strathspey@strathspey.org:45254

Andrew Smith

Re: Attracting Young Folks/Music Tempo

May 12, 2006, 9:53 a.m. (Message 45254, in reply to message 45221)

If we were "brutally honest" we would lose more than one enthusiastic
member, and would be much the poorer for it. I have met some 'superior'
dancers in my time that were only technically perfect, and it would have
been a more enjoyable occasion for everyone if they were not in the set
clearly showing their impatience with the less able, even on occasion
actually ignoring them.
In my book a 'superior' dancer is one who having mastered the technique
will not make the less able feel unwanted, but will make them feel
positively welcome, and will make the less able feel that the 'superior'
dancer has enjoyed dancing with them as much as if they were dancing with
another 'superior' dancer.
There may be "nothing worse than one head bobbing out of sync" from a
critical spectator point of view, but remember that dancing is for the
dancers, it is not a spectator sport.
Even in the most sophisticated demonstration I would suggest that the most
important aspect is that the audience feels first and foremost that the
dancers are enjoying themselves and enjoying the music and the dance. There
is then a very good chance that they will be distracted from bobbing heads
and untidy feet by 'the spirit of the dance.'
Technique does make a difference, obviously, but it is not the only measure.
Enjoyment, sociability and respect for others are of the greatest
importance, IMHO.
Andrew,
Bristol, UK