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CIRCLE DANCE
& MUSIC main page.
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of local dance groups, dance days, residentials, etc.
LINKS for many
other Circle and Folk Dance and international music
sites.
LYRICS to some Circle and International
Folk dances
IRREGULAR RHYTHMS from
Eastern Europe, Armenia, Turkey - an adaptation of
my drumming or instumentalists' workshop handout,
with beat count and names of some dances for a variety
of rhythms for 5/16 to 22/8.
DIARY OF A DANCE TEACHER 1997
MON. JUNE 2. Listen to dance tape whilst cooking lunch
- Horehronsky Csardas comes on. I am struck by the power
of the slow introduction. I have always thought this has
a heavy metal feel to it - would sound very impressive
with electric bass and guitar (just a moderate setting
on the distortion pedal). Inspired by idea of fusion of
musical styles, I consider names for heavy metal circle
dance project, e.g. This Is Spiral Tap. Look through
tape box for other suitable tunes, with little success.
Find translation of lyrics to Horehronsky Csardas - "For
John, for Paul, she wouldn't take a single step. For
Mike, she'd jump over the Danube" - a little tame for
Ozzy Osbourne-type vocals. Will have to go for a more
eclectic approach.
Decide to remind myself of the steps to the dance - no
need to put the music on, it's in my head. As I practise
the rida step, neighbour pops head round back door to
find me flying round dining room, sidestep then cross in
front with an up and down motion whilst looking
backwards. Sheepishly say I can explain everything.
WEDS. JUNE 4. Frustrated by lack of progress in
choreographing series of vegetable dances (only 3 in 4
years - The Parsnip, The Beetroot, and The Lettuce).
Wonder about aromatherapy dances, but decide essential
oils best describe particular types of dance and
dancers' reactions to them, e.g rosemary - invigorating
and stimulating; sandalwood - drifty, dreamy and exotic;
lavender - extremely popular, but quality varies
according to who you get it from; patchouli - simple
steps to chants and drums; vetiver - lasts for ages and
most people don't like it; frankincense - good
meditational dance that slows down rate of breathing;
camomile – sleep-inducing.
THURS. JUNE 12. Have followed up musical fusion idea.
Several possibilities for reggae versions -
Specknerin/Nonesuch, Shepherd's Dance, various An Dro
tunes. Remember hearing Damask play jazzy Karagouna at
Dance Camp Wales, complete with saxophone, so try
through some jazzy chords on the bouzouki. Joc de
Leagane and By The Quiet Stream work very well, but have
to be speeded up a bit. Well, a lot in fact. Sandansko
Oro sounds great with minor seventh chords - very
jazz-funk - though not the most accessible dance to put
in repertoire. End up with Shepherd's Dance (again) and
Sirdes as only suitable candidates. Playing rhythm on
Sirdes is fine for me, as I don't have to get to grips
with learning the tune.
Taken with crossover idea and wondering why circle dance
can't become as big as line dancing. Decide mass media
exposure needed, with familiar cultural symbols. Visions
of video of one piece of music for a Buenek, where the
gadulka (if that is what it is) sounds like electric
guitar - scene of Bulgarian peasant (who is probably
really an out-of-work nuclear scientist) playing,
dissolves into scene of long-haired type playing same
tune on electric guitar, then back again.
FRI. JUNE 26. Go to Ju Ju Club - African band and world
music disco. Still in crossover mood, try adapting
circle dance steps to a variety of music. Fall Of the
Tyrant, Ambee Dageets, Buenek work well. Got used to
looking silly ages ago.
SAT. JUNE 27 Play in a pub session. Odeno Oro goes down
well, can play it much faster in this setting.
TUES. JUNE 30 Play music for local Circle dance group.
Play Odeno Oro, get into the music and close eyes and
drift off. Awake to find ambulance carting off exhausted
dancers.
Page last updated 17.11.08
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