I know plenty of "good contra dancers" who never use a buzz step, and I always teach newbies to walk first and come to the buzz as they feel comfortable.
The comment about giving weight in the saddle pack is unnecessary. You really can't give weight in that position - but you can grip too hard. I love the phrase "Appalachian Sufi dancing" - I think of the traditional dances as sufi opportunities because I can just relax and dance without thought. The new dances where everyone is active all the time require much more concentration and seldom reach the sufi level of detachment. We do, however, often run dances too long. I remember the caller's rule was to run the dance until the original top couple got back to the top - but as the line gets longer, that can be a really long time. Thoughts on a rainy morning when I should be doing something else! What a great way to avoid reality - think about dancing. The power just flickered - wonder how long without internet... Dorcas Hand Houston -----Original Message----- From: callers-boun...@sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-boun...@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Colin Hume Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2012 1:43 AM To: Caller's discussion list Subject: Re: [Callers] American with Style On 11/03/2012 05:41, Read Weaver wrote: > I'd like to see the phrase "good contra dancers use a buzz-step swing" > changed--I'd say really good contra dancers sometimes use a buzz step > and sometimes use a walking step, depending on the choreography or > music; medium-good contra dancers use a buzz step for all swings. Would other people like to comment on that one? > I'd point out that the wrist-grip (which I believe you're calling > pack-saddle) star is the one move in contra dance where you should not > give weight--human wrists neither bend that direction nor have > strength the other direction, so it's uncomfortable to be pulled by > the person behind. I've added the phrase "wrist grip" and the point about not giving weight. > My understanding is that English are used to doing a particular dance > fewer times than Americans. You sort of refer to this, but you might > make more a point of it--we like to get into it to the point of not > having to think about it. "Appalachian Sufi dancing." I've added a sentence to that effect. Thanks for your comments. Colin Hume E-mail: co...@colinhume.com Website: http://www.colinhume.com ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4862 - Release Date: 03/10/12 _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
