As a caller and a dance musician who sometimes plays jazz standards for contra
dances, I have found that dances that are a bit marchy (down-the-halls, single
promenades, etc) and bouncier dances (lots of balances) seem to work best with
swing tunes. And of course, some square dances are written to go with swing
tunes ("Just Because", etc) Conversely, very flowing, smooth dances often don't
work quite as well.
That said, the nature of the swing tune is also important. Clear phrasing,
singable melodies are helpful, and of course you need the 32-bar structure.
Many swing tunes - like, say, "Bye Bye Blackbird", will have more of a
double-time feel - that swinging, boom-chuck rhythm. But we have also used
tunes like "Autumn Leaves" which are more of a straight swing feel, more
relaxed and flowing. Either, though, seems to work with bouncy and marchy
dances; it's just a different vibe.
Listening to some Elixir recordings might provide some fodder for your planning.
Hope that helps, Chuck
________________________________
From: Laur via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2023 5:46 PM
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Dances that go to swing dance tunes
We have a band in the area that like to play kind of a jazzy swing tune number
- and as far as I can ever remember callers are more than a little surprised by
the tune when it comes out because the dances don’t work with it.
I want to do is find a dance that goes with a swinging jazzy tune, and then ask
them to play it when I choose that dance
I do have one dance I think might’ve been recommended here Ragtime Sammy that
goes well with a rag. However I’m a little concerned it may be too dizzying.
Thought?
Any others??
Laurie Pietravalle
West Michigan
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone<https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS>
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