During an orientation, at least as I usually see it, everyone knows where the teacher is. Maybe in the center of a circle. So, wireless mike not a problem for me here.
During an actual dance/walkthrough, yes, disconcerting to hear the voice and not know where it's coming from. I have seen it work ok in a set that small enough that having the caller dance really helps; could go without a mike at all in this case, but not everyone is comfortable belting it out loud enough. On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 7:19 PM, Greg McKenzie <[email protected]> wrote: > Lindsay wrote: > >> We are looking at buying a headset mic to help people who are teaching the >> beginner's lesson. >> >> Do any of you have recommendations... >> > > I would recommend you consider the option of *not *buying a headset mic. > I'm not sure if I've posted my reservations about headset mics here before, > but I think it is worth bringing it up again. > > As a caller, a talent booking coordinator, and as a dance manager at open > public contra dances, I have worked for years on strategies and techniques > for making the dance hall a place where everyone can feel safe and > comfortable. I believe this sense of a "safe space" is essential for > putting first-timers as well as regulars at ease in order to facilitate a > comfortable, fun social event where there is little stress or tension. > This is a subtle point but one that I have learned is critical for > integrating newcomers and for making the event an exciting, fun, and > relaxed social occasion. > > The primary issue for me is not wireless mics, but *off-stage* mics--of any > kind. Michael Jackson--and many other performers--have used wireless mics > professionally *on-stage* with great success. This technology is > particularly useful when dancing or demonstrating. Note, however, that > even when used on-stage, wireless mics are usually used in conjunction with > a follow spot. The purpose of the follow spot is to help the audience > follow the action in the absence of a mic stand that acts as an anchor. At > contra dances, where stages are typically small, a headset mic used *on > stage* will seldom confuse the dancers. (A caller using a headset mic to > play bodhran while calling, for example.) > > An *off-stage* mike, however, can create unease in the dancers when they > look for the caller--who may have moved during a demo, for example. That > moment of confusion--as the dancer looks right and left--is likely to make > many dancers feel a bit silly or clueless. These are feelings I work to > avoid during a social dance. I want both the regulars and the first-timers > to feel confident at all times. A live mic on the dance floor can be > unnerving. (Callers who call from the dance floor using a headset mike > often come across as confused about their own role at the event.) > > There are techniques to keep the dancers/audience oriented while using an > off-stage mike, without a follow spot. Taking care to only change location > after you have earned the attention of all of the dancers is one such > technique. (That way dancers who look to the last place they saw the > caller will always find them there.) Talking *off-mike* to make your > position clear before switching on the wireless is another. These > techniques, however, require experience and practice. I personally would > not use an off-stage mike without a follow spot or a prepared plan. > > I find it interesting that the off-stage mike is often used in stagecraft > to deliberately create tension in the room. A darkened room with a > dis-embodied voice will always create drama. In my view the less drama at > open public contra dances the better. > > There can be other issues such as mic clarity, volume, and feedback. It > would seem to be a good idea to have a sound engineer at the mixer board > whenever an off-stage mike is being used. Feedback is always a sure way to > create stress in an otherwise relaxed social event. I know that I > personally get a little uneasy whenever I see a caller or teacher lead an > optional newcomer's orientation while wearing a headset mic. > > Yes, wireless mics can be useful, when in the hands of an experienced > professional. But these devices are often used inappropriately. I would > be cautious about purchasing one to make it available for general use, > without some kind of practice or training. > > Just a thought, > > Greg McKenzie > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
