Books for [Dance] Callers

06 Dec 07 - 12:56 PM (#2209847)
Subject: Books for Callers
From: Les in Chorlton

So, if a collection of people wanted to form a Ceilidh Band and had one enthusiast who had never called but was keen to call, probably English Country dances, which book would be the best with instructions for dances and tunes that weren't too hard?

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06 Dec 07 - 01:14 PM (#2209853)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: Banjo-Flower

Here's a web site you could try

http://www.srcf.ucam.org/round/

Gerry

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06 Dec 07 - 01:33 PM (#2209863)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: bill\sables

Community Dances Manual -Les Barclay & Ian Jones published by EFDSS

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06 Dec 07 - 02:11 PM (#2209888)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: Mo the caller

Yes I'll second the CDM. I don't know what the new edition is like but I found (as a novice player) that the tunes are often a fairly ornamented version, which you might find in a simpler form elsewhere. But for many dances it says 'any jig or reel' and then prints a suitable one.

I have a (last year's)list of folk books from Derek & Ann Appleing ( [e-mail] ).
Amonst a lot of books of complicated square, contra and Playford dances, there are some that might suit
Barn dance book
Barn dance Fiesta
Captains Ceilidh
Ring O'Bells (9 books to go with CDs)
I'm not sure which of these books have tunes, ask Derek& Ann. They are very helpful, and will send things cod, they use recycled packaging and only charge you what it cost them

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06 Dec 07 - 02:23 PM (#2209896)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: Mo the caller

There is an interesting discussion on the English Ceilidh Mailing list about the calling for beginners. I'm not sure if you can see last weeks post, or only todays. webfeet has a link to the discussion list, and to dance instructions

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06 Dec 07 - 02:42 PM (#2209915)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: Mo the caller

There is also a Yahoo group Traditional Dance Callers List . This is mostly American, but some frim all over. Some of the callers are high powered square or contra folk, others of us enjoy seeing people having fun at One Night Stands.
Tell your caller friend to look at the discussions e.g. last month they talked about 'ONS' and 'the gig from Hell'.
But don't let it put you off.

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06 Dec 07 - 03:16 PM (#2209938)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: Banjo-Flower

Try this site as well

Gerry

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gerry.jones/dances.html#nearyou

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06 Dec 07 - 03:18 PM (#2209940)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: Banjo-Flower

or this one

http://www.ceilidhcalling.co.uk/dancelist.php

Gerry

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06 Dec 07 - 03:58 PM (#2209968)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: Mo the caller

The thing that surprised me when I started calling was the difference between people who go Ceilidhs or barn dances regularly, and people who go once to a PTA event, or party.
I already knew the difference between Ceilidh dancers and people who did Playford or went to 'Dancers dances'.

At a party they are not necessarily there to dance, they may not want to listen to long explanations. So it helps to have some very simple dances up your sleeve (Galopede, Blaydon Races, Virginia Reel, Big Set, a silly clapping dance like Mr. Porter). It also helps if you've got a radio mike and can go down on the floor and prance around (or move people into the right place). With lots of children it can help if you've got some dances that don't need a partner (Hokey Cokey, Conga, Horses Brawl, Snake dance).

One that I got from the Trad dance callers list is Blobs. I've not tried it yet, it would need the right shape dance floor and the right crowd.
You ask them to line up in groups, one blob below the next.

Right and left hand star
Circle left and right
All except the top blob open the circle to make 2 lines, and move up as the top blob moves down to the bottom
Lines forward and back twice

This might be done in 32 bars if the blobs were small and quick, but since you only have one set you can call at a speed to suit them (trying to keep some sort of phrasing, but maybe giving 8 bars instead of the usual 4 for each circle or star).

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06 Dec 07 - 04:02 PM (#2209971)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: johnadams

Dance Books in the EFDSS online Folkshop

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06 Dec 07 - 04:33 PM (#2209990)
Subject: RE: Books for Callers
From: Mo the caller

Not all of the dance books in that list would be suitable for for a ceilidh band with novice caller and probably playing for beginners.
Yes to 01,
maybe (with experienced dancers) 09, 10 (includes tunes)
possibly (but I'm not familiar with) 10,11,12 (why is there a 10 on p1 and p2?)

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06 Dec 07 - 06:40 PM (#2210088)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: johnadams

Mo.

Yes, I'd agree that they are not all suitable for beginners. I put the link up (hastily and without qualification) because of the Community Dance Manual which is, as you say, suitable.

Re No.10 - the numbering's wrong. It's not terminal. It will be sorted out in the new shopping cart.

Do you think there's a case for a new book of English dances? The Community Dance Manuals are good in that they reflect a traditional repertoire, but there's been some really good dances come into currency since they were done. In the same way that Hardcore English marked the state of English tunes, maybe we need to do the same with the dances.

J

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07 Dec 07 - 05:43 AM (#2210351)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Mo the caller

John, I'm not sure about a new book of dances. There seem to be thousands of new books of 'dancers dances' (self published by dance writers, or with CDs) and I buy some of them, then call about one dance from each). I also call for beginners, and tend to have a farly stable list of dances that I choose from, or I make up something to suit, using standard figures.
I suppose the people who might buy and use such a book are those who call at Ceilidh series, maybe the eceilidh list should be asked this question.
Maybe there's a case for two books, the drunken-wedding/family-dance book, and the proper-ceilidh book. I think someone on the trad dance callers list is putting together one of the first kind.
Or do people get their material on line now?

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07 Dec 07 - 01:45 PM (#2210709)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Les in Chorlton

Thanks, thats been really useful. If I can just clarify:

We need simple dances because the potential caller has never called. The band have not only never played together, I don't know who they might be, but I am treating that as a minor issue at the moment,

thanks again

Les Jones

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07 Dec 07 - 01:58 PM (#2210718)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Les in Chorlton

Sorry if this a bit techy but how many beats per minute do people use for: 1. jigs, 2. reels, 3. polkas, 4. hornpipes?

or does this vary greatly from dance to dance?

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07 Dec 07 - 03:10 PM (#2210762)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Mo the caller

Not sure about that, but it may depend on the age of the dancers.

When I'm calling Barley Reel (an easy strip the willow dance) the band plays it once through at a moderate speed, then gives everyone another turn one gear up.

It is fairly common practise for the caller to do a bit of the dance as you play it before calling it, to test the speed.
If it feels as if you have to be up in the air too long, it's too slow, if you are muffing the footwork, too fast.

I think maybe you'd play faster if a smooth dance-walk was called for, slower for bouncy stepping.

Maybe band players would know better.

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07 Dec 07 - 05:18 PM (#2210860)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Fidjit

Les

Suggest you go to an English ceilidh.

Good one coming up at The Straw Bear festival. 1st weekend after twelth night. Or is it Plough Monday?

But then I also imagine that you already have been to one.

Chas

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07 Dec 07 - 05:45 PM (#2210876)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Mo the caller

There's a good one in Poynton on Dec 15th. (at least that's what I've heard, and, the band's website confirms this.
However the Poynton Community centre's website implies that I've missed it.
I will ask the webfeet people, it's been announced as Dec 15th

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07 Dec 07 - 06:48 PM (#2210923)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Les in Chorlton

I'd love to be at Poynton, only 15 miles away but we will be in Dublin .........................

thanks Les & Liz

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08 Dec 07 - 05:18 AM (#2211142)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: bill\sables

Les, I have added a list of music which I think would probably be usefull for your band to learn;
Cheers Bill

2 x 32 bar waltz
4 x 48 bar jigs
1 x 48bar reels
6 x 32 bar reels
6 x 32 bar jigs
2 sets of polkas
4 sets 32 bar hornpipes
4 Sets 32 bar Marches
1 Set 32 bar Slip jigs

Some usefull tunes would be;
Morpeth Rant / Soldiers Joy
La Russe / Cadam Wood
Swedish Masquerade
Gay Gordons; Scotland the brave / No Awa to Stay Awa
Little Brown Jug / Knick Knack Paddy Whack
Drops of Brandy / Fox Hunters Jig / Rocky Road to Dublin
Dashing White Sergeant
Red River Valley
St. Bernard Waltz
Blaydon Races / Mucking of Geordies Byre
Coming Round the Mountain
Athol Highlanders
Keel Row
Brighton Camp / British Grenadiers / Blaze Away / Garryowen
American Reels; Chinese Breakdown /Flop Eared Mule /Ragtime Annie /Turkey in Straw
Dingle Regatta

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08 Dec 07 - 06:13 AM (#2211159)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Mo the caller

Yes, I could do a nights calling at most of the gigs we get with those tunes.
I usually start with the dance Galopede which has it's own tune, but the tune Winster Gallop (on it's own or in a set) does just as well and is easier to play at dance speed.
But lots of dances can be done to other tunes if the band or caller know what's what.

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08 Dec 07 - 06:17 AM (#2211161)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Les in Chorlton

Thanks Bill, that's brilliant

Les

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08 Dec 07 - 07:25 AM (#2211186)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Sarah the flute

I find that the main "art" of calling is not so much when the dances get going but also learning how to direct people properly in the practice. A common problem is not having men and women without some people having to pretend to be the other side (which they are not always comfortable with) so I use Tall people and Small People. Getting a circle to line up anticlockwise you can get them all in a circle first and then say man holds out his right hand, lady hold out her left and join the two hands together, To get a square get 4 couples in a circle first and then get the square from there, Be aware that small children are often included by adults in a dance but if it is a dance that requires changing partners they won't do that so make the adult/child one person and ask them to get another partner, small girls don't like dancing with small boys!, small children often have 2 friends they want to dance with not one so you have to be flexible.

There are lots of other tricks and you only learn them and develop your own style by watching others. Go to ceilidhs and take notes rather than dance - see how the caller does it. Remember during the dance itself to call slightly ahead of the action you want them to take ie start saying it about 2 bars prior.

On the band front make sure you do a clear 4 bar or 8 bar intro or two chords and play steadily. Watch the dance and don't change tunes in the wrong place as this can confuse the dancers.

Hope thats helpful

Sarah

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08 Dec 07 - 08:43 AM (#2211222)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: MikeofNorthumbria

Sarah the flute, you are right on the button.

For apprentice callers, the main problem is not learning the figures for a few dances and then fitting them to some appropriate tunes which your band of the night also happens to know – anyone can get that out of a book.

The real problems begin when you try to organise a walk-through with a crowd of hyped-up six-year olds who have got ten-second attention spans, don't know right from left or up from down, can't count beyond two, and have no idea what "ladies" or "gentlemen" are. (Not that the last point really matters, since they all want to dance with their best friends, who – quite naturally at that age - are of the same gender as themselves.)

Just for a change, you could try organising a walk-through at a wedding ceilidh where most of the adults are so inebriated that they also have ten-second attention spans, don't know right from left or up from down, can't count beyond two, and have no idea about how "ladies" or "gentlemen" ought to behave on a dance floor.

Alternatively, just try coaxing a viable group of dancers on to the floor at some function where one of the organisers thought it might be a nice idea to have a ceilidh - but where the vast majority of the guests have never been to a ceilidh before, and have now decided that they don't much fancy it.

Working out how to cope with all this – and much, much more – is an essential part of the caller's learning curve. But it can be done. There are strategies for getting a ceilidh going, even in what may seem to be very unpromising circumstances. As Mr Kipling said: "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, and blaming it on you…" then you have the makings of a caller in you.

Wassail!

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09 Dec 07 - 12:05 PM (#2211943)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Les in Chorlton

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10 Dec 07 - 04:25 AM (#2212330)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Mo the caller

I've had confirmation from the band that the Poynotn ceilidh is THIS Sat. See my new thread "Poynton Ceilidh"

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10 Dec 07 - 04:43 AM (#2212335)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: GUEST

The first book I ever bought which in some ways is my Bible is a book from EFDSS...now peobably our of print called "Swing Partners" by Sybil Clarke. Almost every dance you would ever need.

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10 Dec 07 - 04:57 AM (#2212338)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: GUEST,Compton

Try this...a not bad site for repertoire


http://cdance.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/index.html

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10 Dec 07 - 10:24 AM (#2212477)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Fidjit

here's the site

Chas

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10 Dec 07 - 07:36 PM (#2212779)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Compton

Thanks Chas...I still haven't got the knack of "The Blue Clicky"

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11 Dec 07 - 01:19 PM (#2213219)
Subject: RE: Books for [Dance] Callers
From: Les in Chorlton

Received my copy of

Community Dances Manual -Les Barclay & Ian Jones published by EFDSS,

Looks amazing, now where are my team?

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