26 Jun
2010
26 Jun
'10
3:20 p.m.
I have danced 'modern' variants of Chorus Jig where the twos go UP the
middle while the ones go down the outside.
Chorus jig has also lent itself to MANY flourishes and playful adlibs to
make use of the available time:
1) The twos can swing in the middle while the ones are going down the
outside, but only if they take responsibility for ending in time to be in
place for the ones return. It's a short swing if you are responsible about
it.
2) During ones down the center, a two in one set will sometimes swing with a
two in the next set over if such should be available and willing. Again a
short swing and critical to be ready for the cast off.
3) As a one, and with a willing partner, you can go down the center, turn as
a couple, and then at the last minute do a forward moving roll-away with a
half-sashay to trade places for the cast off. (Naughty and sometimes
startling to the twos who are signaling 'no, no, you're on the wrong side',
but fun if executed properly. Timing of course must be spot on).
I am always mindful as both dancer and caller of Larry Jennings comment in
one of his books (paraphrased): "Twirl away for all I care, but do it on
your own time."
Will
on 6/25/10 4:29 PM, Luke Donev at luke.donev(a)gmail.com wrote:
64-bar and 48-bar dances are problematic because of
the piece count.
I agree that piece count becomes a real issue. The limited playing around
I've done with things like 48 bar dances have things like heys where folks
are on autopilot for one move through a phrase of the dance.
I think it also requires more attention to avoid repeating moves. If there
were three circle lefts in a 64 bar dance (how many 32 bar dances have 2?),
I think each one adds a moment of possible confusion as folks have to
remember what happens after the current circle.
Alternating Corners, while a fun dance, requires folks to remember a piece
of information for halfway through the dance (i.e. who went last). It's like
the second time coming out of a circle left and having to remember where
you're at.
I think a caller would have more luck dropping out on a 64 bar dance if the
first and second half didn't share a bunch of the same moves.
I'm curious what folks feel the effect of having a couple be inactive is on
the total memory of the dancers? I'm talking about scenarios like chorus jig
where one couple goes down and back twice while the other couple stands
there. An argument could be made that folks pausing get less tired, stay
fresher, and help the dancers remember the dance. My opinion is that the
inactives are more likely to zone out and need to be brought back in by the
actives. Its nice in Chorus Jig if the 2s remembered to slide up the hall,
but I find the 2s often have trouble just remembering which 1s to cast. I'd
advocate for 64 bar dances to keep everyone moving, and not have a lot of
time where some folks are waiting for other folks to do a move.
--
William M. Loving
Dedication Technologies, Inc.
7 Coach Lane
Amherst, MA 01002-3304 USA
will(a)dedicationtechnologies.com
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