Most of the callers in San Diego start out the beginner session by teaching circling to the left and right (in a big circle) and forward and back, twice, first counting it out with 8s, and then singing a tune - usually Angeline the Baker - while doing it again. We don’t really worry about whether we sing well or not - that’s not the point. Sometimes if the band is aware and amenable they’ll play Angeline briefly for the exercise. And yes, it teaches walking to the music, 8 beat phrasing, listening to the caller, and realizing that the caller calls before you have to do the next move. It seems to work reasonably well. 

Martha


On Aug 29, 2019, at 9:22 PM, K Panton via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

As it happens, I'm calling a regular contra evening in a few weeks and I'm going to experiment, right off the top of the beginner session, by playing a tune (i.e. start music, then say "welcome")


(Don't worry, the 3/4 quickly changes to jigs. I've listened to many tunes to accompany this idea - Pop, Motown, Celtic - and this tune seems to provide the musicality and the clear phrasing useful for this exercise, and continuity with what they'll hear while dancing later.)

have the dancers listen for phrasing and then (repeating) in a big circle holding hands:

L/R 8

F/B 8

L4/R12 

F2/B2/R4

L OR R 6/2 the other way. 

i.e. introduce them to a few ways of slicing up a musical phrase in ways they will encounter with contra figures.

Finish off with a maze of F/B/L/R 8 OR 16

My contention/hope/observation is that I have never seen an intro session that actually introduces new dancers to the music and, therefore, they have no connection between music and figures when the band actually starts playing later. My hope is that, by first laying a musical foundation, the newbies will try to sync the movements they learn to the music they heard first. 

We'll see.

this idea might work for your situation.

On Sat., Aug. 17, 2019, 16:16 , <callers-request@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
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Today's Topics:

   1. Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Linda S. Mrosko)
   2. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (David Harding)
   3. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Bob Peterson)
   4. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Winston, Alan P.)
   5. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Colin Hume)
   6. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Woody Lane)
   7. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (jim saxe)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2019 23:40:27 -0500
From: "Linda S. Mrosko" <elmerosko@gmail.com>
To: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions
Message-ID:
        <CAHC5Bqfhhvs7hVYSPXGcMvoZFfRt8kntmKE8A2rSFYb90oV8Vw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not currently
inspired to do this and am asking for help.

Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to teens and
their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances that encourage
really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some music education in
addition to fun."

So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music that has
very good beat counts and distinct phrasing.  That's not the problem.  The
problem is *"throw in some music education."  *I don't need a dissertation,
just bits and pieces.  The dance is only 1-1/2 hours long followed by ice
cream.

I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new job
that's taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore.

Any suggestions?

--



*Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*

*102 Mitchell Drive*

*Temple, Texas 76501*
*(903) 292-3713 (Cell)*
*contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>*

*www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance
buttons, t-shirts, & more)*
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 12:14:43 -0500
From: David Harding <dharding101@comcast.net>
To: callers@lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions
Message-ID: <58633f04-1cd4-4164-6bb9-5988fe4384ea@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"

I don't read the request as going beyond beat counts.? The basic message
is hearing the music, stepping in time, and getting to where you need to
be in eight beats.? Then you have various balance-and-four beats and
balance-and-twelve beats figures.? You have the timing of the turns on
down-the-hall.? That sounds to me like plenty of material for 1 1/2 hours.

On 8/16/2019 11:40 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers wrote:
> Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not
> currently inspired to do this and am asking for help.
>
> Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to
> teens and their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances
> that encourage really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some
> music education in addition to fun."
>
> So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music
> that has very good beat counts and distinct phrasing.? That's not the
> problem.? The problem is *"throw in some music education." *I don't
> need a dissertation, just bits and pieces.? The dance is only 1-1/2
> hours long followed by ice cream.
>
> I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new job
> that's taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> --
> *Looking forward,
>
> /Linda S. Mrosko/
> *
> *102 Mitchell Drive
> *
> *Temple, Texas 76501
> *
> *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)*
> */contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>/*
> */www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance
> buttons, t-shirts, & more)
> /*
> */
> /*
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name:  Callers mailing list
> List Address:  Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives:  https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 14:33:55 -0400
From: Bob Peterson <bob@contracorner.com>
To: Donna Hunt via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>, Callers
        List <callers@lists.sharedweightnet>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions
Message-ID: <C889EE5C-F140-4042-9B53-6745E537AD8B@contracorner.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

For added ?music education? make the teens listen for the AABB pattern. I wouldn?t even go that far for under 7th grade unless they play an instrument



> On Aug 17, 2019, at 13:14, David Harding via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> I don't read the request as going beyond beat counts.  The basic message is hearing the music, stepping in time, and getting to where you need to be in eight beats.  Then you have various balance-and-four beats and balance-and-twelve beats figures.  You have the timing of the turns on down-the-hall.  That sounds to me like plenty of material for 1 1/2 hours. 
>
> On 8/16/2019 11:40 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers wrote:
>> Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not currently inspired to do this and am asking for help.
>>
>> Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to teens and their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances that encourage really paying attention to beat counts?.throw           in some music education in addition to fun."
>>
>> So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music that has very good beat counts and distinct phrasing.  That's not the problem.  The problem is "throw in some music education."  I don't need a dissertation, just bits and pieces.  The dance is only 1-1/2 hours long followed by ice cream.
>>
>> I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new job that's taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> --
>> Looking forward,
>>
>> Linda S. Mrosko
>> 102 Mitchell Drive
>> Temple, Texas 76501
>> (903) 292-3713 (Cell)
>> contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com/>
>> www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance buttons, t-shirts, & more)
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List Name:  Callers mailing list
>> List Address:  Callers@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
>> Archives:  https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ <https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name:  Callers mailing list
> List Address:  Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 19:20:08 +0000
From: "Winston, Alan P." <winston@slac.stanford.edu>
To: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>, "Linda S. Mrosko"
        <elmerosko@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions
Message-ID:
        <SN1PR07MB404646E49E3E337327507E1FF2AE0@SN1PR07MB4046.namprd07.prod.outlook.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"

I'd think if you could get them to do "Lucky Seven" and count the progression aloud (1 .. 2.. 3 ..) so that they're hearing 2 beat or 4 beat chunks on the pull by, you'd be exceeding the request.

-- Alan
________________________________
From: Callers <callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net> on behalf of Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2019 9:40 PM
To: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions

Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not currently inspired to do this and am asking for help.

Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to teens and their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances that encourage really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some music education in addition to fun."

So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music that has very good beat counts and distinct phrasing.  That's not the problem.  The problem is "throw in some music education."  I don't need a dissertation, just bits and pieces.  The dance is only 1-1/2 hours long followed by ice cream.

I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new job that's taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore.

Any suggestions?

--
Looking forward,

Linda S. Mrosko
102 Mitchell Drive
Temple, Texas 76501
(903) 292-3713 (Cell)
contradancetx.com<http://www.contradancetxcom>
www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*<http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance buttons, t-shirts, & more)
[https://docsgoogle.com/uc?export=download&id=1kuZrPZVFDxB2sUbGAG-r3fr1mI0l4SlI&revid=0B6Wx3S_CPEZlQ0RZaStSazBLNENhOVVBaFE0SXhUUHhxbCtFPQ]
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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 20:32:38 +0100
From: Colin Hume <colin@colinhume.com>
To: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions
Message-ID: <2019817203238.693153@Owner-PC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

On Sat, 17 Aug 2019 19:20:08 +0000, Winston, Alan P. via Callers wrote:
> I'd think if you could get them to do "Lucky Seven" and count the progression aloud (1 .. 2.. 3 ..) so that they're
> hearing 2 beat or 4 beat chunks on the pull by, you'd be exceeding the request.

In my experience you can't be on the beat for every change - you lose it at about 5!

Colin Hume



------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 12:17:06 -0700
From: Woody Lane <woody@woodylane.com>
To: callers@lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions
Message-ID: <14a1d797-00dd-3298-8b81-d05807739333@woodylane.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"

Hi Linda,

An idea: After teaching about AABB, perhaps have a couple of tunes that
are crooked -- both extra 8-bar parts (e.g., AABBCC) and tunes with
extra beats. Then demonstrate the differences with standard contra tunes.

Woody

On 8/17/2019 11:33 AM, Bob Peterson via Callers wrote:
> For added ?music education? make the teens listen for the AABB
> pattern. I wouldn?t even go that far for under 7th grade unless they
> play an instrument.
>
>
>> On Aug 17, 2019, at 13:14, David Harding via Callers
>> <callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>> <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote:
>>
>> I don't read the request as going beyond beat counts.? The basic
>> message is hearing the music, stepping in time, and getting to where
>> you need to be in eight beats.? Then you have various
>> balance-and-four beats and balance-and-twelve beats figures.? You
>> have the timing of the turns on down-the-hall.? That sounds to me
>> like plenty of material for 1 1/2 hours.
>>
>> On 8/16/2019 11:40 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers wrote:
>>> Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not
>>> currently inspired to do this and am asking for help.
>>>
>>> Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to
>>> teens and their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances
>>> that encourage really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some
>>> music education in addition to fun."
>>>
>>> So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music
>>> that has very good beat counts and distinct phrasing.? That's not
>>> the problem.? The problem is *"throw in some music education." *I
>>> don't need a dissertation, just bits and pieces.? The dance is only
>>> 1-1/2 hours long followed by ice cream.
>>>
>>> I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new
>>> job that's taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore.
>>>
>>> Any suggestions?
>>>
>>> --
>>> *Looking forward,
>>>
>>> /Linda S. Mrosko/
>>> *
>>> *102 Mitchell Drive
>>> *
>>> *Temple, Texas 76501
>>> *
>>> *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)*
>>> */contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com/>/*
>>> */www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*>
>>> (Dance buttons, t-shirts, & more)
>>> /*
>>> */
>>> /*
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> List Name:  Callers mailing list
>>> List Address:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>>> Archives:https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>> _______________________________________________
>> List Name: ?Callers mailing list
>> List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>> <mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
>> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name:  Callers mailing list
> List Address:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives:https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/

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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:04:21 -0700
From: jim saxe <jim.saxe@gmail.com>
To: "Linda S. Mrosko" <elmerosko@gmail.com>
Cc: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions
Message-ID: <D8AC5901-129C-4C52-B86E-4154273D27EE@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Linda,

I'll hazard a guess that the request to lead "dances that encourage really paying attention to beat counts" is really a request for dances that keep everyone dancing together in time to the phrasing of the music  I think that skilled contra/ECD/Scottish/... dancers who dance to the phrase mostly do it by sensing the structure of the music not by explicit mental counting--unless they're forced to resort to counting because the band is getting to improvisational.

It is sometimes stated as conventional wisdom that ONS leaders need to recognize situations where dancing to the phrase isn't going to be the happening thing and learn to let go of the phrasing and let the dancers dance at their own comfortable pace.  Perhaps some previous caller who had your gig either (a) followed this advice or (b) tried to get people to dance on phrase with material where keeping track of the figures and keeping track of the phrasing at the same time was beyond the collective skill level of the crowd.  In either case, your contact's disappointment at the results could be the reason for the request you report.

Turning aside from such speculation, here a few specific ideas, with the disclaimer that I have little experience leading ONS events and that I won't feel insulted if someone more experienced wants to contradict or revise them.

1.  Dancers of a wide age range seem to have any easy time dancing "Sasha!" in time to the music.

2.  In any dance from your ONS repertoire that includes

     forward (4 steps, or 3 steps and close)
     back (same)

, changing it to

     forward two, stamp-stamp-stamp
     back two, stamp-stamp-stamp

might help keep people moving together to the music--or at least help convince your contact that you're trying to teach something--especially if you can select music that seems to fit that action.  (However, I recommend avoiding choreography with foot stamping if you find that the space has a non-resilient floor.)

3.  You might try something like this version of "(Come) Haste to the Wedding" (to the tune of the same name):

     Formation: Sicilian Circle

     A1 (8) Circle L
        (8) Circle R

     A2 (8) Star R
        (8) Star L

     B1 (8) Partners do-si-do
        (2) Clap, Clap (i.e, clap own hands together on beats 9 and 10)
        (6) Partners two-hand turn once around

     B2 (8) Neighbors (sometimes called "opposites") do-si-do
        (2) Clap, Clap
        (6) Pass Through (and bow to new neighbors if time allows)

Perhaps other list members who have taught this dance often can share their approaches for teaching dancers to clap on beats 9 and 10 of the B parts, rather than on beats 7 and 8 as some may tend to do.  Of course it will help to have music where the correct beats are played staccato and with emphasis.

I look forward to reading ideas that others may offer.

--Jim

On Aug 16, 2019, at 9:40 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> ...
>
> Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to teens and their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances that encourage really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some music  education in addition to fun."
>
> ...



------------------------------

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