Re: [Callers] Implied Messages in First-Timer's Orientation

One thing I've sometimes done (it's a little time consuming so I don't always) to teach buzzstep is to get everyone in a big circle, and I "gallop" around the inside of the circle, right foot in front, and have them gallop (right foot in front, I check that as I go around) in their big circle. Almost everyone did this as a kid, so it's familiar. I then break the circle into two, and then into groups of four, and then into pairs (still in open hand-in-hand position). And I've been telling them to remember to give weight the whole time. I'll then get them into ballroom position. It was only a couple years ago that I figured out what people were doing wrong when they got buzzstep wrong (or, rather, how best to correct it)—they're leading with their left foot (which puts them into a chasse step). And that's not surprising, since it has the same rhythm as buzzstep, and why wouldn't you lead with your left foot if you're going clockwise? If you tell them to lead with their right foot (or "the foot nearer your partner" or "no, the other foot"), they'll immediately get it right, 'cause they've already got the rhythm right (though it can sometimes take reminding till muscle memory takes over). "Feel of swing": I like my fast-and-then-slow-allemande method of starting, in my previous post. It really forces the giving-weight sensation, and it keeps bodies upright. --Read Weaver On Sep 1, 2011, at 4:02 PM, Andrea Nettleton wrote: . . . . .