Re: [Callers] Hash Call

Hi Jeanette, Sorry, hash is a term used by square dancers to mean a dance where there are no initial walk-through and no fixed pattern to the dance - the caller calls whatever they want and the dancers respond immediately (with the extra challenge in Modern Western Square Dancing that the name of the move also defines exactly which way you face at the end of the move!). They often do a "tip" of two dances one after another with the same partner (and indeed the same other six people in your square). The hash call comes first, and then (brain now thoroughly melted away) you are rewarded by a second dance which follow a simple repetitive pattern (often referred to as a "singing call" since it is often done to a popular song and everyone joins in the chorus). So, in the example below, where it says "hash" against A1 and A2, I call a different set of moves each time through the dance. I usually choose three or four of the examples listed below that I want to work on (let's call them Ax, Ay and Az. First I walk them through any new moves, and B1/2. Then I call something like: Ax, B1/2, Ax, B1/2, Ay, B1/2, Ay, B1/2, Az, B1/B2, Az, B1/B2, Ax, B1/B2, Ax, B1/B2. It makes new dancers learn how to listen and respond quickly to a call, and allows you to focus on moves that are causing them a problem (doing it within a much more controlled environment). Then we do a normal contra (probably using some of the moves I just made them do over and over again) and they usually find the contra really easy - gives them confidence. Of course all the above is aimed primarily at a workshop environment for a group of (mainly) beginners, but our experienced dancers seem to enjoy it as well. I was also interested in whether anyone ever does a hash call in a contra, i.e. get the dancers formed up, start the music, and just start calling, but calling a different set of moves each time through the music (maybe with some repetition to give some sort of anchor). Hope that helps. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Contra Dancing in Kent -----Original Message----- Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:49:02 +0100 From: "John Sweeney" <info(a)contrafusion.co.uk> Subject: Re: [Callers] Medleys Hi, Do you include hash calls as a subset of medleys? I often do hash calls with beginners to help them practice lots of different moves. I make them into four couple sets and do something like: "Anything Goes" by John Sweeney Four Couple Becket A1: Hash A2: Hash B1: On the Left Diagonal: R & L Through; Straight Across: R & L Through B2: Gypsy Meltdown with your partner Using a four couple set and a progression like the one in B1 means that there are no end effects and the dancers get to practice their diagonal movements in a controlled manner. Then for A1/A2 I can call anything I like that is a null transform (i.e. they end up where they started). Examples: Circle Left 3/4, Neighbour Swing on the side; Circle Left 3/4, Partner Swing on the side Balance the Circle, first corners cross; Balance the Circle, second corners cross; Repeat Balance the Circle, Petronella turn x 4 Circle Left; Circle Right; Star Right; Star Left Circle Left; Star Right; Circle Right; Star Left Circle Left; Star Left; Circle Right; Star Right Balance the Circle; Ladies Roll Away with a Half Sashay (swap places with Neighbour) x 4 R & L Through Across & Back; Ladies' Chain Across & Back Ladies' Chain Across; R & L Through Back x 2 Ladies Chain Across; Full Hey (Ladies start with R Shoulder); Ladies Chain Back Half Poussette; Dosido x 2 Draw Poussette; Gypsy x 2 I haven't tried this for longways-for-as-many-as-will. They do it all the time in squares, does anyone do it in contras? Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Contra Dancing in Kent ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 06:43:30 -0700 (PDT) From: Jeanette Mill <jeanette_mill(a)yahoo.com.au> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Medleys Message-ID: <679985.90554.qm(a)web30703.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Thanks for your great replies everyone. Now I have another question - what is a hash call? cheers Jeanette