19 Mar
2012
19 Mar
'12
1:33 p.m.
Folsk have been weighing in on how to teach a balance. Let's keep in mind that
there are plenty of ways to balance. Perhaps the most thorough study of this topic
appeared in Ralph Page's "Northern Junket," Volume 5, #1, March 1955.
Dr. Ralph A. Piper contributed an article, "50 Variations of the Balance." Piper
was writing in the mid-1950s, a time when I suspect more regional variations could
be found than on today's contra dance floors.
If you're interested, it's online here:
http://www.izaak.unh.edu/dlp/NorthernJunket/pages/NJv05/NJv05-01/NJv.05.01.…
David Millstone
19 Mar
19 Mar
2:44 p.m.
New subject: teaching a balance
I'd like to add one additional thought to all the helpful posts on balances.
Especially for neighbor balances that preceed a swing, a balance is a chance to offer a
friendly greeting to, get acquainted with, and "size up" somebody new. Though it
only lasts about two seconds, a balance gives you the opportunity to know if you're
about to swing with a terrified newcomer, an experienced dancer, someone bursting with
energy, or a person who is tired or possibly even feling unwell--and to adjust your swing
appropriately. I do teach this in my beginners' workshops.
Richard
On Mar 19, 2012, at 9:33 AM, David Millstone wrote:
Folsk have been weighing in on how to teach a balance.
Let's keep in mind that there are plenty of ways to balance. Perhaps the most thorough
study of this topic appeared in Ralph Page's "Northern Junket," Volume 5,
#1, March 1955.
Dr. Ralph A. Piper contributed an article, "50 Variations of the Balance."
Piper was writing in the mid-1950s, a time when I suspect more regional variations could
be found than on today's contra dance floors.
If you're interested, it's online here:
http://www.izaak.unh.edu/dlp/NorthernJunket/pages/NJv05/NJv05-01/NJv.05.01.…
David Millstone
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4:58 p.m.
New subject: teaching a balance
A balance is done with the hands, and the eyes. No one will ever be
looking at your feet while you balance.
- Greg McKenzie
5:35 p.m.
New subject: teaching a balance
Hearing your feet has nothing to do with the correctness of the balance and sometimes
indicates a lack of connection with or attention paid to the person or persons with whom
one is balancing.Greg's remark was 110% correct.
--- On Mon, 3/19/12, Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu> wrote:
From: Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu>
Subject: Re: [Callers] teaching a balance
To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Date: Monday, March 19, 2012, 12:19 PM
Greg McKenzie wrote:
A balance is done with the hands, and the eyes. No one will ever be
looking at your feet while you balance.
If you're doing it right they'll hear your feet, though.
Jeff
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6:03 p.m.
New subject: teaching a balance
Ahem. I believe Jeff was making a joke, and I also don't think that the
extra 10% in "110% correct" is quite warranted. After all, a balance is
done with your whole self, the balance of your body, the set of your arms,
the attention of your brain, and yes, the spring in your step.
What Richard said was, however, fabulous! I hadn't ever thought of the
balance as the time you get to learn about your partner, but won't forget
it, ever, now.
M
E
On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 12:35 PM, Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com>wrote;wrote:
Hearing your feet has nothing to do with the
correctness of the balance
and sometimes indicates a lack of connection with or attention paid to the
person or persons with whom one is balancing.Greg's remark was 110%
correct.
--- On Mon, 3/19/12, Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu> wrote:
From: Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu>
Subject: Re: [Callers] teaching a balance
To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Date: Monday, March 19, 2012, 12:19 PM
Greg McKenzie wrote:
--
As you set out for Ithaka, pray that your journey be long, full of
adventure, full of discovery...
May there be many summer mornings when, with what pleasure, with what joy,
you enter harbors you're seeing for the first time.
~Constantine Cavafy, "Ithaka" 1911
A balance is done with the hands, and the eyes. No one will ever be
looking at your feet while you balance.
If you're doing it right they'll hear your feet, though.
Jeff
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5 comments
6 participants
participants (6)
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David.Millstone＠valley.net -
Greg McKenzie -
Jeff Kaufman -
Martha Edwards -
Michael Fuerst -
Richard Fischer