I agree with Martha about skipping Greg's stuff. I can't tell whether he's trolling or sincere in his outlook. Either way, at this point it doesn't much matter to me. … Bob
On Feb 15, 2014, at 1:15 PM, Martha Wild <[email protected]> wrote: > 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 >> **************************************** > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
