When teaching beginners, I try to sprinkle in a few moments on style vs. substance. I'll point out an example or two such as do-si-do spins, courtesy turn twirls, etc. My teaching points are:
- You'll see some people doing these embellishments to the basic moves, but they are not required (nor forbidden). They are style. - As a beginner you should focus on the substance for now. Just be in the right place at the right time. - As you gain experience you will develop a sense for when the stylish moves will fit into the dance. - You can communicate withother to make it clear whether you wish to indulge in twirls etc. Saying this also serves as a reminder to the old hands present, that they need to be mindful of their dancing partners' needs. If I think it's warranted during the course of the evening, I might also say something like, "This is a busy passage, you might not have time for twirls." This is as often for overenthusiastic old hands as it is for the newbies. - joseph On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 8:56 AM, George Mercer <geopmer...@gmail.com> wrote: > I have nothing against spinning on dosidos. I used to do it regularly. As > I aged I decided it was too much work. Why does anyone feel the need to > teach spinning on a dosido? Those who want to will figure it out. I will > tell dancers that the arm-crossing isn't really a part of the move, but > what is important is getting to where you're supposed to be next. The same > thing applies to the "Petronella clap." I gave up caring about that a long > time ago, but I will tell dancers, beginning and experienced, that the > Petronella twirl/slide is about getting to the next spot on time, not about > clapping. Do it if you want, do it if you must, but do it in the beats > allotted. > > > On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 11:30 AM, Allen Ortep <ortep.al...@gmail.com> > wrote: > > > For those trying for the first time to spin during a do-si-do, it is > > easiest if they place the tip of the index finger of their non-dominant > > hand on their nose. > > > > On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 8:57 AM, Rich Goss <richg...@comcast.net> wrote: > > > > > I think a bit of context is in order. This topic was originally > started > > > in a thread about teaching young children at school. In this context > I > > > agree with Dan Pearl's post about not correcting it. > > > > > > My 2 cents. > > > > > > Rich Goss > > > > > > At our weekly contra I would discourage it in a tactful way. > > > > > > On May 20, 2013, at 2:00 AM, "John Sweeney" <i...@contrafusion.co.uk> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > Arms folded in dosidos? I DO "correct" it for three reasons: > > > > > > > > 1) If you implicitly condone it by saying nothing, then others will > > copy > > > > it and it will spread even more. > > > > > > > > 2) If these people then ever go to a contra dance they are going to > > look > > > > decidedly uncool, perhaps to their embarrassment. > > > > > > > > 3) If they ever want to add spins to their dosidos, then it is MUCH > > > > easier without arms folded - your arms help you balance and can aid > > your > > > > spinning. > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Callers mailing list > > > call...@sharedweight.net > > > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Callers mailing list > > call...@sharedweight.net > > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > call...@sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >
