Merging the last two topics of sung contras and calling without a
band, I'll just relay a WONDERFUL experience I had last summer that I
have thought about repeating intentionally. The band had set up,
sound system was tested, the teens I was calling for flooded into the
barn post-dinner, when Crack! Smash! the power went out. While the
band quickly moved onto the floor near an old piano and preparing to
play unamplified, I taught a dance, calling as loudly as I could
through an improvised bullhorn made of cardboard. We got through the
first dance, then as I was teaching the second dance, Crackle! the
power came back on. The band was having a hard time with the beater
old piano and couldn't hear each other so they very much wanted to go
back up on stage and use the sound system and I knew my voice
wouldn't hold out so I supported that, despite how magical it all
felt with the acoustic music and hurricane lanterns hanging about.
To avoid having everyone having to stand around any more, I asked if
there were any songs that the kids all knew. They quickly burst into
song and I just started calling to their singing and it worked
beautifully!! We did a whole dance that way and it was a blast for
all of us. It was a repetitive song, native american I think, not a
lot of verses, but with a solid rhythm, and I think they loved the
DIY nature of it. This was a group of kids who were travelling
together for a whole year by canoe, skis and hiking, so they knew a
lot of songs. I'm not sure it would work for just anyone, but
something fun to keep in mind! Kind of like Alabama Gal or other
play dances, I guess, but more adult and open ended...
On Aug 4, 2010, at 11:12 AM, Jeff Kaufman wrote:
Jeanette Mill wrote:
I have a vague recollection of hearing about sung contras one time,
and was wondering if indeed there are any, and any resources
available for learning them (from here in Australia). Just hearing
Ralph Sweet on the CDSS website doing The Auctioneer reminded me.
The closest I can think of are:
1. The rock contras I've seen at the flurry and falcon ridge. I think
it's kathryn wedderburn calling and the eclectic dance orchestra
playing. They take rock songs and adapt them to contras in the
style of singing squares.
2. Bands singing. Some contra dance bands, such as "blue moose and
the unbuttoned zippers" and "the forks of nature", both from the
boston area, mic vocalists and will sing once the caller drops out.
The singing isn't to communicate the calls, it's just part of the
music.
Both of these are difficult to do well, primarily because of phrasing.
Jeff
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