1 Jul
2013
1 Jul
'13
11:09 a.m.
Great stuff, Greg!
I learned many important things from some of the great callers early in my
career. Larry Edelman taught me to teach about "places, not faces" while
teaching squares. This can also apply to contras. Ted Sanella taught me to
first tell who we were to look for, then what we were to do with them. These two
tips have proven very helpful when working with all dancers.
John B. Freeman, SFTPOCTJ
1 Jul
1 Jul
11:19 a.m.
New subject: Caller Expectations and Dancer Performance
THANKS for bringing up this important teaching technique.
the way you phrase something can make ALL the difference.
instead of "this is a little tricky", i go with "this LOOKS a little bit
different, but you'll be surprised how easy it is!" or "here comes the fun
part!"
if you ACT like you KNOW they'll just be able to do it, well, that's what
they'll do.
barb
From: JohnFreem(a)aol.com
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2013 11:09:28 -0400
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Caller Expectations and Dancer Performance
Great stuff, Greg!
I learned many important things from some of the great callers early in my
career. Larry Edelman taught me to teach about "places, not faces" while
teaching squares. This can also apply to contras. Ted Sanella taught me to
first tell who we were to look for, then what we were to do with them. These two
tips have proven very helpful when working with all dancers.
John B. Freeman, SFTPOCTJ
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Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
7:33 p.m.
New subject: Caller Expectations and Dancer Performance
Barb:
I love those two phrases. Sometimes I say: "Here comes a really cool move."
I have also said 'this is tricky' to get the attention of experienced
dancers who talk during the walk through. Although I know better I hadn't
thought clearly about the effect on newer dancers. I'm pretty sure that some
version of what you offered here will be part of the next dance I call.
Thanks!
Bree Kalb
Carrboro, NC
-----Original Message-----
From: barb kirchner
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 11:19 AM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] Caller Expectations and Dancer Performance
instead of "this is a little tricky", i go with "this LOOKS a little bit
different, but you'll be surprised how easy it is!" or "here comes the fun
part!"
11:52 p.m.
New subject: Caller Expectations and Dancer Performance
Thank you John, Barb, and Bree for your ideas. These are all helpful and I
would love to hear more thoughts on words used at dances.
I try to remember that the first option is always to say nothing at all.
Instead of telling them about an upcoming instruction just give them the
prompt. Assume they are listening.
Barb wrote:
I have also said 'this is tricky' to get the
attention of experienced
dancers who talk during the walk through.
There are different ways to gain and hold attention. I know that some
callers talk a lot to hold attention. Some repeat instructions several
times. Others say the same thing three different ways. My approach is to
talk as little as possible. Other than prompts the only other words I use
are short one or two word phrases like: "Good!", "Yes!",
"Nice!",
"Excellent!", "Very good!"
- Greg McKenzie
2 Jul
2 Jul
12:12 p.m.
New subject: Caller Expectations and Dancer Performance
Getting attention:
"I need your full attention for a minute" and wait quietly for a few
seconds until the chatter dies down.
and
"Everybody, look up here please. Look at me." has worked well.
--------------------
Lindsay Morris
CEO, TSMworks
Tel. 1-859-539-9900
lindsay(a)tsmworks.com
On Mon, Jul 1, 2013 at 11:52 PM, Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Thank you John, Barb, and Bree for your ideas. These
are all helpful and I
would love to hear more thoughts on words used at dances.
I try to remember that the first option is always to say nothing at all.
Instead of telling them about an upcoming instruction just give them the
prompt. Assume they are listening.
Barb wrote:
I have also said 'this is tricky' to get
the attention of experienced
dancers who talk during the walk through.
There are different ways to gain and hold attention. I know that some
callers talk a lot to hold attention. Some repeat instructions several
times. Others say the same thing three different ways. My approach is to
talk as little as possible. Other than prompts the only other words I use
are short one or two word phrases like: "Good!", "Yes!",
"Nice!",
"Excellent!", "Very good!"
- Greg McKenzie
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4 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
-
barb kirchner -
Bree Kalb -
Greg McKenzie -
JohnFreem＠aol.com -
Lindsay Morris