Does your nearest MJ class teach the Semi-Circle?

[Dreadful Scathe]

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

I think that Steve (the Tramp) does a great job of giving his customer what he wants rather than what he thinks the customer needs.

Hmm, it sounds as though you mean Steve gives the opinion of the customer some value - the customer is an amateur and not going to know what he wants. Surely as a professional what Steve thinks the customer needs is paramount - and based on his many years experience in teaching and competing ? If you went by what the customer wants you'd have no footwork, "modern" music and a stupid semi-circle to start.

oh.

I thought Martins comment was based on this and not some pedantic grammatical mishap

Seriously, there is always an element of both - what the customer wants/expects and what you KNOW the customer needs.

[Gadget]

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

However, I think a natural evolution from the semi-circle would be to raise and lower the hand: you'd apply compression into the hand as you lower it. But first off, for complete beginners, this raise and lower the hand could be the "signal" to replace the semi-circle - it makes more sense than the semi-circle. This would replicate the action of lowering your hand stepping your partner back by applying compression after a turn or return. The result of this would be that you still apply compression into your partners hand to get them to step back and the bonus would be that you get used to leading the back step after a turn rather than leading an over-turn.

Very good idea ... if you were starting from a stationary position. But then combine it with the side-to side counting to start with and you end up with a semi-circle. And I think it may also encourage bouncy hands.

Perhaps instead of doing a "C" side to side, the "C" should be front to back?
... hmmmm.... I might actually try that - establish a connection and preperation on the 'pull in' bit but it's while raising the hand, so less likely to have the follower step in... the more I think on it, the better I like it. Need to see what it's like in practice.

[ducasi]

Is Steve's customer the person who has contracted him to teach, or the person to whom he is teaching?

[Andy McGregor]

Originally Posted by ducasi

Is Steve's customer the person who has contracted him to teach, or the person to whom he is teaching?

Steve's customer is the person who pays him. And he's always right!

[Martin]

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

Probably right. But, I think my meaning was clear.

well it was not clear to begin with...

Must be your fat fingers hitting the wong kees

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

Better?

Yes much better now

Having seen Steve (The Tramp) teach in various locations, he has to adapt to the "local requirements" and also try to put his own stamp on it.

Something I think he has done rather well "down under" - I have a lot of respect for what he has done here...

[Andy McGregor]

Originally Posted by Gadget

Very good idea ... if you were starting from a stationary position. But then combine it with the side-to side counting to start with and you end up with a semi-circle. And I think it may also encourage bouncy hands.

It depends how you lead the side-to-side. If you do it by moving your hand from side-to-side and leading a pivot/over-turn you will end up with a semi-cicle. If you lead the side-to-side by isolating your top half and just moving your feet you will not get a semi-circle.

But, as I said, this is all academic to me as I don't teach a raise and lower to lead a back step.

[Andy McGregor]

Originally Posted by Martin

Something I think he has done rather well "down under"

I've seen Steve "down under"

[Martin]

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

I've seen Steve "down under"

fortunately I have not, in the way you might be pertaining to.

What I do know, is that he has added a lot of flavour to us "down under"

[Martin]

Originally Posted by ducasi

Is Steve's customer the person who has contracted him to teach, or the person to whom he is teaching?

Good point, and I guess the best person to respond would be Steve.

From what I have observed, there is an employer, and there are "customers".

There is a need to somewhat please the employer... but at the same time focus on the end "customer".


Within the confines of the employer - I have observed a very strong "customer" focus.

[NZ Monkey]

Originally Posted by Martin

There is a need to somewhat please the employer... but at the same time focus on the end "customer".

Which is something I've seen Steve agonize over. Of course, it could have just been a bad curry instead

Seriously though, I imagine that can be quite a difficult balance to work out. Doubly so if you're teaching somewhere you're unfamiliar with.