I was practicing a new tune (an untitled reel) and, as usual, asked my 8 year old daughter if it was any good for dancing to. She said 'NO, not enough high notes'.
It made me think. Is that right? She demonstrated how high notes help her use her arms.
I wish my girl would take an interest in The Music!
Still, she's only after starting secondary school today. She is doing her grades on the piano, right enough. I tried to interest her in the piano box, but that was to no avail either.
Anyway, back to yer question, Craig, is it reels you'd be thinking about? Maybe tunes with loadsa notes, then...that's not as silly as it sounds...eg even standards like "Over the Moor to Maggie", "The Blackberry Blossom", "Dick Gossip's"or, as your girl almost suggested, "the High Reel"
Could it be, as you're playing bouzouki (I assume) that the low notes don't make much melodic sense to her at 8, if that makes sense!?!?
Danny, I reckon the reason why Roisin won't play the music is that you've subjected her to non-stop playing from an early age. Naturally, at her age she's going to do everything in her power to avoid it at all costs. Don't worry, when she gets older she'll see the light!
Craig, I would have thought it's the rhythm rather than the notes that make it good to dance to. However, kids hear music differently to adults. The abstract way they deal with it in their brains I'm sure is pretty different, and their ears are better so they hear more of the harmonics and stuff. It's very interesting indeed that your daughter seems to want to mirror the high and low parts of a tune somehow using body movements. Whenever I've seen kids of that age dancing to trad they tend to jiggle around randomly, or if they've seen riverdance then they make a humorous attempt at imitating that. She must have a good ear for where the tune's going. I bet she'll be a star in the future. Make sure she plays zouk - there aren't enough female zouk players
1. Get the tempo right - dancers all have their own internal metronome and you need to gel with that for the tune to make sense.
2. Punchy - you need to emphasise notes to be in step with the dancer. Also emphasise notes at the end of particular patrts of the dance:- lead round, first step, sevens, etc., If you're unsure ask the dancer.
3. Plenty of lift - tunes that spend a bit more time in the higher octave can be more easily heard.
4. If you can stand up and play or if you have to sit make sure you beat your feet to the dancers rhythm so you are in synch with them physically as well as musically.
As a man with three dancers and one budding dancer [Well she is only three!] in the house I've had to learn what they like and don't.
Hope all this helps.
I know there are a few dancers here at the session - what do ye think?
The dancer's internal metronome will depend on their size - smaller people have lower inertia and so can move quicker (ever tried catching an active 4-year old who decides to get away from you?) - and ultimately also on the Earth's force of gravity, which in turn depends on the mass and size of the Earth and the Universal Gravitational Constant.
Trevor
The dancer's internal metronome may well also depend on alcohol consumption. A good dance tune early in the evening could be a good brawl by the time people have had a lot to drink!
May the road rises up to meet you!
(that happens after a lot of drink too)
what makes it a good dance tune?
what makes it a good dance tune?
I was practicing a new tune (an untitled reel) and, as usual, asked my 8 year old daughter if it was any good for dancing to. She said 'NO, not enough high notes'.
It made me think. Is that right? She demonstrated how high notes help her use her arms.
Craig.
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by bouzyboy
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
Craig
That girls too bossy for her own good
Alan
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by Alanmmcgregor
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
I wish my girl would take an interest in The Music!
Still, she's only after starting secondary school today. She is doing her grades on the piano, right enough. I tried to interest her in the piano box, but that was to no avail either.
Anyway, back to yer question, Craig, is it reels you'd be thinking about? Maybe tunes with loadsa notes, then...that's not as silly as it sounds...eg even standards like "Over the Moor to Maggie", "The Blackberry Blossom", "Dick Gossip's"or, as your girl almost suggested, "the High Reel"
Could it be, as you're playing bouzouki (I assume) that the low notes don't make much melodic sense to her at 8, if that makes sense!?!?
Danny.
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
Hi Danny,
)
I'm playing it on my mandolin. Of course it is in Dmin and as Nigel Tuffnel said '..that is the second saddest chord/key'. Could be that then
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by bouzyboy
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
Ooops!...in that case ye'll hiv tae take up the whistle, then. And on'y play fast G reels eg the Shaskeen (Seasguin)!
Danny.
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
Danny, I reckon the reason why Roisin won't play the music is that you've subjected her to non-stop playing from an early age. Naturally, at her age she's going to do everything in her power to avoid it at all costs. Don't worry, when she gets older she'll see the light!
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by Dr. Dow
Craig, I would have thought it's the rhythm rather than the notes that make it good to dance to. However, kids hear music differently to adults. The abstract way they deal with it in their brains I'm sure is pretty different, and their ears are better so they hear more of the harmonics and stuff. It's very interesting indeed that your daughter seems to want to mirror the high and low parts of a tune somehow using body movements. Whenever I've seen kids of that age dancing to trad they tend to jiggle around randomly, or if they've seen riverdance then they make a humorous attempt at imitating that. She must have a good ear for where the tune's going. I bet she'll be a star in the future. Make sure she plays zouk - there aren't enough female zouk players
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by Dr. Dow
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
It is not the notes that makes a good dance tune, it is the gaps.
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by geoffwright
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
A tune is more than
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by pitnekit
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
1. Get the tempo right - dancers all have their own internal metronome and you need to gel with that for the tune to make sense.
2. Punchy - you need to emphasise notes to be in step with the dancer. Also emphasise notes at the end of particular patrts of the dance:- lead round, first step, sevens, etc., If you're unsure ask the dancer.
3. Plenty of lift - tunes that spend a bit more time in the higher octave can be more easily heard.
4. If you can stand up and play or if you have to sit make sure you beat your feet to the dancers rhythm so you are in synch with them physically as well as musically.
As a man with three dancers and one budding dancer [Well she is only three!] in the house I've had to learn what they like and don't.
Hope all this helps.
I know there are a few dancers here at the session - what do ye think?
# Posted on September 4th 2003 by breandan
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
When I was in a fiddle workshop at the Scoil
# Posted on September 4th 2003 by Trevor Jennings
What makes it a good dance tune?
The dancer's internal metronome will depend on their size - smaller people have lower inertia and so can move quicker (ever tried catching an active 4-year old who decides to get away from you?) - and ultimately also on the Earth's force of gravity, which in turn depends on the mass and size of the Earth and the Universal Gravitational Constant.
Trevor
# Posted on September 4th 2003 by Trevor Jennings
Re: what makes it a good dance tune?
The dancer's internal metronome may well also depend on alcohol consumption. A good dance tune early in the evening could be a good brawl by the time people have had a lot to drink!
May the road rises up to meet you!
(that happens after a lot of drink too)
Dave
# Posted on September 5th 2003 by showaddydadito