Hi Jim,
I never use music during the pre-dance lesson until the very end of the
lesson. I don't think there is a need until the end.
My entire lesson is filled with moves -- either as a couple or as a
foursome. We repeat the moves; we repeat the moves, again and again. For
moves like courtesy turn, pass through, right-and-left through, ladies
chain, 1/2-hey, and full hey -- once they learn the actual move, then I
add the count -- either 8 or 16. Again, with no music, just my voice.
Then, during the last 4 minutes or so of the lesson, I ask the band to
play a single tune -- whatever the band likes, reel or jig. I want the
tempo at regular dance speed -- 112-118 or so. The dancers are still in
their foursomes. Then I call those moves to the music -- hash call so no
one knows what move is next. The dancers dance to the music, do the
moves at speed in the right tempo, finish the moves on time, and learn
to listen to the caller. I don't worry about lining up for a contra and
learning the progression -- I can teach that in 30-seconds during the
first dance of the evening. Basically, I want dancers to have fun and
confidence in dancing.
I think this lesson does a good job of getting new dancers confident and
dancing to the music.
Best,
Woody
--
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Woody Lane
Caller, Percussive Dancer
Roseburg, Oregon
http://www.woodylanecaller.com
cell: 541-556-0054
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On 9/10/2019 12:41 PM, jim saxe via Callers wrote:
I'd like to hear from any of you who can share experience or advice about making use of music
during the introductory lesson (a/k/a "new dancers' orientation", "beginners'
workshop", etc.) that often precedes a regularly scheduled contradance.
What source of music do you use? (Recorded music played on a device that you control?
Live music played by a musician assisting with the lesson? Music that you yourself can
play on some instrument while leading the session? Your own singing of song lyrics,
nonsense syllables like "la la la", or dance calls? Music that may happen to be
coming from the evening's band doing their sound check at the other end of the hall? ..)
How--in as much detail as you care to supply--do you use that music in your teaching?
What do you think/hope your use of music contributes to the effectiveness or fun of the
lesson?
I tossed out a few ideas on this topic, with much uncertainty about which ones were any
good, in a message I sent on September 2 in the "Brain Dead - Need Suggestions"
thread. I'm re-raising the topic here under a more descriptive Subject line in hope of
getting responses from people who can offer comments based on actual experience.
Thanks.
--Jim
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