Melodeon.net Forums

Discussions => Tunes => Topic started by: Ollie on September 06, 2010, 07:21:08 PM

Title: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on September 06, 2010, 07:21:08 PM
I need to start thinking about a performance piece for A level. I play a number of instruments, but I feel most comfortable and confident playing melodeon, so I'd ideally like to do my performance on that. However, the piece has to be at 'grade 5 or above' level, which is quite difficult to translate to the melodoen. Does anyone know of any suitably difficult tunes, or even better, have any experience of using the melodeon at A level? I'd like to avoid using the piano as much as possible.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Lester on September 06, 2010, 07:39:05 PM
I need to start thinking about a performance piece for A level. I play a number of instruments, but I feel most comfortable and confident playing melodeon, so I'd ideally like to do my performance on that. However, the piece has to be at 'grade 5 or above' level, which is quite difficult to translate to the melodoen. Does anyone know of any suitably difficult tunes, or even better, have any experience of using the melodeon at A level? I'd like to avoid using the piano as much as possible.

Not sure what Grade 5 means but for hard stuff you might like Fulmine as played by Andy Cutting (written by a French melodeon player whose name escapes me) or Siberian Stop as played by John Kirkpatrick. if you can wait till the week end I will send mp3s.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: GbH on September 06, 2010, 07:51:38 PM
It sounds like you need to take advice on this from your tutors or the exam board.  I don't suppose you're the first person wanting to perform on an unusual instrument, so you'd hope that there would be some specific guidelines to what was needed and acceptable.

At a guess, it wouldn't surprise me to find that you'd need to be playing something from a published manuscript, so that the examiner can check what it is you're supposed to be playing.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Owen Woods on September 06, 2010, 08:03:35 PM
Ouch. I have no conception of how they would grade such a thing. There is always my insane Quebecois tune that I can't play properly yet ;)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ga on September 06, 2010, 08:24:43 PM
Just spoke to my music examiner mate about this - he said the same as GBH - what we melodeon players call a "difficult" tune may not appear difficult to an examiner who has no experience of melodeon, particularly if you have to play a modified version of a published tune, in order to get around the lack of compass or accidentals which aree in the tune.   Similarly, it would be easy to choose a favourite tune to play which sounds great, but isn't actually all that difficult to play.   

The big point he made was - to talk to your tutor, and take a few suggestions, explaining why they are difficult to a "grade 5" standard, when on the face of it, they may appear easier.   Be prepared to explain how your instrument is different to say, a piano, if the tutor is unfamiliar with it.   Also, be prepared to play a piece suggested by your tutor, in which you have no interest and seems boring, but is a very good example of a piece at the difficulty you require.   Remember, this examination is to prove your competence on your instrument, and your musical ability - not to demonstrate remarkably good taste in the tunes you like to play.   



Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on September 06, 2010, 09:58:38 PM
Thanks for the advice, guys, I'll talk to the head of music when I get a chance next week and discuss it.

I suppose there is always Bobby Shafto Gone Bonkers.  :P
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Clive Williams on September 06, 2010, 11:37:41 PM
Not sure what Grade 5 means but for hard stuff you might like Fulmine as played by Andy Cutting (written by a French melodeon player whose name escapes me) or Siberian Stop as played by John Kirkpatrick.

Ouch! If that's Grade 5, what on earth is Grade 8?   :o ;D

I'd think that Fulmine (by Riccardo Tesi, by the way), is as complex a piece as I've heard on a 2 row 8 bass, and I'd struggle to think of anything that's significantly harder that's actually playable (i.e. regularly played by someone in concert) on a melodeon. Norbert Pignol's stuff perhaps? But frankly, if you can play that sort of stuff to performance standard, you're *way* above Grade 8; you're probably one of the best melodeon players on the planet.

I'd be interested to hear what those that have seen/been through the Newcastle Folk/Trad Music degree would say though, and what level of performance is expected of melodeon students on that course.
 :||: :||: :||:

Cheers,

Clive
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on September 07, 2010, 12:25:48 AM
I'd be interested to hear what those that have seen/been through the Newcastle Folk/Trad Music degree would say though, and what level of performance is expected of melodeon students on that course.
 :||: :||: :||:


Ditto, as that's ultimately where I'm headed.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Sandy on September 07, 2010, 12:32:49 AM
I presume that you need tunes or arrangement that will demonstrate good ability in a certain range of techniques. i.e ornamentation, key change, use of accidentals, bellows control, dynamics, bass runs, clarity of notes, percussive one row style etc.....but not necessarily all in the one piece  :Ph.

I would imagine that it involves hitting the dusty end of the keyboard at times  >:E

Cheers
Sandy
 (:)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Hello on September 07, 2010, 12:29:16 PM
I would tend to agree with GBH and Ga.  The whole idea of the grades is to have something which has something which is univerally agreed to be of a certain difficulty.
You have to bear in mind:
- The grade 5 exam requires the knowlege of a number of keys, not all of which are availabe on the melodeon.
- Other candidates may be using graded instruments.
- Examiners are often snooty and dismissive of traditional instruments.
- If they know you play the piano, they may wonder why you've opted for the instrument which they cannot quantify and which in their eyes is "limited".

On the other hand they may just want to make sure you can play something on the instrument of your choice.

Either way you need to seek confirmation that the melodoen will be accepted on equal terms.

Personally I think that not being graded is an asset of the melodeon as you can play what you like without being forced into some path of criticism.  Although grades can afford a measure of recognised accomplishment, most music colleges don't hold much by them.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: BFG on September 07, 2010, 12:32:07 PM
Hi Ollie,

We have a fair bit to do with students on the Folk and Traditional course at Newcastle (long story, friend of ours is currently doing a doctorate there) - my son is also hoping to go there, with button accordion as his first instrument.

You could try contacting Nick Wiseman-Ellis, who's just graduated from the course on (I believe) melodeon as his first instrument. He plays with Spinndrift, so you could try via their website. They also do the rounds of the festivals, and are a very approachable bunch.

Cheers,

Rob
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Chris Ryall on September 07, 2010, 01:00:18 PM
I learned a Groupa tune 19 years ago - think it's 'fis scottis' but cannot find the old vinyl to check. I've done it as a show off piece in sessions since but it's always been near the limit of my ability. I still fondly recall Steve Harrison's wry comment a decade back at Bacup "a tune too far"?  :|bl

Never mind - well integrated now - but

So for me, it ticks quite a few of the discussed "grade V" boxes.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Bill Young on September 07, 2010, 01:39:44 PM
I hope this is of some help. The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) in Glasgow has been offering graded exams in Scottish Traditional music  (http://gradedexams.rsamd.ac.uk/)since 2007. This currently includes accordion up to Grade 5, though it's intended to be developed up to Grade 8 eventually, so that sounds comparable to other academic music levels. Music for accordion (and other instruments) is published by Taigh na Tued, and you can see the list of tunes (http://www.scotlandsmusic.com/default.aspx?LocID=06d00w009&Lang=EN&OriginalURL=http%3a%2f%2ftnt%2EShopKit%2Enet%2fasp%2fBrochureByCat%2Easp%2EShopID%2D269%2ECategory%2DAccordion%2bExams%2EParentID%2D2477%2Ebrochure%2D1%2Ehtm) for Grades 1 to 5 on their website. There are some well known tunes listed which should give you some idea of the standard required.

You don't have to buy the books - individual tunes are available as downloads: http://www.playscottishmusic.com/PDShop/shop/category.aspx?catid=83 (http://www.playscottishmusic.com/PDShop/shop/category.aspx?catid=83)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: HallelujahAl on September 07, 2010, 02:17:11 PM
Yes - thanks for the links Bill. I was about to chip in with my little bit about perhaps taking a leaf out of the traditional music examining board in Scotland?
AL
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: george garside on September 08, 2010, 11:20:28 AM
Hope you sort   a suitable tune out Ollie & that you achieve your ambition of  athe Newcastle folk music degree course.


Talking about 'graded' tunes for melodeon, or any other folk instrument for that matter does  worry me to some degree as it could well be the thin end of the wedge and a step towards classicalissing   and  theorising a genre of music that has traditionally been handed down through the generations & is also traditionally and usually advantageously played by ear in   the way the individual musician prefers to render it - and often differently at each rendering!.  Such  varied  playing  does not require knowledge of musical theory or of 'rules' to be complied with   & is not to be confused with the classical term 'improvising'.  We do not improvise, we hand craft every note! ;)

I'm not sure  quite where the  alleged difficulty of playing a tune comes in.  One mans difficult tune can be another mans easy tune  and both can be played  badly and brilliantly.  Surely musical examiners assessing instrumental skills on a non mainstreem instrument such as a melodeon  should have the wit to realise this andd to judge the efficacy of the proceedings by  the effect achieved  rather than by percieved ( by whom?) technical difficulty of playing.

no apologies whatsoever if this has opened a can of worms  as it could hopefully lead to some interesting exchanges of views!


george ;D
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: GbH on September 08, 2010, 12:45:39 PM
George's comments raise some interesting points, but also make some assumptions that I'm not sure that I really agree with.

Firstly, to speak of 'graded tunes for melodeon' seems to imply that 'melodeon' is the name of a specific type of instrument, when in reality it seems to be a word used to describe a large family of very different instruments.  The music books that I own that are quite specifically aimed at players of diatonic accordions (say, Diatonic Liaisons or Pignol/Milleret's Sales Gosses) make it very obvious that unless you play the exact same configuration as the author, you're in for a hard time figuring it out.  Yet, these are the books that contain manuscipts that would apear to be most suitable for actual examination purposes.  Looking at it another way, you couldn't really expect that such a 'Graded Tunes' book would cover only music common to all instruments (i.e. basic 1-row playing only), yet what would be a meaningful alternative?  I can't think of one specific cover-all suggestion.

Also, I don't really understand the meaning of 'folk instrument' or why you'd expect to make an assumption about how people learn and play their instruments.  We already know that members here use their instruments for other things - sacred music, jazz, pop, country, classical - so I don't see why such an exam would be so focused on such a specific way of playing.  As I see it, a 'melodeon' is certainly very good for folk, but can be a lot more than that if you want it to be.  Personally, I think I'd be pushing the point to describe myself as a folk musician, even though I'm still a melodeon player.  Maybe this is unusual, but I doubt I'm the only one.

As such, I think it's this uncertainty about what the instrument is and can be that would make any meaningful grading system too difficult to manage. 
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Owen Woods on September 08, 2010, 05:09:41 PM
I think that contacting the Newcastle people is a good idea. If you are thinking of tunes to try then the Liberty Bell with the accidentals put in I would say is about Grade 5 (:)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: HallelujahAl on September 08, 2010, 05:13:05 PM
Quote
I think I'd be pushing the point to describe myself as a folk musician, even though I'm still a melodeon player.  Maybe this is unusual, but I doubt I'm the only one.
An excellent point and one that I'd agree with - and I'm certainly no folk musician! I can't help thinking that Ollie's got his work cut out however to convince an 'A' Level Examination Board (and that's who matters in this case, and not an individual examiner, or any individual's appraisal of a piece) of the suitability of a piece -as they'll be looking for guidance from the music examining boards, and there isn't, as far as I know, a music examinations board that provide certification for the 4th/5th tuned melodeon. Isn't there a 'compose your own tune' option Ollie?
AL
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Kautilya on September 14, 2010, 01:21:55 AM
I need to start thinking about a performance piece for A level. I play a number of instruments, but I feel most comfortable and confident playing melodeon, so I'd ideally like to do my performance on that. However, the piece has to be at 'grade 5 or above' level, which is quite difficult to translate to the melodoen. Does anyone know of any suitably difficult tunes, or even better, have any experience of using the melodeon at A level? I'd like to avoid using the piano as much as possible.
I am reminded of an account of the life of Richard Leakey. As I recall, as a young child he spent much of his time on safari expeditions in Kenya with his father Louis SB Leakey who was doing a massive study of the Kikuyu tribe. Child Richard  learnt to hunt with a sling and the Kikuyu language in great detail because he grew up amongst the Kikuyu tribe.

When it came to his O levels the school wrote from Kenya to the Oxford and Cambridge Examination Board asking them to recommend an external examiner who could set and supervise a written and oral exam for a 15-year-old pupil who wanted to offer Kikuyu as one of his subjects.

The Board wrote back saying that there was no one available in the UK but they understood the acknowledged world expert in the field was in Kenya and they would authorize them to set, invigilate and conduct the oral. They gave the name of  the author of what had already been published as the standard textbook on Kikuyu grammar, written by a certain  Richard Leakey!!!

So there is precedent for you to determine your own Grade 5 level Ollie! Just don’t put your d.o.b. down when you charge for the marking fee afterwards.
Nil bellowsandum!

exam tips picking up hint below from Ga. Always ask for and thenn play the favourite tune of the examiner and one which they have publised work about (go dig through publications of examiners who set these grading exams). This is equivalent of doing your thesis on the Roman coins found in  a villa by your professor...

There must some toons for piano at grade 5 which you could also play on the box no?  Just give them something extra - you cant swing a piano up and down in the air or add bells to its legs  or make it to the John Kirkfaustus clackety clack and bellows wheeze as you zap the air button, things which he says are an essential part of the performance>:E



Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on September 20, 2010, 11:11:46 PM
Many thanks for everyone's input. I've just had an email conversation with my teacher, and he said that both The Liberty Bell and Mike Hurry would be considered above grade 5 standard, and that he would encourage me to use the melodeon as my main performance instrument.  (:) Very happy about that.  :||:
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Kautilya on September 21, 2010, 02:13:34 AM
Many thanks for everyone's input. I've just had an email conversation with my teacher, and he said that both The Liberty Bell and Mike Hurry would be considered above grade 5 standard, and that he would encourage me to use the melodeon as my main performance instrument.  (:) Very happy about that.  :||:
don't forget bells for whichever is your beat=stamping leg... for whichever toon you play second; for that little extra * grade! ;) ;)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Kautilya on September 23, 2010, 09:49:42 AM
:||:
[/quote]
don't forget bells for whichever is your beat=stamping leg... for whichever toon you play second; for that little extra * grade! ;) ;)
[/quote]
bells - see discussion on Cnet and posting post today 23 Sept ng by Alan Day on leg bells and Auvergne...

And remember that John Kirkpatrick considers the clacking noise of the keys and display of the bellows (which player cannot see but spectators can) are part of the essential visual sound power (my words) of the melodeon (as he explained at Shrewsbury Squeeze masterclass0. The antithesis to concertina playing, witness bushing put around keys to reduce such sound.
These things are worth explaining to unfamiliar examiners so they understand that is not you hitting notes wrongly!

http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=11784&st=18&gopid=116684&#entry116684
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: theSmoiler on October 30, 2010, 12:08:22 AM
Does anyone know ... have any experience of using the melodeon at A level? I'd like to avoid using the piano as much as possible.

I remember talking with Ian Stephenson (422 - now more often seen playing guitar) about this, about 10 years' ago (blame his dad for me having the red melodeon - he dragged me to it!). Ian used melodeon for his A-level piece, but didn't get a particularly good mark for it I think he said, due he thought to the examiner not having any knowledge/ experience of the melodeon and just how difficult it was for him to play his chosen piece. Ian was an extremely accomplished melodeon player at that time.

Diane
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: theSmoiler on October 30, 2010, 12:18:57 AM
How bizarre, Ollie - haven't been on here for ages, but JUST gone to Video bit, and Ian Stephenson has posted on there about his new CD and melodeon-playing. What a spooky coincidence! suggest you PM him and ask him about his A-level experience (tell him Diane advised you - who his Dad press-ganged into buying a rather unique box one Sidmouth back in 2000!).

Diane
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on November 03, 2010, 10:08:37 PM
Thanks for that Diane, helpful to know. In the end I went for the Primrose Polka as my trial performance, so we'll see what results I get from that. I've just popped the audio up on onmvoice. It appears my brain thinks get louder means go faster.  :-\

http://www.onmvoice.com/play.php?a=32626
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Anahata on November 03, 2010, 10:18:07 PM
In the end I went for the Primrose Polka as my trial performance
http://www.onmvoice.com/play.php?a=32626

A splendid and spirited performance!
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Steve_freereeder on November 03, 2010, 10:55:07 PM
In the end I went for the Primrose Polka as my trial performance
http://www.onmvoice.com/play.php?a=32626

A splendid and spirited performance!

Hear hear! That was really great!
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on November 04, 2010, 03:34:07 PM
Thanks guys. (:) I got the marks back today; 35/40, which I believe is an A, and one of the best marks in the class, so I did something right!
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: OwenG on November 04, 2010, 04:06:14 PM
Nice one.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: HallelujahAl on November 04, 2010, 04:11:45 PM
Quote
I got the marks back today; 35/40, which I believe is an A, and one of the best marks in the class
congrats!  ;D
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Howard Jones on November 04, 2010, 04:33:30 PM
Splendid stuff, well done.

How things have changed.  When I was at school, music meant classical and the music teacher wouldn't allow guitar lessons - not even classical guitar - as it wasn't a "proper instrument".  As for melodeon, it would not even have been allowed onto the premises.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Kautilya on November 04, 2010, 05:33:21 PM
Thanks guys. (:) I got the marks back today; 35/40, which I believe is an A, and one of the best marks in the class, so I did something right!
Hurrah!
ps u could do no better than get together for the occasional gig with the two young dazzlers at the welsh weekend (multiinstrumentalists but they aint got a melodioniste....). go see the vids. ;) ;)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Tony M on November 04, 2010, 08:19:48 PM
Absolutely brilliant playing, Ollie - well-deserved high marks there, I think.

Tony M
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Sandy on November 04, 2010, 10:38:46 PM
Superb Ollie  8)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: GbH on November 05, 2010, 03:44:32 PM
Well done!
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Rob2Hook on December 07, 2010, 05:47:51 PM
As for melodeon, it would not even have been allowed onto the premises.

I remember my music teacher's burning ambition was to put drawing pins in all the hammers on the out of tune piano so he could play honkey-tonk!  Mind you, the only memory my failing the A-level was he made me turn out my pockets 'cause he wanted a light for his cigar.

Nice playing, Ollie.

Rob.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Thrupenny Bit on December 08, 2010, 09:38:40 PM
Bravo Ollie!
well played!
Q
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on January 07, 2011, 02:42:18 PM
I had my first (we have two opportunities) offical AS performance a few weeks before Christmas, and have just recieve the audio from it. It went better then I remember it going, so I'm quite happy with my 31/40. I will, however, be doing it again in March. Would've got a better mark if I had boxes that could a) easily do dynamics and were b) in tune  :-\ (playing the tunes correctly would've helped too  :P).

Anyway, if anyone's interested here is the audio. The first is the Primrose Polka on my Pokerwork, and the second is Flatworld on my Erika.

http://www.onmvoice.com/play.php?a=37178
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Clive Williams on January 07, 2011, 03:03:48 PM
Lovely. And that Erika sounds *fantastic*.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Steve_freereeder on January 07, 2011, 03:33:02 PM
I had my first (we have two opportunities) offical AS performance a few weeks before Christmas, and have just recieve the audio from it. It went better then I remember it going, so I'm quite happy with my 31/40. I will, however, be doing it again in March. Would've got a better mark if I had boxes that could a) easily do dynamics and were b) in tune  :-\ (playing the tunes correctly would've helped too  :P).

Anyway, if anyone's interested here is the audio. The first is the Primrose Polka on my Pokerwork, and the second is Flatworld on my Erika.

http://www.onmvoice.com/play.php?a=37178
Very nice, Ollie. I hope you are proud of yourself, because you deserve to be.  (:) :|glug
Primrose Polka sounds wonderful, full of life. Are you sure you didn't 'borrow' JK for this performance.  ;)
Also agree that the Bb/Eb Erika sounds gorgeous.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Anahata on January 07, 2011, 03:39:21 PM
Lovely. And that Erika sounds *fantastic*.
Concur fully. Absolutely gorgeous. Very nicely played too.
And the Primrose Polka had loads of oomph!
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Alan Morley on January 07, 2011, 03:46:44 PM
Primrose Polka:

Here is my attempt at the tune - posted to YouTube last June

http://www.youtube.com/user/Almo2504?feature=mhum#p/u/9/Ua-NWNl5o9M (http://www.youtube.com/user/Almo2504?feature=mhum#p/u/9/Ua-NWNl5o9M)


Well played Ollie  :||:


Alan
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Larry on January 07, 2011, 04:14:56 PM
To Ollie, congradulations on your high marks. proud and humble.
That's the way I like! The Primrose Polka shot me like a spier.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: OwenG on January 07, 2011, 05:03:45 PM
Well done. Nice playing.

Would've got a better mark if I had boxes that could a) easily do dynamics and were b) in tune  :-\

Someone should set up a scheme where up-and-coming players can be loaned boxes from some of the more MAD-afflicted members of the forum!
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Owen Woods on January 07, 2011, 05:37:40 PM
Well done. Nice playing.

Would've got a better mark if I had boxes that could a) easily do dynamics and were b) in tune  :-\

Someone should set up a scheme where up-and-coming players can be loaned boxes from some of the more MAD-afflicted members of the forum!

Agreed, I want to try a Shand Morino! :P
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on January 07, 2011, 05:46:26 PM
Many thanks for the comments.  (:)

I had my first (we have two opportunities) offical AS performance a few weeks before Christmas, and have just recieve the audio from it. It went better then I remember it going, so I'm quite happy with my 31/40. I will, however, be doing it again in March. Would've got a better mark if I had boxes that could a) easily do dynamics and were b) in tune  :-\ (playing the tunes correctly would've helped too  :P).

Anyway, if anyone's interested here is the audio. The first is the Primrose Polka on my Pokerwork, and the second is Flatworld on my Erika.

http://www.onmvoice.com/play.php?a=37178
Very nice, Ollie. I hope you are proud of yourself, because you deserve to be.  (:) :|glug
Primrose Polka sounds wonderful, full of life. Are you sure you didn't 'borrow' JK for this performance.  ;)
Also agree that the Bb/Eb Erika sounds gorgeous.

That made my day, Steve.  ;D

Well done. Nice playing.

Would've got a better mark if I had boxes that could a) easily do dynamics and were b) in tune  :-\

Someone should set up a scheme where up-and-coming players can be loaned boxes from some of the more MAD-afflicted members of the forum!

What a remarkably good idea!  :P

Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Andy Next Tune on January 09, 2011, 11:55:48 AM
Brilliant Ollie! A masterclass in the 'sound of Hohner' and well-deserved marks!

Andy
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Theo on January 09, 2011, 12:09:57 PM
Would've got a better mark if I had boxes that could a) easily do dynamics ...

I heard dynamics used to great musical effect on both tracks.  Good players adjust their playing to overcome the limitations of the instrument, your playing here is a prime example.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Kautilya on January 09, 2011, 10:35:22 PM

Someone should set up a scheme where up-and-coming players can be loaned boxes from some of the more MAD-afflicted members of the forum!

What a remarkably good idea!  :P


[/quote]
Ollie - 'mazing! All that out of a pokerwork!
Tip - when you et al approach to borrow other boxes you may get a better response if you call potential owners 'well MAD-endowed' ;)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on January 09, 2011, 11:35:07 PM
Would've got a better mark if I had boxes that could a) easily do dynamics ...

I heard dynamics used to great musical effect on both tracks.  Good players adjust their playing to overcome the limitations of the instrument, your playing here is a prime example.

As I box player, you do, but neither my teacher nor the external moderator are, and by classical standard there wasn't enough variation between sounds.

But thank you all again for the kind comments.  (:)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on June 23, 2011, 01:19:12 PM
Sorry to drag up an old topic again, but I'm once again choosing pieces. This time, Grade 6 is the minimum level, and I need 12-15 minutes of music. I already have The Liberty Bell and Silta down as possible pieces.

I learned a Groupa tune 19 years ago - think it's 'fis scottis' but cannot find the old vinyl to check. I've done it as a show off piece in sessions since but it's always been near the limit of my ability. I still fondly recall Steve Harrison's wry comment a decade back at Bacup "a tune too far"?  :|bl


This looks really good, Chris. Could you find the name of the tune, so I can download it and attempt to transcribe it? Cheers.  :|glug
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Clive Williams on June 23, 2011, 01:51:37 PM
Having a quick look through my youtube history... here's some more possibles:

Chris Wood's 'When the Land Was White with Snow'
Ian Lowthian's 'Emma' (I think this is actually pretty hard to play well; my playing of it could do with a lot more polish in my video - so this may become Grade 7)
Pascal Gemme's 'Hommage a Andre Alain'

All fit very nicely on a standard 2 row 8 bass instrument.

Cheers,

Clive
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Bob Ellis on June 23, 2011, 03:09:53 PM
Ollie: two pieces come to my mind.

The first is Begvningsmarsch fran Funsdalen by Olof Halvarsson. The version I have is in D major, but there are six parts to it and it has a range of 2.5 octaves from a low F# (an octave below the one a semitone below the root note on the G row) to the B in the upper octave on the G row.

The second is In Dreams, which is the Hobbit theme from the Lord of the Rings films. Although written in E flat and F natural (I think), I found that it can be transcribed nicely and rearranged in G and D, although there are quite a few accidentals in it.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Chris Ryall on June 23, 2011, 04:25:27 PM
I've an old Swedish schottiche (I think from Grupa) that uses every button on my G row (all but one on the Lilly) and has 2 parts in G maj, one in G min.   Miraculously it is completely playable on a Lilly! You have to steal a B and G from the bass to get the last arpeggio


Another one that initially sounds unplayable but works on 2 rows is Cliff Stapleton's 'Blue Sausage Island' schottiche which is in the dorian #4 (balkan) mode of harmonic minor. That's Em with its A sharpened (=Bb) on a standard D/G. If your Bb is a pull (recommended) it simply rolls along, and sort of develops its own variations without too much effort. The 'blue' comes from that note (presumably) and can lead you all manner of ways.   I'll see if it's on youtube when I get home.

  Blue Sausage Island:  http://www.folktunefinder.com/tune/56578/ (in original Dmin - ghastly chords though)
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: sqwzboxstudent on June 23, 2011, 06:43:49 PM
how do grades work? can anyone give me more info ? what would you have to do for grade 1 / for grade 5?
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: IanT on June 24, 2011, 08:13:53 AM
This may (or may not) help: http://www.abrsm.org/en/home and read up!
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Theo on June 24, 2011, 09:55:24 AM
once again choosing pieces. This time, Grade 6 is the minimum level, and I need 12-15 minutes of music.

Might be worth looking at some of the sets of variations beloved of pipers.   They should match the criteria of technical challenge as well as length.  There are some in the Northumbrian Pipers (first) Tunebook, eg Felton Lonnen, Jacky layton, I saw my love come passing by me, or how about Sir Sydney Smiths March?  There is a whole pile more of great variation sets in the William Dixon tunebook.   There is also a great variation set for Old Molly Oxford, which I heard Jim Boyle play for his final year recital last summer, though I don't know where that is published.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Mike Averill on June 24, 2011, 10:30:50 AM
Fredric Paris would be my sugestion. 

Valse A L'Envers, Maria, Rue de L'Oiseau

Loads of room for dynamics and interpretation
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Pete Dunk on June 24, 2011, 10:34:56 AM
Might be worth looking at some of the sets of variations beloved of pipers.

I have posted several of the variation sets in this thread on concertina.net (http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7837). Somewhere in there is the Keel Row with variations which is a pretty demanding piece.
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Thrupenny Bit on June 24, 2011, 10:18:05 PM
'Old Molly Oxford' is my absolute favourite tune and dance. It's one of the old original 'long' Fieldtown dances, hard, long but somehow relaxing too. It'll be in the Black Book.
.....but a totally majestic tune.
Q
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Clive Williams on June 24, 2011, 11:21:42 PM
Seem to remember Saul Rose doing Molly Oxford slowed down (as a waltz, I think), and then at normal 'ramming' speed when he went for BBC2's old young folk musician of the year thingy. Nice idea, and a good way of demonstrating different dynamics on the same tune (though he didn't win!). Or you could just do the old fashioned haunting slow air into fast tune thing beloved of so many instrumental bands these days.

One thought that strikes me though. If you're thinking of doing levels 7 and 8, which I assume you are, you might be well advised to plan those levels first, then work backwards to what to do for level 6. Choose, for example, Fulmine for level 6 or 7, and goodness only knows what you're going to do when level 8 comes along!  :o
Title: Re: 'Grade 5' standard Melodeon pieces
Post by: Ollie on June 25, 2011, 12:18:48 AM
Many thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I'll process them all on Sunday.

Clive; I think Fulmine would be grade 8. Last year, I took Flatworld as being G6, so that's my base line. He thing with graded pieces is that some are technically difficult with few dynamics (i.e. Bach), yet some are less technically challenging, but require more musicality. I'll be going for more of the latter pieces, as that's what I'm best at.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal