HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway

Subject: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 10 Oct 02 - 06:35 PM

I have just got off the phone with Rita (Nothin' Could be Sweeta) after discussing her plans for a couple of folk dance workshops. She has planned to have one period reserved for waltzes and one for a contra dance, and asked me if it was possible to set up a form of the Open Band in Wash DC.

These folks would be musicians who can read chords or music (or already know most of the common tunes) who would want to play (or learn to play) for two hour contra-dance to be held sometime around 4 -6 PM on Saturday. She has a caller, and I will be bringing duplicate copies of the common contra-dance tune source books (Ruff Water, Fiddlers Fake, Portland, etc.).

What we will need are fiddlers, maybe a mando or tenor banjo, maybe a squeeze box or recorder/flute windy thing, but mainly a couple of fiddlers. I have no doubt that there will be numerous guitars at the Getaway, but I don't want to do the "Al Kyola, 101 Guitars Play Old Time" thing.

So here's the deal, if you're going to the Getaway, and you have a fiddle or a mando stuck in the car's wheel-well, and you listen real carefully, you'll hear your mother callin' you. If you've never played in an open band, this can be a lot of fun, and because the tunes repeat 5-6 times, you can learn the tunes fast.

Having a good sense of rythmn is more important than getting the right note, cause in open bands, you CAN be wrong, but you CAN'T be late. Usually three tunes are played during one dance, like a jig in D, then a reel in G, then something in Em, for example.

This is not that hard; I know some folks who do this for a living, and they have NEVER been sober.

PM Rita, or come up on this thread if you help out, Thanks, Don

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Oct 02 - 06:51 PM

I wish..........

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Bill D
Date: 10 Oct 02 - 08:38 PM

not as many fiddlers around here as there once was, but I know a couple of possibles who might be there.....we can keep this thread alive a few days and see..

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: NicoleC
Date: 10 Oct 02 - 11:49 PM

FSGW Gateway? Where's that -- also in DC?

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Ferrara
Date: 11 Oct 02 - 12:40 AM

Yah, also in DC.

A couple of comments, we have a pick-up band (piano, bass, viola for the lead) for the waltz session but I think additional musicians will be welcome if you can keep a steady beat and read the lead sheets....

Where we really need help is for the contra dance. Joel Greer will be calling it and can use CD's if necessary but it would be embarrassing and a bit disappointing to have to resort to CD's with so many musicians running about!

It will be about an hour, then if you want to run over the allotted time you can do so, but I warn you it may end just when dinner is supposed to be served....

Also there will be a bit of sitting and waiting while Joel explains the dance, depending on how experienced the dancers are. Time to take a look at the next song :-) and sort of mentally rehearse it.

We haven't done a pick-up open band for dancing at the Getaway in years, if it is successful we'll do a longer dance session next year.

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 11 Oct 02 - 03:50 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Willie-O
Date: 11 Oct 02 - 03:56 PM

I think I can help you out here...mandolin or fiddle at your service. I play in just such a band every year at the Blue Skies Music Festival.

I usually play mandolin cause there are already tons of fiddlers, including some real good ones. But I could go either way.

Got a list of tunes?

Ummm...I haven't send in my reg form yet, but I'm planning on going. Hope there's room!

PM me.

Willie-O aka Bill Cameron

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Mantid
Date: 11 Oct 02 - 04:12 PM

Contra Dancing and some waltzes at Glen Echo this Friday and Sunday nights for anyone who wants a little practice. Starts at 7:30 both nights and no partner necessary. Lot o' fun.

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Ferrara
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 11:54 AM

Any hope of you guys finding each other on Friday evening and sitting down somewhere to go over a few pieces you can play during the contra session?

You may be way ahead of me on this....

Rita

And by the way THANKS Claymore & all, we have wanted to have more dance sessions at the Getaway and this will be a start. Hope it works well.

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 12:10 PM

A list of possible tunes would be helpful. I'd really like to know if there's any liklihood I'd know ANY of the tunes that are normally played in that area.

I can't do a whole lot overnight. The 'going over' is probably un-necessary if we know the tunes or if we have dots and can sight read pretty fast (or 'sort of' know the tune).

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 14 Oct 02 - 09:26 PM

Willie-O, Jeri,

It is probably better if you can pick twenty or so of your best tunes, 'cause short of a concerto, I do believe I can run chords on either my guitar or my long neck banjo (both of which go to any key at any time) on whatever you two can agree on. I can do about fifty percent of either the Fiddlers Fake Book, or the Ruff Water fake book from memory, and a good portion of the Portland. Group those twenty or so into a three tune group of maybe six or seven dance sets which should be more than enough for our hour. If we are to follow the DC tradition, it would be nice to have a hambo or two to start it off, and a waltz to finish, but give me the key, and four potatos at speed, and I'll follow you anywhere.

Willie-O, please bring both the mando and fiddle... If we can come up with someone who can chunk chords on a piano, or take 8 on a recorder or flute, we're there. My official suggestion is that we call ourselves the Foggy Mirror ContraBand (...if we hold a mirror under your nose, and it fogs up, you're in our Band... ) And (despite my commments about 101 guitars) we might could use a an extra guitarist or two.

(NOTE TO FOLK GUITARISTS: You may play real well in the privacy of your own home, or to accompany your songs, etc. But you will need to have played in a group at some point, because, unless you can pick up, AND STAY WITH the rythmn, you can cause more harm than good.)

Finally I note that there is an Old Time Country Music Work Shop from 3 to 4, which may provide an additional stringer or two for a practice between 4 and 5, for the Contra dance at 5PM.

This should be fun...

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Marion
Date: 14 Oct 02 - 10:17 PM

What's a hambo?

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Jim Krause
Date: 14 Oct 02 - 11:47 PM

OK, I'm not from the East Coast. So I have a few flatlander questions. What's FSGW? When does this event take place?

Jim

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Jim Krause
Date: 14 Oct 02 - 11:52 PM

Oh, nevermind. I just found out a few threads down. Couldn't make it anyways. Sounds like fun. Reminds me of Kimswick, sort of.

Jim

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Willie-O
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 07:48 AM

OK...Jeri? Looks like its up to us...FYI I'll bring my BSSDBB to FSGW and we can AABB the night away.

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From:
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 09:02 AM

I'll pass the request to Reynaud...

V

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 09:07 AM

Unless it's ABAB... , but like I said, I'll follow you guys anywhere. Thanks alot for helping out.

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 09:50 AM

Or Kid on the Mountain and it's AABBCCDDEE.
Oh Willie-O, whatsa 'BSSDBB'?
Guess I'll bring books and a list of tunes I think I know if I can get it updated in time.

I hope Tim can play, and I hope there are some FSGW folks who aren't at Mudcat who are planning on playing. I ain't never played for no contradances before, just in sessions. Got good rhythm though - to the point where changes/irregularities in rhythm drive me apeshit.

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 11:39 AM

OK Kid, 'dis is your big chance! It's "A star is born" all over again, except without that tiresome Streisand babe. Get that fiddle, tune 'er up, and just get out there!! See all those people? They're just waitin' fer ya to turn their cranks, OK?

Now, whaddisdis? a Contra dance eh?, OK, let's get that Oliver North Medley in gear......

Whoopee, she dun it!

Rick (who doesn't dance...even when drunk)

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 11:45 AM

"I won't dance, don't ask me"...dum, de dum.....

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 12:27 PM

Rick...(I know, I know, I'm stepping in it) what's the 'Oliver North Medley'? (Now, let's see if I can get it off my shoe.)

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Ferrara
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 03:03 PM

Jim Krause -- what's Kimswick?

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Willie-O paying attention in class
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 04:30 PM

BSSDBB: Blue Skies Square Dance Band Book.

Mostly standards. I'll send you a list.

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 09:48 AM

Rick, the truth is far stranger than fiction. When we're there, remind me to tell you a true story, about a police investigator, who had served with then Lt. North in Vietnam (who was never called anything but "Blue" at the time) being called to DC to be interviewed by Congressional investigators in 1987. At the conclusion of the interview, the investigator stated that he had to leave in order to set up what was then the fledgling Bluemeont Contra Dance, that evening. At that point, the lawyer later called the "Potted Plant", spun around and said "(Expletive deleted)! Congress is trying to hang North, and you guys are having a dance over it...

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 09:56 AM

I couldn't tell from above, but do you have a bass lined up? If not can I play gutbucket? I've helped out on a couple of dances in the past, and can keep a steady beat.

Gutbucketeer

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 10:05 AM

Jeri, if you have Fiddler's Fakebook, it would be a good idea to bring it.

~S~

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 10:08 AM

Oopps- submitted too quick-- Jeri, the other good prep would be just to be ready when the caller asks for a particular KIND of piece-- know yer jigs from yer reels, for example, in your list of things you play. The caller does not always specify the tune but will say what kind of tune/rhythm each dance needs. If the fiddlers don't know the same tunes that's fine-- you can spell each other, see?

~Susan

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 11:11 AM

I don't know why, but Fiddlers' Fake Book seems to hide better than any other book I have. I can't understand it, as the thing is rather large. I will find it. I can also bring 'Portland', 'O'Neil's', 'O'Neil's', 'New England Fiddler's Repertoire' and Ryan Thompson's 'Guitar Chord Encyclopedia'. I don't know how much I want to carry around though.

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 04:15 PM

Not to worry; I will bring a couple of copies of Fiddlers Fake and a couple of Ruff Water, and extra of the Portland Collection. We should be fine for music. And Jeri, I hail from the West Virginia tradition that says the "Fiddler calls the tunes". Whatever you and Willie work out, or who you think will contribute to the group, is fine by me.

Willie seems to have a handle on this thing, and with a little discussion with the caller earlier that day, we can have the tunes worked out quickly. I, like the rest of the long-neck banjo pickers, "Only live to Serve", and will enjoy literally anything you fiddlers do. (Most of the time we can't hear you, but we enjoy the hell out of you). And with a 32 inch fretboard, I'll be thinking of other things.

My guess is that you will later say this was the most fun you had at the Getaway.

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 04:31 PM

Claymore, yer a helluva man! I've tried on two occasions to get into a long neck (after all t'was hearing Mr. Seeger that got me into this weird business!) but no dice.

The problem always was that my left arm would get tired unless I was capoed up three or four frets. I tried to solve the problem by actually doing some dicey carpentry on my Vega short neck and moving the FIFTH peg down to the seventh fret (and tuning the banjo two semi-tones low), but after a couple of years of that, I couldn't play any banjo with a NORMALLY placed fifth string peg. Jeesh! What sacrelege.....carving up a Vega!! But I was young an stupid.

Sure wish I had the two Pete Seeger longnecks back though....do you know what those suckers are selling for today?!

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: HELP! Fiddlers Needed for FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 05:01 PM

Thanks Rick. You know Seeger actually had the same problem, and his solution was to put a big ol' eyebolt half way up the neck. My solution stems from a friend of mine who plays a theorbo (a bigass lute). I have two straps, one that goes from the underside of the neck over only my right shoulder and down. The other is used when I am sitting down, and goes from the neck to an empty end. Then I pull it across my lap, under my seat and I sit on it. Holds that neck right up.

And a long time ago I ordered a Shubb fifth string capo with an extra long rail. I can go from E to e so that the Shubbs third position is G, the same position the capo on the rest of the strings will give you a G tuning. I've added a violin fine tuner on the fifth string, since the fifth was always friction, and I'm good to go. Every key, all the time, in no time.

Catch me at the Getaway and maybe I can convince you that a guitar-strung long-neck should be your next instrument. And thanks for the help on those Golden Gates a year ago.