MIT contra dances
The band felt excellent, playing the MIT dance last Tuesday; I think it was some of the most solid grooves we've had yet. The MIT dance invites sit-in musicians, so it's up to us to adapt to whomever shows up. The bandstand starts with Apple Crisp (Jonathan & me), and grows from there. Last week's sit-in instruments included electric bass, 2 accordions, pennywhistle, and a baritone sax! (we missed the hammered dulcimer, David). Jonathan has to adapt to playing with a bass, since that interacts most with what he does on the piano. He felt he was improving at that.
The dance caller seemed to particularly appreciate us and expressed interest in booking us for other dances he calls near here. We continue to draw solid compliments, I think beyond the standard obligatory ones. And the turnout was at capacity for the small room.
I end up being the bandleader on these gigs, a role I'm just starting to learn. I choose the tunes, with a lot of input from the band. It also means I spontaneously arrange the medleys by calling the switches from tune to tune, and passing out solos. I'm not as active, yet, as some other bandleaders in my arranging-on-the-fly. I'm still spending a lot of my attention on playing my own instrument and trying to let the band run on autopilot. I'm learning great respect for fiddlers who can manage to keep an eye on the dancers, the caller, direct the band, and oh-by-the-way keep playing as effortlessly as breathing. As the dance progressed, I got better at watching for signals from the caller, which is extra challenging for me because I've got my head down most of the time when I play vibes. I decided to allow the missed notes and play while looking up, instead of at the keys.
Thanks to j for bringing apple crisp - straight from the oven to the Apple Crisp gig.
On the calendar coming up:
This Sunday, Jonathan and I will play out at Faneuil Hall, North Market 8. Those gigs will wind down as the weather turns and the tourists fade away.
next Tuesday, 9/27 at the MIT contra, I'll be sitting in on accordion with Victor & Emily Troll (My first attempt on the new instrument).
The dance caller seemed to particularly appreciate us and expressed interest in booking us for other dances he calls near here. We continue to draw solid compliments, I think beyond the standard obligatory ones. And the turnout was at capacity for the small room.
I end up being the bandleader on these gigs, a role I'm just starting to learn. I choose the tunes, with a lot of input from the band. It also means I spontaneously arrange the medleys by calling the switches from tune to tune, and passing out solos. I'm not as active, yet, as some other bandleaders in my arranging-on-the-fly. I'm still spending a lot of my attention on playing my own instrument and trying to let the band run on autopilot. I'm learning great respect for fiddlers who can manage to keep an eye on the dancers, the caller, direct the band, and oh-by-the-way keep playing as effortlessly as breathing. As the dance progressed, I got better at watching for signals from the caller, which is extra challenging for me because I've got my head down most of the time when I play vibes. I decided to allow the missed notes and play while looking up, instead of at the keys.
Thanks to j for bringing apple crisp - straight from the oven to the Apple Crisp gig.
On the calendar coming up:
This Sunday, Jonathan and I will play out at Faneuil Hall, North Market 8. Those gigs will wind down as the weather turns and the tourists fade away.
next Tuesday, 9/27 at the MIT contra, I'll be sitting in on accordion with Victor & Emily Troll (My first attempt on the new instrument).
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