Outline for a new callers' session

The Roles of a caller

• Facilitator of fun
• Exemplary dancer and community member
• Leader of newcomers' sessions
• Preserver of dance traditions
• Programmer for the evening
• Teacher of dance moves
• Keeper of the evening schedule
• Announcer of all necessary news

The form of the music we use

• 32 bar AABB
• So what's a bar? What's a dance beat?
• Listen to the music, clap on the LAST beat of each 8-beat phrase
• Jigs, reels, marches, hornpipes, and polkas: For now, just trust the musicians
• Matching tunes and dances: Advanced topic, way beyond the scope of calling your first dance

How do the calls fit the music?

Discuss this topic briefly, then ALL call a dance together.

Discussion: why do we have walk-throughs?

Walk through and dance a dance

Further resources

Return to my contra calling resource page