> >> From: contraron(a)gmail.com >> Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:58:42 -0500 >> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net >> Subject: [Callers] What to ask a band before the gig? >> >> Hi Shared Weight, >> >> I have a few gigs coming up in a short span of time, and I try and touch >> base with the band at least a week out, if possible. I open the door for >> them to ask any questions for me, or to make any suggestions for a caller >> to make things easier / more fun for them to play their music. >> >> I also ask a few questions. I try and keep it to a minimum, so I don't > come >> off too demanding. >> >> What sorts of questions do you ask bands prior to the dance, especially > by >> e-mail / phone? >> >> A couple I like are: >> - Do they have particular music sets they like to play at certain times, >> like, to end the night, etc? >> - Especially if I haven't heard them before in person, what overall types >> of music do they enjoy playing the most? >> >> I'd love to hear your thoughts. >> >> Best, >> Ron T Blechner >> contradances.tumblr.com/ron

I ask them who sets the tempo - ie, who do I signal if I want it faster or slower: piano player? guitar? fiddle? Sometimes they realize they don't know. They don't really have a way to change tempo on request. So we fix that on the spot, appointing somebody. Tempo is hugely important, and a frequent problem. Old-time bands tend to play too fast; many many bands play waltzes too slow. It's the caller's job to fix this. -------------------- Lindsay Morris CEO, TSMworks Tel. 1-859-539-9900 lindsay(a)tsmworks.com On Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 12:03 AM, barb kirchner <barbkirchner(a)hotmail.com break touch for caller times, types _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

Also, how would the answers to either of the two questions you suggested affect the dances you select? Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844 ________________________________ From: Ron T Blechner <contraron(a)gmail.com> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 9:58 PM Subject: [Callers] What to ask a band before the gig?

Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2013 10:59:14 -0500 From: david.j.casserly(a)gmail.com To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Callers] What to ask a band before the gig? Hi Ron, When I was first learning to call, Becky Hill suggested that, instead of simply telling bands what kinds of tunes you want using the wide vocabulary at your own disposal, ask bands what kinds of adjectives they'd find useful. As a musician, hearing that the caller wants a "marchy" or "slinky" or "driving" tune set is very helpful, but hearing that they want a "bubbly" tune is really not all that helpful. Ask what language they'd like to communicate in, and it can go much smoother. I agree with Barb that simply sharing the dance card isn't the best approach. In dances where I play, apparently unlike Michael F.'s experience, this is an extremely common practice. But, in my view, it's the caller's responsibility to decide how the dance should be. Many dances work well either with smooth, flowing reels, or bouncy jigs, and the mood of the dance should be something the caller selects to fit in with the evening's program. That said, if the caller isn't giving me helpful adjectives, I'll ask to see the cards, just so I can at least make sure we won't be playing the bounciest set ever when there's a hey into a gypsy meltdown, etc. Also, I would echo other people's suggestions to find out which band member you should be communicating with, and at the very least, what style of music the band plays. Getting a recording or two is even more helpful. You should know ahead of time not to ask an old-time band to play a polka, and you should also know not to ask a band with no strings in it to play an old-time tune. It's a particular pet peeve of mine as a musician when a caller asks for an old-time tune with every square dance, regardless of who's in the band. It might require actually looking at the moves and figuring out what other music would work best with that particular dance, but it's always going to be a better experience for the dancers if the band plays music that they're good at playing. -Dave On Tue, Feb 19, 2013 at 10:58 PM, Ron T Blechner <contraron(a)gmail.com>wrote;wrote: -- David Casserly (cell) 781 258-2761 _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

hey ron - some good points! i think what we're coming up with here is that it doesn't exactly matter WHAT you ask the band, as long as you set up some good communication with them. take the time to talk, to ask who is in charge of what, what they reallly like to do most, etc., etc., etc. ron - i have a slightly different approach if the caller doesn't give me good clues. i watch the walk-through. seriously, i program the music like the caller programs dances (start out easy and straightforward, kick up the energy, change the tempo, up the energy again, change the tempo again, big ending number). i USUALLY know what i want to play next, or at least have it narrowed down to two or three sets (ie, i have three different sets that i could use to "change the tempo"). if the walk-through goes well, i play whatever my first choice was. if not, i'll pick a more laid-back set :-) _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

I should add that I, too, like to know where the balances are. But other than that, I'm fine with a description. -Dave On Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 2:15 PM, Jeffrey Spero <jeff(a)syncopaths.com> wrote: know dances tune where up in ron - the big have that play of it's sure gypsy helpful. when a of -- David Casserly (cell) 781 258-2761 _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

I especially like hearing from callers who are also musicians.