Any dancers/instrumentalists out there that can give any advice on dancing and playing at the same time? Maybe I just am not cooridinated enough, but I can't seem to play a tune and dance at the same time. I've had a lot of requests for doing so, and I'm always up for a challenge. Wondering if anyone who has accomplished this feat can offer some tips/tricks? For hard shoe....
This is now regarded as an essential accomplishment for young fiddlers in some parts, Maritime Canada for instance.
Sorry, I haven't a clue about how you would set about mastering it.
I no longer find it impressive or even interesting. If you want to impress, why not try a circus-pony trick that is less of a cliché - like fiddling as you ride a unicycle, or standing on your head, maybe?
most of the maritimers (canadian, i mean) who are good at it, learned the stepping before they added the music. at least i've heard that about ashley macisaac and natalie macmaster, for instance, and others. not from themselves, though.
i would really like to learn to do this, but it flummoxes me; i can mostly tap one foot reliably in time, and count that as a blessing! i will keep watching here, for surely there is a secret and it is easy if you know the key? hmmm. probably not.
I tend to associate fiddling-and-dancing (and/or operating dancing dolls) with low-grade busking and excruciating renditions of The Harvest Home Hornpipe.
The Judge - he wafts his hat and the lunar dome of his skull passes palely under the lamps and he swings about and takes possession of one of the fiddles and he pirouettes and makes a pass, two passes, dancing and fiddling at once. His feet are light and nimble. He never sleeps. He says that he will never die. He dances in light and in shadow and he is a great favorite. He never sleeps, the judge. He is dancing, dancing. He says that he will never die.
We do this in our Morris side, but it is easier with a squeezebox than a fiddle. You've got to make sure that your feet are always at one with the rhythm and note-length of whatever you are playing, AND PRACTICE!
Hi there, I'm interested in your request and at the same time surprised and somewhat dismayed by the response from nicholas.
I've heard some fabulous, simultaneous stepping and playing from none less than Peggy Peakin (Liverpool Ceilidh Band).
She sometimes would put on a special show when she went out and played with Eamonn Coyne Sr. (RIP) and Seán MacNamara as a little group. She's even done it at a big dance; there was nothing like low grade busking in her performance.
Also there was a lovely man called Joe Scurfield who used to unicycle and play the fiddle. A heart as big as the world and as generous!
He used his skills (and sublime they were) and would cycle all day and play to raise attention, awareness and funds for causes for which he believed.
Believe me, he could play at the highest standard! Maybe through these links you might find some footage
Joe was a greatman and is a much missed character
How about Timmy 'the Brit ' Mc Carthy
Teaches set dancing , dances in a set and plays the box at the same time . However note only Slides and Polkas as he does not believe in reels lol
Hehe i might just go searching for my pogo stick now. That could be an intresting injury to explain at casualty. Look out for Rick Sanders. At Fairport gigs they have to make sure he has a long cable for his fiddle because he wandersall over the stage. Me though i prefer to waltz. Much slower.
This is not something that I can do, but unlike some here, I still enjoy seeing fiddlers step and play at the same time. It's almost expected around these parts (Nova Scotia). I agree with full measure - most fiddlers who do this around here learn to step dance before they even pick up a fiddle, so putting it together seems like a natural progression. A friend of mine teaches a fiddle group and although I have not had any instruction from her on this subject, it seems to be that she starts the kids off by playing a really simple tune while walking around the room in time to the music. Then, slowly, walking is upgraded to hopping on one foot, then to simple steps that they would already be familar with. I think that's the key - to be familiar with both the tune you are playing and the steps that you are doing so that you could do it in your sleep first before tyring to put them together. Again, Im not an expert on this, but hey, it's worth a shot, right Good luck!
Thanks for the comments, most of them anyway! I already dance, so I have that down. I am not doing it to "impress", just to have some good old fun. This isn't for sessions, obviously. This is something I want to learn to accomany my dance class (the little ones are the ones requesting it). I see no harm. Those that make fun... where's your sense of spirit and humor!? I think a little set dance with the little ones would be smashing fun.
I have to say, I'm surprised, after a year or more, that there are still some folks on here that jibe me for my classical training, thus the stand jokes. Thanks. Very encouraging since I've taken everyone's advice and am trying by best to learn more by ear. Those kind of comments really prove all the points I made when I first started lurking here. It's unnecessary and really rather ironic around Christmas time to receive such ill-mannered criticism.
A sincere Merry Xmas, Yuletide, whatever you and yours observe -
and I really suspect the same would be the wish of most of the "comedians" here at the Mustard (not to speak for any of them, I hasten to add!!)
FWIW:
a sense of humor IS a two-way street, and if you think you were slagged a bit on this, I think you have missed some of the real jabs this jolly crew can dish out.
Rook-- that's just it, I have been slogged a lot on here before, so I know which are in good fun and which slant a bit too far. But anyway, Merry Christmas to you all!
To you Morris dancers, I once did a jig with Jim Morrison (not the dead rocker, the fiddler from Albermarle) he did a jig while playing a fiddle including split capers, and never missed a beat. I still don't know how.
Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Any dancers/instrumentalists out there that can give any advice on dancing and playing at the same time? Maybe I just am not cooridinated enough, but I can't seem to play a tune and dance at the same time. I've had a lot of requests for doing so, and I'm always up for a challenge. Wondering if anyone who has accomplished this feat can offer some tips/tricks? For hard shoe....
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by Fiddlechick7
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
A lot of requests? All from the same nutter, I assume.
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by gam
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
This is now regarded as an essential accomplishment for young fiddlers in some parts, Maritime Canada for instance.
Sorry, I haven't a clue about how you would set about mastering it.
I no longer find it impressive or even interesting. If you want to impress, why not try a circus-pony trick that is less of a cliché - like fiddling as you ride a unicycle, or standing on your head, maybe?
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
This Girl is good at it -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoLK8wCA-wA
But it helps if you can flick you hair about -
Ah well, that's me Beat ! -- lol.
jim,,,
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by FIDDLE4
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
most of the maritimers (canadian, i mean) who are good at it, learned the stepping before they added the music. at least i've heard that about ashley macisaac and natalie macmaster, for instance, and others. not from themselves, though.
i would really like to learn to do this, but it flummoxes me; i can mostly tap one foot reliably in time, and count that as a blessing! i will keep watching here, for surely there is a secret and it is easy if you know the key? hmmm. probably not.
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by full measure
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Give this a go then:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q28ikQaPFK4
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by goldfrog
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
I hope your horizons are high.
I tend to associate fiddling-and-dancing (and/or operating dancing dolls) with low-grade busking and excruciating renditions of The Harvest Home Hornpipe.
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by nicholas
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
The Judge - he wafts his hat and the lunar dome of his skull passes palely under the lamps and he swings about and takes possession of one of the fiddles and he pirouettes and makes a pass, two passes, dancing and fiddling at once. His feet are light and nimble. He never sleeps. He says that he will never die. He dances in light and in shadow and he is a great favorite. He never sleeps, the judge. He is dancing, dancing. He says that he will never die.
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by pavlf
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Goldfrog --
lol --- and my you-tube,, Comment
How To Get Perfect Timing -- : )
jim,,,
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by FIDDLE4
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
We do this in our Morris side, but it is easier with a squeezebox than a fiddle. You've got to make sure that your feet are always at one with the rhythm and note-length of whatever you are playing, AND PRACTICE!
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by Ebor_fiddler
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
re the Judge, above:
"Between the wish and the thing the world lies waiting."
— Cormac McCarthy (All the Pretty Horses)
sure and maybe i will live forever...
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by full measure
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
You going to dance around your music stand? Or have one that moves around with you?
# Posted on December 22nd 2010 by ethical blend
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Hmmm, the second exhibition above is about as good as the first.
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by Bob himself
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
no dancing music stand. there you see, it is the perfect reason for not using dots, you might trip on them.
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by full measure
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Dia dhuit a Fiddlechick!
Hi there, I'm interested in your request and at the same time surprised and somewhat dismayed by the response from nicholas.
I've heard some fabulous, simultaneous stepping and playing from none less than Peggy Peakin (Liverpool Ceilidh Band).
She sometimes would put on a special show when she went out and played with Eamonn Coyne Sr. (RIP) and Seán MacNamara as a little group. She's even done it at a big dance; there was nothing like low grade busking in her performance.
Also there was a lovely man called Joe Scurfield who used to unicycle and play the fiddle. A heart as big as the world and as generous!
He used his skills (and sublime they were) and would cycle all day and play to raise attention, awareness and funds for causes for which he believed.
Believe me, he could play at the highest standard! Maybe through these links you might find some footage
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2005/aug/11/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries1
or
http://www.oldropestringband.co.uk/tributes/index.html
I hope you find some encouragement fromthese comments and wish you well.
All the best
Brian x
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by briantheflute
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Joe was a greatman and is a much missed character
How about Timmy 'the Brit ' Mc Carthy
Teaches set dancing , dances in a set and plays the box at the same time . However note only Slides and Polkas as he does not believe in reels lol
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by bazouki dave
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Hehe i might just go searching for my pogo stick now. That could be an intresting injury to explain at casualty. Look out for Rick Sanders. At Fairport gigs they have to make sure he has a long cable for his fiddle because he wandersall over the stage. Me though i prefer to waltz. Much slower.
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by mandolinist
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
* wanders all its too early for this
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by mandolinist
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
I just had this vision of a session, with six or seven instrumentalists all hopping and stomping about in unison.
"Seamus, yer out of step again!!"
"I know, I know - but dammit, these regulators keep getting in the way!"
This could bring back Vaudeville.
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by Piece
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
This is not something that I can do, but unlike some here, I still enjoy seeing fiddlers step and play at the same time. It's almost expected around these parts (Nova Scotia). I agree with full measure - most fiddlers who do this around here learn to step dance before they even pick up a fiddle, so putting it together seems like a natural progression. A friend of mine teaches a fiddle group and although I have not had any instruction from her on this subject, it seems to be that she starts the kids off by playing a really simple tune while walking around the room in time to the music. Then, slowly, walking is upgraded to hopping on one foot, then to simple steps that they would already be familar with. I think that's the key - to be familiar with both the tune you are playing and the steps that you are doing so that you could do it in your sleep first before tyring to put them together. Again, Im not an expert on this, but hey, it's worth a shot, right Good luck!
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by jsmith
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
*seems to me, that is......
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by jsmith
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Thanks for the comments, most of them anyway! I already dance, so I have that down. I am not doing it to "impress", just to have some good old fun. This isn't for sessions, obviously. This is something I want to learn to accomany my dance class (the little ones are the ones requesting it). I see no harm. Those that make fun... where's your sense of spirit and humor!? I think a little set dance with the little ones would be smashing fun.
I have to say, I'm surprised, after a year or more, that there are still some folks on here that jibe me for my classical training, thus the stand jokes. Thanks. Very encouraging since I've taken everyone's advice and am trying by best to learn more by ear. Those kind of comments really prove all the points I made when I first started lurking here. It's unnecessary and really rather ironic around Christmas time to receive such ill-mannered criticism.
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by Fiddlechick7
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
A sincere Merry Xmas, Yuletide, whatever you and yours observe -
and I really suspect the same would be the wish of most of the "comedians" here at the Mustard (not to speak for any of them, I hasten to add!!)
FWIW:
a sense of humor IS a two-way street, and if you think you were slagged a bit on this, I think you have missed some of the real jabs this jolly crew can dish out.
Good Luck.
# Posted on December 23rd 2010 by Piece
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
Rook-- that's just it, I have been slogged a lot on here before, so I know which are in good fun and which slant a bit too far. But anyway, Merry Christmas to you all!
# Posted on December 24th 2010 by Fiddlechick7
Re: Dancing and fiddling at the same time...
To you Morris dancers, I once did a jig with Jim Morrison (not the dead rocker, the fiddler from Albermarle) he did a jig while playing a fiddle including split capers, and never missed a beat. I still don't know how.
# Posted on December 26th 2010 by Fiddleshed