21 Aug
2012
21 Aug
'12
4:04 p.m.
The newcomers may not know the figure is unusual,
but they will be getting
less support from the other dancers.
Jeff
I think Jeff's last comment is the most telling.
The dance that inspired my initial post, Ted's Triplet #24,
starts with a cast by the first couple to invert the set. This is actually a very simple
move when you see it demonstrated,
and it _was_ demonstrated, but I think a lot of the experienced dancers _assumed_ they
knew how it went
and didn't pay attention, then made a hash of it, taking the new dancers down in
flames along with them.
It seems like the teaching is key here. Clear demos.
Breaking the unusual formations and moves into clear chunks.
Watching the floor carefully for problems. Success with one triplet will lead to easier
acceptance of the form at later dances.
Kalia
* * * * *
...And just maybe, a key to solving that problem of experienced dancers making assumptions
is to seriously economize on words in general, and then when needed, you say something
like, "Now listen up here, because this isn't quite what you may be
expecting."
Brian Hamshar, Virginia