20 May
2013
20 May
'13
5:44 p.m.
When teaching beginners, I try to sprinkle in a few moments on style vs.
substance. I'll point out an example or two such as do-si-do spins,
courtesy turn twirls, etc. My teaching points are:
- You'll see some people doing these embellishments to the basic moves, but
they are not required (nor forbidden). They are style.
- As a beginner you should focus on the substance for now. Just be in the
right place at the right time.
- As you gain experience you will develop a sense for when the stylish
moves will fit into the dance.
- You can communicate withother to make it clear whether you wish to
indulge in twirls etc. Saying this also serves as a reminder to the old
hands present, that they need to be mindful of their dancing partners'
needs.
If I think it's warranted during the course of the evening, I might also
say something like, "This is a busy passage, you might not have time for
twirls." This is as often for overenthusiastic old hands as it is for the
newbies.
- joseph
On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 8:56 AM, George Mercer <geopmercer(a)gmail.com> wrote:
I have nothing against spinning on dosidos. I used to
do it regularly. As
I aged I decided it was too much work. Why does anyone feel the need to
teach spinning on a dosido? Those who want to will figure it out. I will
tell dancers that the arm-crossing isn't really a part of the move, but
what is important is getting to where you're supposed to be next. The same
thing applies to the "Petronella clap." I gave up caring about that a long
time ago, but I will tell dancers, beginning and experienced, that the
Petronella twirl/slide is about getting to the next spot on time, not about
clapping. Do it if you want, do it if you must, but do it in the beats
allotted.
On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 11:30 AM, Allen Ortep <ortep.allen(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
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For those trying for the first time to spin
during a do-si-do, it is
easiest if they place the tip of the index finger of their non-dominant
hand on their nose.
On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 8:57 AM, Rich Goss <richgoss(a)comcast.net> wrote:
> I think a bit of context is in order. This topic was originally
started
> in a thread about teaching young children at
school. In this context
I
agree
with Dan Pearl's post about not correcting it.
My 2 cents.
Rich Goss
At our weekly contra I would discourage it in a tactful way.
On May 20, 2013, at 2:00 AM, "John Sweeney" <info(a)contrafusion.co.uk>
wrote:
> Arms folded in dosidos? I DO "correct" it for three reasons:
>
> 1) If you implicitly condone it by saying nothing, then others will
copy
> it and it will spread even more.
>
> 2) If these people then ever go to a contra dance they are going to
look
> decidedly uncool, perhaps to their
embarrassment.
>
> 3) If they ever want to add spins to their dosidos, then it is MUCH
> easier without arms folded - your arms help you balance and can aid
your
spinning.
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