I would just like to say that I stopped posting for a long time after some of Greg's comments on my posts. Now I just usually don't read his comments. Martha
On Feb 14, 2014, at 9:24 PM, [email protected] wrote: > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > [email protected] > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > [email protected] > > You can reach the person managing the list at > [email protected] > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Circling 3/4 and pass thru (Greg McKenzie) > 2. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle & > pass through as the last move of a dance) (rich sbardella) > 3. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle & > pass through as the last move of a dance) (Erik Hoffman) > 4. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle & > pass through as the last move of a dance) (Robert Livingston) > 5. Re: Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle & > pass through as the last move of a dance) (Greg McKenzie) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:46:03 -0800 > From: Greg McKenzie <[email protected]> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Circling 3/4 and pass thru > Message-ID: > <cafqkwlvhz7zfrfurb2um5cpay85g3z9pepyn_kghcpi2mpa...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Someone wrote: > >> Greg M wrote in response to a post by Jim Saxe : >> "The dancers in your video look like a competent group of regulars who are >> able to adapt to poorly-structured calls quickly and graciously. I'm sure >> they have a lot of practice at it. I find it very productive to be more >> diligent in my own calling." >> >> YOWIE! Is this paragraph really the bashing of these callers that it seems? >> > > No it's not. No one is "bashing" anyone. > > Someone else wrote: > >> Yes, Greg is like that at times..... ;-) >> > > Hey folks. Let's please try to avoid personal attacks. It makes the > newcomers to the list nervous. > > Without some kind of critical comments there is no way we can advance any > tradition. When I am critical I try to be as even-handed as possible. In > the above case I mentioned no one. I was being critical of the behavior of > all callers...including myself (as I mentioned earlier in this thread.). > Ok, "The King has no clothes!" "Callers are human beings!" and all of us > make mistakes. I am amazed and grateful for the tolerance and graciousness > of the dancers when I call. If I look like a competent and capable caller > it is because of them. > > If you have critical comments about this or any of my other ideas I welcome > the discussion. > > - Greg McKenzie > West Coast, USA > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 10:09:14 -0800 (PST) > From: rich sbardella <[email protected]> > To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: > Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance) > Message-ID: > <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > 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 > > > ________________________________ > From: Harold E. Watson <[email protected]> > To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM > Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle > & pass through as the last move of a dance) > > > I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my place > and miss-call the next figure, half will try to do what I said (usually the > beginners) and the other half will loudly pronounce the correct move.? When I > do booboo, after the dance I always compliment the dancers on their masterful > recovery, even if they didn't have one. > > I also try to drop out as early as practical.? It's usually as switch from > full calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32 bars > at a place that may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync with > each other. > > ........Circle left > .......Neighbor swing > ...Long lines forward and back > ...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2 > > To > > ........Circle > ........Neighbor > ......Forward and back > ........Ladies > > Harold > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Aahz Maruch > Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle > & pass through as the last move of a dance) > > On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote: >> >> ? ? I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance.? In >> part to keep myself and the dancers alert.? Also if a given phrase >> doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something >> slightly different it may make more sense for them.? Also if some part >> of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I >> may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out. > > Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after the > first few iterations?? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as a > caller indicates that few do (if any). > -- > Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? http://rule6.info/ > ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? <*>? ? ? ? ? <*>? ? ? ? ? <*> > Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:01:18 -0800 > From: Erik Hoffman <[email protected]> > To: rich sbardella <[email protected]>, Caller's discussion list > <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: > Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance) > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > 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 >> >> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:31:45 -0800 (PST) > From: Robert Livingston <[email protected]> > To: rich sbardella <[email protected]>, Caller's discussion list > <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: > Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance) > Message-ID: > <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > Love the musical cadence of a caller. > > > > > ________________________________ > From: rich sbardella <[email protected]> > To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 1:09 PM > Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle > & pass through as the last move of a dance) > > > 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 > > > ________________________________ > From: Harold E. Watson <[email protected]> > To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM > Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle > & pass through as the last move of a dance) > ? > > I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my place > and miss-call the next figure, half will try to do what I said (usually the > beginners) and the other half will loudly pronounce the correct move.? When I > do booboo, after the dance I always compliment the dancers on their masterful > recovery, even if they didn't have one. > > I also try to drop out as early as practical.? It's usually as switch from > full calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32 bars > at a place that may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync with > each other. > > ........Circle left > .......Neighbor swing > ...Long lines forward and back > ...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2 > > To > > ........Circle > ........Neighbor > ......Forward and back > ........Ladies > > Harold > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Aahz Maruch > Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: Circle > & pass through as the last move of a dance) > > On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote: >> >> ? ? I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance.? In >> part to keep myself and the dancers alert.? Also if a given phrase >> doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something >> slightly different it may make more sense for them.? Also if some part >> of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I >> may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out. > > Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after the > first few iterations?? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as a > caller indicates that few do (if any). > -- > Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? http://rule6.info/ > ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? <*>? ? ? ? ?? <*>? ? ? ? ?? <*> > Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:24:41 -0800 > From: Greg McKenzie <[email protected]> > To: rich sbardella <[email protected]>, "Caller's discussion > list" <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: > Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance) > Message-ID: > <cafqkwlt3tkwdykshnldkragni_euvth9gcsmcqq0heqtjjc...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Rich 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. > > > There is definitely a difference in style and preference here. I really > respect a caller who can entertain in this way. But it does not "work" for > me like most of the dances I attend. I come for the music and the people > and I love a caller who facilitates a connection between the music and the > dancers. That is plenty "entertaining" for me. Connecting with the caller > is not so much of a draw for me. If the caller "fills the room" with his > personality and voice...well, I generally start looking for another room. > > But, that's just how I roll on this. I like to be an integral part of the > event and feel I have a role in making the connections happen. I don't go > to be entertained by the caller. > > Oh...and I don't get any complaints when I call either. Dancers are a very > kind and generous bunch, I think. (And I make it my business to seek out > complaints.) > > To each his own. > > - Greg Mckenzie > West Coast, USA > > ********* > > >> 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 >> >> >> ________________________________ >> From: Harold E. Watson <[email protected]> >> To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> >> Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: >> Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance) >> >> >> I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my >> place and miss-call the next figure, half will try to do what I said >> (usually the beginners) and the other half will loudly pronounce the >> correct move. When I do booboo, after the dance I always compliment the >> dancers on their masterful recovery, even if they didn't have one. >> >> I also try to drop out as early as practical. It's usually as switch from >> full calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32 >> bars at a place that may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync >> with each other. >> >> ........Circle left >> .......Neighbor swing >> ...Long lines forward and back >> ...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2 >> >> To >> >> ........Circle >> ........Neighbor >> ......Forward and back >> ........Ladies >> >> Harold >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] [mailto: >> [email protected]] On Behalf Of Aahz Maruch >> Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re: >> Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance) >> >> On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote: >>> >>> I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance. In >>> part to keep myself and the dancers alert. Also if a given phrase >>> doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something >>> slightly different it may make more sense for them. Also if some part >>> of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I >>> may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out. >> >> Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after >> the first few iterations? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as >> a caller indicates that few do (if any). >> -- >> Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6 >> http://rule6.info/ >> <*> <*> <*> >> Help a hearing-impaired person: >> http://rule6.info/hearing.html_______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 114, Issue 26 > ****************************************
