I agree with Rich, that, when the need arises, calling all the way
through is good. It's even better when the caller is entertaining, which
Rich's description, below, seems to indicate.
That word, entertainment, deserves some attention. A caller that calls
in tune, is far more entertaining than one who chants out of tune. A
caller who has a sense of rhythm, and can adjust her calls to the rhythm
of the band also brings a sense of entertainment. And, a caller who has
a number of ways to describe movements can add to both the understanding
and the music.
Ways to check this out: Record Yourself & Listen. Record others and
listen. Absorb good ideas. Think about how you might describe things.
Listen to walk-throughs as well as calling with the band. Learn an
instrument. Just spending time with a piano, guitar, fiddle, mandolin,
or even a tuba will give you more of a sense of how the music works.
Take voice lessons, ask trusted people for feedback. Etc.
I'd also say, decide what kind of calling you want to do. Do you want to
call to beginners? Or do you favor calling to experienced dancers?
Squares? Or just contras? All these things may help you focus on the
particular needs of that type of calling.
~erik hoffman
oakland, ca
On 2/14/2014 10:09 AM, rich sbardella wrote:
I attended a well established open contra dance recently with at least 50%
newbies. The caller did an excellent job teaching and calling contras, but his
method was more like a square dance caller. He seldom stopped calling and had
lots of descriptive words for the dancers. Several dancers throughout the
night told me how easy it was to dance to this caller, and how good his calls
were. I did not hear one complaint from the dancers, or musicians, that he
never stopped calling. Additionally, the caller went out of his way several
times to bring the attention to the excellent musicians playing beside him.
The dance was very successful, and the caller (calls) very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even
fewer who do. It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers at
the event.
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
