15 Feb
2014
15 Feb
'14
12:15 p.m.
I would just like to say that I stopped posting for a long time after some of Greg's
comments on my posts. Now I just usually don't read his comments.
Martha
On Feb 14, 2014, at 9:24 PM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Circling 3/4 and pass thru (Greg McKenzie)
2. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle &
pass through as the last move of a dance) (rich sbardella)
3. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle &
pass through as the last move of a dance) (Erik Hoffman)
4. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle &
pass through as the last move of a dance) (Robert Livingston)
5. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle &
pass through as the last move of a dance) (Greg McKenzie)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:46:03 -0800
From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com>
To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Circling 3/4 and pass thru
Message-ID:
<CAFqkWLvhZ7ZFRFuRb2UM5CPaY85G3z9pepyn_kGhcpi2MPAEww(a)mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Someone wrote:
Greg M wrote in response to a post by Jim Saxe
:
"The dancers in your video look like a competent group of regulars who are
able to adapt to poorly-structured calls quickly and graciously. I'm sure
they have a lot of practice at it. I find it very productive to be more
diligent in my own calling."
YOWIE! Is this paragraph really the bashing of these callers that it seems?
No it's not. No one is "bashing" anyone.
Someone else wrote:
Yes, Greg is like that at times..... ;-)
Hey folks. Let's please try to avoid personal attacks. It makes the
newcomers to the list nervous.
Without some kind of critical comments there is no way we can advance any
tradition. When I am critical I try to be as even-handed as possible. In
the above case I mentioned no one. I was being critical of the behavior of
all callers...including myself (as I mentioned earlier in this thread.).
Ok, "The King has no clothes!" "Callers are human beings!" and all
of us
make mistakes. I am amazed and grateful for the tolerance and graciousness
of the dancers when I call. If I look like a competent and capable caller
it is because of them.
If you have critical comments about this or any of my other ideas I welcome
the discussion.
- Greg McKenzie
West Coast, USA
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 10:09:14 -0800 (PST)
From: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
Message-ID:
<1392401354.35434.YahooMailNeo(a)web181501.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I attended a well established open contra dance recently with at least?50% newbies.? The
caller did an excellent job teaching and calling contras, but his method was more like a
square dance caller.? He seldom stopped calling and had lots of descriptive words for the
dancers.? Several dancers throughout the night told me how easy it was to dance to this
caller, and how good his calls were.? I did not hear one complaint from the dancers, or
musicians, that he never stopped calling.? Additionally, the caller went out of his way
several times to bring the attention to the excellent musicians playing beside him.? The
dance was very successful, and the caller (calls)?very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even fewer who do.?
It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers at the event.?
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
________________________________
From: Harold E. Watson <hwatson(a)uark.edu>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle
& pass through as the last move of a dance)
I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my place and miss-call
the next figure, half will try to do what I said (usually the beginners) and the other
half will loudly pronounce the correct move.? When I do booboo, after the dance I always
compliment the dancers on their masterful recovery, even if they didn't have one.
I also try to drop out as early as practical.? It's usually as switch from full
calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32 bars at a place that
may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync with each other.
........Circle left
.......Neighbor swing
...Long lines forward and back
...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2
To
........Circle
........Neighbor
......Forward and back
........Ladies
Harold
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On
Behalf Of Aahz Maruch
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle
& pass through as the last move of a dance)
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote:
? ? I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance.? In
part to keep myself and the dancers alert.? Also if a given phrase
doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something
slightly different it may make more sense for them.? Also if some part
of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I
may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out.
Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after the first few
iterations?? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as a caller indicates that
few do (if any).
--
Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? http://rule6.info/
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? <*>? ? ? ? ? <*>? ? ? ? ? <*>
Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
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http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:01:18 -0800
From: Erik Hoffman <erik(a)erikhoffman.com>
To: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>et>, Caller's discussion list
<callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
Message-ID: <52FE67FE.3000002(a)erikhoffman.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I agree with Rich, that, when the need arises, calling all the way
through is good. It's even better when the caller is entertaining, which
Rich's description, below, seems to indicate.
That word, entertainment, deserves some attention. A caller that calls
in tune, is far more entertaining than one who chants out of tune. A
caller who has a sense of rhythm, and can adjust her calls to the rhythm
of the band also brings a sense of entertainment. And, a caller who has
a number of ways to describe movements can add to both the understanding
and the music.
Ways to check this out: Record Yourself & Listen. Record others and
listen. Absorb good ideas. Think about how you might describe things.
Listen to walk-throughs as well as calling with the band. Learn an
instrument. Just spending time with a piano, guitar, fiddle, mandolin,
or even a tuba will give you more of a sense of how the music works.
Take voice lessons, ask trusted people for feedback. Etc.
I'd also say, decide what kind of calling you want to do. Do you want to
call to beginners? Or do you favor calling to experienced dancers?
Squares? Or just contras? All these things may help you focus on the
particular needs of that type of calling.
~erik hoffman
oakland, ca
On 2/14/2014 10:09 AM, rich sbardella wrote:
I attended a well established open contra dance
recently with at least 50% newbies. The caller did an excellent job teaching and calling
contras, but his method was more like a square dance caller. He seldom stopped calling
and had lots of descriptive words for the dancers. Several dancers throughout the night
told me how easy it was to dance to this caller, and how good his calls were. I did not
hear one complaint from the dancers, or musicians, that he never stopped calling.
Additionally, the caller went out of his way several times to bring the attention to the
excellent musicians playing beside him. The dance was very successful, and the caller
(calls) very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even fewer who do.
It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers at the event.
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:31:45 -0800 (PST)
From: Robert Livingston <rlivngstn(a)yahoo.com>
To: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>et>, Caller's discussion list
<callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
Message-ID:
<1392438705.4406.YahooMailNeo(a)web122303.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Love the musical cadence of a caller.
________________________________
From: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
I attended a well established open contra dance recently with at least?50% newbies.? The
caller did an excellent job teaching and calling contras, but his method was more like a
square dance caller.? He seldom stopped calling and had lots of descriptive words for the
dancers.? Several dancers throughout the night told me how easy it was to dance to this
caller, and how good his calls were.? I did not hear one complaint from the dancers, or
musicians, that he never stopped calling.? Additionally, the caller went out of his way
several times to bring the attention to the excellent musicians playing beside him.? The
dance was very successful, and the caller (calls)?very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even fewer who do.?
It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers at the event.?
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
________________________________
From: Harold E. Watson <hwatson(a)uark.edu>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle
& pass through as the last move of a dance)
?
I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my place and miss-call
the next figure, half will try to do what I said (usually the beginners) and the other
half will loudly pronounce the correct move.? When I do booboo, after the dance I always
compliment the dancers on their masterful recovery, even if they didn't have one.
I also try to drop out as early as practical.? It's usually as switch from full
calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32 bars at a place that
may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync with each other.
........Circle left
.......Neighbor swing
...Long lines forward and back
...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2
To
........Circle
........Neighbor
......Forward and back
........Ladies
Harold
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On
Behalf Of Aahz Maruch
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle
& pass through as the last move of a dance)
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote:
? ? I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance.? In
part to keep myself and the dancers alert.? Also if a given phrase
doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something
slightly different it may make more sense for them.? Also if some part
of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I
may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out.
Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after the first few
iterations?? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as a caller indicates that
few do (if any).
--
Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? http://rule6.info/
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? <*>? ? ? ? ?? <*>? ? ? ? ?? <*>
Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:24:41 -0800
From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com>
To: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>et>, "Caller's discussion
list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
Message-ID:
<CAFqkWLt3TkWDYKshNLdKRagni_euVth9GCsMcqQ0HEqtjJC-fQ(a)mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Rich wrote:
I attended a well established open contra dance
recently with at least 50%
newbies. The caller did an excellent job teaching and calling contras, but
his method was more like a square dance caller. He seldom stopped calling
and had lots of descriptive words for the dancers. Several dancers
throughout the night told me how easy it was to dance to this caller, and
how good his calls were. I did not hear one complaint from the dancers, or
musicians, that he never stopped calling.
There is definitely a difference in style and preference here. I really
respect a caller who can entertain in this way. But it does not "work" for
me like most of the dances I attend. I come for the music and the people
and I love a caller who facilitates a connection between the music and the
dancers. That is plenty "entertaining" for me. Connecting with the caller
is not so much of a draw for me. If the caller "fills the room" with his
personality and voice...well, I generally start looking for another room.
But, that's just how I roll on this. I like to be an integral part of the
event and feel I have a role in making the connections happen. I don't go
to be entertained by the caller.
Oh...and I don't get any complaints when I call either. Dancers are a very
kind and generous bunch, I think. (And I make it my business to seek out
complaints.)
To each his own.
- Greg Mckenzie
West Coast, USA
*********
Additionally, the caller went out of his way
several times to bring the
attention to the excellent musicians playing beside him. The dance was
very successful, and the caller (calls) very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even
fewer who do. It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers
at the event.
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
________________________________
From: Harold E. Watson <hwatson(a)uark.edu>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my
place and miss-call the next figure, half will try to do what I said
(usually the beginners) and the other half will loudly pronounce the
correct move. When I do booboo, after the dance I always compliment the
dancers on their masterful recovery, even if they didn't have one.
I also try to drop out as early as practical. It's usually as switch from
full calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32
bars at a place that may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync
with each other.
........Circle left
.......Neighbor swing
...Long lines forward and back
...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2
To
........Circle
........Neighbor
......Forward and back
........Ladies
Harold
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:
callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Aahz Maruch
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote:
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
End of Callers Digest, Vol 114, Issue 26
****************************************
I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance. In
part to keep myself and the dancers alert. Also if a given phrase
doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something
slightly different it may make more sense for them. Also if some part
of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I
may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out.
Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after
the first few iterations? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as
a caller indicates that few do (if any).
--
Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6
http://rule6.info/
<*> <*> <*>
Help a hearing-impaired person:
http://rule6.info/hearing.html_____________________________________________…
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
15 Feb
15 Feb
12:28 p.m.
New subject: Callers Digest, Vol 114, Issue 26
I agree with Martha about skipping Greg's stuff. I can't tell whether he's
trolling or sincere in his outlook. Either way, at this point it doesn't much matter
to me. … Bob
On Feb 15, 2014, at 1:15 PM, Martha Wild <mawild(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote:
I would just like to say that I stopped posting for a
long time after some of Greg's comments on my posts. Now I just usually don't read
his comments.
Martha
On Feb 14, 2014, at 9:24 PM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
Send Callers mailing list submissions to
callers(a)sharedweight.net
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
callers-request(a)sharedweight.net
You can reach the person managing the list at
callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Re: Circling 3/4 and pass thru (Greg McKenzie)
2. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle &
pass through as the last move of a dance) (rich sbardella)
3. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle &
pass through as the last move of a dance) (Erik Hoffman)
4. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle &
pass through as the last move of a dance) (Robert Livingston)
5. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle &
pass through as the last move of a dance) (Greg McKenzie)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:46:03 -0800
From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com>
To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Circling 3/4 and pass thru
Message-ID:
<CAFqkWLvhZ7ZFRFuRb2UM5CPaY85G3z9pepyn_kGhcpi2MPAEww(a)mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Someone wrote:
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers Greg M wrote in response to a post by Jim Saxe
:
"The dancers in your video look like a competent group of regulars who are
able to adapt to poorly-structured calls quickly and graciously. I'm sure
they have a lot of practice at it. I find it very productive to be more
diligent in my own calling."
YOWIE! Is this paragraph really the bashing of these callers that it seems?
No it's not. No one is "bashing" anyone.
Someone else wrote:
Yes, Greg is like that at times..... ;-)
Hey folks. Let's please try to avoid personal attacks. It makes the
newcomers to the list nervous.
Without some kind of critical comments there is no way we can advance any
tradition. When I am critical I try to be as even-handed as possible. In
the above case I mentioned no one. I was being critical of the behavior of
all callers...including myself (as I mentioned earlier in this thread.).
Ok, "The King has no clothes!" "Callers are human beings!" and all
of us
make mistakes. I am amazed and grateful for the tolerance and graciousness
of the dancers when I call. If I look like a competent and capable caller
it is because of them.
If you have critical comments about this or any of my other ideas I welcome
the discussion.
- Greg McKenzie
West Coast, USA
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 10:09:14 -0800 (PST)
From: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
Message-ID:
<1392401354.35434.YahooMailNeo(a)web181501.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I attended a well established open contra dance recently with at least?50% newbies.? The
caller did an excellent job teaching and calling contras, but his method was more like a
square dance caller.? He seldom stopped calling and had lots of descriptive words for the
dancers.? Several dancers throughout the night told me how easy it was to dance to this
caller, and how good his calls were.? I did not hear one complaint from the dancers, or
musicians, that he never stopped calling.? Additionally, the caller went out of his way
several times to bring the attention to the excellent musicians playing beside him.? The
dance was very successful, and the caller (calls)?very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even fewer who do.?
It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers at the event.?
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
________________________________
From: Harold E. Watson <hwatson(a)uark.edu>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle
& pass through as the last move of a dance)
I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my place and miss-call
the next figure, half will try to do what I said (usually the beginners) and the other
half will loudly pronounce the correct move.? When I do booboo, after the dance I always
compliment the dancers on their masterful recovery, even if they didn't have one.
I also try to drop out as early as practical.? It's usually as switch from full
calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32 bars at a place that
may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync with each other.
........Circle left
.......Neighbor swing
...Long lines forward and back
...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2
To
........Circle
........Neighbor
......Forward and back
........Ladies
Harold
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On
Behalf Of Aahz Maruch
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle
& pass through as the last move of a dance)
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote:
? ? I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance.? In
part to keep myself and the dancers alert.? Also if a given phrase
doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something
slightly different it may make more sense for them.? Also if some part
of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I
may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out.
Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after the first few
iterations?? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as a caller indicates that
few do (if any).
--
Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? http://rule6.info/
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? <*>? ? ? ? ? <*>? ? ? ? ? <*>
Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:01:18 -0800
From: Erik Hoffman <erik(a)erikhoffman.com>
To: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>et>, Caller's discussion list
<callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
Message-ID: <52FE67FE.3000002(a)erikhoffman.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I agree with Rich, that, when the need arises, calling all the way
through is good. It's even better when the caller is entertaining, which
Rich's description, below, seems to indicate.
That word, entertainment, deserves some attention. A caller that calls
in tune, is far more entertaining than one who chants out of tune. A
caller who has a sense of rhythm, and can adjust her calls to the rhythm
of the band also brings a sense of entertainment. And, a caller who has
a number of ways to describe movements can add to both the understanding
and the music.
Ways to check this out: Record Yourself & Listen. Record others and
listen. Absorb good ideas. Think about how you might describe things.
Listen to walk-throughs as well as calling with the band. Learn an
instrument. Just spending time with a piano, guitar, fiddle, mandolin,
or even a tuba will give you more of a sense of how the music works.
Take voice lessons, ask trusted people for feedback. Etc.
I'd also say, decide what kind of calling you want to do. Do you want to
call to beginners? Or do you favor calling to experienced dancers?
Squares? Or just contras? All these things may help you focus on the
particular needs of that type of calling.
~erik hoffman
oakland, ca
On 2/14/2014 10:09 AM, rich sbardella wrote:
I attended a well established open contra dance
recently with at least 50% newbies. The caller did an excellent job teaching and calling
contras, but his method was more like a square dance caller. He seldom stopped calling
and had lots of descriptive words for the dancers. Several dancers throughout the night
told me how easy it was to dance to this caller, and how good his calls were. I did not
hear one complaint from the dancers, or musicians, that he never stopped calling.
Additionally, the caller went out of his way several times to bring the attention to the
excellent musicians playing beside him. The dance was very successful, and the caller
(calls) very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even fewer who do.
It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers at the event.
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:31:45 -0800 (PST)
From: Robert Livingston <rlivngstn(a)yahoo.com>
To: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>et>, Caller's discussion list
<callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
Message-ID:
<1392438705.4406.YahooMailNeo(a)web122303.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Love the musical cadence of a caller.
________________________________
From: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
I attended a well established open contra dance recently with at least?50% newbies.? The
caller did an excellent job teaching and calling contras, but his method was more like a
square dance caller.? He seldom stopped calling and had lots of descriptive words for the
dancers.? Several dancers throughout the night told me how easy it was to dance to this
caller, and how good his calls were.? I did not hear one complaint from the dancers, or
musicians, that he never stopped calling.? Additionally, the caller went out of his way
several times to bring the attention to the excellent musicians playing beside him.? The
dance was very successful, and the caller (calls)?very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even fewer who do.?
It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers at the event.?
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
________________________________
From: Harold E. Watson <hwatson(a)uark.edu>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle
& pass through as the last move of a dance)
?
I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my place and miss-call
the next figure, half will try to do what I said (usually the beginners) and the other
half will loudly pronounce the correct move.? When I do booboo, after the dance I always
compliment the dancers on their masterful recovery, even if they didn't have one.
I also try to drop out as early as practical.? It's usually as switch from full
calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32 bars at a place that
may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync with each other.
........Circle left
.......Neighbor swing
...Long lines forward and back
...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2
To
........Circle
........Neighbor
......Forward and back
........Ladies
Harold
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On
Behalf Of Aahz Maruch
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle
& pass through as the last move of a dance)
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote:
? ? I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance.? In
part to keep myself and the dancers alert.? Also if a given phrase
doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something
slightly different it may make more sense for them.? Also if some part
of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I
may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out.
Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after the first few
iterations?? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as a caller indicates that
few do (if any).
--
Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? http://rule6.info/
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? <*>? ? ? ? ?? <*>? ? ? ? ?? <*>
Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html
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------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:24:41 -0800
From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com>
To: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net>et>, "Caller's discussion
list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
Message-ID:
<CAFqkWLt3TkWDYKshNLdKRagni_euVth9GCsMcqQ0HEqtjJC-fQ(a)mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Rich wrote:
I attended a well established open contra dance
recently with at least 50%
newbies. The caller did an excellent job teaching and calling contras, but
his method was more like a square dance caller. He seldom stopped calling
and had lots of descriptive words for the dancers. Several dancers
throughout the night told me how easy it was to dance to this caller, and
how good his calls were. I did not hear one complaint from the dancers, or
musicians, that he never stopped calling.
There is definitely a difference in style and preference here. I really
respect a caller who can entertain in this way. But it does not "work" for
me like most of the dances I attend. I come for the music and the people
and I love a caller who facilitates a connection between the music and the
dancers. That is plenty "entertaining" for me. Connecting with the caller
is not so much of a draw for me. If the caller "fills the room" with his
personality and voice...well, I generally start looking for another room.
But, that's just how I roll on this. I like to be an integral part of the
event and feel I have a role in making the connections happen. I don't go
to be entertained by the caller.
Oh...and I don't get any complaints when I call either. Dancers are a very
kind and generous bunch, I think. (And I make it my business to seek out
complaints.)
To each his own.
- Greg Mckenzie
West Coast, USA
*********
Additionally, the caller went out of his way
several times to bring the
attention to the excellent musicians playing beside him. The dance was
very successful, and the caller (calls) very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even
fewer who do. It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers
at the event.
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
________________________________
From: Harold E. Watson <hwatson(a)uark.edu>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my
place and miss-call the next figure, half will try to do what I said
(usually the beginners) and the other half will loudly pronounce the
correct move. When I do booboo, after the dance I always compliment the
dancers on their masterful recovery, even if they didn't have one.
I also try to drop out as early as practical. It's usually as switch from
full calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32
bars at a place that may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync
with each other.
........Circle left
.......Neighbor swing
...Long lines forward and back
...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2
To
........Circle
........Neighbor
......Forward and back
........Ladies
Harold
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:
callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Aahz Maruch
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote:
------------------------------
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Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
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End of Callers Digest, Vol 114, Issue 26
****************************************
I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance. In
part to keep myself and the dancers alert. Also if a given phrase
doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something
slightly different it may make more sense for them. Also if some part
of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I
may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out.
Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after
the first few iterations? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as
a caller indicates that few do (if any).
--
Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6
http://rule6.info/
<*> <*> <*>
Help a hearing-impaired person:
http://rule6.info/hearing.html_____________________________________________…
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
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days old
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
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Robert Golder