lynnep - Posted - 05/08/2025:  06:35:36

Hi
Im interested in playing fiddle at area dances. Can anyone give me some suggestions as to how I would get started? Thanks

Old Scratch - Posted - 05/08/2025:  07:56:05

Go to these dances, take a look around and/or ask around to find out who seems to be involved in organizing them, introduce yourself and let them know you're available to play. Also, talk to the musicians if you get a chance; they may be helpful or unhelpful, depending possibly on how they feel about competition. Be aware that dances can have rigid, unspoken rules for fiddlers; be sure you know what's expected before you take on the role.

lynnep - Posted - 05/08/2025:  08:13:20

Good suggestions ! Thx !

DougD - Posted - 05/08/2025:  09:06:20

Very sound advice. I don't like the word, but activities like this depend on networking - you have to get to know callers, dance organizers, and other musicians. Also, attending dances will let you hear what tunes are being played, so you can make sure you're familiar with them. You can see how the interaction between caller and the band works, and experience as a dancer will help your playing, as you learn what dancers need and want from the music.

pmiller510 - Posted - 05/08/2025:  09:13:05

Old Scratches comments are right on target. I would add another element that exists in our region. You almost need to be in a band. If you're not in a band, it can work to have other folks you play with regularly that will join you for that particular dance.

I don't think that individuals generally play dances if they aren't in a band or have friends to join. Sometimes individuals will sit in with established groups if they are on familiar terms, but it doesn't happen much.

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 05/08/2025:  09:31:52

I agree that talking to players is a great way to start. Wait for a moment when they’re available to talk and then ask if they know of opportunities for open group playing (assuming they’re locals). Showing up and asking to join in without the players knowing you can be perceived as pushy or rude in some contexts. In some places there’s a policy that if you’ve got an instrument with you, you’re welcome in the group, but you need to know that going in.

Sometimes just carrying a fiddle case with you will prompt players to invite you rather than you asking them.

wrench13 - Posted - 05/08/2025:  13:01:04

Dancers can be REALLY selective and precise in what they want to dance to. Years ago my BG band played for a clogging group, one of their shows. We put a minor variation into Sally Goodin and the leader FREAKED out with us after the show. And depending on the caller, you might be playing the same tune for a l-o-n-g time.

TuneWeaver - Posted - 05/08/2025:  14:21:37

Those who are in charge of Scheduling bands are the ones a newby has to get by.. If you have been around a long time then you have a 'history' and that could be good or bad.. Some areas are very cliquish and it may be hard to get involved.. Sometimes a newby is a very talented person who has a performance/playing/festival/relative history and because of those things they can easily get involved with other musicians and thereby get invited to play for a dance..
Yes, you won't be playing for a dance without at least one or two fellow musicians...
I'm going to stop here because this topic can get very complex. I'm loving this topic and am glad that lynnep started it.

farmerjones - Posted - 05/08/2025:  15:31:25

Yes indeed. Are we talking Contra or Square dances, or Country and or Western music dance? Either way, I like the 'first join or build a band' approach. It takes a certain amount of work to establish a set list, one way or another. The jammers are just not tight enough for dancing.

JonD - Posted - 05/08/2025:  15:37:03

Once you've established contact and 'read the room', you might ask the band about playing off-mic, maybe with a mute. That would get you a sense of the repertoire and pace.

alaskafiddler - Posted - 05/08/2025:  19:23:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by lynnep

Hi

Im interested in playing fiddle at area dances. Can anyone give me some suggestions as to how I would get started? Thanks

---

Not sure if asking:

1. About how to learn to play dance music, for dancers; what is needed musically, good guidelines and such? 

2. Or if already somewhat experienced, know how and can play dance music for dancers; and just asking about how to get the opportunity and where to find these gigs?

For the latter (2)... depends on the community you live. Start by trying to find out if there is a local dance community; existing organization that puts on fairly regular dances. Might be able to search resources like  contradancelinks.com/ ; cdss.org/; Dare To Be Square,  CallerLab among others. Asking around to find local callers is another route, resource such as  callerlab.org/findacaller/ .  

As Lee mentioned, can be difficult or complex to get foot into those, (esp as lone fiddler).

That said, dances outside of more regular organized, are more informal events, sometimes just smaller house dances. Connecting with local caller(s) can lead to other opportunities. If those don't exist in local community; can try grassroots DYI. Find enough potential dancers interested to do some informal house dances; as well to call or wanting to learn calling. (school/teacher system is another). We do lot of these other dances, they are quite fun; and good opportunity to hone skills.

Yes, you won't be playing for a dance without at least one or two fellow musicians...

FWIW, I have played some of those informal or house dances as solo fiddler. But, agree for most part can be tough; for more like organized regular dances, probably going to want/need to be part a group to play with... thus need to find other dance musicians. As mentioned, it is often more of a "gig" hired, rather than informal jam, stranger can just show up and sit in. With that, like any other music, (even non-dance) the OP is perhaps age old question of first how to find others to play with; joining or forming a band... with bonus if others already have bit of established reputation, history, connections and getting gigs. As Doug mentioned networking(?), where I met most other musicians was just local jams, parties, festivals and dances; mostly based on forming friendship first. 

TuneWeaver - Posted - 05/09/2025:  06:04:19

Several years ago there was this really good fiddler/dance-caller doing an event in our town..My daughter and I were asked to play for the dancers...but the caller first wanted to come and jam with us to get to know us...We all played just Two tunes and he said OK...He wasn't really interested in jamming with us but was interested in seeing if we had the skills to play for his event...
Regarding the OP.. Somehow you're going to be vetted!!

Gallaher - Posted - 05/09/2025:  08:09:40

Also, expect to play for “almost free”.
I’m always surprised when any musician(s) is/are requested to play for “almost/free”.
If you are guesting you may play quietly in the background till you know the tunes and not get paid.
But if you are part of a band you should expect to earn something. Musicians compound the situation by volunteering to play for free. Dont do it!
I have a friend who is an excellent professional magician and works at it. People regularly invite him to parties and ask him to bring his bag…..as in free magic for the party!

ChickenMan - Posted - 05/09/2025:  09:17:46

When I started as a regularly working dance fiddler, I happened to meet a caller at a jam. We hit it off and I did many dances as the only musician. It is hard work and you have to have rock solid timing.

Finding a newbie caller would be ideal, then you could do small "learning" house sessions, where the caller is learning to get their timing right while you are getting your chops together. Meanwhile, you will eventually need at least one more musician (guitar, banjo and piano are common backers but not the only options). The tunes were meant for dancing and there's no gig like a dance gig, good luck.

pete_fiddle - Posted - 05/09/2025:  12:52:58

Go to a dance and play your fiddle ? Again good luck.

Fiddler - Posted - 05/09/2025:  19:38:40

Check out dance organizations that were mentioned above. CDSS _ Country Dance and Song Society - has a listing of active organizations and dances. Are your interested in contra dances or square dances? If square dances, are these modern Western square or "club" dances? If so, this is a different type of fiddling and repertoire these days. If not modern Western square dances, what is the format? FWIW: I have played for traditional west Texas square dances and the caller was insistent on me playing only ONE tune for the dance at a tempo of 125+ bpm - which lasted upwards of 15 minutes!! Dang, was I a mess by the end of the evening!

Some dance groups may have an open band where anyone is welcome to join in, however, these are becoming fewer. If your find an open band, ask for a sample of their set lists and tune transcriptions from the past several dances. Some dance groups prefer traditional New England tune repertoire for the dances. Others are more open to old-time tunes as long as they follows the AABB - 8-8-8-8 - format. Check with the caller and core musicians about repertoire.

Most dance groups have closed bands. They coordinate with the caller on the planned dances and rehearse sets that compliment the dance figures.

Suggestions: Listen to contra dance bands - New England Chestnuts, Canterbury Dance Orchestra, Ruffwater Stringband are but few of the outstanding contra dance bands that were popular in the 70s and 80s. This will give you an idea of repertoire and temps.

Listen to square dance bands - Tommy Jackson immediately comes to mind. He was a popular square dance fiddler in the 50s and 60s and recorded several sides specifically for dances. A. Robics and the Exertions (Bruce Molskey, et. al.) recorded lengthy sets specifically for square dances. Again, this will give you an idea to repertoire and tempo.

Of course, there are contemporary fiddlers, such as Charlie Walden and others, who regularly play for dances. Check out their videos online.

Many dances will have a least two open waltzes - one at the break and one at the end of the evening. There may even be a waltz contra. Sometimes, a caller will ask for a polka or schottische.

If you are really interested in playing for dances, check out Cape Breton fiddling. Their dance goes until the dancers wear out which may be 20 minutes or more AND the fiddler changes tunes about every three or passes. So this means that they may play 12 or more tunes for one - ONE - dance! Of course, the band is closed and is typically fiddle and piano and maybe a guitar, but ALWAY fiddle and piano. (Be prepared for strathspeys, marches, jigs 6/8, hornpipes,, reels and waltzes.)

Finally, I have played for countless square dances and contras in my nearly 50 years of playing. Play for a dance is WORK! It is grueling. You must maintain a steady rhythm and your phrasing must be good because your music drives the dance. It tells the dancers when to start and end figures. Your music can make or break a dance. Good dance fiddlers are also good dancers. This will give you insights into tunes that work for a dance. You also need to be a good musician. You need to know what characteristics in the tune that the caller is looking for. You need to understand the AABB - 8-8-8-8 - tune structure. And, sometimes a caller may request a specific tune for a dance, such as Levi Jackson Rag or Walpole Cottage or La Bastrangue or... Callers usually give advanced notice of special tune requests. You might get by refusing to play them once or twice, but your booking frequency may drop.

Playing for dances is one of the most satisfying things I have done. Watching people move to your music is powerful! I dislike contests and I am not fond on playing formal sets for an audience. I was fortunate in that I had a strong, supportive music community that supported me and excellent mentors who helped me along the way.

I hope that you are able to find joy in playing music for others. Good luck!

TuneWeaver - Posted - 05/10/2025:  15:26:45

Lynnep, it is not too late to let us know more about your personal fiddle style/interests or more about your local dance opportunities....We are all 'shooting blind'.. I don't think any of us knows you personally....Can you elaborate?

Saltcured - Posted - 05/13/2025:  18:20:20

Wonder if Uncle Pen played solo or with a band