4 Jan
2013
4 Jan
'13
11:49 p.m.
Andrea wrote:
Those of us who enjoy flourishes can do
so, and lead them from whatever position
and in whatever manner we like, but it is wrong to impose lead/follow
terminology on the whole dance form because of the personal choice of some
dancers.
_________________
Yes! Thank you for that!
I personally use "Ladies/Gents" when I call because those words are role
defining--not gender defining (like the "boys/girls in MWSD or the
"purple/green" as suggested earlier or "bands and barearms").
Since there are no real/true to life "gents and ladies" (according to Websters
Dictionary) on the floor (at least I haven't found any where I dance/call) I have
defined these words by saying "The Lady is on the right/the Gent is on the left"
(side of the couple). At that point anyone assuming the position on either side of the
couple is free to dance the role according to my definition.
I believe using "Lead/Follow"terminology in contra dancing will confuse any
dancer familiar with the terminology as used in couple/ballroom dancing which gives very
different responsibilities to dancers in those positions.
Donna Hunt
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrea Nettleton <twirly-girl(a)bellsouth.net>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Fri, Jan 4, 2013 4:54 pm
Subject: Re: [Callers] Lead/Follow in a Swing
I'd like to point out that all twirls, whether entry or exit, are flourishes,
added to the basic dance. The basic dance has a symmetrical pull into the swing
position. As danced, and taught by most callers, on this side of the pond, both
partners have a hand on the other's back, so it is as close to symmetrical as it
can be. No matter which role I dance, I encounter neighbors, or sometimes have
a partner, who have no idea how and when to end the swing appropriately, and I
assure you, I can end it myself, from either position, without doing harm to my
co-swinger. Even when people try to put me in a bad position with a poorly
executed flourish, 9 times out of 10 I can reposition us as we move to end
fairly close to the right position. But the dance doesn't assume flourishes.
It assumes a basic swing with an open like a book exit, which it is possible to
accomplish with neither party leading. Those of us who enjoy flourishes can do
so, and lead them from whatever position
and in whatever manner we like, but it is wrong to impose lead/follow
terminology on the whole dance form because of the personal choice of some
dancers.
Cheers
Andrea
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 4, 2013, at 3:20 PM, "John Sweeney" <info(a)contrafusion.co.uk>
wrote:
The middle of a swing is a beautiful (almost)
symmetrical move with the
man and lady (almost) completely equal.
I added the "almost"s because it is traditional for the man to place his
right arm under the lady's left arm causing a small, but important,
asymmetry.
Of course you can do completely symmetrical swing (Galway Swings,
Northumberland Swing, Ceilidh Swing, Sweetheart Swing, etc.), and
indeed, especially in the more reserved UK, I always go for a Galway
Swing when I meet a man for a swing. (Galway Swing = start an Allemande
Right, use your left hand to cup your partner's right elbow, buzz-step
and fly!)
But in a swing there is also the entry and exit.
Question 1:
In your community if one partner twirls under the other person's arm
while entering or exiting a swing, then is it the man or the lady that
twirls?
In my experience, watching countless dancers in many US states and UK
counties over the years, it is the lady who twirls 99% of the time.
Question 2:
When you do that type of twirl, do you find it easier if, as a man, you
provide a good lead, or, as a lady, you follow well?
In my experience (mainly as a man) then it is MUCH easier to execute
those twirls without effort and on time if the lady is a good follower.
Then there are more complex swing-exit-flourishes such as an extended
Apache Whip (the last part of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSLttdtKOHs
then raise your arm so that the lady keeps turning under it). Also
Ladies' Chains where the lady wants to twirl half a dozen times. These
work MUCH better if there is good lead and follow (in fact, you can do a
lot of damage in an extended Apache Whip exit if you DON'T have good
lead and follow).
Question 3:
In a swing, who decides when to stop turning? Have you ever been jerked
by someone deciding to stop the swing earlier than you had planned? Or
been left late for the next move by someone carrying on for an extra
turn when there is no time?
Is there lead & follow in deciding when to stop?
So, yes, the middle of a swing doesn't involve lead and follow. But
taken as a whole maybe it does!
:-)
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
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