Ebbie - One group I play with does contra dances - one or sometimes two fiddles, banjo, guitar/s, bass, and mandolin/s. We haven't played without mics for a number of years, but we have in the past. It's not easy if you get above 30 to 40 people dancing. I know of no callers who'll try to work with out a mic. Although I've always been fascinated with reports of old-time fiddlers who both played and called the dance at the same time! Once, because of circumstances, we played village style, right in the center of the dancers in a big barn. It just barely worked.

I too have walked out in the hall to see what the dynamics were like and it's always the same - just the bass and the fiddles can be heard. But that's as it should be - the main melody and tempo instruments are what the dancers need to hear. I've always thought that the banjo, guitars and mandos were there more for the fiddle and bass players to hear the internal pulse or rhythm of the band.

We do stand, however, most of the time when we play. It gives a little more energy to the band.