nights at the Chesterfield Town
> Hall. We were thinking that Thursday nights would be a good time, because we
> would not have to compete with the Friday and Saturday night dances, and the
> only other contra dance would be Cambridge. As anyone who does not live in
> the Greater Boston Area knows that the trip to Cambridge can be a long one,
> especially on a Thursday night.
>
> I would hope that we could gear the dance so that it would have a nice balance
> of traditional and modern contra dance styles, to appeal to the more
> traditional dances in New Hampshire and also the more modern dances of
> Greenfield, MA.
>
> Any comments or feedback would be very helpful.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
>
> Jeffrey M. Petrovitch
>
> jeffrey.m.petrovitch(a)usa.net
>
> ?Five night of contra dancing... through ?top-notch? style and
> technique, with the love and passion for the dance, the title above all other
> was awarded. I am an ?Iron Dancer?. Two times the dancing, two times an
> ?Iron Dancer?.? ? J. M. Petrovitch
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 11, Issue 9
> **************************************
This came only to me - I think David meant to post it to the discussion.
Thanks David!
I would add the tip for teaching that Doug Protsik gave me. On the B1 when
they have formed the lines of four, remind the folks on the inside to take
tiny little steps, and the folks on the outside to take long steps. That
makes the fan work. The fan is about twelve counts, the duck under about
four. If it's REALLY hot, or you are working with more beginners, you can
skip the ladies chain, make the fan run longer and go directly from the duck
under to the next A1.
Also, for the four-in-line, the MCDO used to call "Fan the Band", as I
recall (it was about twenty years ago!)
-cynthia
-----Original Message-----
From: David Millstone [mailto:David.Millstone@valley.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 7:02 PM
To: online(a)starleft.org
Subject: Fairfield Fancy
It's published in Legacy (CDSS), where it appears as a duple improper contra
but
could easily be turned into Sicilian circle as Cynthia suggests.
Fairfield Fancy
Dick Forscher
duple improper contra
Suggested tune: Paddy on the Turnpike
A1 Neighbors do-si-do
Partners do-si-do
A2 Circle left; circle right
B1 Down the center four in line, actives in the middle; ends turn in, duck
under
the artch formed by the actives and lead up the set, while the actives back
up
the set. All are now "automatically" facing a new couple.
B2 Ladies chain with the new couple, up and down the hall
Also published in Community Dance Manual, Book 6
Written about 1954 for the author's Fairfield, CT, dance group. Recorded in
the
1950s by Folkcraft Records with Bob Bryundage calling. It's now available on
CD
(with calls) and the tune on Vol. 6 of the Let's Dance! series.
Hi all,
I have been thinking about getting a handheld cordless microphone and
was wondering which ones were the best for calling and why.
I am looking to get prices. I have decided that when I earn (gross,
not net) the price of the microphone from calling, that I'll be ready
for one. (Or maybe not, but it works as a goal.)
Thanks for your help!
Chris
Hey Everyone:
A friend and I were thinking about starting a contra dance in Chesterfield,
New Hampshire. Chesterfield is about 10-15 minutes West of Keene, New
Hampshire and about 10-15 minutes East of Brattleboro, Vermont. We were
thinking about having the dance on Thursday nights at the Chesterfield Town
Hall. We were thinking that Thursday nights would be a good time, because we
would not have to compete with the Friday and Saturday night dances, and the
only other contra dance would be Cambridge. As anyone who does not live in
the Greater Boston Area knows that the trip to Cambridge can be a long one,
especially on a Thursday night.
I would hope that we could gear the dance so that it would have a nice balance
of traditional and modern contra dance styles, to appeal to the more
traditional dances in New Hampshire and also the more modern dances of
Greenfield, MA.
Any comments or feedback would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeffrey M. Petrovitch
jeffrey.m.petrovitch(a)usa.net
“Five night of contra dancing... through ‘top-notch’ style and
technique, with the love and passion for the dance, the title above all other
was awarded. I am an ‘Iron Dancer’. Two times the dancing, two times an
‘Iron Dancer’.” – J. M. Petrovitch
A year or two ago at Pinewoods, my buddy Rick Barrows was doing sound and the
question of which mic to use came up in a callers' class led by Scott Higgs.
Rick suggested that they try out a bunch of different mics to see how they
sounded. I wrote him and his report follows. Note: this covers not just wireless
but wired mics as well
David Millstone
-------
What we learned is that, in general, the basic Shure SM-58 sounded best for
*most* callers. We weren't sure if it was what we were familiar
with, or what. The hard wired EV 757 (?)(current model 767) at Pinewoods were
second, followed by our wireless (15 year old Samson with
EV 757 head) and then the Shure Beta 58, with Scott's cheap wireless from Audio
Technica coming in dead last.
In general,other well-regarded vocal mic's include Sennheiser (835 and up),
Audix (OM series - some are flat EQ, some have a presence peak), Shure Beta 57
for male vocals
For those who care, some of these mics (Shure Beta, Audix OM, Senn 845/855, and
EV) are "hyper" or "super" cardiod - which means a tighter pattern, less
susceptible to feedback and you put your monitor, if you have one, at a 45
degree angle to the butt-end of the mic.
The Shure SM-58, Senn 835 are cardioid mics - bigger pattern, and the monitor,
if you have one, should point directly at the butt-end of the mic.
Some of these mics (Shure, and some Audix, perhaps EV) had a "presence peak" in
the EQ, which boosts the signal at a particular range of frequencies - usually
above 2K in the voice range. Others have a "flat" frequency response. The peak
is supposed to provide vocal clarity. You decide.
And remember, talk into the *top* of the mic - point it directly at you, not
"hold upright and talk into the side..."
Happy to answer any other questions.
adios,
Rick
<rbarrows(a)cs.dartmouth.edu>
For all of you out there who want to get in touch with accessible
old time music, there is a good CD recently put out
by The Percolators (CW Abbott, Larry Edelman, Joe Herrmann,
Joe Fallon and David Cahn), called, "Alive in Prague!"
These are all dance musicians (plus one
caller, Larry Edelman, who plays a mean mandolin), and the CD was
made with dancing, calling and fiddle playing in mind.
The tunes are clearly presented,
and it's an excellent intro to anyone who wants to call squares
or contras to old time but isn't familiar with the genre.
The CD was recorded in Czechoslovakia while the
group was on tour there. It also has some French Canadian tunes,
believe it or not; it seems David Cahn, who is known for his bass
playing, has also taken up the button accordion, and he's really good.
So it's a fine CD for practicing any kind of calling.
The Percolators will be at American Week at Pinewoods, so you can get
the
CD there, or by contacting CW Abbott
cwabbott(a)aol.com
or from
home.earthlink.net/~thepercolators
It costs $17 , which includes postage.
Nope, they didn't ask me to do this. I worked with them down In
Florida and
had such a good time with their music (calling squares with Larry in
the band
was GREAT--I just told him the figures and he picked the tune!). Then
I listened
to the CD and realized it would be a good tool for callers of all
levels.
Enjoy,
Lisa Greenleaf
-- Lisa
Hi all,
I'm curious about this comment Sue Rosen made to Chris Weiler:
>But, before you spend your caller's earnings on a mic, please, please,
>please sign up for caller's insurance through CDSS if you haven't already.
>And may none of us ever need it!
I actually wasn't aware (until now) that such insurance existed, and I've
been calling for a while and have also been thinking about buying a cordless
mic. I'm looking at the CDSS website right now, at the note about this
coverage but am finding it somewhat confusing. I don't know whether Toronto
Country Dancers (TCD) has "group insurance" but I'll check that out. But if
they do, does that mean that I would be covered, and would I only be covered
if I was calling specifically at the TCD hall ?? The second line in the
first paragraph says :
"...but if you only need to insure your caller and hall, consider this
option. The policy provides for general liability, bodily injury and
property damage in the combined amount of $2,000,000."
Does anyone know if this insurance covers me if I'm calling in other halls,
meaning if I'm on tour ? Does this even extend to callers living in Canada,
calling in and outside of the home country ? Does anyone know of a caller
that's been named in a lawsuit ? While I have insurance for my home and
car, I must admit that it's never occurred to me to have insurance for
calling. Should I be setting this up a.s.a.p ?? I have requested an
application from CDSS but would appreciate any info from callers out there.
Thanks,
Bev
*****************************************
The Witful Turnip wturnip(a)sympatico.ca
"I'm 40-fucking-5, and I've got nothing to hide !"
- Samantha Jones (Sex in the City)
*****************************************
