Re: [Callers] writing dances

Hi Alison and SW; A few thoughts on the often-tricky process on introducing new dances. First, I second David Millstone's comment about trying them out at private get-togethers. I've found that free food and drink always helps (but serve the alcohol after the dance). Tape record everything, especially feedback after each dance. You can also get a group of 4 (or 8 if need be) together at the break of regular dance and walk one through. This will give you practice teaching it and give you a feel for choreography, even if it isn't done with music. Be careful on who is in the group. My ideal group of four is me, another caller experienced at evaluating dances, and two average dancers. I try not to have really good dancers in there - they can compensate for flaws in the choreography in ways lesser dancers cannot. Beyond that, the best way to get guinea pigs is to cultivate a home dance audience that is sympathetic to what you're trying to do. But remember, they are there to dance and have fun, not be test subjects, so try new stuff in moderation. You can check whether a title has been used before using the excellent database by Michael Dyck at; [1]http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/index/index.html There is no exhaustive database for the moves, however. So if I come up with a dance I feel might have already been written, I will go through all the books and websites I can find. I always start with Give and Take, then Zesty Contras, then the single author books and sites. Yes, it's time consuming, especially since as I go through them I wind up collecting new dances. Another good way to check for new dances is simply dance a lot, especially to touring callers who are known to write and/or collect new stuff. Over time, you'll notice the best dances are used by many callers, and chances are if yours doesn't come up it could be new. You may also be exposed to dances similar as yours, and see whether yours has something new and valuable to offer. When I started writing, I sent out untested dances, primarily because as a new caller I had limited opportunites to call. But once I became established I stopped that practice as too risky, and now only send out ones I have tried once or preferably twice. Once a dance is out there you can't take it back, and your reputation goes along with it. Rather than posting them here, you might be better served sharing them with a few active callers willing to try them first. There is also author psychology to consider. When I started writing, I wrote dances I would like to dance. However, as an experienced dancer this led me to writing a lot of fancy "dance camp-type" stuff, nearly all of which was garbage. Of the first 30 or so attempts I made, I only use 1 of them. Even today, about 70% of what I write never makes the floor. Either I or someone else come up with something better, it has been written already, it is too complicated, or it has flaws that can't be fixed. It is human nature to overrate one's material, and I found it important to develop the ability to be self-critical of my work. Many writers have favorite moves, but I find the best choreographers use all the common figures. Instead of being trapped doing the same stuff in a different way, they are able to integrate a variety ideas and get the most out of them. Again, this takes time and practice. I really didn't feel comfortable doing this until after several years and dozens of attempts. Finally, and new dance needs a walkthrough and very often a new way to teach it. Don't underestimate the need for very careful preparation. For any new dance I call of even moderate complexity, I write out the walkthrough whether it's mine or not. Everything from "Hands four" to "this dance is such-and-such by so-and-so." (I highly recommend this to new callers no matter what they are calling.) After several revisions I really know the dance, have a concise script to work from, addressed issues like end effects and shadows, and perhaps find a way to inject a little humor. It isn't as time consuming as it sounds - after writing some, you can block and copy to make others. This is a excellent way to improve teaching skills, and avoids the fustration of seeing a potentially good dance being sunk by a bad walkthrough. I hope the above helps, and doesn't discourage anyone from taking a chance and trying something new. Believe me, it is a really good feeling to contribute a good, new dance - it is a gift that keeps on giving. Bob Isaacs ______________________________________________________________ From: "crunchymama(a)juno.com" <crunchymama(a)juno.com> Reply-To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] writing dances Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 05:22:45 GMT not already Guinea the promenade, _________________________________________________________________ [2]Mortgage rates near historic lows. Refinance $200,000 loan for as low as $771/month* References 1. http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/index/index.html 2. http://g.msn.com/8HMBENUS/2749??PS=47575