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.
A series of videos from Jeff Kaufman (Free Raisins) about how he plays mandolin for contra dances.
In this blog post, Jeff Kaufman describes some basics of playing guitar for contra dances.
Simple and Less Simple Contra Dance Piano
In this series of blog posts, Jeff Kaufman describes how to play piano for contra dances.
Simple Contra Dance Piano (2011)
Simple Contra Dance Piano: Interesting Left Hand (2011)
Simple Contra Dance Piano: More Left Hand (2011)
Less Simple Contra Dance Piano (2019)
Perpetual e-Motion Interview Series
Interviews with Perpetual e-Motion (Ed Howe, John Cote) on a variety of aspects of playing for contra dances including fiddling for dance, guitar rhythms for dance, fitting music and dance, acoustic playing, electronic effects, and doing your own sound.
From Dennis C Merritt
In this blog post, Jeff Kaufman explores some considerations to make when creating dance sets. Community discussion follows.
In this blog post, Jeff Kaufman provides some thoughts on how to match tunes to contra dances.
Should Square Music be ‘Square?’
This blog post discusses when (and if) tunes played for square dances should follow the 32-bar AABB format.
From the Dance Caller’s Journal
In this blog post, The Last Gaspé reflect on what it takes to be good band and how to play together effectively.
Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.