I used a wireless headset mike for a short time. I found it cumbersome and limiting. In addition to losing the ability to control my own volume by moving away from the mike I don't do a lot of floor demonstration so it was really only a "hands free" device I used on stage. I like shifting to an off-mike mode while on the floor. It is an attention-getting technique when the caller steps down and speaks without amplification.
I know lots of folks on this list do gigs with much more teaching and demonstrating than I do when calling at open public contra dances. The wireless route might be good for that kind of event. But I would caution the wireless mike users to consider the effects on dancers when they look up on stage and see the caller missing. It can be unnerving to hear a headless voice speaking over the PA system. (This is why they invented follow-spots for theater performances. The audience always knows where to look.) I like to keep the dancers in control and to never make them feel foolish...even for a moment. I suggest that head-mike callers lead the audience with a prompt whenever they step down from the stage as in: "Ladies and Gentlemen: Please direct your attention to the center of the hall," as the caller steps down. This will avoid the feeling that someone with a live mike is "stalking" around the hall floor. Keeping the audience oriented will help them to feel relaxed and confident. The worst offense of a wireless mike user is to walk down on the floor, without prompting, and to begin giving instructions to a single dancer or a small group that is confused. The presence of the caller--speaking to them over the PA system--can make newcomers very uncomfortable and distracted, and undermine any assistance the caller is attempting to offer. When on-mike, the caller should always speak only to the entire hall. Directed comments should always be off-mike. -Greg McKenzie ************* On Sun, Jul 17, 2011 at 2:03 AM, Colin Hume <[email protected]> wrote: > On Sun, 17 Jul 2011 09:44:39 +0100, John Sweeney wrote: > > I find hand-held mikes very strange. Why would you lock yourself > > into a fixed position, or tie one of your hands up when you can use > > a wireless headset? > > I much prefer a hand-held. I find that as soon as I put on a headset > I feel the need to cough, sniff, clear my throat, etc. Also with a > hand-held I can pull my head away from the microphone to call out to > the band "Another B" or "One more time" or "Slower", whereas with a > headset I have to find the switch first, speak, then switch it back on > again. I've got quite good at transferring the mike from one hand to > the other when I'm dancing, and most people can cope with holding my > elbow rather than my hand if necessary. > > Colin Hume > > Email [email protected] Web site http://www.colinhume.com > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >
