Using Other Programs at Mainstream (Taken from Callerlink 197 December 2009)
Jeff Garbutt

You've probably all heard the recommendation that callers should be familiar with programs beyond their normal level and steal some inspiration from them. But it wasn't until I was asked to look after a club with Plus and Advanced for several weeks that I really understood the benefits of the concept.

It has re-sparked my interest in choreography which was, I must admit, starting to get a bit boring and causing me to lose interest. There is more to mainstream, without abandoning mainstream, by understanding "that which is beyond mainstream".

The trick is to break a move down into parts and use "Directional Calling" as outlined in issue 196 by Steve Turner to make a "clone" of the target move using mainstream moves.

It is not far from reality to think about the "clones", "genetics" and "DNA" comparison for square dancing. In our case "genetics" are the basic cellular structure of the fundamental moves, DNA stands for "Discrete Network of Actions" and "Clones" are the end product of how DNA and genetics are connected together. (Most Plus and A moves are built from the "building blocks" of the genetic material "basics".)

Example Based on "Square Chain Thru".

Figure 1 - Heads Square Thru 1 - Face Partner and step to a Left Hand Wave Do A left Swing Thru - Now A left Turn Thru - Circle 4 To a Line - (Gives a zero line).

A better clone can be achieved by the following:
Figure 2 - Heads Square Thru - On the Second Hand do A Left Swing Thru - Then a Left Turn Thru

Now if you're concerned about how your dancers will handle "Square Thru 1" and "Left Turn Thru" you can break it down to an easier figure which not a true "clone" but will give a similar feel.

Figure 3 - Heads Pass Thru - Face Partner and step to a Left Hand Wave - Do a Left Swing Thru - And a Left Turn hand Trade - Step Ahead

Example based on "Horseshoe Turn".

This one is easy to clone as the DNA is based upon basic simple genetic material.

Figure 4 - Sides Right and Left Thru - Heads Promenade ½ - Heads Star Thru - Double Pass Thru - Heads Cloverleaf while Sides Face and Pass Thru - Swing Corner - Promenade

Example based on "Follow Your Neighbour"

Not such a good clone, suffers a bit from replicate fading of the DNA because it doesn't include a ¾ looping turn. Remember though it is mainstream - not a Plus Learners dance.
Figure 5 - Heads Square Thru 4 - Touch ¼ - Boys step into middle and Touch ¼ - Girls Face Left and hook onto the end of a two faced line - Boys trade - Girls U Turn back


Example Based on "Explode Family"

Figure 6 - Heads Lead Right - Step To a Wave - Pass Thru - Face Partner - Pass Thru - Partner Trade - (Gives a zero line)

It doesn't take much to replicate other Explodes such as "Explode and Slide Thru" or "Explode and Touch ¼" etc

"Pass The Sea" Has similar genetics to "Square Chain Thru":

Figure 7 - Heads Lead Right - Circle To A Line - Everyone Pass Thru - Face Partner and Step to a Left Handed Wave - Boys Trade - Left Swing Thru - Girls Run Left - Promenade

"Right Roll To A Wave" can be handled by some directional calling:

Figure 8 - Heads Star Thru - Double Pass Thru - Leaders Do A Right Face U Turn and Step to a Wave

Step and Slide can also be done using directional calling: And it's great for working with "3 and 1 Lines"

Figure 9 - Heads Lead Right - Right and Left Thru - Veer Left - Girls Walk & Dodge - Girls (Step) Ahead - Boys (Slide) Together - Boys Walk and Dodge - Girls Turn Around and Swing Partner

Wheel Thru an also be done using directional calling:

Figure 10 - Heads (Only) Step forward and Circle Left 1/4 - The Pass Thru

¼ Thru and ¾ Thru:

How many times have you called a sequence from a Zero Wave such as "Touch ¼ - Check Wave - Centres Trade"? Well you've actually done a "1/4 Thru". And "3/4 Thru" is simply a - Cast Off ¾ - Check Wave - Centres Trade.

As I mentioned previously, this technique has re-sparked an interest in choreography for me.