4 Jun
2007
4 Jun
'07
6:26 a.m.
Hello everyone!
I got a question last night from a band that I am going to work with
next month about Chorus Jig. They're learning the tune (at my request)
for the dance. They had heard that it should be played at a slower tempo
and were wondering how slow that should be.
I didn't have any idea. Anyone here know if it should be played at a
different tempo than most dances? I have memories of dancing it when the
contra corners seemed rushed, but that's my only impression.
Thanks for the help!
Chris
4 Jun
4 Jun
8:18 a.m.
I don't think that bands should aim for "slow." It's true that the
standard Nelson tempo is moderate when Bob's at the piano and that
gives a wonderful feeling to the dance. But I've heard Nat and Larry
play a quick Chorus Jig and it's also fantastic. The band should play
at the tempo that feels good to them ... and watch the dancers to see
if they look bored (too slow) or stressed (too fast). Or if it's a
crowd that doesn't know the dance already then start out slower and
speed up a bit when the dancers are ready.
Lisa
On Jun 4, 2007, at 7:26 AM, Chris Weiler wrote:
Hello everyone!
I got a question last night from a band that I am going to work with
next month about Chorus Jig. They're learning the tune (at my request)
for the dance. They had heard that it should be played at a slower
tempo
and were wondering how slow that should be.
I didn't have any idea. Anyone here know if it should be played at a
different tempo than most dances? I have memories of dancing it
when the
contra corners seemed rushed, but that's my only impression.
Thanks for the help!
Chris
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9:47 a.m.
I think a faster tempo is fine if most of your
dancers are familiar with contra corners.
For a crowd with more beginners, I'd recommend the
McQuillen tempo, which if played with an emphasis on the downbeat, is
quite enjoyable (and leads to much better dance form, IMHO).
I'd refrain from using the word "slow" to describe the desired
tempo to the band, though. Measured? Moderate?
It still has to have some lift to it.
-- Lisa
1:16 p.m.
As one who LOVES that dance (as a dancer), I second Lisa's opinion about the
tempo.
-cynthia
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net
[mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Lisa Sieverts
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 9:18 AM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] Chorus Jig tempo
I don't think that bands should aim for "slow." It's true that the
standard Nelson tempo is moderate when Bob's at the piano and that
gives a wonderful feeling to the dance. But I've heard Nat and Larry
play a quick Chorus Jig and it's also fantastic. The band should play
at the tempo that feels good to them ... and watch the dancers to see
if they look bored (too slow) or stressed (too fast). Or if it's a
crowd that doesn't know the dance already then start out slower and
speed up a bit when the dancers are ready.
Lisa
On Jun 4, 2007, at 7:26 AM, Chris Weiler wrote:
Hello everyone!
I got a question last night from a band that I am going to work with
next month about Chorus Jig. They're learning the tune (at my request)
for the dance. They had heard that it should be played at a slower
tempo
and were wondering how slow that should be.
I didn't have any idea. Anyone here know if it should be played at a
different tempo than most dances? I have memories of dancing it
when the
contra corners seemed rushed, but that's my only impression.
Thanks for the help!
Chris
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
1:19 p.m.
I think a faster tempo is fine if most of your
dancers are familiar with contra corners.
For a crowd with more beginners, I'd recommend
the
McQuillen tempo, which if played with an emphasis on the downbeat, is
quite enjoyable (and leads to much better dance form, IMHO).
I'd refrain from using the word "slow"
to describe the desired
tempo to the band, though. Measured? Moderate?
It still has to have some lift to it.
If I were to talking to English country dance musicians (who are used to
our poetic characterizations) I might call it a jaunty stroll.
-- Alan
--
===============================================================================
Alan Winston --- WINSTON(a)SSRL.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU
Disclaimer: I speak only for myself, not SLAC or SSRL Phone: 650/926-3056
Paper mail to: SSRL -- SLAC BIN 99, 2575 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park CA 94025
===============================================================================
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4 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
-
Alan Winston - SSRL Central Computing -
Chris Weiler -
Cynthia Phinney -
Lisa Greenleaf -
Lisa Sieverts