Dancing whilst playing!

[Kathryn Wheeler]

Playing and dancing! Does anyone have any experience?

 

I never set out to do it consciously, but whilst we were playing for a dance, recently, I ended up dancing at the same time. It's only a single step, but it's a start! It felt very natural indeed.

 

I've seen some musicians dancing Cotswold jigs whilst playing a fiddle or melodeon and that looks pretty full-on! I'd love get a feel for Cotswold stepping and how that "feels" to play and move to, but there are no sides closer than 50 minutes away that I could dance with. We are definitely in the middle of deep deep Border country

 

Holly is behind me, here, on fiddle. We were moving around, engaging with the audience and generally having a fun time.

 

The concertina is well suited to dancing, I think, because it's relatively small and light. I need to think a bit more about what works and doesn't, musically, when dancing (and when playing standing up), but it's encouraging.

 

This is at Compton Verney, the impressive 18th century building/art gallery a good hour or so east, in Warwickshire - Bow Brook Border Morris were dancing there as part of an early Wassail evening. Unusual for us to dance inside for a Wassail! (Some musicians were escorting the public around the trees outside too)

It was quite a full-on performance, as we were the only side dancing and in between dances the musicians and those of us dancers who were also musicians, took a turn to play tunes. I did get to sing a couple of mid-wintery songs too. Revving up for Wassail season coming soon!

[Randy Stein]

When I performed in the circus, I used to do a flip off my partners shoulders while playing.

Does that count? 

[conband]

Music, like any other art form, knows no bounds.

 

Les Branchett

[John Wild]

You would need to be careful with those solid sticks around!

[David Barnert]

I love the kit! I play for a Morris team as well. Cotswold in the Spring, Border in the winter, but we wear less extravagant rag coats and hats.

 

 

 

 

In answer to your question, I have seen two people waltzing with each other while each played an accordion strapped to the other’s back.

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

How great to see everyone enjoying themselves in this [referring to the usually perceived as repressed British -  'stiff upper lip' country .

I tend to move about bit when playing a tune, but not too much as my room is so small I could fall outside the window! and I have even done performance art as a costumed "Green Man".. [with music added in later on].

[wunks]

Many Quebecois fiddlers and box players use a step dance riff while sitting.  I haven't learned it yet as I usually play the fiddle standing, however, I sit with the concertina.  It looks easy but it's not, at least for me!

[Don Taylor]

2 hours ago, wunks said:

Many Quebecois fiddlers and box players use a step dance riff while sitting.

Like the fiddler here in Le Vent du Nord:

 

[wunks]

Thank you Don.  That's Andre' Brunet.  Check out his you tube tutorials for some really hot fiddlin'....😀

[Peter Laban]

6 hours ago, wunks said:

Many Quebecois fiddlers and box players use a step dance riff while sitting.  I haven't learned it yet as I usually play the fiddle standing, however, I sit with the concertina.  It looks easy but it's not, at least for me!

 

6 hours ago, wunks said:

Many Quebecois fiddlers and box players use a step dance riff while sitting.  I haven't learned it yet as I usually play the fiddle standing, however, I sit with the concertina.  It looks easy but it's not, at least for me!

 Caitlín ní Gabhainn does that sort of thing, dancing shoes, wooden battering board and sitting while playing. Saw her do it last week. Probably have some pics but that will have to keep.

[arti]

 

 

[Mike Franch]

Dancing on floors or pavement is one thing. I've found processionals over rough and uneven ground another thng==but still loads of fun!

[Mikefule]

I play Anglo in a harmonic style with lots of bass work with my left little finger (pinkie).  I have never had any substantial success playing standing up, let alone dancing.

 

A former member of our Morris side used to play Anglo as a single line of melody and was therefore able to support the ends of the instruments more easily.  He would occasionally dance a jig whilst playing, and would very occasionally join in the set.

 

Many years ago, as a show dance at the Thaxted annual meeting, my side put up a complete set of dancing musicians (mainly melodeon, one Anglo) and had a non musician standing "to attention" in the position where the musician would normally stand.

 

My own claim to fame was that I used to dance a Morris jig, including all the hand movements, whilst playing a small harmonica (mouth organ).  I haven't done it for a few years now.

[Diamond Squeezer]

ere's a good exmple: 

 

[Kathryn Wheeler]

Sorry I haven't responded to all your really interesting comments until now!  It is fabulous to see someone doing Cotswold Morris with a concertina - all I've been doing so far is a simple Border step.  I'm deep in Border country here, with little opportunity to try Cotswold. 

 

And I haven't been in the set with other dancers (good point about sticks!)  The only processing I have done is at festivals just playing whilst walking (and the dancer's did their thing). 

 

I do very much like how the anglo is a natural for really getting the _feel_ of the dance step in its playing, if that makes sense.

Edited February 3 by Kathryn Wheeler
a bit more waffling!

[AndyNT]

Look for opportunities in your current repertoire of dances to come into the set and then leave it. Border dances often have a static sticking chorus (dangerous!) followed by moving figures with far fewer clashes (relatively safe!). Joining in just for a hey or circle or whatever could work well.

Also think about introducing a new dance to the repertoire to enable you to dance and play. For example, I've seen one or two Border sides dance Upton-upon-Severn Hanky to give their performances some variety. 

 

Best of luck!

[David Barnert]

5 hours ago, AndyNT said:

Look for opportunities in your current repertoire of dances to come into the set and then leave it. Border dances often have a static sticking chorus (dangerous!) followed by moving figures with far fewer clashes (relatively safe!).

 

Occasionally when my Morris team is doing a border dance in two lines and the lines cross and turn there is time just after the cross for me to scoot down between them and then play from the bottom of the set.