Re: [Callers] Dances with three or more allemandes

Aahz wrote to Erik: I believe most dancers can make a distinction between holding your hand in a position (e.g. with interlocking thumbs), and gripping based on that same position. How can we best communicate that difference? I ask people to feel the connection through their entire arm, and their entire body, and I avoid the term "grip" as well. Also, I find that when the music is faster than people are comfortable with, they tend to grip more -- so before asking the dancers to change I might first start with the band or other factors. I also remind dancers that they will eventually let go of the hand connection they've made, and to make sure they allow other dancers to leave them comfortably. Also, Lindsay spoke of saying "ouch," adjusting the offending hand, and saying "sorry, carpal tunnel." This has the benefit of making it about him -- "this is what works for me" -- moreso than making it about the other person -- "you're doing it wrong." Hard to do in a short time without practice, but worth practicing that attitude as a dancer so you can communicate quickly and effectively. (Upon re-reading, this does appear to support scripting comments for common quandaries). --Jerome -- Jerome Grisanti 660-528-0858 http://www.jeromegrisanti.com "We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once." -- Friedrich Nietzsche