Many different types of bands and groups of musicians can work for this. I've done dances with old-time bands, Irish session musicians, bluegrass bands, klezmer musicians, even once a band that specialized in northern Italy tunes. Basically, I explain that we would like 32-bar tunes played at 112-120 bpm. I describe my hand signals for stopping and for speeding up or slowing down. I explain how I would like them to end the set — that I would give them a signal near the end of the B-part just before a full two more times through the tune, if they would like that (not all musicians do). I ask for and describe the four potatoes for starting the dance.

If possible, I would go to a practice so we can learn to work together.

And if 32-bar tunes are an issue with these musicians, I would have a few dances in my back pocket that don't require that structure — like southern-style running sets or southern or western squares or even made-up mixers. Whatever works. Ultimately, we are in service to the dancers. And as a caller, you can fly with it and make it all work.

But perhaps, for me, most importantly — I tell the band to have a good time. To play tunes that they enjoy. And to play with a driving beat because this is a dance and the dancers respond to the driving beats. Most of all, I want the musicians to play what they know and have a good time, because then I know that they will sound their best.

From: Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 11:45 PM
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] working with inexperienced bands

I live in a relatively isolated community in the contra dance world. To the extent we have a house caller it's me. We are trying to foster and develop new callers, but you gotta have bands too. So,

My motive for asking is, a couple of times in the last year we have had new bands come play for our monthly dance. One was a blue-grassey country band. Another was a family group playing predominantly Irish tunes. Their musical skills were fine and their repertoire was serviceable, and they did okay, but there were definitely some rough spots.

New musical talent is a valuable commodity for us, and I want to set them up for success. So, how would you approach this? I'd especially love to hear from folks who have done this sort of thing before, but all thoughts are welcome.