Really lovely clear, no nonsense tutorial. Humility ain't a given on RUclips. So it's refreshing to see a tutorial cutting the bull and sticking to what it says on the tin! As a bass player and percussionist I find all authentic folk tradition dance like this is FUNDAMENTAL to my playing. Even though my own personal music would not be considered trad contra in most traditions. At least on the surface of it. If I don't know how those dances feel, for each step and call, then I'm am merely drumming empty generic conventions rather than that special energy you feel when dancing real dances. The songs and playing should be playing the dance. It's important on whichever level to feel that. Even if unconsciously. Though i like being conscious of it. I got fed up with squashed-in drunken swaying in so called night clubs a few decades ago. But since getting back into roots music and it's accompanying roots dances, and applying this to my instrument playing and polyrhythm hand percussion, even my current self produced "techno" has so much more reality and depth to it. Living culture rather than pickled museum dead generic strings of notes. The deeper you dig and explore, the deeper it gets. I wish i had a local place to get used to "calling". For what a difference that'd make to any instrument/percussion playing in fluency, solidity, that feels natural to dance to. Each phrase of the playing supports each prase if the (generally) up to 64 counts long dance sequences. So beautiful. Between the music and well constructed dances, I find it works on the same level of reality as fine Cektic Art patterns. I love it.
Wow! This is really a good explanation. There are so many bad videos about this out there. Thank you for helping folks who struggle with this, because it’s such a joy when it’s done right.
Thank you for the compliment. The only things I would add here are to lift the right foot up and down (not letting it drag on the floor) ever so slightly as you are swinging. Smaller steps will give you more control as you do this in the beginning. Eventually you will feel how large the steps should be for what feels the most comfortable to you and your partner. Enjoy.
Really lovely clear, no nonsense tutorial.
Humility ain't a given on RUclips.
So it's refreshing to see a tutorial cutting the bull and sticking to what it says on the tin!
As a bass player and percussionist I find all authentic folk tradition dance like this is FUNDAMENTAL to my playing. Even though my own personal music would not be considered trad contra in most traditions. At least on the surface of it.
If I don't know how those dances feel, for each step and call, then I'm am merely drumming empty generic conventions rather than that special energy you feel when dancing real dances. The songs and playing should be playing the dance.
It's important on whichever level to feel that.
Even if unconsciously. Though i like being conscious of it.
I got fed up with squashed-in drunken swaying in so called night clubs a few decades ago.
But since getting back into roots music and it's accompanying roots dances, and applying this to my instrument playing and polyrhythm hand percussion, even my current self produced "techno" has so much more reality and depth to it.
Living culture rather than pickled museum dead generic strings of notes.
The deeper you dig and explore, the deeper it gets.
I wish i had a local place to get used to "calling". For what a difference that'd make to any instrument/percussion playing in fluency, solidity, that feels natural to dance to.
Each phrase of the playing supports each prase if the (generally) up to 64 counts long dance sequences.
So beautiful.
Between the music and well constructed dances, I find it works on the same level of reality as fine Cektic Art patterns.
I love it.
Blooming phone.
I meant Celtic.
Wow! This is really a good explanation. There are so many bad videos about this out there. Thank you for helping folks who struggle with this, because it’s such a joy when it’s done right.
Thank you for the compliment. The only things I would add here are to lift the right foot up and down (not letting it drag on the floor) ever so slightly as you are swinging. Smaller steps will give you more control as you do this in the beginning. Eventually you will feel how large the steps should be for what feels the most comfortable to you and your partner. Enjoy.
The best teacher to have ever taught and I had the good fortune to be in your class.
Thank you. Could you give me a hint to who you are?
Hey! It's Bill and Sarah!!
Thank you, someone finally explained it.