Hi,
Thanks much for the replies. It is helping me get a handle on the
finer points of playing for dances. We're not in the hot-bed of contra
up here (to put it mildly) and appreciate hearing from those who are
doing. We like doing the best we can even if it's not a big dance. But
sometimes it's hard to sort through all the "rules" to decide what to
focus on first.
Right now our tune list is too short (18) to do much other than
choose one and go, and the small dance we're playing for doesn't
require much else. But we're thinking ahead and beyond, and I like
considering how a particular tune works with a particular dance or type
of dance. I'm going to enjoy watching how the tune(s) affect the
dancers. As a guitarist and since we're playing single sets (medleys
will have to wait), I usually have ample opportunity for this :-)
However, it is a relief to hear one doesn't have to decipher each dance
and tune to have them work.
Of course, this is all for naught if we can't convince the
teacher/caller to call to the music and start the dancers when we start
the tune (she's coming from a southern squares? background I think).
But our melody musicians are working on really strong potatoes for this
coming dance to help it happen.
Northern Cheers,
Sue
Hi,
The recent discussion of programming, as with all else, helps much
as we wander through the morass of learning to become a dance band.
I've often seem the example of choosing this or that tune if a dance
has "Balances in B1". I certainly understand that as a dancer but could
you share a few examples of specific tunes you might play for that?
For "programming" our first dance I simply took our tune list,
called and danced sample dances with each tune and designated them as
"smooth" (good with circles, stars, heys) or "percussive" (good with
F&B, balances, quick hand turns). Something I could handle.
Thanks, Sue
Sue Robishaw ~ Upper Peninsula of Michigan
I have been calling dances for thirty years as of this month. I have
learned that programming a "hard" schedule never works for me. It's my A.D.D. I
always pull a bunch of dances that I feel appropriate for a dance, then adapt
the program to fit the mood and the level of dancing. If I expect to use
dances that require special tunes, I usually let the band know in advance,
unless the band and I are very familiar with each other. I usually prefer for
the band to :surprise" me with something wonderful.
John B. Freeman, SFTPOCTJ
[I'm responding to the question below and have changed the subject line to
match.]
> do you, as dance musicians, "program" an evening in the same way a caller
does?
I think this is driven by whether the caller programs the evening in advance.
When a caller plans a program and sends us their requests beforehand, the
extra time can be helpful in matching tunes to dances. We may get anything
from dance-card shorthand, to "marchy with a balance at the top of B1", to
"anything works, play your favorite medley" (my favorite).
Sometimes callers send us a program days ahead of time, and sometimes we get
it when they arrive for the sound check. Some callers never program in
advance and let the energy and abilities of the dancers guide their choice of
dances -- in that case we choose tunes during the walk-through. It all works
-- it just depends on what paradigm the caller prefers.
Rick
------ Original Message ------
Received: 07:03 PM PST, 02/04/2011
From: barb kirchner <barbkirchner(a)hotmail.com>
To: <sue(a)manytracks.com>, <musicians(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Musicians] activity (was waltz length)
>
> ok - i've got a topic.
>
> do you, as dance musicians, "program" an evening in the same way a caller
does?
>
> i'm asking because i DO program evenings as a caller, and i do the same as a
musician.
>
> so...what is your GOAL as a dance musician and how do you "program" that?
>
> cheers!
> barb
>
____________________________________________________________________
Thanks to everyone for replying! It would be nice if the list became
active (selfishly from someone new to experiencing dance from the
musician's side) (which I'm sure has made me a better caller already!).
Good Dances to all,
Sue R.
Sue Robishaw ~ [1]sue(a)manytracks.com ~ U.P. of Michigan
References
1. mailto:sue@manytracks.com
Hi,
I'm not sure this list is active (there doesn't seem to be much in
the archives) but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm in a newly formed
contra dance band and we're wondering how long (how many times through
the tune) musicians usually play free waltzes at a contra dance?
Thanks, Sue R.
Sue Robishaw ~ Upper Peninsula of Michigan
References
Visible links
Hidden links:
1. mailto:sue@manytracks.com
Sue,
There's no simple answer since the length of parts can vary, not to mention
repeats. That said, in general three or four times through is pretty common
here in San Diego. Five would not be unusual, but rarely less than three.
Rick Johnson
------ Original Message ------
Received: 05:22 PM PST, 02/03/2011
From: Sue Robishaw <sue(a)manytracks.com>
To: musicians(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: [Musicians] Waltz length
> Hi,
> I'm not sure this list is active (there doesn't seem to be much in
> the archives) but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm in a newly formed
> contra dance band and we're wondering how long (how many times through
> the tune) musicians usually play free waltzes at a contra dance?
>
> Thanks, Sue R.
>
> Sue Robishaw ~ Upper Peninsula of Michigan
____________________________________________________________________
Hello all,
Once again, it's time for the annual Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend.
Once again, everyone from the SharedWeight lists is invited to join us
for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. We push a bunch of tables together and
talk about whatever we want. Calling, communities, music. There are
always people who bring food to share, so feel free to join the potluck.
The RPDL weekend is a special and unique weekend. There you can meet the
key movers and shakers of the contra dance revival. Network with and
learn from people who have made the dance community their passion for
decades. Plus have a lot of fun with some really excellent dancers.
More info:
http://www.nhcountrydance.com/music/rpdlw.html
Chris Weiler
SharedWeight.net
Hello all,
If you live in NH and would like to play a gig on November 13...in
Gilmanton NH
please give me a call at 603-679-5448
I will hook you up with the fiddle players
this is for a regularly scheduled dance.... the booked piano player
can't make the gig
Thanks Gale Wood
I call square dances for the Mission Hill School in downtown Boston. Ayla Gavins is the principal, the one who hired me, and dances with the second and third graders. Because of that, I received the following e-mail which I am passing along to you. Please contact Karen directly...
Hi Mr. Baker,
My name is Betsy Caruso. I'm the music program coordinator at Mission Hill School. I also work as an urban gardening volunteer, through the Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN). Ayla Gavins suggested I contact you regarding getting the word out to acoustic musicians who might be interested in playing at the cider pressing festival upcoming in Boston. McLaughlin Park is at Parker Hill Avenue & Fisher Avenue in Jamaica Plain. The message from BNAN's Karen Chaffee appears below. If you have any suggestions for a musician or musicians who would like to play that afternoon, would you be so kind as to be in touch with Karen? (You should also feel free to contact me, although we will be out of town from September 2 - 7).
Thank you so much for reading this, and for any help you may be able to provide. Giving families and especially urban children an opportunity to both enjoy live music and to learn a little about where our food comes from are wonderful gifts.
Best wishes,
--
Betsy Caruso
Tutor/Music Program Coordinator
Mission Hill School
From: Karen Chaffee <karen(a)bostonnatural.org>
Date: Thu, Aug 26, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Subject: Musician for Cider Pressing Event Needed
Hi folks,
On Sunday, September 19th the Urban Wilds Council and the Friends of the Urban Orchard at McLaughlin Playground will be hosting a cider pressing festival from 3:00 - 5:00pm. In the past the event has included a musician. I am hoping that through all of our connections we will be able to come up with someone who can play great acoustic tunes. I think either the folk or Appalachian music genres would work well for the occasion but of course anything would work. We might have some room to pay small compensation but if anyone is willing to do it pro-bono that would be best.
Thanks!
Karen
--
Karen Chaffee
Stewardship Manager
Boston Natural Areas Network
karen(a)bostonnatural.org
(617)542-7696
--
Clark Baker, Belmont, MA
cmbaker(a)tiac.net
