Re: [Callers] Calling from memory?

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:12:37 -0500, Maia McCormick wrote: I have a large repertoire and not a good memory. I used to use cards; now that my eyes have got worse I use a lap-top. I don't think it's important to commit dances to memory (and I certainly couldn't do it with contras) but it is important to have studied the dance when you got it and written it out in your own words, so that you are confident you can call it from those words. If I have problems with a dance I make sure to update my instructions so that it's clearer (to me and the dancers) next time. It's also important not to stand there with the card in front of your face - people lose confidence in you and you won't see what goes wrong. Put your card on a table or stand and refer to it when necessary, but you must be focused on the dancers. I suppose I should memorise a few simple dances, in case somebody says "Call a dance", but the ones I remember tend to be the very complicated ones that I've had to struggle with! Colin Hume Email colin(a)colinhume.com Web site http://www.colinhume.com