A helpful one that's often passed over in beginner lessons is for the lark to take a step to the right at the beginning of a robins chain, as the robin is leaving. It puts you in a better position to start the courtesy turn and finish it on time.
Alex On Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 10:31 PM Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers < [email protected]> wrote: > On thumbs, while I certainly agree it's possible to use your thumbs to > grip others uncomfortably, I'd much rather see us teaching people how to > dance well and considerately with natural holds than tucking thumbs away. > > Jeff > > On Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 5:23 AM John Sweeney via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Hi Harris, >> >> Julian and others have already given you some great points. >> >> >> >> I never talk about weight. I refer to it as connection. >> See https://contrafusion.co.uk/Contra.html#connection for more >> information. >> >> >> >> Thumbs: >> >> I have often thought of putting a sign on the door saying, “Leave your >> thumbs here – you don’t need them for the dance!”. >> >> Ask the dancers to make a Wrist-Lock Star – tell them to put their thumbs >> on top so that they can’t grip. >> >> Ask the dancers to hold hands in a circle – give them permission to tell >> their partners or neighbours if they are gripping with their thumbs. >> >> >> >> Swings: >> >> See https://contrafusion.co.uk/Contra.html#swinging for lots of hints >> and tips. >> >> Tell the dancers to get in a Ballroom-Hold ready for a Swing. Then ask >> them to relax! It is amazing how much just this one concept can improve a >> Swing. >> >> Tell the dancers to get in a Ballroom-Hold ready for a Swing. Give them >> permission to tell their partner where they are feeling pressure. There >> are lots of common faults: ladies pressing on the back. Men gripping too >> tightly. Hanging, clamping, gripping, leaning, etc. During a Swing you >> never get time to mention it, even if you dared. Most people don’t realise >> that they are causing their partner discomfort. Giving them permission to >> share information can really help. >> >> >> >> Allemandes: >> >> See https://contrafusion.co.uk/Allemande.html for some great tips and >> quotes from the callers on this list. >> >> The Allemande 1.5 times is the worst-performed move in contra dancing in >> my experience. >> >> Explain to the dancers that, although it may look like arm-wrestling, it >> is not! In fact, if your hand moves towards your body you lose! Just >> connect. Focus then on moving your feet quickly to get around. Increase >> the tension as little as possible to counteract centrifugal force and to >> keep the hands exactly half way between you. >> >> >> >> Timing: >> >> Circle three-quarters and Pass Through. The Circle is six steps, leaving >> the last two for the Pass Through. Lots of people think they have to use >> up all the music in the Circle then Pass Through at the beginning of the >> next phrase, arriving late for the next move. >> >> Down the Hall and Dixie Twirl or California Twirl: You only take four >> steps down the hall. >> >> >> >> I hope that helps. >> >> >> >> Happy dancing, >> >> John >> >> >> >> John Sweeney, Dancer, England [email protected] 01233 625 362 & >> 07802 940 574 >> >> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to >> [email protected] >> > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >
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