This article by Sue Songer describes the power of guest musicians being able to play along with dance bands – in what is known as ‘the back row.’ It also describes how to successfully create this experience in your dance community.
From the CDSS News
This blog post explores how bands can manage the money they make off CDs.
From Jeff Kaufman
How Much do Dance Weekends Pay?
This blog postbreaks down what dance weekends pay musicians. Original post 2016 with an update in 2018.
From Jeff Kaufman
Communicating About Contra Dance Sound
This blog post provides some tips on how to communicate with sound technicians.
From Jeff Kaufman
A flyer that highlights what goes into playing for a dance in relation to what musicians get paid/dancers pay.
From Sarah Gowan
Road Trip! A Practical Guide for New Touring Bands
This article by David Firestine provides some tips on how to arrange a tour playing dances.
From the CDSS News
How to Play Contra Dance Percussion
Melissa Kacalanos explains how to play percussion for reels and jigs, using Middle Eastern rhythm notation.
How to make your own footboard, including a piezo contact microphone, from Jeff Kaufman.
In this blog post, Jeff Kaufman (Free Raisins) gives research-based suggestions for how to mic a mandolin.
In this blog post, Jeff Kaufman (Free Raisins) explains and gives audio examples of percussive mandolin playing for contra dances.
Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.