David Harding wrote:
> I'd add a chain with a courtesy turn long before a R&L through with a courtesy turn.
Me too. I’ve been saying for years that RLT is the hardest move for new dancers. It’s a compound move: You go straight and then turn, and you turn in a way you almost certainly didn’t anticipate. If you’re in an area that gives right hands when crossing,
there’s the added danger of holding on too long and getting swiveled to face back the way you came.
It can help to call for a half promenade first – either as part of a dance or simply as a teaching technique during a walkthrough – and then modify it into a RLT. In any case, make sure the dancers know they’ll end up trading places with the opposite couple.
As for chains, I’ve found that having couples do a courtesy turn from a standing start (side by side) doesn’t give them enough idea of what the second half of the chain will feel like. Half a century ago, I saw Don Durlacher (working with hundreds of new
and casual dancers at Jones Beach) teach the courtesy turn in a square by having all four ladies go to the center and stand back to back, then having everyone give left hand to partner and complete the turn. I’ve used something like this in various formations.
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
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