14 Jan
2013
14 Jan
'13
9:09 p.m.
I'm a developing caller, pretty much self-trained (with occasional tips or
short festival classes from more experienced folks). One thing that has
been tricky for me has been always making the right call for the number of
cycles to go out. For a typical dance progressing in the B2 I'm all set.
Others require more thought.
I'm wondering whether someone has developed a simple accurate mnemonic for
the going out call, something like:
"Progress in the B, say 1 or 3.
Progress in the A, then even you say."
(When there's a couple waiting out at the start of the B.)
Googling has revealed nothing easily found...
Thanks!
14 Jan
14 Jan
10:12 p.m.
...I'm sorry, I don't think I understand the question. Could you
rephrase/explain/clarify?
Cheers,
Maia
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 10:09 PM, Don Veino <sharedweight_net(a)veino.com>wrote;wrote:
I'm a developing caller, pretty much self-trained
(with occasional tips or
short festival classes from more experienced folks). One thing that has
been tricky for me has been always making the right call for the number of
cycles to go out. For a typical dance progressing in the B2 I'm all set.
Others require more thought.
I'm wondering whether someone has developed a simple accurate mnemonic for
the going out call, something like:
"Progress in the B, say 1 or 3.
Progress in the A, then even you say."
(When there's a couple waiting out at the start of the B.)
Googling has revealed nothing easily found...
Thanks!
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
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10:22 p.m.
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Don Veino <sharedweight_net(a)veino.com> wrote:
I'm wondering whether someone has developed a
simple accurate mnemonic for
the going out call, something like:
"Progress in the B, say 1 or 3.
Progress in the A, then even you say."
Thinking about this, I think it's easier to watch what's going on.
You can usually identify a point in the dance - say, the start of B2,
which is also conveniently when you want to signal the band - when you
prefer that everyone at the top is active (this is the goal, right?).
If a couple is out, give an odd number. If they're in, give an even
number.
Yoyo Zhou
10:33 p.m.
On 1/14/2013 4:22 PM, Yoyo Zhou wrote:
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Don Veino
<sharedweight_net(a)veino.com> wrote:
In general you should talk to the band and see what they prefer in
the way of a signal for when to finish.
The most common method in my experience, when calling a single
progression, 32 bar dance with a tune played AABB, is to wait until a
couple is out at the top of the set and then signal the band during the
B-part, B1 or B2, that there will be one more time through the dance.
This generally means that they should play to the end of this time
through the AABB and then repeat the whole thing one more time. If the
progression does happen at an odd time in the dance, or it's double or
triple progression, you may need to adjust this, or it may happen that a
couple will pop out just before the music ends, but for 99% of the
contra dances out there this will work fine.
If the band wants to be notified prior to 2 more times through, then
give the signal when there isn't a couple out, and as mentioned about 3
more times means to give the signal when there is someone out.
Jonathan
I'm wondering whether someone has developed a
simple accurate mnemonic for
Thinking about this, I think it's easier to watch what's going on.
You can usually identify a point in the dance - say, the start of B2,
which is also conveniently when you want to signal the band - when you
prefer that everyone at the top is active (this is the goal, right?).
If a couple is out, give an odd number. If they're in, give an even
number. 
11:01 p.m.
Hi Jonathan and Maia,
There seems to be some confusion about what Don was asking.
If a dance progresses at the end of the B2, then Jonathan's advise is the
standard advise-- give the band an odd number with the couple out at the
top. But that's not what Don was asking about. He was asking, if a dance
progresses in the middle of the dance, say, at the end of the A2, when do
you decide to end it? With a couple still out at the top? Or do you end
it when that couple has come back in, keeping in mind that they might come
back in only for a couple of moves and be disappointed when the dance
suddenly ends?
I don't really have any answer as far as a mnemonic device goes. I do
think it's not necessarily a great idea in all circumstances to give an
even number to the band when the dance progresses in the A-- what if it
progresses at the end of A1, for instance? I'd then call it the same way
as a dance that progresses in the B2, unless the band is willing to be
extra special and play a third B part the final time through. So, in other
words, I'm not sure that it's worthwhile to try to think of a mnemonic
device. Instead, on those less common dances that progress some time other
than at the end of B2, maybe just put a note in where you want to signal
the band and for an even or odd number of times through?
-Dave
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 5:33 PM, Jonathan Sivier <jsivier(a)illinois.edu>wrote;wrote:
On 1/14/2013 4:22 PM, Yoyo Zhou wrote:
--
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Don Veino
<sharedweight_net(a)veino.com>
wrote:
In general you should talk to the band and see what they prefer in the
way of a signal for when to finish.
The most common method in my experience, when calling a single
progression, 32 bar dance with a tune played AABB, is to wait until a
couple is out at the top of the set and then signal the band during the
B-part, B1 or B2, that there will be one more time through the dance. This
generally means that they should play to the end of this time through the
AABB and then repeat the whole thing one more time. If the progression
does happen at an odd time in the dance, or it's double or triple
progression, you may need to adjust this, or it may happen that a couple
will pop out just before the music ends, but for 99% of the contra dances
out there this will work fine.
If the band wants to be notified prior to 2 more times through, then
give the signal when there isn't a couple out, and as mentioned about 3
more times means to give the signal when there is someone out.
Jonathan
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I'm wondering whether someone has developed a
simple accurate mnemonic
for
Thinking about this, I think it's easier to watch what's going on.
You can usually identify a point in the dance - say, the start of B2,
which is also conveniently when you want to signal the band - when you
prefer that everyone at the top is active (this is the goal, right?).
If a couple is out, give an odd number. If they're in, give an even
number.
11:10 p.m.
My view is that if you want to end the dance with everyone in at the top, then the best
time to signal is during the B2, regardless of when the progression is. Even if there is
no one out at the top, odd if there is a couple out. On the surface it might be tricky
for a mid-dance progression, but if you make your call right at the end of the B2, you can
see who's on the floor and you'll know.
Perry
________________________________
From: Dave Casserly <david.j.casserly(a)gmail.com>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Progression and "Going Out"
Hi Jonathan and Maia,
There seems to be some confusion about what Don was asking.
If a dance progresses at the end of the B2, then Jonathan's advise is the
standard advise-- give the band an odd number with the couple out at the
top. But that's not what Don was asking about. He was asking, if a dance
progresses in the middle of the dance, say, at the end of the A2, when do
you decide to end it? With a couple still out at the top? Or do you end
it when that couple has come back in, keeping in mind that they might come
back in only for a couple of moves and be disappointed when the dance
suddenly ends?
I don't really have any answer as far as a mnemonic device goes. I do
think it's not necessarily a great idea in all circumstances to give an
even number to the band when the dance progresses in the A-- what if it
progresses at the end of A1, for instance? I'd then call it the same way
as a dance that progresses in the B2, unless the band is willing to be
extra special and play a third B part the final time through. So, in other
words, I'm not sure that it's worthwhile to try to think of a mnemonic
device. Instead, on those less common dances that progress some time other
than at the end of B2, maybe just put a note in where you want to signal
the band and for an even or odd number of times through?
-Dave
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 5:33 PM, Jonathan Sivier <jsivier(a)illinois.edu>wrote;wrote:
On 1/14/2013 4:22 PM, Yoyo Zhou wrote:
--
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Don Veino
<sharedweight_net(a)veino.com>
wrote:
In general you should talk to the band and see what they prefer in the
way of a signal for when to finish.
The most common method in my experience, when calling a single
progression, 32 bar dance with a tune played AABB, is to wait until a
couple is out at the top of the set and then signal the band during the
B-part, B1 or B2, that there will be one more time through the dance. This
generally means that they should play to the end of this time through the
AABB and then repeat the whole thing one more time. If the progression
does happen at an odd time in the dance, or it's double or triple
progression, you may need to adjust this, or it may happen that a couple
will pop out just before the music ends, but for 99% of the contra dances
out there this will work fine.
If the band wants to be notified prior to 2 more times through, then
give the signal when there isn't a couple out, and as mentioned about 3
more times means to give the signal when there is someone out.
Jonathan
______________________________**_________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
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I'm wondering whether someone has developed a
simple accurate mnemonic
for
Thinking about this, I think it's easier to watch what's going on.
You can usually identify a point in the dance - say, the start of B2,
which is also conveniently when you want to signal the band - when you
prefer that everyone at the top is active (this is the goal, right?).
If a couple is out, give an odd number. If they're in, give an even
number.
11:22 p.m.
And then there are dances where you progress out and then back in.
I always give the band at least 2 and out (which is what most bands
request). I'm actually in the habit of giving 3, 2, 1, just to give them
more warning if there's some sort of flourish they wanted to perform that
they haven't gotten to yet.
What I should do is make a note on my cards for any dances that progress
oddly. What I do instead is a few rounds before I signal the band, I
figure out what will short the dancers at the top of the hall the least
amount of dancing, which usually matches Perry's formula.
The #1 thing I do is to remember that the world will not end if you get it
wrong. At most, you will leave approx 2% (estimating 100 people per line)
of the dancers out for the last time through, less if the lines are uneven
as it's offset by people who would've been out at the ends. In my
experience talking with dancers who've been at it for years, most of them
didn't know that callers try to end with everyone at the top dancing.
--Ryan
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 6:10 PM, Perry Shafran <pshaf(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
My view is that if you want to end the dance with
everyone in at the top,
then the best time to signal is during the B2, regardless of when the
progression is. Even if there is no one out at the top, odd if there is a
couple out. On the surface it might be tricky for a mid-dance progression,
but if you make your call right at the end of the B2, you can see who's on
the floor and you'll know.
Perry
________________________________
From: Dave Casserly <david.j.casserly(a)gmail.com>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Progression and "Going Out"
Hi Jonathan and Maia,
There seems to be some confusion about what Don was asking.
If a dance progresses at the end of the B2, then Jonathan's advise is the
standard advise-- give the band an odd number with the couple out at the
top. But that's not what Don was asking about. He was asking, if a dance
progresses in the middle of the dance, say, at the end of the A2, when do
you decide to end it? With a couple still out at the top? Or do you end
it when that couple has come back in, keeping in mind that they might come
back in only for a couple of moves and be disappointed when the dance
suddenly ends?
I don't really have any answer as far as a mnemonic device goes. I do
think it's not necessarily a great idea in all circumstances to give an
even number to the band when the dance progresses in the A-- what if it
progresses at the end of A1, for instance? I'd then call it the same way
as a dance that progresses in the B2, unless the band is willing to be
extra special and play a third B part the final time through. So, in other
words, I'm not sure that it's worthwhile to try to think of a mnemonic
device. Instead, on those less common dances that progress some time other
than at the end of B2, maybe just put a note in where you want to signal
the band and for an even or odd number of times through?
-Dave
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 5:33 PM, Jonathan Sivier <jsivier(a)illinois.edu
--
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761
_______________________________________________
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
wrote:
On 1/14/2013 4:22 PM, Yoyo Zhou wrote:
This
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Don Veino
<sharedweight_net(a)veino.com>
wrote:
In general you should talk to the band and see what they prefer in the
way of a signal for when to finish.
The most common method in my experience, when calling a single
progression, 32 bar dance with a tune played AABB, is to wait until a
couple is out at the top of the set and then signal the band during the
B-part, B1 or B2, that there will be one more time through the dance. I'm wondering whether someone has developed a
simple accurate mnemonic
for
Thinking about this, I think it's easier to watch what's going on.
You can usually identify a point in the dance - say, the start of B2,
which is also conveniently when you want to signal the band - when you
prefer that everyone at the top is active (this is the goal, right?).
If a couple is out, give an odd number. If they're in, give an even
number.
generally means that they should play to the end
of this time through the
AABB and then repeat the whole thing one more time. If the progression
does happen at an odd time in the dance, or it's double or triple
progression, you may need to adjust this, or it may happen that a couple
will pop out just before the music ends, but for 99% of the contra dances
out there this will work fine.
If the band wants to be notified prior to 2 more times through, then
give the signal when there isn't a couple out, and as mentioned about 3
more times means to give the signal when there is someone out.
Jonathan
______________________________**_________________
Callers mailing list
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http://www.sharedweight.net/**mailman/listinfo/callers<
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers>
15 Jan
15 Jan
12:44 a.m.
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013, Ryan Smith wrote:
The #1 thing I do is to remember that the world will not end if you get it
wrong. At most, you will leave approx 2% (estimating 100 people per line)
of the dancers out for the last time through, less if the lines are uneven
as it's offset by people who would've been out at the ends. In my
experience talking with dancers who've been at it for years, most of them
didn't know that callers try to end with everyone at the top dancing.
Amusingly enough, this past weekend was the third time I've done calling,
and both of the previous times I'd called a beckett with nobody out.
This time I called two dances, both standard duple improper, and on the
second dance, I called a 3-2-1 to the band, realizing only on the last
go-round that it would leave dancers at the top of the set who hadn't
danced the current round. So I did a whirling motion at the band to
tell them to do one more to bring everyone in.
So yeah, count me as another person who didn't know about this rule and
figured it out on the fly.
--
Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6 http://rule6.info/
<*> <*> <*>
Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html
12:59 a.m.
The way I do this is watch what is going on in the dance in the B2 part - when you get to
the point it would be a good place to stop - tell the band 2 more times - that way you
don't have to worry about where the progression is or anything else in the structure.
As we near the end I also look for a graceful way to create a partner swing. If I find
one - fine. If it would be awkward - let it go.
Mac
________________________________
From: Perry Shafran <pshaf(a)yahoo.com>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 5:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Progression and "Going Out"
My view is that if you want to end the dance with everyone in at the top, then the best
time to signal is during the B2, regardless of when the progression is. Even if there is
no one out at the top, odd if there is a couple out. On the surface it might be tricky
for a mid-dance progression, but if you make your call right at the end of the B2, you can
see who's on the floor and you'll know.
Perry
________________________________
From: Dave Casserly <david.j.casserly(a)gmail.com>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Progression and "Going Out"
Hi Jonathan and Maia,
There seems to be some confusion about what Don was asking.
If a dance progresses at the end of the B2, then Jonathan's advise is the
standard advise-- give the band an odd number with the couple out at the
top. But that's not what Don was asking about. He was asking, if a dance
progresses in the middle of the dance, say, at the end of the A2, when do
you decide to end it? With a couple still out at the top? Or do you end
it when that couple has come back in, keeping in mind that they might come
back in only for a couple of moves and be disappointed when the dance
suddenly ends?
I don't really have any answer as far as a mnemonic device goes. I do
think it's not necessarily a great idea in all circumstances to give an
even number to the band when the dance progresses in the A-- what if it
progresses at the end of A1, for instance? I'd then call it the same way
as a dance that progresses in the B2, unless the band is willing to be
extra special and play a third B part the final time through. So, in other
words, I'm not sure that it's worthwhile to try to think of a mnemonic
device. Instead, on those less common dances that progress some time other
than at the end of B2, maybe just put a note in where you want to signal
the band and for an even or odd number of times through?
-Dave
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 5:33 PM, Jonathan Sivier <jsivier(a)illinois.edu>wrote;wrote:
On 1/14/2013 4:22 PM, Yoyo Zhou wrote:
--
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761
_______________________________________________
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
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Don Veino
<sharedweight_net(a)veino.com>
wrote:
In general you should talk to the band and see what they prefer in the
way of a signal for when to finish.
The most common method in my experience, when calling a single
progression, 32 bar dance with a tune played AABB, is to wait until a
couple is out at the top of the set and then signal the band during the
B-part, B1 or B2, that there will be one more time through the dance. This
generally means that they should play to the end of this time through the
AABB and then repeat the whole thing one more time. If the progression
does happen at an odd time in the dance, or it's double or triple
progression, you may need to adjust this, or it may happen that a couple
will pop out just before the music ends, but for 99% of the contra dances
out there this will work fine.
If the band wants to be notified prior to 2 more times through, then
give the signal when there isn't a couple out, and as mentioned about 3
more times means to give the signal when there is someone out.
Jonathan
______________________________**_________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/**mailman/listinfo/callers<http://www.shared…
I'm wondering whether someone has developed a
simple accurate mnemonic
for
Thinking about this, I think it's easier to watch what's going on.
You can usually identify a point in the dance - say, the start of B2,
which is also conveniently when you want to signal the band - when you
prefer that everyone at the top is active (this is the goal, right?).
If a couple is out, give an odd number. If they're in, give an even
number.
4359
days inactive
4360
days old
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
8 comments
9 participants
participants (9)
-
Aahz Maruch -
Dave Casserly -
Don Veino -
Jonathan Sivier -
Maia McCormick -
Perry Shafran -
Richard Mckeever -
Ryan Smith -
Yoyo Zhou