Hello everyone!
I'm looking forward to another great NEFFA this weekend. I hope that I
can see and chat with as many of you as possible while still getting
some dancing in!
I've been going over the schedule looking for a good time for a
SharedWeight gathering. I think that at 6:30 on Saturday would be a good
time to meet in the cafeteria where the food vendors are. We can grab a
couple of tables and sit together. I'm open to other times/places if
someone has a better idea.
Safe travels!
Happy Dancing, Playing and Calling!
Chris Weiler
Goffstown, NH
Hi everyone,
I just subscribed to sharedweight.net last night and was reading through the
archived messages. I am a classically trained violinist of almost 30 years,
who has been playing fiddle music for the last 12 years or so. (After
reading 'the balance thing', I don't think I will dare to call myself a
fiddler yet at this point, or if I do, it will definitely have 'beginner'
preceding fiddler.)
Besides certain songs that have specific dances for them, such as La
Bastrange, I did not realize the significance of exactly how a melody line
can influence a dance pattern. This concept was actually introduced to me
last evening at the Worcester Contra in a conversation with Chris. Then, as
mentioned previously, I read through 'the balance thing'. It explained an
aspect of fiddlin' that I was completely oblivious to. Input from the
caller in the form of adjectives describing the type of character they want
in a tune is what I am familiar with in deciding which pair of tunes will be
played for an upcoming dance. Once the dance begins, my main focus has
been that the pace is where the caller wants it to be according to the
proficiency level of the dancers and the difficulty of the dance, and on
staying rhythmically steady and energetic while still keeping the tune
musical.
Coming from a classical background, the things I find the most elusive thing
about fiddling definitely fall under the stylistic aspects of
playing. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend much, if any, of NEFFA
coming up in a few weeks due to prior commitments, but I was wondering if
there were any other such events coming up in the near future. Any advice
or recommended resources to help demystify what seem like 'the unspoken
rules' of fiddlin'?
Thanks, Linette
I just was tipped off to this website:
http://www.openbandonline.com/
Sounds like a great way to practice playing for contra dances. You can
use this software:
http://www.ronimusic.com/
The "Amazing Slow Downer" to turn the podcasts into a slow jam.
Enjoy!
Chris Weiler
Goffstown, NH
Too embarrassed to play with real musicians yet.
Hello everyone,
Once again, frigid New Hampshire was home to another warm and special
Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend. It was great to see people from all
over the country who came to dance and learn. The SharedWeight lunch
gatherings were a couple of the high points for me. We had fascinating
discussions about style, teaching, stubborn minded dancers, stubborn
minded callers, psychology, choreography and so much more.
Both Beth Parkes and Nils Freidland's caller's workshops made us think
and philosophize this year. Beth's on what it means to be a
"professional" caller. And Nil's on why we dance, why we call and what
virtues we want and need to bring to the stage with us.
The retrospective video about Ralph Sweet by David Millstone was great!
Fun and funny and informative, David again shows his talent for
storytelling.
It would be great to hear from other people about their favorite parts.
It was great to see everyone who came!
Happy Dancing!
Chris Weiler
Hello everyone,
Cynthia beat me to the punch. Yes, it's time for the Ralph Page Dance
Legacy Weekend again. Yes, we shall have a SharedWeight gathering during
lunch on Saturday in the dining area. For those who haven't been there
before, we push a bunch of tables together for an informal gathering. I
always look forward to seeing people from far away and meeting people
new to the lists.
I try to be there early with a little printed SharedWeight sign on the
table at the back of the dining hall. You'll recognize me on the dance
floor sporting a tie-dye bandanna. Or you can look at the picture on my
website: http://www.chrisweiler.ws/
Safe travels everyone!
Chris Weiler
Goffstown, NH
Hi - We have jazz jam sessions going on here. http://www.myspace.com/2rus. We play mostly coffeehouses. Starbucks loves to have live music and they'll throw in a coffee for everyone on the house. We play out of the Hal Leonard Real Books and have them available for C concert, Bb, and Eb, bass clef and vocals. There is a core of us called In Two but several others who come around and play.
I got started by taking the jazz ensemble classes at the local university, University of Central Arkansas. I got to know a few other musicians with whom I am still in contact. I also got playing with a Western Swing band at Senior dances. Between the two, I was meeting quite a few musicians. Finally, about 5 years ago, I joined a community big band through musicians I had previously met.
In Two is a jazz combo and the emphasis is on playing jazz standards and improvising. We are playing for dances in community centers, retirement centers and nursing homes.
I hope your community is getting their groove on too! Wendy
Hi All,
I am a flute player who is travelling to Massachusetts next weekend for a
conference and will have the evenings free. I love to jam and am wondering
if there is anyone on the list who is out there in western Mass who might
know of a jam that is open or want to play some.
I am an intermediate beginner player, as far as dance music goes.
Thanks!
Sandy River
mtlaurel(a)gwi.net
Hello everyone!
It was three years ago that Seth and I started SharedWeight. The first
invitations went out on September 19th and the first messages went out
shortly afterwards. We'd like to thank everyone for sharing their
thoughts, material, opinions and attention. It's been our privilege to
see you take our vision for what these lists could be and make them a
reality.
This next year is going to be an exciting one as well. As the Musicians
and Organizers lists get going, there are more plans in the works for
SharedWeight.
Happy Dancing!!
Chris Weiler
Amy
You are a genius.
No kidding. if only everyone else I've played with had thought things through this way, life would be so much easier.
It does take a LOT of experience, though, to understand the tunes and match up at this level. We're working on it! When we have played 1/10 the number of venues you have, we will be a lot more with it. Meanwhile it would be good if the callers had the same feel for things and could suggest some tunes that they know work well with various dances, (like in English CD. But then you lose the opportunity for Catharsis and all the other great new tunes...)
Matt McConeghy
Providence
