[Callers] Thoughts on B2/A1 swings and having time to flourish

[Erik Barry Erhardt via Callers]

Tavi,

contradanceable EDM (electronic dance music):
I've now been doing this for years.  Here's my early notes on it to help
get others started, including some technical musical editing considerations
with examples.  Each year I make one to three 45-90 minute continuous
techno medleys which I call at camps.
http://statacumen.com/pub/fun/ErikBErhardt_CrossoverContras_MusicAndDanceMedleys.pdf

Erik

-- 
Prof. Erik B. Erhardt, UNM Statistics, (505)750-4424  stat.unm.edu/~erike

On Sun, Mar 27, 2016 at 6:38 PM, tavi merrill via Callers <
callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Hola all,
>
> So Amy's followup to her "Is this a new dance" query brought up something
> i've been thinking about for a while. (Amy & Tom - i'm collecting it with
> Tom's B2 modification and attributing it as Wimmer, variation Hinds.)
>
> A 16-count swing does go on forever. But it is also awesome - and i mean
> truly awesome - to have a full 12-count swing plus 4 counts to pull off one
> of the more time consuming flourishes (like the ripcord twirl, seen in the
> wild here
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpR6SxWsM4&list=RDIVquC0jqCXs&t=2m2s and
> taught here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbyoOPc0rHQ, one of my
> favorite swing ending flourishes but one that takes too much time to be
> executed in an 8-count swing window).
>
> I know attitudes on twirls vary, so i should state clearly my opinion: i
> think flourishes, while neither traditional nor intrinsic to our dance
> form, add a lot to contra when they are executed safely, consensually, and
> in a manner mindful of the foursome and set as a whole. That to me implies
> that when and how to use twirls well - and how to time them - can be a
> potential style point when dances allow for them, particularly where a
> 16-count swing may bore or tire dancers, yet allows plenty of time to
> flourish and arrive on time for the next move. We could, as
> choreographers, maybe even write more 16-count swings for use with the
> crowds that love to flourish. Less subtle: If you're calling a 16-count
> swing, why not point out to the dancers there's no excuse for arriving late
> after a flourish?
>
> The A1 placement of the partner swing in Amy's dance "Feelin' the Bern"
> also appeals to me for a quite specific reason. Some callers are of a mind
> that every dance should end with a swing, while others (this camp including
> myself) feel that getting back on the microphone to change the final B to
> accomplish that is bad form, but do appreciate the elegance of being with
> or at least aimed toward your partner at the end of a dance and try to
> facilitate that effect when possible, and others don't give a crap about
> where dancers are facing when the music stops. (NOTE: This is to
> acknowledge the various camps, not to launch a thread on which approach is
> better!!!) Flowing from this, i fully support A1 partner swings, because
> it's another way to accomplish the aimed-toward-partner-when-dance-ends
> thing that doesn't involve an A1 circle L or slide. ;-)
>
> On a slightly different but related note: As i work to assemble a DJ
> repertoire of contradanceable EDM, i've noticed that many remixes are
> perfectly contra-ready save for a "build to drop" element that occurs in
> the music where the B2 ends, in effect adding from 4 to 8 counts to the B2
> but usually only once through. Rather than re-working the track to
> eliminate the build/drop element, which would create the feeling something
> substantial is missing, I'm toying with the notion of pairing such material
> with B2 swings so dancers get a slightly longer swing during that iteration
> of the dance. Thinking getting back on microphone to say "keep swinging"
> and then prompt the A1 with recorded music isn't such bad form. Open to
> feedback on that.
>
> I'd appreciate if folks keep responses to this message
> positive/constructive in tone (vis-a-vis argumentative or dismissive) as
> i've been super depressed lately and positivity helps. Hope you all are
> having a good holiday weekend whether you're celebrating Easter or
> recovering from a raucous Purim or burning off all those Newroz treats or
> still doing laundry after Holi (did i get them all?!)
>
> Tavi
>
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>
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