Re: [Callers] Using music in the pre-dance lesson

The only thing I focus on with respect to music is getting them to hear the eights and be ready for the next "one". So, if there is a band they can play anything. If there isn't I play an mp3 file at 115 to 120bpm on my deck. Failing that I just count. Having circled left and right and gone into the middle and back, and talked about connection, I always spend most of the time on the swing. At a contra dance evening you will spend about thirty minutes swinging. When dancing dances with a partner swing and a neighbour swing, you will, on average, do a swing every 15 seconds. So I always spend most of the time on the swing. Then [Circle Left, Into the Middle & Back (with a stamp on four so that they get used to working with the music ready for Long Lines Go Forward & Back), Swing your Neighbour]. Repeat until they finish the swings on time and facing the middle, getting lots of practice with new neighbours.             Happy dancing,                    John John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs