10 Mar
2012
10 Mar
'12
1:49 p.m.
I ran a workshop on "American with Style" on Sunday and I've now put the
notes on my website at
http://www.colinhume.com/dtastyle.htm
I'd be interested to know what people think. Just bear in mind that
it's aimed at dancers in England, so don't give comments like "Everybody
knows that"!
Colin Hume
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10 Mar
10 Mar
3:25 p.m.
On Mar 10, 2012, at 10:49 AM, Colin Hume wrote:
I ran a workshop on "American with Style" on
Sunday and I've now put
the
notes on my website at
http://www.colinhume.com/dtastyle.htm
I'd be interested to know what people think. ...
I note that this message is cross-posted to trad-dance-callers
and to the SharedWeight callers' list.
[Note: I've sent versions of this reply separately to the
two lists. My apologies for the duplication to people who
subscribe to both.]
Folks, beware that if you use "Reply All" (or whatever the
equivalent is in whatever mail software you use), your reply
is likely to be addressed to both lists and, unless you're
subscribed to both, get held up for moderation on one, creating
work for the list administrator(s).
Colin, thanks for the interesting link. I think much of what
you say is accurate (according to my experience), but I'd beg
to differ with some points. I don't have time to go into detail
now. When I do (and if other people haven't already made all
my points), I'll use trad-dance-callers, which, though I say
this in no official capacity, I think is the more appropriate
forum for this topic.
Cheers,
--Jim
11 Mar
11 Mar
3:12 a.m.
On 10/03/2012 20:22, James Saxe wrote:
Folks, beware that if you use "Reply All"
(or whatever the
equivalent is in whatever mail software you use), your reply
is likely to be addressed to both lists and, unless you're
subscribed to both, get held up for moderation on one, creating
work for the list administrator(s).
Jim -
Thanks for the warning, but I don't see why anyone would use "Reply
All". Surely the essence of both these lists is that a straight "Reply"
goes to all list members.
Colin Hume
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12:41 a.m.
I'd like to see the phrase "good contra dancers use a buzz-step
swing" changed--I'd say really good contra dancers sometimes use a
buzz step and sometimes use a walking step, depending on the
choreography or music; medium-good contra dancers use a buzz step for
all swings.
I'd point out that the wrist-grip (which I believe you're calling
pack-saddle) star is the one move in contra dance where you should
not give weight--human wrists neither bend that direction nor have
strength the other direction, so it's uncomfortable to be pulled by
the person behind.
My understanding is that English are used to doing a particular dance
fewer times than Americans. You sort of refer to this, but you might
make more a point of it--we like to get into it to the point of not
having to think about it. "Appalachian Sufi dancing."
--Read Weaver
Jamaica Plain, MA
http://lcfd.org
On Mar 10, 2012, at 1:49 PM, Colin Hume wrote:
I ran a workshop on "American with Style" on
Sunday and I've now
put the notes on my website at
http://www.colinhume.com/dtastyle.htm
I'd be interested to know what people think. Just bear in mind
that it's aimed at dancers in England, so don't give comments like
"Everybody knows that"!
3:42 a.m.
On 11/03/2012 05:41, Read Weaver wrote:
I'd like to see the phrase "good contra
dancers use a buzz-step swing"
changed--I'd say really good contra dancers sometimes use a buzz step
and sometimes use a walking step, depending on the choreography or
music; medium-good contra dancers use a buzz step for all swings.
Would other people like to comment on that one?
I'd point out that the wrist-grip (which I believe
you're calling
pack-saddle) star is the one move in contra dance where you should not
give weight--human wrists neither bend that direction nor have strength
the other direction, so it's uncomfortable to be pulled by the person
behind.
I've added the phrase "wrist grip" and the point about not giving weight.
My understanding is that English are used to doing a
particular dance
fewer times than Americans. You sort of refer to this, but you might
make more a point of it--we like to get into it to the point of not
having to think about it. "Appalachian Sufi dancing."
I've added a sentence to that effect. Thanks for your comments.
Colin Hume
E-mail: colin(a)colinhume.com Website: http://www.colinhume.com
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5:04 a.m.
Colin:
What do you mean by a buzz-step swing?Swinging involves understanding that the right
(inner) foot traverses a smaller circle than the left (outer) foot. The way to swing
(which for new dancers requires several minutes of practice) is to step the right foot
along the circle and then move (actually drag) the left foot up to, but not beyond the
right. This becomes a "buzz step" swing if the left foot is used to to
push the right foot forward--but this concept of pushing the right foot forward with the
left seems a bit more difficult to master for new dancers (requiring several plus three
or four minutes). And most dancers will soon push with the left foot if that indeed
feels comfortable for them.
Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844
--- On Sun, 3/11/12, Colin Hume <colin(a)colinhume.com> wrote:
From: Colin Hume <colin(a)colinhume.com>
Subject: Re: [Callers] American with Style
To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012, 1:42 AM
On 11/03/2012 05:41, Read Weaver wrote:
I'd like to see the phrase "good contra
dancers use a buzz-step swing"
changed--I'd say really good contra dancers sometimes use a buzz step
and sometimes use a walking step, depending on the choreography or
music; medium-good contra dancers use a buzz step for all swings.
Would other people like to comment on that one?
I'd point out that the wrist-grip (which I believe
you're calling
pack-saddle) star is the one move in contra dance where you should not
give weight--human wrists neither bend that direction nor have strength
the other direction, so it's uncomfortable to be pulled by the person
behind.
I've added the phrase "wrist grip" and the point about not giving weight.
My understanding is that English are used to doing a
particular dance
fewer times than Americans. You sort of refer to this, but you might
make more a point of it--we like to get into it to the point of not
having to think about it. "Appalachian Sufi dancing."
I've added a sentence to that effect. Thanks for your comments.
Colin Hume
E-mail: colin(a)colinhume.com Website: http://www.colinhume.com
-----
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6:09 a.m.
On 11/03/2012 09:04, Michael Fuerst wrote:
What do you mean by a buzz-step swing?
The same as you mean by a swing. See the description at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance_choreography
Colin Hume
E-mail: colin(a)colinhume.com Website: http://www.colinhume.com
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10:08 a.m.
I'd like
to see the phrase "good contra dancers use a buzz-step swing"
changed--I'd say really good contra dancers sometimes use a buzz step
and sometimes use a walking step, depending on the choreography or
music; medium-good contra dancers use a buzz step for all swings.
Would other people like to comment on that one? 
11:43 a.m.
I would suggest saying "most" contra dancers" rather than "good."
I think
good contra dancers adjust to the person with whom they are swinging. I
agree with David that one can do a walking swing while the other does a buzz
step but I often switch to a walking swing to match my partner or neighbor.
Bree Kalb
-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Hume
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2012 3:42 AM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] American with Style
On 11/03/2012 05:41, Read Weaver wrote:
I'd like to see the phrase "good contra
dancers use a buzz-step swing"
changed--I'd say really good contra dancers sometimes use a buzz step
and sometimes use a walking step, depending on the choreography or
music; medium-good contra dancers use a buzz step for all swings.
Would other people like to comment on that one?
I'd point out that the wrist-grip (which I believe
you're calling
pack-saddle) star is the one move in contra dance where you should not
give weight--human wrists neither bend that direction nor have strength
the other direction, so it's uncomfortable to be pulled by the person
behind.
I've added the phrase "wrist grip" and the point about not giving weight.
My understanding is that English are used to doing a
particular dance
fewer times than Americans. You sort of refer to this, but you might
make more a point of it--we like to get into it to the point of not
having to think about it. "Appalachian Sufi dancing."
I've added a sentence to that effect. Thanks for your comments.
Colin Hume
E-mail: colin(a)colinhume.com Website: http://www.colinhume.com
-----
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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4862 - Release Date: 03/10/12
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12:47 p.m.
I know plenty of "good contra dancers" who never use a buzz step, and I always
teach newbies to walk first and come to the buzz as they feel comfortable.
The comment about giving weight in the saddle pack is unnecessary. You really can't
give weight in that position - but you can grip too hard.
I love the phrase "Appalachian Sufi dancing" - I think of the traditional dances
as sufi opportunities because I can just relax and dance without thought. The new dances
where everyone is active all the time require much more concentration and seldom reach the
sufi level of detachment. We do, however, often run dances too long. I remember the
caller's rule was to run the dance until the original top couple got back to the top -
but as the line gets longer, that can be a really long time.
Thoughts on a rainy morning when I should be doing something else! What a great way to
avoid reality - think about dancing. The power just flickered - wonder how long without
internet...
Dorcas Hand
Houston
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf
Of Colin Hume
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2012 1:43 AM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] American with Style
On 11/03/2012 05:41, Read Weaver wrote:
I'd like to see the phrase "good contra
dancers use a buzz-step swing"
changed--I'd say really good contra dancers sometimes use a buzz step
and sometimes use a walking step, depending on the choreography or
music; medium-good contra dancers use a buzz step for all swings.
Would other people like to comment on that one?
I'd point out that the wrist-grip (which I believe
you're calling
pack-saddle) star is the one move in contra dance where you should not
give weight--human wrists neither bend that direction nor have
strength the other direction, so it's uncomfortable to be pulled by
the person behind.
I've added the phrase "wrist grip" and the point about not giving weight.
My understanding is that English are used to doing a
particular dance
fewer times than Americans. You sort of refer to this, but you might
make more a point of it--we like to get into it to the point of not
having to think about it. "Appalachian Sufi dancing."
I've added a sentence to that effect. Thanks for your comments.
Colin Hume
E-mail: colin(a)colinhume.com Website: http://www.colinhume.com
-----
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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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1:06 p.m.
Trust me (or find three others and try it), you can give weight, I've
often had it done to me--not just gripping hard, but pulling. When I
teach beginners, I teach not to, and I teach that it's ok to just
drop your hand if the person behind you does it. Since you're not
(supposed to be) giving weight, there's no momentum advantage to
holding hands, so you're not messing up timing by dropping your hand
(unlike in a hands-across star, where giving weight could, if the
choreography calls for it, allow you to move faster/farther).
If I ran the world, I'd get rid of the wrist-grip star altogether--
giving weight for me is central to the connected-to-other-people
aspect of contra dancing.
--Read Weaver
Jamaica Plain, MA
http://lcfd.org
On Mar 11, 2012, at 12:47 PM, Dorcas Hand wrote:
The comment about giving weight in the saddle pack is
unnecessary.
You really can't give weight in that position - but you can grip
too hard.
1:53 p.m.
I've learned how to cope with pullers. I don't grip the wrist in front of me. I
lay may hand on it, sometimes slightly bending my fingers. If I'm pulled I'll be
pulled off safely. And I am not pulling another's wrist myself.
Maybe that's not as satisfying a form but it works.
Modern square dancers recognized this pill problem and their awkward solution is to place
palms up to the center, just touching the sides of each other hands. I do not like that at
all.
\bob
On Mar 11, 2012, at 13:06, Read Weaver <rweaver(a)igc.org> wrote:
Trust me (or find three others and try it), you can
give weight, I've often had it done to me--not just gripping hard, but pulling. When I
teach beginners, I teach not to, and I teach that it's ok to just drop your hand if
the person behind you does it. Since you're not (supposed to be) giving weight,
there's no momentum advantage to holding hands, so you're not messing up timing by
dropping your hand (unlike in a hands-across star, where giving weight could, if the
choreography calls for it, allow you to move faster/farther).
If I ran the world, I'd get rid of the wrist-grip star altogether--giving weight for
me is central to the connected-to-other-people aspect of contra dancing.
--Read Weaver
Jamaica Plain, MA
http://lcfd.org
On Mar 11, 2012, at 12:47 PM, Dorcas Hand wrote:
The comment about giving weight in the saddle
pack is unnecessary. You really can't give weight in that position - but you can grip
too hard.
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11 comments
8 participants
participants (8)
-
Bob Peterson -
Bree Kalb -
Bronwyn Woods -
Colin Hume -
Dorcas Hand -
James Saxe -
Michael Fuerst -
Read Weaver