Uke + Contra Dance?

brickerenator · Nov 30, 2010

I love contra dancing.

I love playing my uke.

Has anyone ever played contra music with their uke? (ideally for a dance)

Tarhead · Nov 30, 2010

We take our Ukes to Old Time/Fiddler's/Bluegrass Festivals in addition to our "normal" instruments. They're a great in-between a Guitar and a Mandolin and give a little louder chunk than a Mandolin when you need percussion. Upsets the purists a little but they get over it when I blister out a few Mandolin runs for them. Similar songs/styles at the Contra Dances I've attended.

brickerenator · Nov 30, 2010

Awesome. I need to get into that.

Do you happen to have any recordings of a uke being used in that setting? I'm interested in hearing how you use it.

Thanks.

Tarhead · Nov 30, 2010

Sorry, no recordings. We just do Mandolin and Guitar parts with a Uke. Three chords and a few lead breaks. My daughter has been able to crossover with some clawhammer banjo style on hers. Check out: He's got the Oldtime Fiddle Tune on a Uke thing down.

BobN · Nov 30, 2010

I like contras too.
Here is a square dance done to a ukulele tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmcVQ08hdjs&feature=related

If you come to NEFFA, you can play uke in the festival orchestra, or join in the many jam sessions.
I played ukulele there a few times, but I don't have a recording of it.

brickerenator · Dec 1, 2010

Thanks! Looks like an awesome festival.

BobN · Dec 2, 2010

brickerenator said:
Thanks! Looks like an awesome festival.

It's one of the highlights of the year. Like Thanksgiving, New Years and Mud Season. It is the beginning of Spring for us. I and family have been volunteering there each year for around 30 years. The festival is about 60 years old.

Uke + Contra Dance?

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