SQUARE DANCING PARADOXES (June 1998)
By: Jeff Garbutt, Bunbury, Western Australia 


SQUARE DANCING PARADOXES

Paradoxes are not confined to scientific problems. Square Dancing presents us with some paradoxes that would baffle the greatest scientific minds. And as with the world of science, there appears to be no solutions. These are just two that come to mind:

"It's easy to learn" paradox:

Square Dancing is easier to learn than any other dance form - but takes longer to learn than any other dance form

One thing (able) people can do very well is walk. It is something we learn early in life. We simply put one foot in front of the other - there is no need to think about it. It is so firmly implanted in our sub-conscious that we just do it. All we have to think about is in which direction to walk. But if we are told we have to move our feet in some particular way other than walking - then we have to start concentrating on where we put our feet-and it becomes more challenging.

Of all the dance forms available to us, only Square (and Contra) dancing allow us to forget about our feet. Every other form of dancing requires us to learn "where our feet must go" , (even the current line dance craze is affected by this problem). 

This should make Square Dancing easier to learn shouldn't it ?

Well some say no - because it takes a commitment of many weeks to learn the moves which tell us in which direction to walk - and how far. This kind of tips the balance the other way, it takes longer to learn enough moves to be able to attend a club level dance, thus creating the "impression" that Square Dancing is more difficult to learn.

So what can we do? We have to remove the perception that Square Dancing is more difficult to learn. We have to actively promote the concept that square dancing is easier to learn and do something with the "time span" part. This does not necessarily mean reducing the time span, it could also be done by turning it into a positive - (For instance we could say "sure it takes a year to learn - but there is a lot more variety available with what you learn".)

"Best teacher" paradox:

Experienced caller/instructors are essential for instructing new dancers - but to get "experience" one must "do" whilst still in-experienced.

First impressions are critical. And a new dancer's first few months, (indeed weeks), are the most critical time for the Square Dance movement. We must really "sell" square dancing - a bad sale will leave a lasting impression on the new dancer. It is therefore important the people who has the most to do with newer dancers make a good impression and do their jobs well. In most cases it is the caller/instructor who has the most influence. 

So it naturally follows that newer callers should not instruct dancers until they are "experienced". But hold on - where do experienced callers come from ? Is there some magical way to get an experienced caller - without first giving them experience. I don't think so. They have to gain that experience by "doing".

So what can we do ? We have to give new caller/instructor as much help, support and training as possible. Because, like it or not, they are also an important part of the Square Dance movement. And while they may make a few mistakes, only a good backup team is going to keep the little mistakes from growing into bigger ones.