I ask them who sets the tempo - ie, who do I signal if I want it faster or slower: piano player? guitar? fiddle? Sometimes they realize they don't know. They don't really have a way to change tempo on request. So we fix that on the spot, appointing somebody.
Tempo is hugely important, and a frequent problem. Old-time bands tend to play too fast; many many bands play waltzes too slow. It's the caller's job to fix this. -------------------- Lindsay Morris CEO, TSMworks Tel. 1-859-539-9900 [email protected] On Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 12:03 AM, barb kirchner <[email protected]>wrote: > > i often ask them to save their "best set" for the last dance before the > break. and i call an easy dance, so hopefully those who leave at the break > walk away thinking "good music, good dance!" > > From: [email protected] > > Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:58:42 -0500 > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: [Callers] What to ask a band before the gig? > > > > Hi Shared Weight, > > > > I have a few gigs coming up in a short span of time, and I try and touch > > base with the band at least a week out, if possible. I open the door for > > them to ask any questions for me, or to make any suggestions for a caller > > to make things easier / more fun for them to play their music. > > > > I also ask a few questions. I try and keep it to a minimum, so I don't > come > > off too demanding. > > > > What sorts of questions do you ask bands prior to the dance, especially > by > > e-mail / phone? > > > > A couple I like are: > > - Do they have particular music sets they like to play at certain times, > > like, to end the night, etc? > > - Especially if I haven't heard them before in person, what overall types > > of music do they enjoy playing the most? > > > > I'd love to hear your thoughts. > > > > Best, > > Ron T Blechner > > contradances.tumblr.com/ron > > _______________________________________________ > > Callers mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >
