Hi,
I have two questions about Steve Zaikon-Anderson's "Trip to Lambertville".
(1) At the end of A1 the men are in a long wavy line and they balance. It
seems that dancers are balancing right and then left most often. Since the
next figure is Gents Allemande Left, balancing left then right instead would
seem better as this would make sharing weight on the gent's allemande more
satisfying. (2) I have seen two versions of A2. In one the gent's
allemande left to their neighbor for a balance and swing. In the other
version the gents allemande left to a wavy line of 4 across the set, balance
in that wave and then swing their neighbor. In Nelson, NH, where I dance a
lot this version (into the wave of 4) is how it is danced. I am planning on
calling the dance at the Scout House in Concord MA soon and am wondering
which version is more common there.
Thanks for whatever help you can give,
Rickey Holt,
Fremont, NH.
Laila wrote:
>My understanding is that the basic rule is "who, what, how much [if needed]"; e.g. "gents allemande left once and a half," or "partner balance and swing" (as opposed to the commonly heard "balance and swing your partner"). The idea is to give the dancers the information in the order they need it -- first, they need to orient toward the correct person, then know what to do, then know how long to keep doing it (unless it's obvious). I was also taught that the "how much" is one of the first things you leave off when you're shortening calls in preparation for dropping out entirely.
******
Laila is correct. The basic principle is the same, though I learned a variation. I also have to admit that the phrase "effective word order" may be an invention of mine. This idea is usually treated as a basic of structuring calls. I coined the phrase to emphasize the importance of this principle.
The piece below is from an article I wrote several years ago on a "cure" for center set syndrome. The real issue for discussion is: Why do so few callers use effective word order?
*******
The Value of Effective Word Order
This is one of the most basic skills of calling contras. It is also one of the most neglected principles of good calling. This may be, in part, because so many experienced and otherwise excellent callers ignore effective r\word order and seem to get away with it. Others will avoid using effective word order in their calls because it does not fit with their “style” of calling. This may be so. The basics of the principle, however, should be adaptable to almost any style. Whatever style you use, however, the application of this structure to calls and prompts will take some effort and re-training. You will need to change your speaking habits and integrate the more effective word order into your style. The results, however, will be worth it. Excessive booking ahead, center set syndrome, and a failure to integrate newcomers are all strong indications that more effective word order is needed.
For many callers effective word order feels awkward and unnatural. Natural English usually places the verb before the object, as in “Swing your Neighbor.” Switching this pattern around often feels unnatural,…at first. Using effective word order, however, can make a big difference in reducing the amount of ambiguity and thus building the confidence of the dancers.
The most effective word order for prompts and teaching in dancing is:
1. Tell the dancers to whom you are speaking. (Not needed when speaking to everyone.)
2. Tell the dancers with whom they will be dancing next.
3. Tell them the figure or move they will be dancing.
Less effective: “Balance and swing your neighbor.”
More effective: “Neighbor, balance and swing.”
Note that with the less effective word order above a confused dancer of any skill level must wait almost two seconds longer before learning which direction to face. When in a line with unsure beginners this can seem like an eternity. Think about standing still almost two seconds during the dance or walk-through, while shifting your eyes back and forth. For some, this means two seconds of feeling incompetent, confused, unsure, and embarrassed. It is also two seconds during which a confused dancer will look to others for the information the caller should be providing. Good word order gives the dancers the information they need at exactly the time they need it. Using effective word order will instill confidence in the dancers. They will begin to trust you more as a caller and will be more willing to take risks.
Using effective word order does seem awkward, at first. Over time, however, it will become much more natural. Start by writing all of your card notes and dance transcriptions with the most effective word order.
While the effect may seem subtle the value of effective word order becomes most evident in a line with many newcomers. With lots of confused dancers the lack of effective word order is much the same as if the caller were calling late. Most of the newcomers won’t know which direction to face until it is too late. Again, this encourages other dancers to attempt to “help out” by giving verbal instructions and thus further distracting newcomers from the caller’s voice. It also does little to enhance confidence in the caller. Effective word order thus helps to maintain the focus on the caller’s voice because the correct information is received exactly when it is needed. Ideally the prompt should always end exactly one beat before the next move begins.
Less effective:
“Allemand left Gents once and a half.
_ _ _ _ _ Balance and swing your partner.”
More effective:
“Gents left hand turn
_ _ once and a half _ _ to your partner, Balance
_ _ _ and swing.”
(In the transcription above the underlined spaces represent one count each.)
Note that in the more effective prompt the gents receive the information about how far to turn as they are turning. The word “partner” is spoken just as their partner should be coming into view. The close coordination of the calls with the dance also helps to emphasize the timing of the dance.
Some may protest that, in many transitions, effective word order is not needed because the information is implied. I would answer that there are also many transitions where good word order makes a big difference, particularly for newcomers. The caller should form the calls consistently. This makes it easier for the dancers to hear the calls and frees the caller from having to decide whether to use natural English or a more effective word order. The best practice is to use effective word order at all times, not just when most needed. Good word order will quickly become a habit for both the caller and the dancers, to the extent that, eventually, common English word order from the caller will begin to sound unprofessional.
Using effective word order is one of the most effective tools for integrating newcomers into the dance community. It builds the confidence of dancers at all skill levels and makes experienced dancers more willing to partner with newcomers because they can see that the caller is making the effort to get the vital information to all of the dancers exactly when it is needed. When newcomers are partnered with experienced partners the caller’s other responsibilities become much more manageable. Effective word order is one of a host of techniques callers can use to generate a more generous and community-spirited atmosphere in the hall.
######
>Message: 6
>Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:44:18 -0800 (GMT-08:00)
>From: Greg McKenzie <gregmck(a)earthlink.net>
>Subject: Re: [Callers] Using effective word order in prompts
>
>>Laila wrote:
>>My understanding is that the basic rule is "who, what, how much [if
>>needed]"; e.g. "gents allemande left once and a half," or "partner balance
>>and swing" (as opposed to the commonly heard "balance and swing your
>>partner"). The idea is to give the dancers the information in the order
>>they need it -- first, they need to orient toward the correct person, then
>>know what to do, then know how long to keep doing it (unless it's
>>obvious). I was also taught that the "how much" is one of the first
>>things you leave off when you're shortening calls in preparation for
>>dropping out entirely.
>
>Greg wrote:
>Laila is correct. The basic principle is the same, though I learned a
>variation. I also have to admit that the phrase "effective word order" may
>be an invention of mine. This idea is usually treated as a basic of
>structuring calls. I coined the phrase to emphasize the importance of this
>principle.
Okay. I follow the same rule as Lewis <the way they sign themselves>. My
cards are written that way and that's the way I call. There was just
something about that phrase you use Greg that made me wonder if things had
changed over time and I was no longer calling most effectively.
And I have to say that I wasn't sure I saw the link between effective word
order and booking ahead, centre set syndrome and failure to integrate
newcomers until I read through the whole section of the article you
included. But I agree with your comments. I'd be interested in reading the
rest of the article.
Thanks for the reality check! Wishing everyone on Shared Weight a happy and
healthy holiday season and lots of calling in the New Year!
Bev
>
> Rickey Holt asked about the A2 of "Trip to Lambertville."
>
I prefer the version with a wave balance to a neighbor swing. For some male
dancers this transition may seem awkward because their right hand is in the
woman's right hand for the balance, but it has to travel to behind her back
for the swing.
A point of style that might be pointed out here: at the top of the balance,
right hands are connected, but in the middle of the balance the gent can
switch to his left hand in her right, while freeing his right hand for the
swing position. More easily demonstrated than explained, but that wavy line
to a balance will make more sense.
As Chris Weiler suggests in his note, "It's always good for the caller to
put style points out there, but not get too hung up on them being followed.
Some people are ready to hear them, but some aren't."
--Jerome
--
Jerome Grisanti
660-528-0858
http://www.jeromegrisanti.com
For the good are always the merry,
Save by an evil chance,
And the merry love the fiddle
And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats
My understanding is that the basic rule is "who, what, how much [if needed]"; e.g. "gents allemande left once and a half," or "partner balance and swing" (as opposed to the commonly heard "balance and swing your partner"). The idea is to give the dancers the information in the order they need it -- first, they need to orient toward the correct person, then know what to do, then know how long to keep doing it (unless it's obvious). I was also taught that the "how much" is one of the first things you leave off when you're shortening calls in preparation for dropping out entirely.
Lewis
________________________________
From: "callers-request(a)sharedweight.net" <callers-request(a)sharedweight.net>
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Sent: Wed, December 23, 2009 10:00:30 AM
Subject: Callers Digest, Vol 64, Issue 11
Send Callers mailing list submissions to
callers(a)sharedweight.net
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
callers-request(a)sharedweight.net
You can reach the person managing the list at
callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Using effective word order in prompts.... (The Witful Turnip)
2. Re: Using effective word order in prompts.... (Laur)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:27:05 -0500
From: "The Witful Turnip" <wturnip(a)sympatico.ca>
To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Using effective word order in prompts....
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP90F074561DAA97997EE72C2810(a)phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Message: 1
>Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:29:37 -0800
>From: Greg McKenzie <gregmck(a)earthlink.net>
>To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
>Subject: Re: [Callers] Cub Callers
>
>Greg wrote:
>The older veterans also seem to gain so much confidence that they
>sometimes begin dropping some of the basics techniques of contra
>dance calling, such as using effective word order in their
>prompts....
I think I've seen you mention this a couple of times Greg. Can you please
provide some examples of what you feel are ineffectively ordered calling
prompts and how you would change them to make them more effective? I'm just
curious about what your take on this is. Unfortunately, I tend to read
Shared Weight sporadically (plain old lack of time) so if you've actually
covered this in a prior post, and can forward that to me, that would be
great.
Thanks much,
Bev
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:34:43 -0800 (PST)
From: Laur <lcpgr(a)yahoo.com>
To: wturnip(a)sympatico.ca, callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Using effective word order in prompts....
Message-ID: <926708.37505.qm(a)web52908.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Greg,
I thing others are interested in this as a discussion, if you would be so good to share.
Laur
On Tue Dec 22nd, 2009 2:27 PM EST The Witful Turnip wrote:
>>Message: 1
>>Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:29:37 -0800
>>From: Greg McKenzie <gregmck(a)earthlink.net>
>>To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
>>Subject: Re: [Callers] Cub Callers
>>
>>Greg wrote:
>>The older veterans also seem to gain so much confidence that they
>>sometimes begin dropping some of the basics techniques of contra
>>dance calling, such as using effective word order in their
>>prompts....
>
>I think I've seen you mention this a couple of times Greg. Can you please
>provide some examples of what you feel are ineffectively ordered calling
>prompts and how you would change them to make them more effective? I'm just
>curious about what your take on this is. Unfortunately, I tend to read
>Shared Weight sporadically (plain old lack of time) so if you've actually
>covered this in a prior post, and can forward that to me, that would be
>great.
>
>Thanks much,
>Bev
>
>_______________________________________________
>Callers mailing list
>Callers(a)sharedweight.net
>http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
End of Callers Digest, Vol 64, Issue 11
***************************************
Greg,
I thing others are interested in this as a discussion, if you would be so good to share.
Laur
On Tue Dec 22nd, 2009 2:27 PM EST The Witful Turnip wrote:
>>Message: 1
>>Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:29:37 -0800
>>From: Greg McKenzie <gregmck(a)earthlink.net>
>>To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
>>Subject: Re: [Callers] Cub Callers
>>
>>Greg wrote:
>>The older veterans also seem to gain so much confidence that they
>>sometimes begin dropping some of the basics techniques of contra
>>dance calling, such as using effective word order in their
>>prompts....
>
>I think I've seen you mention this a couple of times Greg. Can you please
>provide some examples of what you feel are ineffectively ordered calling
>prompts and how you would change them to make them more effective? I'm just
>curious about what your take on this is. Unfortunately, I tend to read
>Shared Weight sporadically (plain old lack of time) so if you've actually
>covered this in a prior post, and can forward that to me, that would be
>great.
>
>Thanks much,
>Bev
>
>_______________________________________________
>Callers mailing list
>Callers(a)sharedweight.net
>http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>Message: 1
>Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:29:37 -0800
>From: Greg McKenzie <gregmck(a)earthlink.net>
>To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
>Subject: Re: [Callers] Cub Callers
>
>Greg wrote:
>The older veterans also seem to gain so much confidence that they
>sometimes begin dropping some of the basics techniques of contra
>dance calling, such as using effective word order in their
>prompts....
I think I've seen you mention this a couple of times Greg. Can you please
provide some examples of what you feel are ineffectively ordered calling
prompts and how you would change them to make them more effective? I'm just
curious about what your take on this is. Unfortunately, I tend to read
Shared Weight sporadically (plain old lack of time) so if you've actually
covered this in a prior post, and can forward that to me, that would be
great.
Thanks much,
Bev
When I was a "cub caller," at one point I got stuck in a rut where my local community hired me for a half dance once a quarter, and that was it. This went on for about 2 years, and because I never got enough "fly time" (as Joseph Pimentel terms it), I never got better. Finally a caller from the nearest neighboring community took me under wing, and I was getting whole evenings, and then I got better very quickly.
So the moral of the story is, organizers can also err on the side of being too cautious about getting new callers in front of a mic. Sure, you can hold discussions about calling, think about calling, practice calling, dream about calling -- but the only way to learn is to get up there and do it. Over and over and over.
Gloating alert: The coda to my story is that now other communities book me far in advance, so that by the time my local organizer approaches me, there's no room on my schedule. Local dancers keep asking when I'll call next, and act disappointed to hear I'm not on the schedule. I try to hold back the triumphant evil laughter until out of earshot of the organizer.
Lewis
Dear fellow dance callers,
I have an opportunity coming up next spring to lead a day-long workshop for
dance callers. It'll be a small group, perhaps 10-12 people, with a range of
experience. Some will have had only 2-4 years of active calling while others may
have had 20 years or more. These will be folks who are comfortable with contras
and with traditional squares. They will know each other already. They're open to
a wide variety of topics and teaching methods.
I've been invited to address just about any topics that are near and dear to me,
so I'm relishing this prospect.
At the same time, I'd like not to spend an entire day on a soapbox. With that in
mind, I'm soliciting opinions from this group-- rather than, say, the
trad.dance.callers listserv-- because this Shared Weight group includes some
callers on the less experienced end of the spectrum.
So, what are topics that _you_ would like to see in a workshop? Assuming that
one already has the nuts and bolts of programming an evening, teaching a dance,
and delivering the calls in good fashion, what skills would be useful to
address?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
David Millstone
Lebanon, NH
