Hi all,
I call regularly with the same band and I have noticed that there are a couple of sets
that they play in which I consistently mess up. In the middle of an evening of everything
going well, I suddenly find that I am lost and have a hard time finding my way back, even
with extreme focus. This, needless to say, is not good!
I've been trying to identify these tunes so that I can be prepared to pay really close
attention before they start. I have also begun to wonder, though, whether some jigs/reels
are just not as good for dancing as others. I have been discussing this with the band,
raising the idea that maybe they could save these tunes that challenge me for some of
their non-dance gigs (fairs, bandstand, background music, etc). Some of them are
receptive, others not.
I wonder whether any of you have noticed tunes that are particularly difficult to call to,
and how you have handled it.
The one I have noticed most recently is Sheepskin and Beeswax. Here's what one of the
band members wrote to me about it: "Rhythmically, it's a challenging tune for
the band. There's a lot of syncopation going on between instruments and because
it's French Canadian to play it properly means lots of upbeat emphasis. It's a
challenging tune to play well. Even if we played it very well and fast enough (and
that's been a problem for dancers and caller) I think it would still be challenging to
call to and dance to because of how the rhythm and notes don't go well
together."
Thanks,
Delia Clark
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Delia Clark
PO Box 45
Taftsville, VT 05073
802-457-2075
deliaclark8(a)gmail.com