"Toby Rider" wrote: > I very much like the statement that John Chambers and others made about > this subject, you have to be sensitive to who, what and where you are > playing for.
I'm glad that you said this - I've been meaning to respond to this thread ... As I have both played for and danced at events, I have found this discussion very informative and helpful. In particular, I was very impressed with John's response, especially this comment: "One thing that I like to point out to newcomers to this and other kinds of dance is that there's an interesting pattern to the speed: When playing for novices, you will need to play a bit slowly at first, and speed up as they learn the dances. But when playing for a crowd of experienced dancers, they will want you to slow down. This is, contrary to common opinion, not an age-related thing. ............ But the more advanced dancers have the steps and the balance, and they'll like the music slower so they can do things with the dance." (agreed - especially for hornpipes!!) I thought that this showed a great deal of 'insight', understanding and sensitivity to both players' and dancers' needs ... if followed, this advice would no doubt create a great synergy between dancers and players. I couldn't help thinking, as I read the note, that any dance where the musicians projected this kind of knowledgeable, yet seemingly easy-going and accommodating attitude, would be a really positive, rewarding, fun event for all involved - players and dancers alike. Thanks for the info so far, everyone. Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
