Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

Camptown Hornpipe (Briggs book) seems to have been quite the thing.  It's mentioned in a description of a famous cuttin' contest between Master Juba and Irish/American dancer John Diamond. (According to  a poster I saw, Briggs sometimes played for Master Juba when he performed)  In this case it  would have been a solo dance that had some association with that tune. That got me poking around elsewhere and I found a contra-type dance of that name in "Ballroom Dancing Without a Master" (1872)

 

 http://www.gutenberg.ca/ebooks/anonymous-ballroom/anonymous-ballroo...

 

The book also contains other dances that are set to tunes in the early banjo repertoire, including:

ARKANSAS TRAVELLER.

Balance first six, chassée half round—balance again, chassée round to place—first four cross hands half round, swing partners—cross hands round to place, first couple swing quite round—down the centre, back and cast off—right and left.

CAMPTOWN HORNPIPE.

First couple down the outside, back—down the centre (swing at the foot half round), up the centre (lady on the gentleman's side) and cast off—ladies chain—first couple balance and swing to place.

JORDAN AM A HARD ROAD.

Six couples in a set.

First couple balance, cross over and down the outside—balance at the foot, cross over up the outside, down the centre, back and cast off—right and left.

Pretty easy stuff by today's contra standards. Any callers in the group?

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Not a caller...but I've danced a lot of contras and played for a few. I have an old friend whose wife is a caller...I'll send her the link as she'll enjoy it.
Is the term "contra dance" period?

Stewart published "Camptown Hornpipe" along with "Jim Along Josey" and "Going Ober De Mountains" in the August-Sept. 1889 Journal. He gives the instructions that "These molodies[sic] are suitable for either Stroke or Picking style." Of course he has a full page advert for his patent thimble so it stands to reason he would have published stroke tunes.

Speaking of thimbles... Hooks' thimble are scientifically true in tone, only a "crank" would not use them. ; )

I know I reference old SSS a lot, but I'm thinking of starting a religion following the profit Samuel.
I don't know if the term contra is period or not. Can't say I've ever gone looking for it. More likely "set dance" for X number or longways set for "as many as will". I just used the term for convenience. Longways sets were kind of the default dance formation in those days -except for quadrilles and circle dances - and of course thimble dances!

deuceswilde said:
Is the term "contra dance" period?

Stewart published "Camptown Hornpipe" along with "Jim Along Josey" and "Going Ober De Mountains" in the August-Sept. 1889 Journal. He gives the instructions that "These molodies[sic] are suitable for either Stroke or Picking style." Of course he has a full page advert for his patent thimble so it stands to reason he would have published stroke tunes.

Speaking of thimbles... Hooks' thimble are scientifically true in tone, only a "crank" would not use them. ; )

I know I reference old SSS a lot, but I'm thinking of starting a religion following the profit Samuel.
It seems that it might be. Doing a Google book search I found this from "American Dancing Master, and Ball-Room Prompter," 1866.

COUNTRY DANCES, OR CONTRA DANCES.
The term '' Country Dance'' is the one invariably used in all books on dancing that have been published in England during the last three centuries, while all the works issued in France within the same period, employ the term Contra Dance, or in French, " Contre Danse,'' from being placed on contra sides. As the authority is equally good in both cases, either term is therefore correct. . The Country or Contra Dance has been one of the most popular amusements in the British Isles, France, and other continental countries, from time immemorial, where it is usually performed in the open air. If in the extreme heat of the summer, under a shady grove; ar other times on the open green fields; or, if in the cold months of winter, some large unoccupied building is used for the purpose. As a joyous, healthy, and innocent amusement, it cannot be excelled; as there is no exercise, except horseback riding, in which all the muscles of the human body are so fully brought into action as in dancing. In the European countries persons of all ages, from the oliild of five or less, to the veteran of upwards of fourscore years, join the " merry dance on the green."
Fun and healthful too!

deuceswilde said:
It seems that it might be. Doing a Google book search I found this from "American Dancing Master, and Ball-Room Prompter," 1866.

COUNTRY DANCES, OR CONTRA DANCES.
The term '' Country Dance'' is the one invariably used in all books on dancing that have been published in England during the last three centuries, while all the works issued in France within the same period, employ the term Contra Dance, or in French, " Contre Danse,'' from being placed on contra sides. As the authority is equally good in both cases, either term is therefore correct. . The Country or Contra Dance has been one of the most popular amusements in the British Isles, France, and other continental countries, from time immemorial, where it is usually performed in the open air. If in the extreme heat of the summer, under a shady grove; ar other times on the open green fields; or, if in the cold months of winter, some large unoccupied building is used for the purpose. As a joyous, healthy, and innocent amusement, it cannot be excelled; as there is no exercise, except horseback riding, in which all the muscles of the human body are so fully brought into action as in dancing. In the European countries persons of all ages, from the oliild of five or less, to the veteran of upwards of fourscore years, join the " merry dance on the green."

Ian, thanks for confirming the fact that "contra dance" is not a modern name.  As a contra dancer myself, I liked reading those old dance descriptions.    Would be interesting to have a mini contra dance for those three tunes at Antietam, get a caller to lead the dance, and have everyone follow the 1872 dance instructions just as they were laid out!  Of course, we might be short a few ladies...but some of you fellows could pack a bonnet in your luggage and fill in.   :D

I think John and Elaine do some calling.

Hmmm.....might be a FUN workshop- to actually recreate those three dances that went with those three tunes...?

I used to call a bit, they do look fairly simple.

I had thought that contradance was specifically a Northeast tradition, different (and more fun) than what we now, and I believe then, call English Country Dances a la John Playford, etc.  Perhaps they used the French term after the Revolution out of dislike for things English, but that's just a guess.  There's a contradance in Nelson, N.H. that claims to have been held monthly since 1840, with only a break during WWII.

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