2 May
2022
2 May
'22
11:27 a.m.
versionated
Oh, now THAT's a keeper!
***
I've been wondering during this whole thread if their version involves
punching the heck out of the hemiola in the B part?
(hemiola: Italian for "I'm going to mess with your head by moving the
emPHAsis to a new syLAHble")
People who aren't paper-trained, don't flinch, ok?
You can do this visually.
Look at this version: http://www.folktunefinder.com/tunes/113330
and look **carefully** at the beginning of the sixth and seventh lines.
Look at the three heavy black horizontal "BEAMS" -- do you see how
they bind the notes into groups of four? That's the grouping we dance
to - we put our feet down on those "diggachucka, diggachucka"'s.
ONE-234 ONE -234. Our feet land on the ONEs.
Now look carefully at the blobby dark oval HEADS of the notes.
Do you see the four little slanty LOW-MEDIUM-HIGH, LOW-MEDIUM-HIGH bunches?
That's the hemiola.
For fiddlers, whacking that LOW note comes natural. The bow just
automatically stomps on it. ONE-23 ONE-23 ONE-23 ONE-23
So you end up with an internally conflicted
ONE-two-three-ONE two-three-ONE-two three-ONE-two-three.
which in playwriting is delicious. Internal conflicts are the spice of drama.
But in a dance?
IF the fiddlers whack the threes AND the rhythm section stays true and honest,
the bass/guitar/piano keep up a steady BOOM chuck BOOM chuck,
you have zesty syncopation on top of expected solidity and all is well.
BUT.
If the band decides to be all cool and EVERYbody hits the threes,
everyone jumps on the hemiola accents with both feet, the dancers will
start to fall over theirs.
There's an obscure tune called "Catharsis" that sometimes inspires
this same unfortunate circumstance, which the composer regrets.
On 5/2/22, Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here's a common version of Beaumont Rag that's
square and well phrased:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FTuWotf7TQ
Jeff
On Mon, May 2, 2022 at 1:09 AM Roger Diggle via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Beaumont Rag is a tune that is incredibly
versionated. Without knowing
their particular version, no way to create a dance that fits.
Another way to look at the problem ... If they really want to play the
tune for dancing, there is no reason they cannot concoct a version of
there own, using the grab-bag of pieces that are laying around, to
create a square version. Next questions: Do they actually understand
what a square version is? Do they have a feel for the kinds of things,
in actual square tunes, that sometimes confuse the caller and/or
dancers? Do you or they know a musician or caller that could help with
that?
If they feel like they'd like to use more pieces than can be
accommodated by typical A-A-B-B construction, there are several
possibilities. Think about A-A and B-B each being rectangles that form
a square You could concoct a C-C part. Then play the tune,
alternately, A-A B-B / A-A C-C. Also possible - perhaps a 16 bar
rectangle that does not internally repeat [as chestnut Maggie Brown's
Favorite does] Or A-B-C-D, [like chestnuts Opera Reel and Chorus Jig]
If I were doing this project, I would be inclined to play the A-A
rectangle alternating with other rectangles, beginning by alternating
A-A B-B until the dancers get a grip, then throw in other alternations,
but always the A-A in the lead.
I have a batch of dances that fit variants of A-A-B-B-C, if they'd go
for that. Could even be A-B-C-D-E. If anyone is interested, I'll
supply those dances. Most are old contra-corners patterns, which
deserve more circulation than they get - with some stretch limousine
treatment.
Roger Diggle
--
Food for thought is no substitute for the real thing.
-- Walt Kelly, cartoonist extraordinaire
*From:* Laur via Contra Callers
*Sent:* Wednesday, April 27, 2022 3:50 PM
*To:* Contra Callers <contracallers(a)sharedweight.net>
*Subject:* [Callers] Need help fitting to a tune
A local band here plays Beaumont Rag As a part of their routine dance
set. It’s a popular band.
I’ve never experienced a contra dance The band has chosen to play
for
a dance work. It doesn’t work for the dancers and it’s agonizing for
the
caller.
Can anyone suggest a dance that could fit? At this point I’m planning
to
request they don’t include the tune.
I know there’s an English dance written to match but not interested in
that for this set.
Laurie
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