@ Will Fly:

Generally I'd agree with you as far as dance bands are concerned. The main thing is that the band has it's tunes reasonably off pat, is reasonably familiar with the dances, knows how to give that subtle emphasis at the start of each new 16bar figure (english dances) and is flexible enough to react if, despite everything, chaos develops. The problems I referred to earlier come when the music stands become barricades and stop the interaction between musicians and dancers developing. I've been there, I've tried to dance it......

Don