I would never want to talk about a balance as a lurch, because it is one of my favourite moves in contra dancing. It is one of the only steps which cannot be done as a walk. I always demonstrate it in a variety of styles, from one very close to the floor to one with much higher steps and kicks, just to give people the idea that they can have fun with it and make it their own. I appreciate Read's explanation of the function of it, but I never think about any function of the balance other than the pleasure of the balance in itself. What I don't appreciate in a partner doing a balance is a lazy leaning in and out. I think the 1-2-3 footwork is essential to a good balance, as is the weight in the arms.
Maura > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:04:07 -0400 > From: Read Weaver <rwea...@igc.org> > To: Caller's discussion list <call...@sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] American with Style > Message-ID: <1cd4a97e-4b5b-4aba-8557-e539c9e93...@igc.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; > format=flowed > > I assumed the lurch he was talking about was the pulling into the > swing. I'm not sure what the pedagogical (or Terpsichorean) advantage > is in describing it as something willfully inelegant, but I do think > that's what he's referring to. > > When I teach beginners, I describe the point of the balance as moving > you away from (while connected to) your partner so that you can pull > in to your partner as you begin the swing (California twirl, etc.). > With experienced dancers, it can be worth reminding them that fancy > balances that end without that tension in the arms lose the pulling- > in aspect. > > --Read Weaver > Jamaica Plain, MA > http://lcfd.org > > On Mar 17, 2012, at 7:07 AM, John Sweeney wrote: > > > In his article Colin Hume says that the balance before a swing is > > "more > > of a lurch". But I would disagree. > > > > My experience is that most dancers do some sort of footwork - they > > step > > forward with a 1-2-3 and back with a 1-2-3 or do a step and kick > > across > > or anything else they fancy in the way of footwork. > > > > What is the general view? What do you teach when you teach a balance > > before a swing? What do people actually do on the dance-floor? > > >
