These are the tunes we like to play best. List compiled by Judith Cooper.
We think they are great for contras, and we are happy to play for contras all evening!
Judith writes: We have also included a few tunes for squares and waltzes, and some other rhythms that we use much less often these days, now that we are focussed on high energy contra.
For suggested workshop and dance themes please see linked pages.
New England Chestnuts |
Going with the flow ! ...and other good ideas |
If you would find an alphabetical listing more useful, let us know. We could also suggest a discography.. This area is in development so any suggestions are welcome. The list amounts to 4 pages in portrait. Would a more print friendly version be preferable? Happy scrolling!
Email comments and enquiries to alterationscontra@hotmail.com
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Reels (that we use for contras) |
All 32 bars unless listed |
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French Canadian (mainly)
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Gaspe Reel + Sandy River Belles (old timey) Set de la Baie + Joys of Quebec Old French + La Bastringue St Anne’s + Tobique Woodchoppers + Grumbling Old Woman & Growling Old Man La Grondeuse + Don Tremaine’s Reel Reel de Beatrice 48 bars |
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Old timey/ Appalachian (mainly) heavy duty mandolin numbers J quite chunky and good for Appalachian steps, Beckets and circle dances |
Angeline + Dinah Liberty + Kitchen Girls Coloured Aristocracy + Over the Waterfall + Cold & Frosty Morning Acorn Hill Breakdown + Blackberry Blossom |
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New England (mainly) eg Bob McQuillen tunes and some big box numbers. Also good for chestnuts and Ted’s triplets |
Scotty O’Neil + Breakdown de Pont Neuf Camp Oceanward + Peggy’s Doozy + Beeka Weeka Opera Reel +Chorus Jig Quigley’s Reel + Doodler’s Hornpipe Andy’s Hornpipe + Chips from the Old Block + Dancing Bear Lamplighter’s Hornpipe + Fishers Hornpipe |
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Celtic: Diddley diddley contra type stuff, great for heys, swings and twirls: these are the big fiddle numbers: probably like to use one of these to end the each half and to start one half… |
McMahon’s Reel + Cuckoo’s Nest Sally Gardens + Star of Munster Reconciliation + Brenda Stubberts + McArthur’s Rd Miss McLeod + Dick Gossip’s The Yell Set [ Da Ferry Reel + Lay Dee at Dee + Miss Spence’s Reel] The Miller’s Reel + John Howat’s / The Pearl Wedding Miss Mary Printy + Miss C.M Barbour Fairy Dance + Mason’s Apron |
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Patter call and unphrased tunes/Well-phrased tunes for squares |
Dixie Hoedown Cherokee Shuffle Bill Cheatum Sugar in the Gourd Waiting for the Federals Ragtime Annie Blue Mountain Rag Breaking up Christmas Boil em cabbage down Whiskey Before Breakfast Cheat or Swing + Punchen Floor |
Jigs (that we use for contras) |
All 32 bars unless listed |
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Jigs French-Canadian (ish) Good for contras and quadrilles |
Aunt Mary’s Canadian Jig + Coleraine Lemonville + Murray River + Buchta’s Dance Judique Jig Medley Rock Valley + Bell’s Favourite ( jigs for Quadrille Squares) |
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New England Good for contras and Ted’s triplets |
Fair Jenny’s Jig + Reunion Cowboy Jig + Calliope House Sarah’s Jig + Joanie’s Jig |
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Celtic (mainly Irish) More gallopy and up tempo than the sets above |
The Pipe on the hob + Indian Point + Cliffs of Moher Cherish the Ladies + A Health to the Ladies + Scatter the Mud Banks of the Allen+ Behind the Bush in the Garden + Lochiel’s Welcome Merrily Kissed the Quaker’s wife + Morrisons Shandon Bells + Blackthorn Stick + Tenpenny Bit Pete’s Peerie Boat + I Lost My Love + Stool of Repentance |
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Waltzes |
Amelia’s Waltz + Nerissa’s Waltz Planxty Hewlett + Lord Inchiqiun Nan’s Waltz La Complainte du Folkloriste |
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Fillers/party pieces |
L’hommage a Philippe Bruneau Swedish tune (Ur-de-b-ly-ton …phonetic spelling) Merry Blacksmith & Spootiskerry Braes of Dornoch + Dr. Faucester’s Tumblers The Oak Tree Old French soundcheck tune |
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Polkas / Rants |
Dennis Murphy’s + Peg Ryan’s + John Ryan’s O’Neill’s + Spanish Ladies Plaza Polka + Saut de lapin Bottom of the Punchbowl Soldier’s Joy + Morpeth Rant |
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Hornpipes / Schottisches |
Bacca Pipes + Major Malley’s Roxburgh Castle + Miss Thompson’s Hornpipe Seaforth Cottage + The Tartan Ball + The Highland Polka |
What is high energy contra? |
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