Granite Skyes
Volume 16 No. 3, November 2003

December Gathering
Sunday, December 28, 2003
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH

January Gathering
Sunday, January 25, 2004
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH


NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
-by Sylvia Miskoe                                           

This month we do not have any music because everyone is so busy with the Gala Concert. I 
thought you would be interested in this perspective on music for dancing. Some of us play 
tunes, some of us dance and some of us do both. Sue Ronald is a member from New York. She 
plays accordion. Her husband, Chris, is a Scottish dance teacher. He wrote the following 
article after listening to various teachers and musicians at Pinewoods Dance Camp and 
(Scottish) Teachers' Association of Canada dance week:

Different Kinds of Jigs and Reels, and How They Affect Dancing

"The music is the stimulus of the dance and the dance should be the physical expression 
of the music" - Jean C. Milligan

During the summer, I had the good fortune to participate in a music workshop for dance 
teachers given at the TAC Summer School in Canada by Bobby Brown and 
Ruth Jappy, both old friends of the New York Branch. I also learned a lot from the 
classes at Pinewoods taught by Terry Harvey and Jessie Stuart. Before memory fades, I'd like to 
share a few of the things I learned.

To begin, everyone knows that a reel is not a jig, and vice-versa. And we can hear the 
difference - at least sometimes. We know that reels have an even rhythm that goes something 
like: "and, 1-2-3-and, 2-2-3-and," while jigs are uneven: "and,1-23-and, 2-23-and," 
Moreover, the difference shows up in our dancing: a jig just begs us to dance skip change, but 
when we hear reel music, we have to modify our step in order to keep in time with the 
music: We have to dwell longer on the hop and on the close-up in third position, and this
takes some of the liveliness out of the step. 

But did you know that there are different kinds of jigs? There are "single jigs" which 
have relatively few notes in each bar of music, and "double jigs" which have many more 
notes. 
Since single jigs have fewer notes, dancers find it easier to pick out the rhythm, and so
teachers tend to use single jigs for practicing steps like skip change and slip step. 
Some examples of single jigs are the tunes used in 'Berwick Johnnie' and 'The Duke of 
Atholl's Reel'. 

When it comes to reels, there are even more differences. First, as with jigs, there are 
single and double reels. As you might expect, single reels have fewer notes, and you can 
hear the beats more easily. The "1-2-3-and" rhythm helps dancers practice the change of 
weight in pas-de-basque, for example. Single reels commonly used for teaching are White 
Cockade and Duncan Grey (used in Wedderburn's Reel, or Ha! Ha! The Wooin'O' It'.) 

The double reels with many notes are among the dance tunes that we really love to dance 
to. Often called 'driving reels' they include The De'il Amang the Tailors and The Stuart's 
Rant (General Stuart's Reel). But here the plot thickens, as rants and hornpipes also 
come into the category of double reels. They can be recognised from the numerous notes you 
can hear in each bar of music: just listen to Lady Susan Stewart's Reel, Montgomeries Rant 
or The College Hornpipe. 

As dancers, when we hear a double reel, we tend to think - as Ruth pointed out - that the 
music is being played much faster than in a dance with a single reel tune. But usually 
that's not true. We just think the music is faster, because there are so many notes. And 
the danger for our dancing is that we get ahead of ourselves, lose track of the bars, and 
the phrasing goes off. So when dancing to double reels we need to work harder than usual 
in counting the bars. 

We often enjoy dancing to single reels that are based on songs, or pipe tunes. Examples 
of such tunes are: Irish Rover, Mairi's Wedding, Peat Fire Flame, Bratach Bana, Let's Have 
a Ceilidh and Australian Ladies. These are all fun to dance, but you can have too much of 
a good thing. Bobby Brown explained that if there are too many such dances in a dance 
programme, and not enough of the other kinds of quick-time dances, especially the double 
reels, dancers may not get very energized. They may end the evening saying something like 
"The band was rather flat tonight," when the problem was not with the band but with the 
selection of dances in the programme. 

One thing I didn't mention. How do you tell the difference between a hornpipe and the 
other types of double reels? 

Well, the only difference I know is that the last bar of each eight-bar phrase seems to 
have just three notes, and it sounds like "dum-dum-dum." 

So that's it for reels and jigs. I hope you found something interesting. I certainly did. 

Different Kinds of Strathspeys, and How They Affect Dancing

The first point - and perhaps you won't be surprised to hear - is that there are as many 
varieties of strathspeys as there are quick-time rhythms. Musicians can identify six or 
more different types. But there are two main types: the 'traditional, strong' strathspeys 
on the one hand, and the song tunes on the other hand. The first category, the tunes with 
dotted notes and the so-called "Scotch Snap rhythm," tend to encourage dancers to make 
the familiar surge at the beginning of the step. The song tunes - or slow airs, or 
"pastora" tunes, do not have this distinctive rhythm. So in dancing to song tunes, there is less 
surge. 

We can check out the difference for ourselves. If a class dances round the room to a 
"strong" strathspey tune, one sees the heads going up and down, and one notices that the 
forward movement is alternately faster and slower: the forward movement almost ceases half 
way through the step, as the feet close in third position. In contrast, with a song tune, 
the forward motion is much more even throughout each step. We saw this in Terry Harvey's 
class at Pinewoods. Terry pointed out that, for this reason, it's harder to take really 
long steps with the "strong" strathspey, but it's easier to dance really short steps. 

Well known "strong" strathspeys that are used in teaching are Dalkeith's Strathspey, The 
Marquis of Huntly's Strathspey and Strathglass House. Well known song tunes are The Lea 
Rig, The Duchess Tree and Miss Gibson's Strathspey (which uses a tune called 'The Music 
O' Spey' by James Scott Skinner.) Ruth made an interesting and possibly controversial 
point here. She felt that song tunes were sometimes preferable for teaching the strathspey 
step to new dancers. Her reason was that dancers tend to hear the basic four-beat rhythm 
more easily with song tunes; she also uses 'Maggie Lauder', which has a very clear 
four-beat rhythm. The argument is similar to the one for using single jigs or reels for 
teaching: it's better to use a simple tune than one with a multitude of notes. 

Another interesting point concerns the way the strathspey rhythm has changed over time. 
We now dance strathspeys much slower than they were danced 100, 50 or even 30 years ago. 
They used to be faster, not as fast as reels or jigs of course, but something in between 
the way we now dance quick and slow time dances. This means, among other things, that 
there would not have been much surge in earlier days. Which is ironic, as we sometimes refer 
to the surge as one of "the traditional" aspects of the strathspey step. 

One other type of strathspey deserves a mention. This is the more "hoppy" or bouncy type 
of strathspey, the highland schottische style. As the name implies, it tends to be found 
in dances with highland schottische setting, such as The Robertson Rant, and tunes like 
that certainly do stimulate dancers to hop in the setting steps. Such tunes are sometimes 
found as the name tunes in other types of dances, such as Donald Bane. In these cases, 
the challenge for the dancer is to resist the temptation to hop half way through the step, 
each time one closes in third position.

Happy dancing!

Chris Ronald, August 2002.


MARCH IS ORIGINAL TUNE MONTH
-by Sylvia Miskoe                                           

Hard to believe that two years have passed, but here I am soliciting original tunes 
again. March is the month for original tunes, one per member. Please send me your tune, by 
January 15, 2004. It can be manuscript or a computer program. If you're not sure about how 
to format it, I can give you some help. 


BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
-by Cindy Blaine, Secretary

The Gala is on track.  We still need volunteers for ushers and selling tickets at the 
door.   We will be playing at Wolfeboro First Night.  Anyone who would like to participate 
should contact Bob Reed at at 603-569-9424 or skprbob@ worldpath.net

GALA 2003
- Ellen Bassett

The music is ready, rehearsals are underway, and the 2003 Gala is almost upon us.  A 
large orchestra is assembled, Kip Ferguson will be our MC, Susan Christie-Woodward will sing, 
Johnny Bassett will pipe, Robert McOwen, Abbie McQuarrie and Nicola Houston will dance 
for Highland Dance Boston, and Hanneke Cassel with guitarist Christopher Lewis will  have 
the house on fire.  This is going to be a great show - don't miss it!

Ticket sales are coming along nicely, but there are still plenty of 
seats available - and we would very much like to sell them all!  If you 
don't already have your tickets, or those for any adoring fans, you can 
get them by calling Mary Mokler at 603-286-8211, or emailing 
SRSNHGala@ aol.com.  

Please tell your friends about the Gala, sell tickets, post flyers (I'll 
send you some if you need them), and help fill the house.  We find new 
members and friends in the Gala audience every year, and the money we raise supports our 
scholarship program.  

We still need volunteers as ushers, to serve refreshments in the lobby 
at intermission, and to manage the sales table in the lobby.  Anyone 
interested can contact Ellen Bassett at 603-783-4261, or ebassett@ ttlc.net. 

The rehearsal schedule is as follows:
Sunday, November 2: Rehearsal, Annicchiarico Theater, 1-5
Sunday, November 9: Rehearsal, Annicchiarico Theater, 1-5
Saturday, November 15: Tech rehearsal, Concord City Auditorium, 1-5
Sunday, November 23: Rehearsal, Annicchiarico Theater, 1-5
Saturday, November 29: Dress Rehearsal, Lake Shore Farm, Northwood, NH, noon - 5
Sunday, November 30: Showtime; plan to spend the day, concert begins at 2:30. Party at 
Sylvia's to follow.

To sign up to play, contact Sylvia Miskoe.  To volunteer for just about anything, contact 
Ellen Bassett, 603-783-4261, or ebassett@ ttlc.net.

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY THANKSGIVING

SRSNH OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES, & VOLUNTEERS
Music Director:  Sylvia Miskoe
Board of Directors: 
Sandy Lafleur, President
Bob Reed, Vice President 
Ed Los, Treasurer 
Cindy Blaine, Secretary 
Bruce Cobb, Frank Woodward & Marianne Taylor, Members at Large 
Scholarship Committee: Gary Hume, Chair;  Susan Willoughby & Elly Abelson
Memberships, Email Newsletters: Barbara McOwen Webmaster: Terry Traub
Mailings: 
Back Music: Allen Brown; 
Newsletter Editor: Cindy Blaine 
Photographer: Evelyn Roberts
T-shirts: Bruce Cobb 
Refreshments: Calvin Gardner, Christina Brown 

SRSNH EVENTS
Gatherings on Sunday afternoons, 1-5 pm, Annicchiarrico Music Theater, Thompson & S. Main 
Sts, Concord, N.H. All ages, all instruments, all levels welcome; free, with potluck 
refreshments. December 28, 2003, January 25, 2004,           February 29, 2004, March 21, 
2004,  May 30, 2004, and June 27, 2004

Gala Concert with Hanneke Cassel and the SRSNH Orchestra, November 30, 2003, Concord 
Civic Auditorium 

Wolfeboro First Night  December 31, 2003, St. Episcopal Church, Wolfeboro, NH

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

Maggie's Music just released (MM227) Colonial America by Hesperus Early/Traditional 
Ensemble featuring Tina Chancey - Bass & treble viols, fiddle; Scott Reiss - Recorders, 
pennywhistle and Grant Herried - Lute, theorbo, early guitars. This is part of our American 
Roots series that includes Celtic Roots with Scottish Fiddler Bonnie Rideout. Scottish 
Reflections ( MM225) is our newest Bonnie Rideout CD and two new Christmas titles: Merrily 
Greet the Time (MM228) with 4-time Scottish harp champion Sue Richards; A Winte'rs Night 
(MM226) Ensemble Galilei with harp, fiddles, smallpipes. Maggie's Music. PO BOX 490. Shady 
Side, MD 20764. Tollfree:877-624-4436. mail@ maggiesmusic.com or check out their website at 
www.maggiesmusic.com

CALENDAR

11/15/03 - Contra Dance with Dan O'Connell (caller) and the Saltash Serenaders at 7pm 
(family dance from 7pm to 8pm followed by regular dance) at the Unitarian Church in Rutland 
(117 West Street). Contact 492-3116 or 773-0095.
11/15/03 - Siucra (Irish music) house concert at 7pm in Braintree, VTntact Beth Telford 
at 802-728-6351 or lukeydog@ innevi.com. 
11/15/03 - Greg Brown at 8pm at the Paramount Theater in Rutland. Contact 
http://www.paramountvt.org/other.html. 
11/15/03 - Kaki King at the Eclipse Theater in Waitsfield, VT. Contact 888-212-1142 x22 
or http://www.eclipsetheater.com. 

11/16/03 - Alan Jabbour house concert at 5pm at Karen and Pete Sutherland's home in 
Monkton. Contact epact@ sover.net.
11/16/03 - Sweet Honey in the Rock with Toshi Reagon and Big Lovely at 7:30pm at the 
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. Contact 86FLYNN or http://www.flynncenter.org.

11/17/03 the Battlefield Band at Flynn Space in Burlington, VT
12/03 Nowell Sing We Clear at the College Street Congregational Church 
1/2/04 - Pete Sutherland at FlynnSpace in Burlington, VT
1/17/04 Randal Bays and Daithi Sproule at FlynnSpace in Burlington. VT
1/25/04 -  Jerry Holland and Johnny Cunningham at FlynnSpace in Burlington. VT 
2/16/04 -  Les Charbonniers de l'Enfer (Michel Bordeleau, Jean-Claude Mirandette, Michel 
Faubert, Normand Miron and André Marchand) at at FlynnSpace in Burlington


SESSIONS, JAMS, DANCES

2nd Sundays - English dancing, 6:30-9:30 pm., Presidential Oaks,  Pleasant Street, 
Concord, N.H. $6, or $5 for ECDSNH members. Judith Ackerson 603-934-2543, or 
jnoska@ cyberportal.net; http://people.star.net/blw/dance/english.html  
3rd Sundays - Gaelic Club, 3-7 pm., Canadian American Club, Watertown,Mass. Peggy 
Morrison, 978-858-3792.
Mondays - Contra dance, 8 - 10:30, callers & musicians welcome to take a turn.  Nelson, 
N.H. Town Hall, $3 827-3732.
Tuesdays - Irish/Celtic Sessions at The Barley House Restaurant and Tavern, 132 North 
Main Street, Concord, N.H. 7:00 to 10:00 pm.  603-229-0083.
Wednesdays -Wednesday Night Soiree - 7:30 - 10:30 in the Durham Unitarian Universalist 
Fellowship (20 Madbury Rd.; corner of Woodman Rd.). Jam session with an emphasis on fiddle 
tunes of Canada. $2 donation requested. Peter Yarensky (603-664-2513 or 
peter.yarensky@ unh.edu
1st Wednesdays - Jam session, 7 pm, Foodee's, in the Milford Oval, Milford, N.H. Sandy 
Lafleur 603-673-8497.
Wed or Thurs - Scottish Country Dance, 7-9 pm., Chandler Library, Nashua, N.H. Loren 
Wright 603-891-2331.
1st Thursdays  - of every month: Dover, NH City Hall - Country dance with the
Peter Yarensky & Sarah Mason calling and teaching, music by the Lamprey
River Band. Guest musicians and callers welcome. 8:00  10:40, $6.
603-664-2513.
2nd and 4th Thursdays - Beginner jam, 7-9pm, Fiddler's Loft (see Monday's info), free.
Fridays - Seacoast Scottish Country Dance class, Greenland Parish Hall on Rte 151, 
Greenland, N.H., 7:30-9:30 pm,  through end of June, Laurie Stevens 603-773-9795.
1st Fridays: Contra dance, Windham, N.H. Town Hall, 1/2 mi. W of exit 3,I-93; Neil Harvey 
603-890-8907.
2nd Fridays: Contra dance, Kittery, Me. Grange Hall (now called the Left Banke), 8 pm - 
various bands. $6.
3rd Fridays - Square and Contra Dances. Roaring Jelly, Lexington, Mass. Susan Elberger, 
Caller, and Debby Knight, Music Director. To dance or join band, call 781-944-3544, 
www.toc.lcs.mit.edu/~slonim/rjelly.html.
4th Fridays - Contra dance, 8-11 pm, Town Hall, Milford, N.H. Open band. Frank Woodward  
603-487-2480
Saturday afternoon - play fiddle with John Campbell at his home in Maynard, Mass. For 
specifics, John 978-897-7031.
Saturday Afternoons, Arlington Comm. Traditional Music Sessions,  All sessions are on 
Saturday afternoons from 3:00 to 6:30 pm at the Fox Library, corner of Mass Ave and 
Cleveland St in East Arlington, Ma. Admission is $1 per person.  Call 781-643-3603 for further 
information and upcoming dates.
2nd Saturdays,  Contra dance, 8-11 pm, Town Hall, Gilmanton, N.H., $5 per person, $10 
family
2nd Saturdays - Contra dance, 8-11, Francestown, N.H. Town Hall.  Frank Woodward, 
603-487-2480, yankee@ grolen.com.
3rd Saturdays - Contra dance, 8 pm, East Concord Community Center, $5
4th Saturdays - Contra dance, Kingston, NH, 8:30 pm - various bands. $7, 603-750-7506.

A REMINDER: Deadline for December articles is December 1.  No calendar dates before 
December 16 will be included.

Granite Skyes is published monthly (10 issues) between September and June by the 
Strathspey & Reel Society of New Hampshire. Subscription $8/yr ($18 overseas). Individual 
domestic memberships cost $20/yr; please inquire about other rates. Edited Cindy Blaine. All 
items welcome, depending on space available; e-mail by the 1st of the month for inclusion in 
the mid-month mailing to cmbfiddler@ yahoo.com in text only format. Email subscription is 
free; send request to bmcowen@ world.std.com.   The SRSNH Web Page is maintained by Terry 
Traub, http://www.srsnh.org