strathspey@strathspey.org:44695

Anselm Lingnau

Re: Teaching and guns (was: Where are the RSCDS???)

March 14, 2006, 1:41 a.m. (Message 44695, in reply to message 44692)

Ron Mackey wrote:

> 	What do you tell someone of 50+,say, who wants to dance?
> "Don't bother - you'll never master sufficient technique? You'll only
> slow us down?  You'll make us look shoddy?"

Everyone should aspire to dance to the best of their abilities. For some (the  
lucky few) this may mean »perfectly in all respects«; for others, »getting 
there at the right time, socially«. Age may be a factor in this but often 
isn't. As long as you're giving your best, and are enjoying yourself, nobody 
can really complain.

On the whole, most people seem to have certain ideas of how much they are 
willing to exert themselves (both mentally and physically); if they can have 
enough fun while staying within the confines of these limits, then they enjoy 
doing SCD. Push them to exceed them on a regular basis, and they will leave 
in order to look for something less strenuous to do. This interplays with the 
observation that, in many cases, better technique results in higher 
satisfaction (because more things »just work«, less time is necessary for 
explanations, more difficult dances can be attempted, etc.).

The trick, apparently, is getting people to find out that while they *think* 
they're having lots of fun when they're just stampeding around the set like a 
herd of hippos, that once they've got the hang of current SCD technique they 
will be having even *more* fun. I don't have a foolproof method for doing 
this.

Anselm
-- 
Anselm Lingnau, Frankfurt, Germany ..................... xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time
for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their
own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.
                                                             -- Octavia Butler