Ron, You pose a real excellent question. WHAT makes a "good" caller? Now if you were to ask the dancers on the floor who their favorite callers are, they generally list popular, well-known callers who travel a lot. But does this mean that they are the "best"? Or that other lesser-known callers aren't any good?
I've heard a lot of local callers who I have a LOT of fun when they call. On the other hand, I've danced to a few nationally-known callers who I don't think are very good at all. As a matter of fact, most callers, whether they stick to local areas or whether they are national are very good. My opinion is this: a real good caller is one who picks dances that are appropriate for the crowd that he/she is calling for. They do their research ahead of time: Will I be calling to mainly newbies? Mainly experienced dancers? A mix? What percentage of each approximately? And then program said dance with the appropriate mix of dances for the crowd that is expected to be there. And also be flexible to change your program on the fly if the unexpected shows up. Also - the ability to explain those dances well. It's tricky in mixed crowds - you want to be just detailed enough so that the new dancers can pick up on it but not so wordy so that the experienced dancers are getting antsy. A lot of this depends on the crowd mix (experienced-to-newbie ratio). This also means that a good caller KNOWS the dances he's calling inside and out. (Though I've been known to call a dance that I picked up just that day, but before I do so I make sure I understand the dance and how it flows.) For me, one of the most important things is to emphasize the tricky parts without spending an hour on explaining it - that makes a good caller. And then there's good caller-to-dancer relationships. By that I mean, you also need to be likable to the crowd, personable. You're the party host. Those that than treat their guests as welcome to the party. Of course things will go wrong often to most callers, but a good caller handles those with style and grace and doesn't show frustration. "Never let them see you sweat" - a good rule of thumb. There are probably more, but this note is getting lengthy and I can't think of any more right now. It's an excellent question and conversation starter. Perry --- On Thu, 5/10/12, Ron T Blechner <[email protected]> wrote: From: Ron T Blechner <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Callers] mentorship To: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]> List-Post: [email protected] Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012, 3:12 PM I might suggest that there's a natural break-out topic: "What makes a good caller? (both perspectives of caller, dancer, band, and dance organizers all)" I've heard a *lot* of callers talk about the difference of being "a caller" and "a really good caller", and while experience is a necessary condition, it is not, I believe, sufficient. In dance, Ron On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 10:33 AM, Michael Fuerst <[email protected]> wrote: > Laurie: > Your remarks don't contradict mine. You emphasized "FEEDBACK" and an > individual's disposition to accept such. I suggested that calling takes > "40-100 hours practice over 10- 50 dance events needed to experience the > various things that might go wrong or that one might do wrong, while having > more experienced callers nearby to counsel one through the mishaps." I > certainly could/should have added that suggestions to aspiring callers can > also come from dancers. In our context, "counsel" and "feedback" seem > synonymous. But in any case, a caller unwilling to accept/ponder such > counsel (feedback) from callers and dancers will not improve. > Also you noted that some, after mentorship, classes, and support, still lack > "the thing that callers make." Can you explain what to you the missing > "thing" is? I suspect some of such persons either (1) need closer to 50 > experiences to master the necessary skills, and/or (2) have been unlucky to > have well-meaning, but less effective counselors > Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844 > > --- On Thu, 5/10/12, Laur <[email protected]> wrote: > > From: Laur <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] mentorship > To: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]> > Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012, 12:28 AM > > Michael, > > Trust me, I (and I'm sure others) have seen callers go through mentorship, > classes, support, etc. And - they do not have the thing that callers make. > Callers that are serious want and need feedback, the community, the mentoring > and again FEEDBACK. Those that are- seek and respond to this. Those are > nots - not. They are into them and not into the rest. So the caution is - > callers that aren't into the caller community feedback mentorship ... lose. > and the community that has to dance to them, loses. > > Laurie P > West MI > ~ > > --- On Wed, 5/9/12, Michael Fuerst <[email protected]> wrote: > >> From: Michael Fuerst <[email protected]> >> Subject: [Callers] mentorship >> To: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]> >> Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 3:06 AM >> Contra calling is a relatively easy >> skill to learn--much easier than mastering fiddle-playing, >> auto repair, child rearing or Photoshop. After getting >> several hours of initial instruction in contra calling, the >> challenge becomes getting 40-100 hours practice over 10- 50 >> dance events needed to experience the various things that >> might go wrong or that one might do wrong, while having more >> experienced callers nearby to counsel one through the >> mishaps. And of course workshops will intercept some of >> the potential mishaps. >> >> Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL >> 61801 217-239-5844 >> >> --- On Wed, 5/9/12, Rich Goss <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> From: Rich Goss <[email protected]> >> Subject: Re: [Callers] mentorship >> To: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]> >> Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 12:55 AM >> >> I may have missed it, but I haven't seen William Watson's >> excellent collection of caller resources. >> >> http://www.quiteapair.us/calling/ >> >> Rich >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list [email protected] http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
