Plus
Spin Chain the Gears
Links: Define – Standard – Analyze – Module – Other – Extend
Choreography for Patter Teaching with Singing Call Options:
Teaching Tips:
Spin Chain the Gears
A) Review Spin Chain Thru a few times first – here’s a “cousin” of that call.
B) Starts like a Spin Chain Thru and after the gears turn, Centers finish like Spin Chain Thru.
C) A good one to demo first and cue heavily.
D) Emphasize that 4 people “line up” after the Stars turn 3/4, they will do a Trade and a Cast 3/4, while the others “flip out of the way!” (Like a Run action)
E) “Gears, Gears, Gears” chant during the Star turn – helps distinguish this later from “Exchange”.
More teaching suggestions:
— Note that calling Spin Chain the Gears twice in a row allows both Ends to dance both End parts and both Centers to dance both Center parts.
Quick Summary of Spin Chain the Gears: Starts and ends in Parallel Waves and moves each pair of dancers one position around the square. The first two turns (1/2, 3/4 and Flip In) create two adjacent Gears connected by a Wave across the center. The Very Centers Trade, the Gears turn 3/4, and the new Very Centers Trade. Finally the Gears are disconnected with one more 3/4 Turn and Flip Out.
In the standard application two Boys move across the center and then two Girls move across the center. The mantra for the standard application is “1/2, Boys 3/4, Very Center Boys 1/2, while Girls Flip In, Gears turn 3/4, Very Center Girls 1/2, while Boys Flip Out, Girls 3/4.”
Quick quote: “All Turn Half, Centers Turn 3/4, Very Centers Trade while Ends Flip In, Two Gears Turn 3/4, Very Centers Trade while four not in Wave Flip Out, Centers Turn 3/4”
Teaching Standard Applications:
Heads Square Thru Four,
Spin Chain the Gears,
Patter: Scoot Back, Extend, Right and Left Grand
Singer: [ Scoot Back, ] Swing and Promenade,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads (or Sides) Square Thru 4 (or an equivalent),
Step to a Wave, Spin Chain the Gears,
Recycle and Sweep a Quarter,
Slide Thru,
Patter: Allemande Left, Right and Left Grand,
Bucket Stir: Allemande Left, Right and Left Grand, Bow to the Partner
Singer: Swing and Promenade (half)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Promenade Halfway,
Sides Pass the Ocean, Extend,
Spin Chain the Gears,
Patter: All Eight Circulate once and a half, Slide Thru, Home
Singer: Men Run (or Swing) and Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Lead Right, (Step to a Wave)
Spin Chain the Gears,
Swing Thru, Girls Circulate,
Patter: Extend, Right and Left Grand to home
Singer: Swing and Promenade,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
With Previously Taught Plus Calls:
Heads Flutterwheel and Pass the Ocean,
Extend, Acey Deucey,
Spin Chain the Gears,
Patter: Swing Thru, Spin the Top, Slide Thru, Left Allemande, Grand Right and Left to Home
Singer: Swing and Promenade (1/2)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Pass Thru and Cloverleaf,
All Double Pass Thru, Leaders Partner Trade,
Spin Chain the Gears,
Patter: Spin Chain the Gears, Scoot Back, Half Circulate, Box the Gnat, Slide Thru, Home
Singer: Swing and Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Separate and Slide Thru,
Double Pass Thru, Cloverleaf,
Centers Pass Thru,
Spin Chain the Gears,
Patter: Recycle, Slide Thru, Pass Thru, Wheel and Deal, Centers Slide Thru, Home
Singer: Swing and Promenade 3/4
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Pair Off, Spin Chain the Gears, (Swing and Promenade)
Extend, Outsides Trade,
Ping Pong Circulate, Extend,
Patter: Scoot Back, Extend, Grand Right and Left, Promenade Home
Singer: Swing and Promenade (3/4)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Pair Off, Pass Thru,
Heads Cloverleaf, Sides Pair Off, (Corner Box)
Spin Chain the Gears,
Patter: Turn Thru and Promenade Home (1/4)
Singer: Swing and Promenade (1/2)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Left Touch a Quarter and Walk and Dodge,
Step to a Wave, Acey Deucey,
Spin Chain the Gears,
Patter: Swing Thru, Spin the Top, Slide Thru, Left Allemande
Singer: Swing and Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *