I’m late enough to the discussion this may not matter, but: I started to write about the beginners’ class I used to teach, and while doing so I saw significant differences from others' lists of basic figures. I realized that they’re importantly different things.
My class was about teaching figures (awa bigger/overall dance stuff), which meant I left out things that I knew most beginners figured out as soon as they say them (e.g., F&B, wavy line, Calif twirl). It also meant I didn’t make a particular point of teaching the names of the figures, I just wanted people to experience doing them in a calmer setting than an actual dance, and ask questions. But figures for no-walk-through dances is quite different: there it’s precisely the names of the figures that matter, including figures that are obvious when seen but not when named. If the discussion continues, it may be helpful to not conflate the two. Read Weaver Jamaica Plain, MA http://lcfd.org > On Sep 15, 2023, at 7:14 AM, Mary Collins via Contra Callers > <[email protected]> wrote: > > We in Western New York, well some of us, just attended a callers' workshop. > The focus was specifically on the "lesson", a term I avoid since we advertise > "no lesson needed". > > The attendees each gave figures that should be taught during the 15 - 30 min. > "lesson". They ranged from 4 - 15 + moves. I was actually surprised and > dismayed at how much information (and talking at) is shared by some. > > I think that the KISS idea is applicable here. I attend and absorb the George > Marshall introductory sessions as often as possible and use his as my model. > > Giving weight in circle, alemande, do-si-do, star, circle, right & left > through (to get courtsey turn), swing and now I have added positions of Lark > & Robin. There are techniques that are not outlined here such as how I teach > partnering & progression that are incorporated within the others. > > Much of what some wanted to teach IMHO belongs in the dance line where it > actually makes sense. I also, when there are beginners in the lines, actually > teach a new harder move during the walk through, much I must say to the > chagrin of experienced dancers. My belief is that those that don't know, > learn, those that do get to help which is what they want to do and those that > think they know, may get better. > > So now having used many words let's dance! 😁 > > Mary Collins > > > On Thu, Sep 14, 2023, 11:14 AM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers > <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > Bravo, Michael! (I’ve bolded, below, the point on which I want to agree > wholeheartedly.) I’ve believed this for years, and had no way of knowing what > percentage of active contra callers agreed. I dare to hope that, as Michael > is known for writing and advocating difficult sequences, his opinion will > carry added weight. > > > > Over the decades, I’ve seen the number of contra “basics” increase > dramatically – from about 12 in the 1960s, when many groups got started, to > at least 36 today. I’ve worried that the modern contra world has been going > down the same path as modern “western” squares did. There’s always a gap > between what a first-timer can grasp in one night and what a dancer needs to > know to be comfortable at a dance series. But if “basics” are continually > added, the gap gets ever wider, until a lesson or a series of lessons is > needed. Western squares started with 6 lessons in the late 1940s; currently > the Plus program (the prevailing club level in most parts of the US) contains > 97 “basics” and (coincidentally) is recommended to be taught in 97 hours, or > about 50 lessons. (Most clubs insist that their callers take less time, which > results in new dancers not learning the calls adequately.) > > > > We contra and trad square callers are nowhere near the excesses of MWSD. But > even 36 “basics” are too many for an activity that supposedly anyone can join > in without lessons. Some sequences – maybe even some moves – should be > reserved for workshops. I’m glad to see an influential modern contra caller > speaking out on this. >
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