article: Momentum Contra · changes
diff --git a/src/momentum-contra.md b/src/momentum-contra.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6581947 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/momentum-contra.md @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +--- +title: Momentum Contra +--- + +As of yet untitled, this is my first contra dance choreography! + +In coming up with this dance I tried to break some rules +(so that I could figure out what the rules are). + +One in particular was trying to do a neighbor swing straight out of a robin’s chain across the hall. +It is possible to do this, +but it requires a more advanced lead by the lark to redirect the momentum. +My friend suggested doing a robins-only richochet in the middle to fix that. + +I'm a notorious rusher and while composing this dance in my head every figure seemed to take about four counts, +unless of course it was a long partner swing. +After consulting [ContraDB](https://contradb.com/) it turns out I was wildly optimistic. +Squashing two partner swings into one and taking advantage of the speed of a mad robin got my contra to fit into at least the 64-count standard timing, +but I chose to also break the A / B sub-phrase timing in favor of a Macadamia Nut style momentum. + +I managed to get to neighbors on the side of the hall with maybe a quarter or an eighth of the dance left. +At that time I felt stumped until Sarah suggested a roll-away. +(I had in rapid succession considered circles, petronellas, and a third thing to get back to the side of the hall +but failed to address the key move which is getting partners back together.) +This really pulled together the feeling of the dance and left me pretty satisfied. + +**setup** + +Hands four, circle left one place for Becket position. + +**figures** + +* [8 counts] slice left and back straight up +* [6 counts] mad robin clockwise, larks in front +* [6 counts] mad robin clockwise, larks in front and ricochet in the middle +* [12 counts] partners swing +* [8 counts] robins chain across the set to your neighbor +* [6 counts] robins meet in the middle and ricochet back to their neighbor +* [6 counts] neighbors swing +* [8 counts] neighbors promenade +* [4 counts] robins roll away their partners