2 Jan
2013
2 Jan
'13
1:15 p.m.
In response to Perry's query about how "leading" comes into play:
I've always thought that the concept of lead/follow comes in by the very existence of
the courtesy turn, as well as by the traditional closed position that is used for swinging
in which it is far easier to direct the motion from the gent's role than the
lady's. I speak from plenty of experience in both roles. Having your arms under your
partner's so that your hand is on his/her mid back makes a huge difference. It means a
superior ability to lead flourishes as well as to control speed and ending
time/orientation of the swing. As a follow I usually find that I can support my own weight
through my partner's shoulder but can do little else to direct the action.
Brian Hamshar
Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
2 Jan
2 Jan
1:33 p.m.
New subject: Alternate Role Terms
On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 1:15 PM, Brian Hamshar <bhamshar(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
I've always thought that the concept of
lead/follow comes in by the very existence of the courtesy turn
If you look at the older dances (aka chestnuts) which are largely
proper, most of the turns following R/L through and casts are same
gender.
Someone mentioned butterfly whirls. AFAIK mostly done as a finish to
a star-promenade, and those are pretty equal opportunity as to who
plays which part.
1:33 p.m.
New subject: Alternate Role Terms
But women SHOULD have some ability to control the action as well as the men. Some time
ago an older lady cornered me in the parking lot - recognized me from having previously
led in the lesson a week prior - and said that many of the guys swung her too fast and
asked me how she can get guys to swing her more slowly. I said that you could ask, but
that doesn't always get you where you want. I asked a more experienced caller, and
she said that one who wanted to slow the action could just let her body go limp, thereby
forcing a slower swing. Women should have the option to decline to be flourished if they
don't like. I teach ways to decline a flourish. All this in an effort to make contra
dancing easy and approachable for new people who are just getting their feet wet in this
wonderful form of dance.
And yes, there are a few couples moves in contra where lead/follow can come into play (the
courtesy turn and the swing), but most moves have no leader or follower.
Perry
________________________________
From: Brian Hamshar <bhamshar(a)yahoo.com>
To: "callers(a)sharedweight.net" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Alternate Role Terms
In response to Perry's query about how "leading" comes into play:
I've always thought that the concept of lead/follow comes in by the very existence of
the courtesy turn, as well as by the traditional closed position that is used for swinging
in which it is far easier to direct the motion from the gent's role than the
lady's. I speak from plenty of experience in both roles. Having your arms under your
partner's so that your hand is on his/her mid back makes a huge difference. It means a
superior ability to lead flourishes as well as to control speed and ending
time/orientation of the swing. As a follow I usually find that I can support my own weight
through my partner's shoulder but can do little else to direct the action.
Brian Hamshar
Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
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2 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
-
Brian Hamshar -
Donald Perley -
Perry Shafran