But keep in mind that no beginner _ever_ does a walking swing, unless that is specifically taught, and usually not even then. They see and/or feel that others are doing a double-time step so they do one too, and since the swing is a clockwise (to-the-left) circle they lead with their left, hence a slipping step rather than a buzzstep. (Either that or they skip.) When I do an actual beginners’ workshop I teach both walking and buzzstep swing, but for something quick on the floor, I think teaching the buzzstep gives better results.
Read Weaver Jamaica Plain, MA http://lcfd.org On Jun 20, 2015, at 10:28 AM, Lindsay Morris via Callers <[email protected]> wrote: > > John, respectfully, I have to disagree with your disagreement. A simple > walking swing works just fine even when the other person is doing a buzz > step. > > The HUGE problem that I see with beginner lessons is that people stand around > bored while the teacher talks and talks. All the air goes out of the room. > Keeping the beginners moving is job number one. > > So, I have them do a right elbow swing, to get the body dynamics right. Then > maybe 30 seconds of talking about ballroom position, have them do a walking > swing, a moment on how to balance, and they are good for the night. > Especially if they get to practice that with three or four different people > during the lesson. > > I can move a competent newcomer from walking-swing to buzz-step swing during > the dance, just with "look at my feet." > > Always appreciate the perspectives on this list though. > >> On Jun 20, 2015, at 5:16 AM, John Sweeney via Callers >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Dale said, "Don't teach advanced techniques to new dancers. Forget the buzz >> step." >> >> Sorry, but I must disagree most strongly. >> >> In an average evening of contra dancing you will spend nearly thirty minutes >> swinging (if the dances are in the Modern Urban Contra Dance style rather >> than the older styles). >> >> I think it is incredibly unfair to a newcomer to make them suffer for thirty >> minutes rather than teach them how to swing. They can also cause a lot of >> suffering to whomever they are swinging with if they have lousy technique. >> >> I would not agree that it is advanced either. I strongly believe that a >> couple of minutes teaching the basics of a buzz step swing will give >> everyone a much more enjoyable evening. Some of them won't get it, but for >> those that do it can completely change their experience of the evening. >> >> Happy dancing, >> John >> >> John Sweeney, Dancer, England [email protected] 01233 625 362 >> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
