Each year for the past four years I have called a dance for adult attendees, and a few family members, at an adult chamber music camp. Some campers also play the tunes, all selected to be AABB and with B part contrasting with A part.
I have never had a roomful of people who needed less coaching on dancing with the structure of the tune. I bet that was pretty true when they were kids, too. Richard Hopkins hopkin...@comcast.net 850-544-7614 cell Sent from my iPad > On Aug 17, 2019, at 4:07 PM, callers-requ...@lists.sharedweight.net wrote: > > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > callers@lists.sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > callers-requ...@lists.sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > callers-ow...@lists.sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Linda S. Mrosko) > 2. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (David Harding) > 3. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Bob Peterson) > 4. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Winston, Alan P.) > 5. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Colin Hume) > 6. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (Woody Lane) > 7. Re: Brain Dead - Need Suggestions (jim saxe) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2019 23:40:27 -0500 > From: "Linda S. Mrosko" <elmero...@gmail.com> > To: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions > Message-ID: > <cahc5bqfhhvs7hvyspxgcmvozffrt8kntmke8a2rsfyb90ov...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not currently > inspired to do this and am asking for help. > > Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to teens and > their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances that encourage > really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some music education in > addition to fun." > > So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music that has > very good beat counts and distinct phrasing. That's not the problem. The > problem is *"throw in some music education." *I don't need a dissertation, > just bits and pieces. The dance is only 1-1/2 hours long followed by ice > cream. > > I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new job > that's taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore. > > Any suggestions? > > -- > > > > *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko* > > *102 Mitchell Drive* > > *Temple, Texas 76501* > *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)* > *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>* > > *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance > buttons, t-shirts, & more)* > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > <http://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/attachments/20190816/d030909e/attachment-0001.html> > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 12:14:43 -0500 > From: David Harding <dharding...@comcast.net> > To: callers@lists.sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions > Message-ID: <58633f04-1cd4-4164-6bb9-5988fe438...@comcast.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed" > > I don't read the request as going beyond beat counts.? The basic message > is hearing the music, stepping in time, and getting to where you need to > be in eight beats.? Then you have various balance-and-four beats and > balance-and-twelve beats figures.? You have the timing of the turns on > down-the-hall.? That sounds to me like plenty of material for 1 1/2 hours. > >> On 8/16/2019 11:40 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers wrote: >> Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not >> currently inspired to do this and am asking for help. >> >> Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to >> teens and their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances >> that encourage really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some >> music education in addition to fun." >> >> So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music >> that has very good beat counts and distinct phrasing.? That's not the >> problem.? The problem is *"throw in some music education." *I don't >> need a dissertation, just bits and pieces.? The dance is only 1-1/2 >> hours long followed by ice cream. >> >> I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new job >> that's taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore. >> >> Any suggestions? >> >> -- >> *Looking forward, >> >> /Linda S. Mrosko/ >> * >> *102 Mitchell Drive >> * >> *Temple, Texas 76501 >> * >> *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)* >> */contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>/* >> */www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance >> buttons, t-shirts, & more) >> /* >> */ >> /* >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List Name: Callers mailing list >> List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net >> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > <http://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/attachments/20190817/91552f6f/attachment-0001.html> > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 14:33:55 -0400 > From: Bob Peterson <b...@contracorner.com> > To: Donna Hunt via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>, Callers > List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions > Message-ID: <c889ee5c-f140-4042-9b53-6745e537a...@contracorner.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > For added ?music education? make the teens listen for the AABB pattern. I > wouldn?t even go that far for under 7th grade unless they play an instrument. > > > >> On Aug 17, 2019, at 13:14, David Harding via Callers >> <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> I don't read the request as going beyond beat counts. The basic message is >> hearing the music, stepping in time, and getting to where you need to be in >> eight beats. Then you have various balance-and-four beats and >> balance-and-twelve beats figures. You have the timing of the turns on >> down-the-hall. That sounds to me like plenty of material for 1 1/2 hours. >> >>> On 8/16/2019 11:40 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers wrote: >>> Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not currently >>> inspired to do this and am asking for help. >>> >>> Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to teens and >>> their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances that encourage >>> really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some music >>> education in addition to fun." >>> >>> So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music that has >>> very good beat counts and distinct phrasing. That's not the problem. The >>> problem is "throw in some music education." I don't need a dissertation, >>> just bits and pieces. The dance is only 1-1/2 hours long followed by ice >>> cream. >>> >>> I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new job >>> that's taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore. >>> >>> Any suggestions? >>> >>> -- >>> Looking forward, >>> >>> Linda S. Mrosko >>> 102 Mitchell Drive >>> Temple, Texas 76501 >>> (903) 292-3713 (Cell) >>> contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com/> >>> www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance >>> buttons, t-shirts, & more) >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> List Name: Callers mailing list >>> List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net >>> <mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net> >>> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ >>> <https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/> >> _______________________________________________ >> List Name: Callers mailing list >> List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net >> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > <http://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/attachments/20190817/7276f49d/attachment-0001.html> > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 19:20:08 +0000 > From: "Winston, Alan P." <wins...@slac.stanford.edu> > To: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>, "Linda S. Mrosko" > <elmero...@gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions > Message-ID: > > <sn1pr07mb404646e49e3e337327507e1ff2...@sn1pr07mb4046.namprd07.prod.outlook.com> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" > > I'd think if you could get them to do "Lucky Seven" and count the progression > aloud (1 .. 2.. 3 ..) so that they're hearing 2 beat or 4 beat chunks on the > pull by, you'd be exceeding the request. > > -- Alan > ________________________________ > From: Callers <callers-boun...@lists.sharedweight.net> on behalf of Linda S. > Mrosko via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > Sent: Friday, August 16, 2019 9:40 PM > To: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions > > Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not currently > inspired to do this and am asking for help. > > Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to teens and > their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances that encourage > really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some music education in > addition to fun." > > So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music that has > very good beat counts and distinct phrasing. That's not the problem. The > problem is "throw in some music education." I don't need a dissertation, > just bits and pieces. The dance is only 1-1/2 hours long followed by ice > cream. > > I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new job that's > taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore. > > Any suggestions? > > -- > Looking forward, > > Linda S. Mrosko > 102 Mitchell Drive > Temple, Texas 76501 > (903) 292-3713 (Cell) > contradancetx.com<http://www.contradancetx.com> > www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*<http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance buttons, > t-shirts, & more) > [https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1kuZrPZVFDxB2sUbGAG-r3fr1mI0l4SlI&revid=0B6Wx3S_CPEZlQ0RZaStSazBLNENhOVVBaFE0SXhUUHhxbCtFPQ] > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > <http://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/attachments/20190817/dc8972ed/attachment-0001.html> > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 20:32:38 +0100 > From: Colin Hume <co...@colinhume.com> > To: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions > Message-ID: <2019817203238.693153@Owner-PC> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" > >> On Sat, 17 Aug 2019 19:20:08 +0000, Winston, Alan P. via Callers wrote: >> I'd think if you could get them to do "Lucky Seven" and count the >> progression aloud (1 .. 2.. 3 ..) so that they're >> hearing 2 beat or 4 beat chunks on the pull by, you'd be exceeding the >> request. > > In my experience you can't be on the beat for every change - you lose it at > about 5! > > Colin Hume > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 12:17:06 -0700 > From: Woody Lane <wo...@woodylane.com> > To: callers@lists.sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions > Message-ID: <14a1d797-00dd-3298-8b81-d05807739...@woodylane.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed" > > Hi Linda, > > An idea: After teaching about AABB, perhaps have a couple of tunes that > are crooked -- both extra 8-bar parts (e.g., AABBCC) and tunes with > extra beats. Then demonstrate the differences with standard contra tunes. > > Woody > >> On 8/17/2019 11:33 AM, Bob Peterson via Callers wrote: >> For added ?music education? make the teens listen for the AABB >> pattern. I wouldn?t even go that far for under 7th grade unless they >> play an instrument. >> >> >>> On Aug 17, 2019, at 13:14, David Harding via Callers >>> <callers@lists.sharedweight.net >>> <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: >>> >>> I don't read the request as going beyond beat counts.? The basic >>> message is hearing the music, stepping in time, and getting to where >>> you need to be in eight beats.? Then you have various >>> balance-and-four beats and balance-and-twelve beats figures.? You >>> have the timing of the turns on down-the-hall.? That sounds to me >>> like plenty of material for 1 1/2 hours. >>> >>>> On 8/16/2019 11:40 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers wrote: >>>> Although I've been calling forever and I know things, I'm not >>>> currently inspired to do this and am asking for help. >>>> >>>> Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to >>>> teens and their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances >>>> that encourage really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some >>>> music education in addition to fun." >>>> >>>> So I'll do my standard ONS dances for this group to recorded music >>>> that has very good beat counts and distinct phrasing.? That's not >>>> the problem.? The problem is *"throw in some music education." *I >>>> don't need a dissertation, just bits and pieces.? The dance is only >>>> 1-1/2 hours long followed by ice cream. >>>> >>>> I've got a job that keeps me pretty busy and am training for a new >>>> job that's taking up a lot of my time and I just can't think anymore. >>>> >>>> Any suggestions? >>>> >>>> -- >>>> *Looking forward, >>>> >>>> /Linda S. Mrosko/ >>>> * >>>> *102 Mitchell Drive >>>> * >>>> *Temple, Texas 76501 >>>> * >>>> *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)* >>>> */contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com/>/* >>>> */www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> >>>> (Dance buttons, t-shirts, & more) >>>> /* >>>> */ >>>> /* >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> List Name: Callers mailing list >>>> List Address:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net >>>> Archives:https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ >>> _______________________________________________ >>> List Name: ?Callers mailing list >>> List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net >>> <mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net> >>> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List Name: Callers mailing list >> List Address:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net >> Archives:https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > <http://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/attachments/20190817/3e66b24c/attachment-0001.html> > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:04:21 -0700 > From: jim saxe <jim.s...@gmail.com> > To: "Linda S. Mrosko" <elmero...@gmail.com> > Cc: Callers List <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions > Message-ID: <d8ac5901-129c-4c52-b86e-4154273d2...@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Linda, > > I'll hazard a guess that the request to lead "dances that encourage really > paying attention to beat counts" is really a request for dances that keep > everyone dancing together in time to the phrasing of the music. I think that > skilled contra/ECD/Scottish/... dancers who dance to the phrase mostly do it > by sensing the structure of the music not by explicit mental counting--unless > they're forced to resort to counting because the band is getting to > improvisational. > > It is sometimes stated as conventional wisdom that ONS leaders need to > recognize situations where dancing to the phrase isn't going to be the > happening thing and learn to let go of the phrasing and let the dancers dance > at their own comfortable pace. Perhaps some previous caller who had your gig > either (a) followed this advice or (b) tried to get people to dance on phrase > with material where keeping track of the figures and keeping track of the > phrasing at the same time was beyond the collective skill level of the crowd. > In either case, your contact's disappointment at the results could be the > reason for the request you report. > > Turning aside from such speculation, here a few specific ideas, with the > disclaimer that I have little experience leading ONS events and that I won't > feel insulted if someone more experienced wants to contradict or revise them. > > 1. Dancers of a wide age range seem to have any easy time dancing "Sasha!" > in time to the music. > > 2. In any dance from your ONS repertoire that includes > > forward (4 steps, or 3 steps and close) > back (same) > > , changing it to > > forward two, stamp-stamp-stamp > back two, stamp-stamp-stamp > > might help keep people moving together to the music--or at least help > convince your contact that you're trying to teach something--especially if > you can select music that seems to fit that action. (However, I recommend > avoiding choreography with foot stamping if you find that the space has a > non-resilient floor.) > > 3. You might try something like this version of "(Come) Haste to the > Wedding" (to the tune of the same name): > > Formation: Sicilian Circle > > A1 (8) Circle L > (8) Circle R > > A2 (8) Star R > (8) Star L > > B1 (8) Partners do-si-do > (2) Clap, Clap (i.e, clap own hands together on beats 9 and 10) > (6) Partners two-hand turn once around > > B2 (8) Neighbors (sometimes called "opposites") do-si-do > (2) Clap, Clap > (6) Pass Through (and bow to new neighbors if time allows) > > Perhaps other list members who have taught this dance often can share their > approaches for teaching dancers to clap on beats 9 and 10 of the B parts, > rather than on beats 7 and 8 as some may tend to do. Of course it will help > to have music where the correct beats are played staccato and with emphasis. > > I look forward to reading ideas that others may offer. > > --Jim > >> On Aug 16, 2019, at 9:40 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers >> <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> ... >> >> Been hired to lead a dance for a music school -- ages 5 and up to teens and >> their parents and my contact asked if I could lead "dances that encourage >> really paying attention to beat counts?.throw in some music education in >> addition to fun." >> >> ... > > > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers@lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > > > ------------------------------ > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 64, Issue 8 > ************************************** _______________________________________________ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
