strathspey@strathspey.org:1341

Rebecca R. Davis

Briefings -- Talk Throughs or Teach Throughs?

March 17, 1995, 10:02 a.m. (Message 1341)

REPLY TO 03/16/95 12:23 FROM xxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx-xxxxxxxxx.xx: Re:
Briefings at Balls - a geographical perspective



This discussion re briefings has been an eye opener for me.  I have
always thought that the purpose of "talk throughs" (as they are
called here) was to furnish a timely reminder of the sequence of
events in a dance one already knew.  A while back we had a
discussion about "learning" dances from Pilling diagrams, a practice
much frowned upon.  And yet, apparently some not-inconsiderable
segment of the SDC world "learns" dances from thirty-second
briefings while standing in the set line waiting for the opening
chord (perhaps even in first place).  I haven't made up my mind
whether to be appalled or awe-struck.

Am I to understand that there are people out there who can listen to
a quick recap of a complicated dance, and not only memorize the
order of the figures, but also anticipate tricky transitions,
potential phrasing complications, and orientation anomalies? And all
this from two, three, or even four places? My.

At our class parties dances are always briefed; however, on the
posted program, the "tricky" dances are marked "TWKI" (Those Who
Know It), and we hope to have this taken seriously.  People who have
worked hard to learn the intricacies of a particular dance deserve
to do that dance with others who have also paid their dues. There
are plenty of other dances on the program well within the scope of
the purely social dancer.

Scottish Country Dancing is certainly a social activity, but it is
also an art form.  In this area there are many, many dancers with
the talent, dedication, intellect, and physical conditioning to do
even the most difficult dances with spirit, beauty, and grace.  I
would not like to see that heady experience spoiled for them because
somebody might feel left out.

Rebecca Davis
San Francisco

To:  xxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx-xxxxxxxxx.xx