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MacNab Dances in diagrams
Lydia Hedge
April 1, 2006, 11:19 a.m. (Message 44942)
Hello all, I have just received a "proof" copy of "The MacNab Dances in diagrams" from the author of the diagrams - Angus Henry (Australia). What a massive effort he has expended!! It is 14 pages of (rather larger than normal) Pilling like diagrams. Easy to read and accurate (as far as I can tell - I am not familiar with ALL of the dances). A quick way to refresh your memory on these (often complex) dances. It contains detailed diagrammatic representations of the 27 dances collected by Mary Isdale MacNab and published by the RSCDS in "Scottish Dances" Volumes I and II plus two other dances published earlier in the RSCDS leaflet sets "Traditional Scottish Dances". My original understanding was that the RSCDS was going to take Angus' idea and fly with it, but I have heard no more about it, so I am really pleased to have a proof copy for the interim. It would be good to know when (and if) HQ is planning to publish this booklet (or one like it). I think many dancers and teachers (especially, because of the extra notations to help them) would benefit from these diagrams. Well done, Angus!! And thank you. Regards, Lydia Hedge Nova Scotia, Canada
Angus, How are you intending to publish your MacNab diagrams? As you have made them, the copyright on the diagrams is yours, though the copyright holder of the descriptions should be asked for permission to publish. Perhaps you (and the RSCDS) could consider publishing them on a website, for downloading, and to dispense with making printed copies unless a significant demand arises. This would allow anyone (world-wide) to print them for him(her)self. It is faster, simpler and cheaper to everyone. If you want some amount (eg what would otherwise be needed for printing and postage) to be donated to charity, you could add a note to that effect; I am sure all will comply. Happy dancing, Eric
Eric A couple of years ago the book was arranged to be an RSCDS publication and was prepared for that purpose. With assorted delays, new structures etc, it still awaits finalisation. A few people have been very supportive and helpful in preparing and checking the accuracy of the work, and with the passage of many months and requests for progress I have printed and sent about half a dozen only as proof copies to those people. I am still happy to allow copyright to the Society when they decide to go ahead with the project, if they want. Angus
I am astonished that this can be an issue. This has been discussed before. "Pilling" can (perhaps) claim copyright on the diagrams they have produced themselves, but surely not on the symbols ! In Germany, dance cribs are normally Pilling style diagrams, using the Pilling symbols and a few others. Has Pilling ever raised objections? Publishing Angus' new MacNab diagrams would be no different. And BTW, has Pilling received permission from the copyright holders of all the dances in their Wee Green Book? Does anyone understand what material interest can "Pilling" have in trying to copyright their symbols? The more they are used, the more people will want to buy the WGB. What do the lawyers say? This "problem" only strengthens the case for putting the diagrams on the Web.
Greetings! Who said anything about copyright? Who said anything about legal opinions? Why is the assumption made that there must be a problem - other than a slower than desired response. Discussing the possibility of the RSCDS publishing Angus's booklet is something that we consider falls within the normal range of courtesy. Nothing more, nothing less. BUT, some of us consider such courtesies are important. Jim Healy Convenor, Membership Services ----Original Message Follows---- From: "Eric Ferguson" <x.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx> Reply-To: x.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx,SCD news and discussion <xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx> To: xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx Subject: Re: MacNab Dances in diagrams Date: Sun, 02 Apr 2006 12:05:24 +0200 I am astonished that this can be an issue. This has been discussed before. "Pilling" can (perhaps) claim copyright on the diagrams they have produced themselves, but surely not on the symbols ! In Germany, dance cribs are normally Pilling style diagrams, using the Pilling symbols and a few others. Has Pilling ever raised objections? Publishing Angus' new MacNab diagrams would be no different. And BTW, has Pilling received permission from the copyright holders of all the dances in their Wee Green Book? Does anyone understand what material interest can "Pilling" have in trying to copyright their symbols? The more they are used, the more people will want to buy the WGB. What do the lawyers say? This "problem" only strengthens the case for putting the diagrams on the Web.
On 4/2/06, Jim Healy <xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote: > Greetings! > > Who said anything about copyright? Who said anything about legal opinions? > Why is the assumption made that there must be a problem - other than a > slower than desired response. This one is easy. Because your original email said that the publication _depends_ on the outcome of the discussion to them. To my ear, this sounds more like a hostage situation than just a confirmation that they are happy to hear about RSCDS liking their ancestor's notation. And given the copyright confusion related to this issue, we obviously presume that there are difficulties. I am sure that (at least) my opinion could be easily reversed if more concrete information were provided. Regards, Alex.
On Sun, 2 Apr 2006, Jim Healy wrote: > With regard to publication by the Society, that depends on the outcome of > discussions with the successors of Pilling who have not been the most > responsive. Any chance the Society would consider publishing the diagrams in PDF form online, perhaps with a Creative Commons License (see http://creativecommons.org/)? / Lara Friedman-Shedlov Minneapolis, Minnesota USA ******************************** Lara Friedman~Shedlov "Librarians -- Like Google, but xxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx warm-blooded" ********************************
We know that Angus has been working on this project since a long, long time (and we have an early draft dating June 2000 !) and had great difficulties in getting answers to queries regarding interpretations of the descriptions from the Society. Luckily he got help from dancers around the world with longstanding experience of the MacNab dances from earlier times. With the successors of Pilling not being `the most responsive`, for what seems to us quite some time already, we really hope that now - with what seems to be the ´definitive` version of the booklet ready for publication - the Society will be able to quickly complete whatever negotiations have been holding up the printing (or whatever way of publication is possible). We think publication would be most timely. And, as two of the lucky few to have seen this handy booklet, we think it would be most helpful for teachers. Wanda van Taanom/ Hans van Zon The Hague Branch The Netherlands
Hi all, Does anyone know what is happening with Angus Henry's "The MacNab dances in diagrams"? I saw the booklet in its early stages and am told it has now been completed. It's a super booklet, a major undertaking, a real labour of love and invaluable to those who wish to teach/dance MacNab dances. I understand that Angus has offered the booklet free of charge to the RSCDS and I thought since the video was available through the RSCDS, that the booklet would also be on offer. I even checked my TACBooks listings and its not there either.....maybe it will be on the shelf at St. Andrews this summer. I'll be there the 2nd week of the 1st fortnight, any others going to be there at the same time? Stella Richmond, VA