Hey All.
I am playing a bunch of Irish sets for a contra dance in a couple months. This is the second Contra Dance I've played for, so I still consider myself a beginner. I think I have a pretty good feel for what to expect. However, I was wondering if people who have played for Contra Dances or dances in general have any tips. It is always nice to hear advice from those more experienced than myself. Thanks!
Most contra dances are designed for 32-bar, AABB tunes. There are exceptions -- I've had a caller ask, "Can you give me a 48-bar reel?" -- so it's a good idea to have a few of those in your back pocket. It's also possible to take a 3-part tune and adapt it for 32 bars, e.g., playing it AABC. When I was in a contra dance band we used to do that with Reel Beatrice.
Didn't you once say that you have been around the contra dance scene for a long time - I think I remember that your parents are contra dancers? Anyway, if you are a dancer you probably already have a good idea about how the music can work for the dance. When I started playing for contras, I had been dancing for several years and I think that made me a better player (please note, I'm only talking about my own experience, not generalizing for all musicians). Watch the dancers and see how they are relating to each other in the dance. If the dance is going smoothly and people are comfortable and look like they're having a good time, the music is probably right. Check in with the caller, too, and get some feedback about the music. And don't forget the soundperson if there is one. If its a big hall with a large group of dancers, the sound person can really make a difference so its a good idea to communicate with her/him. Do you know who will be calling the dance you're playing for?
@ Dan,
You are correct. My thumb definitely is not relaxed enough and gets tired easily.
@ SWFL. What joke is this? I am not familiar. No one in my band is very experienced with playing for dances, but most of us are contra dancers.
@ Forrest and Boxist
, you are indeed correct. 32 bar tunes all the way! (or 16 where you play the A 4x and the B 4x, but that can get boring really quickly)
@ tacoman
I have been contra dancing for practically my whole life. I know what a good contra dance band SHOULD sound like. However, it's a learning process, and I guess the more I do it the better I will get. My biggest concern is starting the songs. Potatoes are very old timey and sound odd before most of the sets I have chosen. I am also worried about communicating with my musicians during the dance. I can;t talk and play at the same time, though some lucky people can. I often stick my foot up to indicate I am switching songs, but sometimes people don't notice. Oh well. Do you play for dances often? What fun!
I've played for contra dances for a long time. It is great fun and I enjoy it a lot. There is a learning curve when you get started, but since you know what great contra dance music sounds like and how it feels to dance to it, you are well on your way. Here's a couple of thoughts:
Potatoes work just fine to start a contra, but if you are playing with a piano or a piano accordion (which makes for a very good contra dance band), the piano or accordion can start the music. The piano does it boom-chuck, boom-chuck, giving the other musicians the beat. The accordion can do it with four big chords on the key of the tune you are starting with. I have also heard melody instruments start the dance with two bars of the end of the A part of the tune - just to get the other musicians going.
If you are not sure when to change tunes, ask the caller to let you know when a change would be good. I like to change when the #1 couples are at the top of the set so the whole set changes at the same time. Its like starting the dance all over again for the musicians (if you're watching). You can see how the second tune works for the dance. I generally play two tunes for each contra dance unless the caller asks for something different. Just ask the caller to tell you, though, and that will be all right.
You might also think of a couple of sets that include really rollicking tunes that you could play before the first break in the dance and for the last set before the last waltz of the night. For example, something fairly straightforward in D for the first tune, then changing into the Reconciliation Reel in A is a great set for ending either the first half or the dance.
You could also find out from the caller beforehand if they have some tunes in mind for specific dances. If you already know the tunes, that's great, but if not, you might have time to learn them so you can play them for the dance.
I hope you have fun getting into playing for contra dances. It is a great way to experience the music. And, as I'm sure you already know, to meet and socialize with the dance community. PM me if you want to talk more about this.
Probably not, although possible. I'm painting my house and the past week has been impossible (it was over 100F here three times last week) so I'm trying to catch up. Evenings are good because it gets a little cooler. And just to keep this related to Irish Music, I deedle-dee a bunch of tunes while I'm scraping, sanding, and slapping on new paint.
banana512 - we use our foot, old-time style, too. To make sure we all get the message (there's usually a dozen of us) we require ALL of us to raise a foot. Like the Rockettes But it gives us confidence that we all know what's happening and we're good to go on the next tune, or the end of the dance.
Playing for a Contra Dance.
Playing for a Contra Dance.
Hey All.
I am playing a bunch of Irish sets for a contra dance in a couple months. This is the second Contra Dance I've played for, so I still consider myself a beginner. I think I have a pretty good feel for what to expect. However, I was wondering if people who have played for Contra Dances or dances in general have any tips. It is always nice to hear advice from those more experienced than myself. Thanks!
-Anna
# Posted on August 4th 2009 by banana512
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
Work with the caller and watch the dancers to be sure the tempos (tempi?) are right.
Relax, or your thumb will fall off!!! At least it will feel like it will after a long dance.
Dan
# Posted on August 4th 2009 by curamach
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
OK! What fun and good luck to you!
Advice? Keep your eye on the dancers, set your warp drive to maximum, and hang on for dear life! Woo hoo!
Seriously though, don't get too hung up on it, just enjoy, watch the dancers, the other musicians who do it all the time will help you along.
...unless you're the most experienced musician in the Contra Band?
Oh, and make sure you tell that cheesy "contraband" joke at least 3 or 4 times during the evening.
# Posted on August 4th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
I have been told that, for contradance, you should play only 2-part (i.e., just an A and a B part) tunes.
# Posted on August 4th 2009 by John Galt
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
Most contra dances are designed for 32-bar, AABB tunes. There are exceptions -- I've had a caller ask, "Can you give me a 48-bar reel?" -- so it's a good idea to have a few of those in your back pocket. It's also possible to take a 3-part tune and adapt it for 32 bars, e.g., playing it AABC. When I was in a contra dance band we used to do that with Reel Beatrice.
# Posted on August 4th 2009 by boxist
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
Hi Anna
Didn't you once say that you have been around the contra dance scene for a long time - I think I remember that your parents are contra dancers? Anyway, if you are a dancer you probably already have a good idea about how the music can work for the dance. When I started playing for contras, I had been dancing for several years and I think that made me a better player (please note, I'm only talking about my own experience, not generalizing for all musicians). Watch the dancers and see how they are relating to each other in the dance. If the dance is going smoothly and people are comfortable and look like they're having a good time, the music is probably right. Check in with the caller, too, and get some feedback about the music. And don't forget the soundperson if there is one. If its a big hall with a large group of dancers, the sound person can really make a difference so its a good idea to communicate with her/him. Do you know who will be calling the dance you're playing for?
# Posted on August 4th 2009 by John Culhane
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
@ Dan,
You are correct. My thumb definitely is not relaxed enough and gets tired easily.
@ SWFL. What joke is this? I am not familiar. No one in my band is very experienced with playing for dances, but most of us are contra dancers.
@ Forrest and Boxist
, you are indeed correct. 32 bar tunes all the way! (or 16 where you play the A 4x and the B 4x, but that can get boring really quickly)
@ tacoman
I have been contra dancing for practically my whole life. I know what a good contra dance band SHOULD sound like. However, it's a learning process, and I guess the more I do it the better I will get. My biggest concern is starting the songs. Potatoes are very old timey and sound odd before most of the sets I have chosen. I am also worried about communicating with my musicians during the dance. I can;t talk and play at the same time, though some lucky people can. I often stick my foot up to indicate I am switching songs, but sometimes people don't notice. Oh well. Do you play for dances often? What fun!
# Posted on August 5th 2009 by banana512
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
Hey Taco Man--will we see you tomorrow at the session? The high temps are supposed to be more like 75 (24C) than 100 (38C).
(The previous off-topic comment is part of the whole "online session" concept--random chatter, just like at a real session.)
# Posted on August 5th 2009 by John Galt
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
Hi again, Anna
I've played for contra dances for a long time. It is great fun and I enjoy it a lot. There is a learning curve when you get started, but since you know what great contra dance music sounds like and how it feels to dance to it, you are well on your way. Here's a couple of thoughts:
Potatoes work just fine to start a contra, but if you are playing with a piano or a piano accordion (which makes for a very good contra dance band), the piano or accordion can start the music. The piano does it boom-chuck, boom-chuck, giving the other musicians the beat. The accordion can do it with four big chords on the key of the tune you are starting with. I have also heard melody instruments start the dance with two bars of the end of the A part of the tune - just to get the other musicians going.
If you are not sure when to change tunes, ask the caller to let you know when a change would be good. I like to change when the #1 couples are at the top of the set so the whole set changes at the same time. Its like starting the dance all over again for the musicians (if you're watching). You can see how the second tune works for the dance. I generally play two tunes for each contra dance unless the caller asks for something different. Just ask the caller to tell you, though, and that will be all right.
You might also think of a couple of sets that include really rollicking tunes that you could play before the first break in the dance and for the last set before the last waltz of the night. For example, something fairly straightforward in D for the first tune, then changing into the Reconciliation Reel in A is a great set for ending either the first half or the dance.
You could also find out from the caller beforehand if they have some tunes in mind for specific dances. If you already know the tunes, that's great, but if not, you might have time to learn them so you can play them for the dance.
I hope you have fun getting into playing for contra dances. It is a great way to experience the music. And, as I'm sure you already know, to meet and socialize with the dance community. PM me if you want to talk more about this.
# Posted on August 5th 2009 by John Culhane
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
What I meant in the third paragraph is when the #2 couples become #1 couples.
# Posted on August 5th 2009 by John Culhane
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
Mr. Tucker
Probably not, although possible. I'm painting my house and the past week has been impossible (it was over 100F here three times last week) so I'm trying to catch up. Evenings are good because it gets a little cooler. And just to keep this related to Irish Music, I deedle-dee a bunch of tunes while I'm scraping, sanding, and slapping on new paint.
# Posted on August 5th 2009 by John Culhane
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
This has been great to read. I seem to be raising my very own contradance band, and it's good to have some thoughts to guide them with.
Though it occurred to me that I could also ask our friendly local contradance musicians for their suggestions, also.
# Posted on August 5th 2009 by worthy
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
Speed somewhere between 100 and 120 beats a minute. Warn your wrist surgeon!
# Posted on August 7th 2009 by Ebor_fiddler
Re: Playing for a Contra Dance.
banana512 - we use our foot, old-time style, too. To make sure we all get the message (there's usually a dozen of us) we require ALL of us to raise a foot. Like the Rockettes
But it gives us confidence that we all know what's happening and we're good to go on the next tune, or the end of the dance.
cj
# Posted on August 8th 2009 by cj