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Apr 24, 2011 · Contra dance tunes can rely too much on cheap tricks, like rockin’ arpeggios, or overtly-minor-key noodling, so it’s a real pleasure to find such beautifully crafted tune written by young contra dance musicians.
Contra dance (also contradance, contra-dance and other variant spellings) is a form of folk dancing made up of long lines of couples. It has mixed origins from English country dance, Scottish country dance, and French dance styles in the 17th century.
Contra dance music is lively and propelling, serving the purpose of driving and energizing dancers as they move up and down a dance floor in simple, called patterns, interacting with a partner, another couple, or another individual along the way.
Contra Dancing - Short clips from 7 Contra Dances. Featuring music by: Coracree, Lift Ticket, Oatcakes, On The Fly, Steam! and Waxwing.
A musician's guide to contra choreography by Andrew VanNostrand: in this invaluable article, Andrew discusses the types of contra dance figures, the kinds of dances (bouncy, smooth, symmetrical, etc.), building sets around the choreography of contra dance, and working with callers.
best contra dance videos for new people to see what it is like :)
Jan 28, 2009 · A group of three tunes played by The Old Gray Fox at contra dances: Over the Waterfall, Old Grey Cat, Westfork Gals.
The first and last sets on each disc are played faster with variations and harmonies to give a feel for how the music would be played at a contra dance. No tunes are duplicated from either of the two previous Portland Collection companion recordings.”
Great Meadow Music has a catalog of contra dance music, specializing in New England Contra Music, on CDs. Contracopia is where you can find contra dance music, CD's, and tapes from all over the country. Some music is available for listening on Real Audio or MP2 formats.
There is a wide range of music that will work for contra dancing. Numerous musicians and bands, including amateurs and professionals, and people of all ages, are inventing new sounds and exploring old forms all the time.
