[Callers] Bouncy Swinging

John W Gintell said "Also emphasize that swinging is horizontal not vertical. I've often noticed beginners bouncing up and down which makes it harder and more tiring - this isn't Irish Set dancing." Hmmm... Sorry, but I have never seen any bouncy Irish Set dancing. Have a look at the swing 0:39 seconds in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj13osgy2M0 - looks pretty smooth to me! Yes, there is slight vertical movement when they are stepping, but, since they bend their knees and do it skilfully the movement is tiny. A much better example for bouncy swinging is English ceilidh dancing. Especially when the music is a slow hornpipe and you are supposed to bounce up and down :-) And of course I agree entirely that a good contra buzz-step swing should be smooth - I always tell people to relax and bend their knees slightly to help reduce the bounce. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent