Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway

Subject: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 12:06 PM

Below is the DRAFT set list for the Contra Dance at the 2003 FSGW Getaway. I have attempted to group three tunes which appear to me to go together as a dance medley for a given dance. I am no devisor, so feel free to substitute or modify this list by set arrangement or by tunes, to suit yourselves. Most of these tunes are found in the Fiddlers Fakebook, the Portland Collection, or the Ruffwater Collection, which are fairly common resources.

Since this class is scheduled for an hour, I expect that no more than five dances will be completed in that time. (We should also agree on a waltz from the Getaway Waltz Thread to play at the end.)

And remember that the fiddlers rule, unless there is another lead instrument (Mando, Flute, Banjo) that wants to devise a set to suit themselves. Thanks, Don


Contra Dance Set List:

March of St. Timothy (G)
Reel de Montreal (D/G)
Dancing Bear (Em)

Blarney Pilgrim (D)
Cold Frosty Morning (Am/A)
Shenandoah Falls (A)

Whiskey Before Breakfast (D)
Mairi's Wedding (G)
Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine (D)

Morrison's Jig (Em)
Tobins Favorite (D)
Swallowtail Jig (Em)

Scotland the Brave (G)
Golden Slippers (D)
Joys of Quebec (A)

Red Wing (G)
Masons Apron (A)
Bay Of Fundy (D)

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 03:25 PM

Refresh...

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 03:37 PM

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 10:20 PM

I only know about half of 'em, but I don't play dances. Hopefully, there will be a bunch of melody players!

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,PaulineL
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 12:01 AM

Speaking as a fiddler: Morrisson's and Swallowtail Jigs are great jigs but would they really work as contra dance tunes? I believe that Scotland the Brave, a thrilling martial march, would not be good as a contra dance tune.

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: open mike
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 04:22 AM

yes morrisons & swallowtail are good contra dance tunes.
and they go with tobin's well, but i am not sure you will
get to do so many dances in 1 hour...won't you need time to
teach, walk thru and show the moves to the dancers?

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 06:19 PM

To answer both of the above questions, yes, I have played the jigs many times at contra dances and I have indeed added more tunes than we can play, with the idea of allowing some substitution or modifications to the tunes list. Joel Greer, who is calling the dance, wanted the jigs kept in one set, though I have played mixed sets on numerous occasions. (Note: the jigs are played much smoother than traditional Irish; think "Swoop da do, da-do da de do da, Swoop da do......)

As I noted above, I was simply trying to create a base list, which I know that I can provide the sheets for. If there are any other combinations decided upon, I do have a fairly good collection of Contra tune books, which will provide more music if it is needed.

We will adapt and overcome.

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: Ferrara
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 06:28 PM

This sounds good. Those of you who are going to try to play -- please make some suggestions of your own, you'll feel more as if it's your workshop that way.

Yes, this is a very ambitious list! -- Claymoore and others, can you suggest which are your favorites to concentrate on? I seem to remember that last year, a lot of the hour went into explaining and walking through the dances.

I also seem to remember that people tried to get together before the workshop (Friday night?) to practice a bit. IF anyone wants to organize that at the Getaway I'd be grateful. You can have it announced at breakfast Saturday, or just go around looking for people who are interested, etc....

Rita

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 07:57 PM

Add the bit about me knowing half and the bit where open mike asks about the number. The problem I have is that I'm capable of learning a few tunes before the Getaway, but not all the tunes I don't know. There's not enough time. Didn't we only play about 4-6 tunes last year?

The only set I know all the tunes in is the Whiskey/Mairi/Boney. The Morrison's/Tobin's/Swallowtail shouldn't be too much of a problem - I once knew Tobin's and forgot it. Probably not to hard to re-learn.

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 08:08 PM

Jeri, If you can give a list of the tunes you know, I will work them in some form of a medley. The above list is not set in stone, and is merely a starting point. I will work to accomodate anybody who wants to play...

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: Susan A-R
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 09:33 PM

I know a fair scattering of the tunes in the list.

Some thoughts on tunes which may be familiar to lots of folks follow. I am game for learning new stuff and do it pretty quickly, and figure that there will also probably be enough of us to carry tunes if others' don't know them well. Contradances are pretty good places to cement tunes as you get to play them a fair amount, even with medlys. Anyway, some thoughts.

Saddle the Pony seems to be a jig I've been hearing a lot of lately. I also find that If I Only Had a Brain is a great Hornpipe tune, and works well with Whistler and His Dog, Harvest Home, Trivan a Rhion(sp?), Boys of Blue Hill and such.   Since it's a familiar tune, it often is pretty easy for folks to learn.   A lot of us New Englanders know St. Anne's Reel and Gaspee Reel which go together well. Over the Waterfall and The Red Haired Boy (Little Beggar Man) are also familiar tunes, as is Arkansas Traveller.

I'm looking forward to this.

Susan

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: KathWestra
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 02:33 PM

Chorus Jig?????
One of the easiest to teach, easiest to learn "old chestnut" contras there is, and LOADS of fun to dance! Claymore, can you prevail on Joel and the musicians to do that one? I'm making this request as a potential dancer rather than a participating musician, by the way.

THANK YOU for organizing dancing, Claymore. It's been a missing ingredient at too many Getaway weekends, and I'm thrilled to see it's making a comeback! Kathy

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: Willie-O
Date: 07 Oct 03 - 08:35 AM

'At looks good, Claymore.

Sorry I can't make it this year.

Bill

Subject: RE: Contra Set List - 2003 FSGW Getaway
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 07 Oct 03 - 04:08 PM

OOOH! Willie that hurts for sure... We'll miss ye...