[Musicians] Dots

[tom hinds]

> Thank you all for sharing!  You’ve been very helpful.
> 
> As a caller I’ve always known that callers who are staring at a card and not looking at the dancers are not in tune with the dancers I.e. so much information coming from the dancers is lost.
> 
> I’ve always assumed the same is true of musicians.
> 
> The reason I’m asking is I’m playing percussion in a band with very good players.  They play good music but it could be more exciting.  Their fear is preventing them from going dotless.
> 
> Reading your responses have made me think more about this and I’ve come up with the following:
> 
> Playing exciting contra music requires;
> 
> Mastery of the instrument.
> Willingness to take risks
> Ability to multitask: listen to others, the caller, watch the dancers.
> Know the ins and outs of the activity (rules, norms, traditions)
> 
> I’m sure there’s more.............
> 
> Tom
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On May 17, 2019, at 2:49 PM, bschmid55 <bschmid55 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> That is such an evocative question and I'd love to hear how that came to your mind. I agree with the jeffs and meg and others... the ability to watch the dancers is an asset... and having spent lots of time with a particular tune so the rhythm is a part of you i think leads to knowing how to manipulate a dance that you're watching. 
>> Barb
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>> 
>> -------- Original message --------
>> From: Jeff Kaufman via Musicians <musicians at lists.sharedweight.net>
>> Date: 5/17/19 8:34 AM (GMT-05:00)
>> To: tom hinds <tomthecaller at yahoo.com>
>> Cc: musicians at sharedweight.net
>> Subject: Re: [Musicians] Dots
>> 
>> I think learning the music well enough that you don't need to see it
>> while playing is well worth it: once you're playing from memory you
>> have much more ability to vary what you're doing in the moment in
>> response to the feel of the hall and what the dancers are doing.
>> (This goes for written chords as well as written notes.)
>> 
>> On Fri, May 17, 2019 at 6:53 AM tom hinds via Musicians
>> <musicians at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > I’d like to know people’s opinion of using music while playing for a contra dance.   Is it easier to create excitement if the musicians play by ear?  Thanks in advance for your opinion, Tom Hinds
>> >
>> > Sent from my iPad
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