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By Jim Penrod
Relay The Duecey
I must tell you first that I have no magic formula to teaching the
call. With that said, it seems that I don't have much trouble getting the
dancers to learn the call.
I do more talking while teaching this call than any other call. I also
walk the dancers very, very slowly the first several walk throughs. Also
I make very sure that I rotate the dancers while doing the initial teach.
Now -- I first explain that Relay the Duecey is a combinations of Grand
Swing Thrus and Spin the Top.
"First, let's do a part of Spin the Top. Everyone turn 1/2 by the right, then
Centers turn 3/4 by the Left. Stop. Everybody look at the Wave. Those NOT
in the wave, it is your job to get into the wave. But the only way you can
get into the wave is circulating to the end of the wave. So now those circulate
until two people are on the end of the wave. Stop. Here is where most make the first
mistake. Either the outside person won't get there or the person on the end
of the wave won't realize that they must now use their right hand. Watch out
for this. Notice that now we have six people in the wave. There are two people that have not made it to the wave but you will soon. Now comes the Grand Swing Thrus. Lets do a Grand Swing Thru. Stop.
Everyone listen carefully. Once you have done a Grand Swing Thru and come to the
end of the Wave you must leave the Wave but you will continue walking around the
outside of the Wave. So now the end of the wave move off and the other outside
person move to end of the wave. Now those six people Turn 1/2 by the Right.
Now those that have Left hands joined will turn 3/4 by the Left. We have now
formed a new 4 person wave."
I also tell them to be sure to NOT try to jump into the wave unless they come
to the end of the wave. Once they leave the wave DO NOT try to get back in.
After they have walked it a few times, I point out to them to look at the
person on their right before they start. If they do it right that person will
be beside them when they finish.
I also point out that some people have problems knowing when the call is
finished since there is so much turning. If the call starts with the men
on the end of the wave, the first and only time the girls touch another girl
by the left hand they will turn 3/4 and the call is finished.
This is a lot of talking (especially for me while teaching). But this
is one of those calls that should be worked very slowly and explained fully
on the initial teaches. It will pay off in the long run.
I also clue the dancers for a long time when they are practicing the call.
Turn 1/2 Right, 3/4 Left, Move up, 1/2 Right ...
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Jim Penrod