It makes me cringe when I see anyone trying to teach beginners a buzz step.  We emphasize the dance is done with a smooth walking step - so let them continue that into the swing rather than encouraging them to start bouncing up and down. Once they are comfortable with the walking swing they can proceed on their own to a buzz step.  There is nothing wrong with a walking step and teaching the buzz step makes it seem like a requirement. Mac Mckeever ________________________________ From: John Sweeney <info(a)contrafusion.co.uk> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 11:11 AM Subject: Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips? I don't like relying on the "experienced dancers" to teach a buzz-step swing as I know some of them have bad habits and I would like to minimize how much of that is passed on :-) I explain there are three parts: - the beginning - negotiating how to get into a comfortable position, especially with a preceding balance - the middle - the swing itself - focusing on being gentle and caring about your partner - how to avoid dizziness - the end - absolutely critical - this is where it all goes wrong and the lady ends up on the left - describe the position as an arrow-head, with the joined hands being the point and aim the arrowhead in the direction the caller calls - this is also the chance to explain the terms up, down and across - then open out and keep in contact (another element that beginners need to be taught - stay in contact with as many people as possible as often as possible) If time is short at the very least I cover: being gentle, avoiding dizziness and finishing with the lady on the right. A good way to practice the swing is to make a big circle, put on some music and call: Into the middle and back Swing your Neighbour Into the middle and back Swing your Neighbour . This give new dancers a chance to have lots of swings with different people and get used to finishing on the right side and at the right time, but without any pressure - they can recover from faults on the "into the middle" - which you can call multiple times if necessary until they are ready for the next swing. More details at http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/Contra.html#swinging             Happy dancing,                         John John Sweeney, Dancer, England  john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers