Here's a common version of Beaumont Rag that's square and well phrased: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FTuWotf7TQ
Jeff On Mon, May 2, 2022 at 1:09 AM Roger Diggle via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Beaumont Rag is a tune that is incredibly versionated. Without knowing > their particular version, no way to create a dance that fits. > > Another way to look at the problem ... If they really want to play the > tune for dancing, there is no reason they cannot concoct a version of > there own, using the grab-bag of pieces that are laying around, to > create a square version. Next questions: Do they actually understand > what a square version is? Do they have a feel for the kinds of things, > in actual square tunes, that sometimes confuse the caller and/or > dancers? Do you or they know a musician or caller that could help with > that? > > If they feel like they'd like to use more pieces than can be > accommodated by typical A-A-B-B construction, there are several > possibilities. Think about A-A and B-B each being rectangles that form > a square You could concoct a C-C part. Then play the tune, > alternately, A-A B-B / A-A C-C. Also possible - perhaps a 16 bar > rectangle that does not internally repeat [as chestnut Maggie Brown's > Favorite does] Or A-B-C-D, [like chestnuts Opera Reel and Chorus Jig] > If I were doing this project, I would be inclined to play the A-A > rectangle alternating with other rectangles, beginning by alternating > A-A B-B until the dancers get a grip, then throw in other alternations, > but always the A-A in the lead. > > I have a batch of dances that fit variants of A-A-B-B-C, if they'd go > for that. Could even be A-B-C-D-E. If anyone is interested, I'll > supply those dances. Most are old contra-corners patterns, which > deserve more circulation than they get - with some stretch limousine > treatment. > > Roger Diggle > > -- > Food for thought is no substitute for the real thing. > -- Walt Kelly, cartoonist extraordinaire > > > > *From:* Laur via Contra Callers > > *Sent:* Wednesday, April 27, 2022 3:50 PM > > *To:* Contra Callers <contracall...@sharedweight.net> > > *Subject:* [Callers] Need help fitting to a tune > > > > A local band here plays Beaumont Rag As a part of their routine dance > > set. It’s a popular band. > > I’ve never experienced a contra dance The band has chosen to play for > > a dance work. It doesn’t work for the dancers and it’s agonizing for the > > caller. > > > > Can anyone suggest a dance that could fit? At this point I’m planning to > > request they don’t include the tune. > > > > I know there’s an English dance written to match but not interested in > > that for this set. > > > > Laurie > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net > > To unsubscribe send an email to > contracallers-le...@lists.sharedweight.net > > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-le...@lists.sharedweight.net >
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