Comments

Barndance - What's the dance?

Barndance - What's the dance?

So, there's been a certain amount of discussion here over the years about what a barndance is as a tune, but what is it as a dance tune. What's the dance?

(Aside - Is there a word or term for something that's hard to search for because the results are swamped by other, more common, uses of the words?)

# Posted on February 16th 2011 by TomB-R

Re: Barndance - What's the dance?

In Scotland its normally a Canadian Barndance. But you play marches for that.

# Posted on February 16th 2011 by Alasdair Paul

Re: Barndance - What's the dance?

They are a bit like fox trots, they are very simple dances, in 4/4 of medium tempo.

# Posted on February 17th 2011 by Joseph Tailyour

Re: Barndance - What's the dance?

A googlefuk

# Posted on February 17th 2011 by gam

Re: Barndance - What's the dance?

My understanding is that, on the whole, barndance tunes are played for dances which are, as it were, 'of no fixed abode' in terms of type. A variety of different dances, IOW, so long as the tune fits.

OTOH, I think there are some barndance tunes which go with particular dances. I.E. there's a specific dance for the tune.

Have I got this wrong?

# Posted on February 17th 2011 by ethical blend

Re: Barndance - What's the dance?

check out ceolachan's comments ~
"The Killarney Wonder Schottise"
October 11th 2002 by Trevor Jennings
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1028

If you find this discussion - do a search on site for 'Barndance'
August 9th 2004 by ceolachan
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/2392#comment85983

Hot Damn! - Schottische / Ecossaise
August 1st 2004 by ceolachan
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/4149/comments#comment85013

# Posted on February 17th 2011 by Ben Steen

Re: Barndance - What's the dance?

usually couples, dancing normally with each other for the 1st half of the tune, and when the 2nd half is played they swing around.

# Posted on February 17th 2011 by James Morgan

Re: Barndance - What's the dance?

Can anyone point to a video?

# Posted on February 18th 2011 by fiddlentina

Re: Barndance - What's the dance? ~ Are there videos?

http://www.reavy.us/the_philadelphia_set.html

http://www.dancilla.com/
They used to have a few, if under alternate titles...

The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra - Canadian Barn Dance 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSEBdX4d0QM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP2yacZLuoc

There are a couple of videos out of couple dances ~

"Biert Eile: A video of two-hand dances" ~ C.C.E.

"The Pride of Erin: Popular Old Time Dancing in Ireland"
Pat Murphy & "The Heather Breeze Céilí Band"
http://www.dragonseye.com/blog/archives/270-Review-The-Pride-of-Erin.html
http://web.mac.com/pmurphydance/iWeb/Memories%20of%20a%20Dancer/Memories.html

“Damhsaí Cúplaí Thír Chonaill: The Couple Dances of Donegal”
http://www.donegalfiddlemusic.ie/recordings.htm

Discussion: “Damhsaí Cúplaí Thír Chonaill” ~ Brilliant!!!
# Posted on May 8th 2009 by ceolachan
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/21517

# Posted on January 29th 2012 by ceolachan

Not a member yet? Sign up!

forgotten your password?

Frequently Asked Questions

Enter your email address to have your password sent to you.