trad-callers June 2017

trad-callers@lists.sharedweight.net

19 participants
8 discussions

Seeking *lists* of tunes for patter squares

by James Saxe

[I'm sending this query to the trad-dance-callers list, to the SharedWeight callers' and musicians' forums, and to a number of individuals. Please send responses directly to me *off-list* (see Note 1 below). I plan to collect responses for about the next two months and will summarize results to the lists and to individual respondents some time in July. Thanks. --Jim] Folks, As some of you may know, I've worked on and off in fits and starts for some time at gathering lists of recommended tunes [see Note 2 below] for (traditional-style) patter squares. [In case you're wondering what I mean by "(traditional-style) patter squares", see Note 6 below.] My idea is to compile lists from a wide variety of sources and to look for tunes mentioned independently by many different recommenders. So far, I've compiled tune lists from a few dozen books and albums, and I'm currently adding lists from a bunch more books, articles, record catalogs, etc. I'm sending this message because I'd like to supplement all these sources with lists from current informants, possibly including you. So ... * If you are a musician who has substantial experience playing for (traditional-stye) patter squares and if you have a list of recommended tunes that you're willing to share--either an existing set list or a list you come up with by sitting down and scratching your head for a while--please send it to me *off-list* [see Note 1] at jim dot saxe at-sign gmail dot com * If you are a musician who mostly plays for other things than patter squares (e.g., contras or New-England-style squares or concert performances) or even if you're not a musician, but if you nonethelessAå have accumulated a list of tunes you particularly like *for patter squares*, I'd also be interested in hearing from you. * I'd also be interested if anyone can supply lists of tunes played *for patter squares* by players skilled in the genre who are no longer living (e.g., Ralph Blizard, Lyman Enloe, Benton Flippen, Bob Holt, Pete McMahan, Lee Stripling, Joe Thompson, or Melvin Wine, to name a few). However, see Note 5. * If you know other people who might be willing and able to contribute lists of recommended tunes, please feel free to pass this request along. (But please try not to put up my email address in places where spammers are likely to harvest it. Also, see Note 1. Thanks.) Below are some notes clarifying what kind of responses I am and am not interested in. ***Please read at least Notes 1-3 before responding.*** Note 1: If you got this query via a mailing list, please send tune lists directly to me and *not* to the entire mailing list. As stated above, I'm trying to see which tunes get mentioned *independently* by many recommenders, so I don't want the lists anyone sends me to be influenced one way or another by whatever suggestions other people have already sent. If you pass my request along to some of your friends, I'd prefer that you each send tune lists just to me rather than discussing tunes among yourselves first and then sending me a combined list (unless you and your friends are in the same regular band and such discussions are how you normally create your set lists). Please look carefully at the "To:" (and "Cc:") line of any reply and make sure that that it doesn't include the address of any mailing list. That would include addresses of the form James Saxe via ... <...> where <...> is a list address. I plan to gather recommendations for the next couple months and to post a summary some time in July. Note 2: Please *don't* explain to me that the suitability of a tune for a particular kind of dance can depend very strongly on how it's played. I'm already quite well aware of that. However, I also think it would be widely agreed that some tunes lend themselves to being played well for dancing more than others. (If you strenuously disagree, I will look forward to your forthcoming album of rip-roaring square dance arrangements of tunes from the Child ballads and _The Sacred Harp_. Meanwhile, please don't respond to my query by attempting to un-ask it.) After I've settled on a list of frequently-recommended tunes, a possible follow-on project would be to try to identify one or more renditions--online and/or on commercial recordings--of each tune played in a danceable style worthy of study by musicians learning to play for patter squares. For such a project, style of playing would of course be a prime concern. But that's not what I'm working on or asking about right now. Note 3: Please *don't* give me lists (or references to lists, albums, tune books, syllabi, etc) where tunes well suited for patter squares are mixed with other sorts of tunes without specific indication of which tunes are which. Note 4: I'm not all that interested in recommendations for just one or a few tunes. If you have substantial experience playing for patter squares, I'd expect that you can come up with at least ten tunes that you think are quite suitable, and perhaps you can come up with many more than that without feeling that you're starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel. (If you send a long list, you might want to distinguish which are your favorites and which are the second-tier or third-tier choices.) Note 5: If you send me a list of tunes from the repertoire of some deceased musician, please tell me something about how you compiled that list. I'm not merely looking for a list of tunes played or recorded by, say, late great fiddler Bestus Bowslinger, but for a list of tunes that Bestus actually played *for patter squares*. And if you happen to have some tapes of Bestus playing at actual dances, and if they include 30 different patter-square tunes, and if you send me the names of the 20 tunes you happen to recognize, then I'd like to be informed that the your sampling of Bestus's repertoire has been filtered by the limitations of what tunes you recognize. Note 6: When I say "(traditional-style) patter squares," I mean to exclude singing squares and squares that are prompted to the phrase of the music in the New England style (or in the style of 19th-century quadrilles) and I mean to include the kinds of squares generally thought of as traditional to the western and/or southern U.S. I specifically would include visiting couple dances in this genre, even when the progression is around a big circle or by a scatter promenade, rather than around a square of four couples. I'd also include most "transitional" (50's era) western squares (other than singing calls) as well as more recent compositions in similar style. I do *not* mean to say that the dances in question must be called in a style that includes a bunch of rhyming doggerel ("do-si high, do-si low, chicken in the bread pan scratchin' out dough") or other extra verbiage. Much of the "hoedown"/"patter" music produced in recent decades for the MWSD market is, IMO, very non-traditional in character and thus not of interest for purposes of my current inquiry. (Hint: If a tune isn't found in any tune books, played at any jam sessions, or recorded on any non-MWSD label, it's not what I'm after.) I'm happy to get recommendations for recently-composed tunes in traditional style, as well as for genuinely traditional (old) tunes. I'm also happy to get recommendations for tunes from "northern" sources that nonetheless have the right feel to work well for traditional southern/western dances. Of course I realize there aren't precisely defined and widely agreed boundaries between different kinds of square dances or different styles of calling (prompted vs. patter vs. singing; phrased vs. unphrased; New-England vs. southern vs. traditional western vs. ...). Ditto regarding precise definitions of musical genres. I also realize that a particular choreographic pattern might be danced to different styles of music and calling, etc. That said, I still hope that the preceding paragraphs will suffice to provide an adequate idea of what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance to any of you who have tune lists to share. Regards, --Jim

7 years, 4 months

Question about a square

by Rich Sbardella

Here is a square with MWSD roots. I am wondering if is too much for an experienced contra crowd? Is there a similar square in the trad circles? Hds DSD and face sides (8) Star R with the sides (8) Hds to Center Star L (8) With same outside two R&L Thru (6) Rollaway with Half Sashay (4) Box Gnat (4) Pull By (2) Allemande Left (4) New Partner Swg (4) Promenade (16) Any thoughts? Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT

7 years, 5 months

Re: Question about a square

by David Kirchner

Hi Rich, Nice sequence. I could envision programming this dance in the second half of an evening at our regular contra series. However, whether or not I would actually call it would depend quite a lot on the crowd that I get that night, how well the first square of the evening went (because I would never call this square as the first one), how many newcomers stick around after the break, and even the actual personnel of the squares that form up. I'd guess that the likelihood I would shift to an easier backup dance would be around 60 percent. I agree with Tom that the most likely source of confusion is the right and left through. I might try replacing it with a circle left 1/2, which I suspect would feel unusual but not actually awkward following the left hand star. Extra time gained could be added to the swing. (But I think the right and left through is more aesthetically satisfying.) David __________________________________________________________ > 1a. Question about a square > Posted by: "Rich Sbardella" richsbardella(a)gmail.com > Date: Wed Jun 28, 2017 10:55 am ((PDT)) > > Here is a square with MWSD roots. I am wondering if is too much for an > experienced contra crowd? Is there a similar square in the trad circles? > > Hds DSD and face sides (8) > Star R with the sides (8) > Hds to Center Star L (8) > With same outside two R&L Thru (6) > Rollaway with Half Sashay (4) > Box Gnat (4) > Pull By (2) > Allemande Left (4) > New Partner Swg (4) > Promenade (16) > > Any thoughts? > > Rich Sbardella > Stafford, CT > >

7 years, 5 months

Fundraising for The Dancing Master of Canterbury theatre project!

by Lisa Sieverts

Do you love traditional dance and music? Contribute now to support this exciting project. https://www.hatchfund.org/project/the_dancingmaster The Dancingmaster is a whimsical musical portrait of the legendary contra dance caller, Dudley Laufman. Dudley almost single-handedly provided the link between the old days of rural contradancing in the hamlets of New England, and the vibrant network of dances taking place every week throughout the United States and beyond. The Dancingmaster tells his story in his own words, adapted by composer Lawrence Siegel from his interview with Dudley in 2011. The character “Dudley” is played by the great traditional musician, Keith Murphy. Becky Tracy and Larry Siegel provide the musical accompaniment. Mary DesRosiers, a dancingmaster in her own right, creates original choreography performed by a group of traditional dancers from the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. These premiere performances are jointly sponsored by the Monadnock Folklore Society, Next Stage, and the Brattleboro Music Center. They will appeal to fans of traditional music and dance and at the same time to audiences for musical theater and classical music. Note that we are fundraising now ... tickets will be on sale later in the summer for September 23/24 performances in Peterborough NH and Putney VT.

7 years, 5 months

QSC k.2 series--advice needed

by Paul Rosenberg

Hi folks, QSC sent me an email about their new lines of k.2 series. It is attached below. Has anyone tried them out yet? Any opinions? Here is what I am looking for: I have spinal stenosis, so most of my gigs I either have someone else running sound, or I bring my lighter weight speakers My k-10s weight 32 pounds each, but since the new K.2 8s are 2,000 watts and 27 pounds each, I am thinking of selling my old K 10s and buying the new K.2 - 8s The gigs I need these for are noisy crowds of 150 - 300 people, and big open outdoor gigs. We usually need them 8 to 10 times a year, especially this time of year when we are doing summer camp counselor orientation dances and whole camp dances for campers. I have received a variety of responses from the contra sound forum, and it seems that the K.2 8s do not have the quality of the original QSC k series, and they might produce a muddy sound. It was recommended that I consider the EV ZX A1, which apparently is a wonderful speaker with superb sound, but probably not powerful enough to handle my biggest gigs. So, to sum up, do you think I can get basically the same good quality sound with the new “8s” as I presently get with the old K 10s? Any other suggestions for something that weighs less than 30 pounds and great quality? Paul Rosenberg Albany, NY To view this email as a web page, click here <http://trk.qsc.com/v/s0rQ0P30xV3b0A090420Z0J> <http://trk.qsc.com/wVxJ30ZAP000043V0092b0Q> Products <http://trk.qsc.com/G3V0JQ20xW0cA0ZP0000439> | Support <http://trk.qsc.com/TX3AQ0403000xVd20P09ZJ0> | Contact Us <http://trk.qsc.com/s0eQ0P30xV3Y0A090420Z0J> New K.2 Series Loudspeakers Introducing the K.2 Series, the highly anticipated next generation of our global best-selling K Family line of powered loudspeakers. The new K.2 Series, which is comprised of the 8-inch K8.2, 10-inch K10.2 and 12-inch K12.2 full-range loudspeakers, offers a number of significant feature upgrades, establishing an entirely new standard in powered loudspeaker technology. 2000-watt power module - Carefully matched to high-performance woofers and compression drivers for optimal power and clarity. Preset contours - For applications such as Stage Monitor Dance Music Musical Instrument Amplification Hand-held Microphone and more Storable scenes - Recall user-configurable settings using the loudspeakers' LCD screen and control panel such as: input type, delay, EQ, cross-over and selected contour. Main PA or floor monitor - All three models, including the K8.2. Flexible deployment options - Dual pole cup with straight-firing and 7.5-degree down-tilt. Other mounting options include eyebolt kits and yokes for flown, wall- or truss-mounting. <http://trk.qsc.com/e30xfJ02000VAQ0903ZP40Z> <http://trk.qsc.com/j90V032PA000x043JZg0Q00> New KS212C Cardioid Subwoofer <http://trk.qsc.com/NV00hA9Z00034QJ01300x2P>The perfect complement to both the new K.2 loudspeaker line as well as legacy K Series full-range models, the new KS212C Cardioid Subwoofer represents a breakthrough in innovation and design, uniquely providing all the benefits of a cardioid subwoofer array in a single, compact enclosure. 3,600 Watt power module - Class D amplifier delivers deep, powerful and punchy extended lows. Dual 12-inch long-excursion drivers - Arranged in a 6th order band-pass chamber, drivers are controlled by the system’s DSP to produce a staggering 15 dB more output at the front of the cabinet than at the rear. Advanced DSP - Like the K.2 Series, the KS212C provides advanced DSP with on-board user-controllable and recallable Scenes via the LCD screen and control panel. <http://trk.qsc.com/b0000ZVPQAi0J4320209x03> QSC is also proud to announce that K.2 Series models as well as the KS212C Cardioid Subwoofer feature a global 6-Year Warranty with product registration. See website for details <http://trk.qsc.com/b0000ZVPQAi0J4320209x03> <http://trk.qsc.com/y3QAx9430Z0PJVj00300020> <http://trk.qsc.com/dZ0P43k3Q90Jx00V04020A0> <http://trk.qsc.com/F3xVP00l50A042Q9000JZ30> <http://trk.qsc.com/c000294A0P3V03ZJ60xmQ00> <http://trk.qsc.com/lQV97000P3x40J2Z0030n0A> <http://trk.qsc.com/WA0383V0P0o2JZ40090xQ00> © 2017 QSC, LLC all rights reserved. QSC, Q-SYS and the QSC logo are registered trademarks in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and other countries. – Privacy Policy <http://trk.qsc.com/Y0Z0Q0934009x002PVA0pJ3> <http://trk.qsc.com/M30J090xAQ03Z00aP04V0q2>This email was sent to paul(a)homespun.biz <mailto:paul@homespun.biz>. If you no longer wish to receive these emails you may unsubscribe <http://trk.qsc.com/u/y3QAx9430Z0PJVs00c00020> at any time.

7 years, 6 months

Caller's tiny house in New England

by karendunnam＠gmail.com

Clicking on the link to the Design New England article reveals that the caller does contras, and paints. https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/elizabeth-herrmann-micro-house/#/1-3 https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/elizabeth-herrmann-micro-house/#/1-3 (I am not seeing space for PA storage...) --Karen D.

7 years, 6 months

Re: Singing Squares

by jmayo329＠aol.com

One source for singing calls that has recently become available is the Sets In Order Year Books. All 8 of them have recently become available on the SDFNE.Org web site. In the indexes of each the dances are listed by name. Jim Mayo In a message dated 6/12/2017 10:47:44 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, trad-dance-callers(a)yahoogroups.com writes: Bob, I found this clip online but I could not make out your calls. Would you transcribe them? https://squaredancehistory.org/items/show/1200 Thanks, Rich On Sun, Jun 11, 2017 at 11:41 PM, Robert Livingston rlivngstn(a)yahoo.com [trad-dance-callers] <trad-dance-callers(a)yahoogroups.com> wrote: Absolutely, among those dancing on a regular basis (and those who drop in) 4Poster-Soldiers Joy is #1. Can't go home without calling it (just fancy goal posting) Next is Engine #9..."1st couple round the hollow, 2 & 3 will follow, 4 make an arch and come on thru." Down in the Caribbean Great beat, Hank Snow song. These tunes are not that difficult and if I start calling a cappella someone picks up the rhythm. From the Falltown String Band and we'll do it Saturday at Chesterfield. (MA) These are the favorites not found in your usual searches. So many American tunes were used for squares and are old enough (1800s early 1900s) to be out of copyright. Find Tod Whittemore's "San Antonio Rose" figure on line - it's a different figure and should be brought back.. Bob Livingston Middletown, CT ____________________________________ From: "Rich Sbardella richsbardella(a)gmail.com [trad-dance-callers]" <trad-dance-callers@trad-dance-call> To: trad-dance-callers@trad-dance-call Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 10:12 PM Subject: [trad-dance-callers] Singing Squares Hello folks, I am curious what singing calls, if any, are being called nowadays. I am hoping to build a traditional"singing square dance locally, and hope to use tunes that bands might have heard or been exposed to. I am familiar with the ones on Ralph Sweet's CD and Bob Dalsemer's two collections. Thanks, Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT (http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…) Virus-free. _www.avg.com_ (http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam… mail&utm_content=webmail) (mip://0d9c2e30/default.html#m_-930535660530098332_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2)

7 years, 6 months

Singing Squares

by Rich Sbardella

Hello folks, I am curious what singing calls, if any, are being called nowadays. I am hoping to build a traditional"singing square dance locally, and hope to use tunes that bands might have heard or been exposed to. I am familiar with the ones on Ralph Sweet's CD and Bob Dalsemer's two collections. Thanks, Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT

7 years, 6 months

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trad-callers June 2017