Re: [Callers] Seeking a contra dance with an smooth and slow flow

Again on the question of describing the desired type tune, Beth Parkes mentioned a great tip this weekend during Carol Ormand's calling workshop at the Ralph Page Dance Legacy event. In describing jigs, she says there are basically two rhythms: "Take one down and pass it around" and "Ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall", the first being bouncy, hoppity, and the second (did I get that second one right, you all who were there?) being more flowing. And, again from my experience as a musician and dancer more than as a caller, the tunes that strike me as "flowing" have both a relatively continuous flow of notes AND notes that are close together as opposed to a lot of big jumps in the scale. That wouldn't necessarily help if you wanted a smooth flowing reel for the tune, but as a musician that clue did put a finger on something I knew by feel about the different jigs but hadn't previously described so well in words. I should say that this is exactly the type of thing we discussed at the really great workshop for musicians and callers that Chrissy Fowler pulled together back in November (it was discussed on this list), and I hope to have an opportunity to do something similar in the future because I learned a lot and there is lots more to learn! -cynthia -----Original Message----- From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Peter Amidon Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 12:36 AM To: Caller's discussion list Subject: Re: [Callers] Seeking a contra dance with an smooth and slow flow I love Bob Dalsemer's 'Monterey Detour' which is one of the easiest contra's I know, but has a lovely flow to it: A1: #1's split the #2's and go down in lines of four All turn alone, take hands in lines of four, and return. A2: Circle R Circle L B1: Dosido N Swing N B2: F & B #1's swing. I, too, am curious how to best describe to musicians playing a smooth flowing tune. -P -- Peter Amidon peter(a)amidonmusic.com 20 Willow Street Brattleboro, VT 05301 802-257-1006 cell: 917-922-5462 http://www.amidonmusic.com http://www.dancingmasters.com I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks. -Daniel Boone _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers