14 Jan
2013
14 Jan
'13
6:53 p.m.
I like the old (well, from my limited perspective) way of picking up the
call again for the last time through, and sometimes (if the caller and the
dancers are up to it) changing the dance so it ends with a partner swing.
If you don't do this regularly, you may have to alert the dancers with a
"Now hear this" (channeling James Cagney?).
- Roger Hayes
14 Jan
14 Jan
8:22 p.m.
New subject: Progression and "Going Out"
When it comes to calling the last time through have any bands complained? Some may view
that as their finale. Ok if you are changing it to a longer partner swing etc. but might
it be viewed an intrusion if not?
-Joe MichealsSeattle
--- On Mon, 1/14/13, Roger Hayes <roger.hayes(a)gmail.com> wrote:
From: Roger Hayes <roger.hayes(a)gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Progression and "Going Out"
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Date: Monday, January 14, 2013, 3:53 PM
I like the old (well, from my limited perspective) way of picking up the
call again for the last time through, and sometimes (if the caller and the
dancers are up to it) changing the dance so it ends with a partner swing.
If you don't do this regularly, you may have to alert the dancers with a
"Now hear this" (channeling James Cagney?).
- Roger Hayes
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Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
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9:10 p.m.
New subject: Progression and "Going Out"
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 8:22 PM, joe micheals <joemicheals1(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
When it comes to calling the last time through have
any bands complained?
As a musician and a caller, I have mixed feelings on callers jumping
back in for the last time through. Changing the dance to end with a
partner swing ("this time, long lines, swing your partner") can be
nice, but mostly I don't think bringing the calls back in adds very
little and detracts from the music.
9:22 p.m.
New subject: Progression and "Going Out"
The only concession to the dance's end I only sometimes make is announcing "last
time" just before the last time through the tune.
I would concur with Mac McKeever's advice
Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844
10:07 p.m.
New subject: Progression and "Going Out"
As a musician and a caller, I have mixed feelings on callers jumping
back in for the last time through. Changing the dance to end with a
partner swing ("this time, long lines, swing your partner") can be
nice, but mostly I don't think bringing the calls back in adds very
little and detracts from the music.
No mixed feelings here - I feel a caller who calls the last time thru for calls the
dancers have already mastered is just flat out ego-tripping. In effect, they're
saying "Remember me, I'm still here - don't forget to applaud for me
too." The main reason bands want 2 or 3 to go out is to build to a satisfying
finish. Most modern bands have learned how to do that so dancers can feel it coming, and
calling over that is at best distracting and at worst disrespectful for what the band has
been working towards all along.
I do change some dances to finish with a partner swing, especially when the dance has a
lot of partner action. But even then, just call the last B2, not the whole dance. A
simple "THIS TIME, go forward and back, and swing" reunites partners at the end
without getting in the band's way. For slots that are primarily band showcases, such
as the last dance of the first half or the last dance of the night, I'll favor Becket
dances that end with a partner swing so that isn't needed.
If you want to be calling at the end of a dance, call a square. Otherwise, let the band
have the undivided attention of the dancers -
Bob
11:31 p.m.
New subject: Progression and "Going Out"
I'm with Bob on this one. When I'm in the band, I do not like it at all
when a caller insists on talking into the microphone during the last couple
times through the dance, whether to end the dance with a partner swing or
otherwise. That is the time for the band to make an exciting ending. I
don't mind a "last time" at the top to warn the dancers, but anything more
than that, I find pretty intrusive. I know this isn't necessarily the same
view most musicians have, and I've certainly have callers be unhappy with
my views on the matter.
If you want the dance to end with a partner swing, call a dance that ends
with a partner swing. Or the "last time" note can lead astute dancers to
find a way themselves to swing their partner at the end. But I'm not a fan
of callers saying anything into the mic after dancers have already mastered
the dance.
-Dave
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 10:07 PM, Bob Isaacs <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote:
--
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761
As a musician and a caller, I have mixed feelings on callers jumping
back in for the last time through. Changing the dance to end with a
partner swing ("this time, long lines, swing your partner") can be
nice, but mostly I don't think bringing the calls back in adds very
little and detracts from the music.
No mixed feelings here - I feel a caller who calls the last time thru for
calls the dancers have already mastered is just flat out ego-tripping. In
effect, they're saying "Remember me, I'm still here - don't forget to
applaud for me too." The main reason bands want 2 or 3 to go out is to
build to a satisfying finish. Most modern bands have learned how to do
that so dancers can feel it coming, and calling over that is at best
distracting and at worst disrespectful for what the band has been working
towards all along.
I do change some dances to finish with a partner swing, especially when
the dance has a lot of partner action. But even then, just call the last
B2, not the whole dance. A simple "THIS TIME, go forward and back, and
swing" reunites partners at the end without getting in the band's way. For
slots that are primarily band showcases, such as the last dance of the
first half or the last dance of the night, I'll favor Becket dances that
end with a partner swing so that isn't needed.
If you want to be calling at the end of a dance, call a square.
Otherwise, let the band have the undivided attention of the dancers -
Bob
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15 Jan
15 Jan
2:22 a.m.
New subject: Progression and "Going Out"
The caller is responsible not only to the band but to the dancers on the floor and to the
dance organizers. Typically the caller "performs" best when least visibly
performing. However, in order to facilitate the total experience of music and dance, the
caller exercises judgment. Sometimes it's best for the caller to be silent, but
sometimes the caller will call as the dance finishes. This is the responsibility of the
caller, who is hired to look after the total social experience in the hall, and to
exercise sound judgment in order to get the best result for the participants. The dance
organizers get to decide whether a caller is taking responsibility or showboating, and
they are also the ones who make a similar assessment of the musicians.
On Jan 14, 2013, at 11:31 PM, Dave Casserly <david.j.casserly(a)gmail.com> wrote:
I'm with Bob on this one. When I'm in the
band, I do not like it at all
when a caller insists on talking into the microphone during the last couple
times through the dance, whether to end the dance with a partner swing or
otherwise. That is the time for the band to make an exciting ending. I
don't mind a "last time" at the top to warn the dancers, but anything more
than that, I find pretty intrusive. I know this isn't necessarily the same
view most musicians have, and I've certainly have callers be unhappy with
my views on the matter.
If you want the dance to end with a partner swing, call a dance that ends
with a partner swing. Or the "last time" note can lead astute dancers to
find a way themselves to swing their partner at the end. But I'm not a fan
of callers saying anything into the mic after dancers have already mastered
the dance.
-Dave
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 10:07 PM, Bob Isaacs <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote:
--
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
As a musician and a caller, I have mixed feelings on callers jumping
back in for the last time through. Changing the dance to end with a
partner swing ("this time, long lines, swing your partner") can be
nice, but mostly I don't think bringing the calls back in adds very
little and detracts from the music.
No mixed feelings here - I feel a caller who calls the last time thru for
calls the dancers have already mastered is just flat out ego-tripping. In
effect, they're saying "Remember me, I'm still here - don't forget to
applaud for me too." The main reason bands want 2 or 3 to go out is to
build to a satisfying finish. Most modern bands have learned how to do
that so dancers can feel it coming, and calling over that is at best
distracting and at worst disrespectful for what the band has been working
towards all along.
I do change some dances to finish with a partner swing, especially when
the dance has a lot of partner action. But even then, just call the last
B2, not the whole dance. A simple "THIS TIME, go forward and back, and
swing" reunites partners at the end without getting in the band's way. For
slots that are primarily band showcases, such as the last dance of the
first half or the last dance of the night, I'll favor Becket dances that
end with a partner swing so that isn't needed.
If you want to be calling at the end of a dance, call a square.
Otherwise, let the band have the undivided attention of the dancers -
Bob
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
4:12 a.m.
New subject: Progression and "Going Out"
On Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:10:46 -0500, Jeff Kaufman wrote:
As a musician and a caller, I have mixed feelings on
callers
jumping back in for the last time through. Changing the dance to
end with a partner swing ("this time, long lines, swing your
partner") can be nice, but mostly I don't think bringing the calls
back in adds very little and detracts from the music.
I agree. I think it's the caller's way of saying "Don't forget, I'm
the one who taught you this dance - the band aren't in charge" and I
hate it!
After I'd written this I read Bob Isaacs' message saying the same
thing, but I'll still go ahead and send this as I think it's
important.
Colin Hume
4330
days inactive
4331
days old
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
7 comments
8 participants
participants (8)
-
Bob Isaacs -
Colin Hume -
Dave Casserly -
Jeff Kaufman -
joe micheals -
Michael Fuerst -
Robert Golder -
Roger Hayes