I like to teach newbies the first dance I am going to call. This is after going over the giving of weight, walking in time to the music, how to hold hands, swing. I do a few of the very basic moves, knowing that they will pick up the rest throughout the evening.
But I do teach them the first dance, partly to show how progression works, but also to give them a little head start - some familiarity with the way the dances actually work. Jo Mortland Chicago Sent from my iPhone On Oct 2, 2011, at 2:21 PM, "Dorcas Hand" <[email protected]> wrote: > That the dance works in 8-step chunks, and the music tells you when the move > is about to change. > You can use a circle formation to teach that, circle left and right , into > the middle, a few times while you doodle (preferable) or count (only > preferable if you can't really sing). > > Giving weight - or whatever term your community uses. This is also teachable > through the circle formation. > > Swing basics, especially hand placement and the importance of mutual support. > A demo of the buss step is a bonus. > > THEN, I move to the line formation and explain hands four, and progression. > I probably use a figure or two to demonstrate how the foursome moves within > itself, and how to move to the new four. > > It's a very full 30 minutes - but it works. > Dorcas Hand > Houston > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of D Bar > Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2011 2:17 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips? > > Howdy, > > I am going to be calling one of my first gigged contra dances in a week! I > have a half-hour to introduce newbies on what's what in the dance prior and > I am wondering what do other callers find has been the most effective use of > that half hour? > > I imagine going over improper formation [ladies on the right etc.], and a > few of the base moves are good. But I'd like to see if anyone else has some > good hints I can work with! > > Thanks, > Davey > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > ______________________________________________________________________ > This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. > For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email > ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email ______________________________________________________________________
