[Dixielandjazz] John Petters and Swing Dancers.

[Phil Wilking]

Another thing to notice is tempo.

If there are dancers and they are moving easily to the music, then that is 
the correct tempo at that time, no matter that you may think it is too slow 
or too fast. They will move, they will have fun, they will get thirsty and 
buy more beer, and the club owner will be happy that the band has increased 
sales.

I go 'round and 'round with a trombone player and a drummer who want to play 
every tune so fast you can't hear the nuances, and you certainly can't dance 
to it. But really, who is paying the freight and should be pleased - the 
band on the stand or the customers on the floor?

I grant such thinking does not apply when you are in a concert situation and 
the audience obviously believes that faster and louder equals better and 
better.

Phil Wilking

Those who would exchange freedom for
security deserve neither freedom nor security.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Richoux" <tubaman at tubatoast.com>
>
> One thing that makes a good band great for the dancers is the  awareness 
> of the bandleader (and all of the band) to the dance floor  activity - so 
> many times I have seen the dancers really get in the  groove and then the 
> song ends too soon because "well, that's the way  it was arranged."
>
> On the other hand, if the dancers are running out of gas, and that  does 
> happen - don't expect them to be on the floor for the "full 10  rounds" on 
> each song...
>