Melodeon.net Forums
Discussions => Tune of the Month => Topic started by: Clive Williams on May 01, 2011, 12:05:15 AM
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By the narrowest of margins, this month's winner is the Ash Grove, a traditional tune from Wales, and wonderful in it's simplicity. Here's a lovely version done by our own j.w.forrest as part of the Welsh theme of the month a while back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciQnFrryyLQ (he's playing it on a F#/B/E box, if you're trying to play along!). No doubt we'll get some more friendly keyed versions along in a bit!
Some ABC, and further discussion on the origins of the tune can be found here, on the session.org site: http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/997 ... and for simplicity, here's the ABC quoted there:
X: 1
T: Ash Grove, The
M: 3/4
L: 1/8
R: waltz
K: Dmaj
|: "A"A2 | "D"d2f2ag | "D"f2d2d2 | "G"e2 gfed | "A"c2A2A2 |
"D"d2fedc | "G"B2G2B2 | "D"A2d2"A7"c2 | "D"d4 :||: e/f/g |
"D"a2fgab | "D"a2g2f2 | "A"g2efga | "A7"g2f2e2 | "D"f2defg |
"Bm"f2e2d2 | "A"c2a2"E"^g2 | "A"a4 A2 | "D"d2f2ag | f2d2d2 |
"G"e2gfed | "A"c2A2A2 | "D"d2fedc | "G"B2G2B2 | "D"A2d2"A"c2 | "D"d4 :||
Have a go and have fun!
Cheers,
Clive
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Yay, great news! So I'll participate this month too! Very nice tune indeed.
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Eh? *confused look* last time I checked mr b was in the lead. Ash must have snuck up from behind when I wasn't looking. Its typical...thought I'd get headstart on totm then different once wins. ;)
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Hi
I've just joined the forum so 'The Ash Grove' will be my first tune of the month
Bob
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I just learned to play this tune on ukulele. Are there any rules for the TotM that you have to use a melodeon? :D
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Following two days of street party appearances, I promised I'd use my day at home to try and tidy the house today. Predictably enough, I've ended up messing about on the melodeon and trying to learn The Ash Grove instead. So, here's what I've managed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRhyEbHTHA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRhyEbHTHA)
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GbH, never mind the patriotic stuff, that really was incredibly nicely played!
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Hi
I've just joined the forum so 'The Ash Grove' will be my first tune of the month
Bob
Welcome to the forum! I'm looking forward to hearing you play!
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Following two days of street party appearances, I promised I'd use my day at home to try and tidy the house today. Predictably enough, I've ended up messing about on the melodeon and trying to learn The Ash Grove instead. So, here's what I've managed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRhyEbHTHA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRhyEbHTHA)
Tidy, like!
(in South Wales, this is considered great praise)....
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Following two days of street party appearances, I promised I'd use my day at home to try and tidy the house today. Predictably enough, I've ended up messing about on the melodeon and trying to learn The Ash Grove instead. So, here's what I've managed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRhyEbHTHA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTRhyEbHTHA)
Tidy, like!
(in South Wales, this is considered great praise)....
So, I guess that means I managed to make tidy music rather than a tidy house. I guess that's a good compromise! Thanks.
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Of course I know that following a Gbh rendition on here can be a bit daunting for some. But I'm old enough not to care.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbpIyz9ihWs
Now I remember singing in assembly at School. "One Black one, one White one . . . ."
I wonder if this wasn't voted as a bit of, "Tongue in the Cheek" for W & K.
Hmm. "And the hairs on her Diddey Dido : . . .."
Well this one has a bit of sh**te on it.
Cheers all :|glug
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Now I remember singing in assembly at School. "One Black one, one White one . . . ."
Unfortunately for me I can't hear the tune without hearing those words in my head. Pity for me because its a pretty tune.
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Now I remember singing in assembly at School. "One Black one, one White one . . . ."
Unfortunately for me I can't hear the tune without hearing those words in my head. Pity for me because its a pretty tune.
I'm with you there Theo. Lovely tune.
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Hi
I've just joined the forum so 'The Ash Grove' will be my first tune of the month
Bob
Welcome to the forum! I'm looking forward to hearing you play!
Thanx - I'm working on it
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'erm OK - I have had a bit of fun with Ash Grove :|bl
My full name is Alan Robert Morley - so I did a 'Bob Morley and The Whalers' version for Tune of The Month....
Ash Groove http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989 (http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989)
I might do a video - who knows..... >:E
Alan
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Here's mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyE9YYppZPU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyE9YYppZPU)
In The Salvation Army we sing the following tune (it varies very slightly from the standard) to the words:
HE giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labours increase,
To added afflictions he addeth his mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.
2 When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is
half-done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
3 His love has no limits, his grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)
The Salvation Army Song Book 579
DOTS BELOW ATTACHED!
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I am sorry to sound thick but I am very puzzled. I have been looking at the music for The Ash Grove and cannot find the G# on my standard D/G melodeon. Am I missing something?
Pam
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It should be on the top button of the D row if your box has accidentals. If not, you can play the tune in G and the G# will become a C# which you have on the D row.
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Hi Pammylou - sounds like you may have a DG box with 'low notes' and not acciedentals. On the box with accidentals try pushing on the very first button nearest your chin on the outside row? Failing that then all I can suggest is to 'fudge' it to play it in D ;D
i.e stay on the top A instead of dropping to the G# below?
AL
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A D/G melodeon even with accidentals doesn't have a G# in that octave (unless it's got a half row with lots of accidentals)
Most D/G boxes wouldn't be able to play it an octave lower either, for other reasons like lack of a low G.
The right answer it to play it in G, then the accidental is on the D row and everything is nicely in the middle of the instrument, except you usually don't have a low C, but watch and listen to how GBH fudged that.
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The right answer it to play it in G, then the accidental is on the D row
I don't think that is the right answer, loads of simple folk tunes, especially in these islands modulate temporarily from D to A via a G# - otherwise you might as well just give up trying to play in D on a DG box - surely the right answer is to learn other ways of playing so that one is not limited to transposing in G all the time? And I think that either using the appropriate note (albeit in a different octave) is fine as is finding an alternative note within the chord structure?
AL
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OK Al, for "right answer" read "simplest answer" ;)
Actually you could play the entire second half of the tune an octave lower and reach for that G# accidental and it would work quite well. Or just just play the A either side of that G# in the lower octave so they are semitone steps.
I've been wondering how to treat this tune; maybe a version in several different keys is the thing to try...
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So, playing it in G was somehow the wrong thing for me to do? ???
I admit that I didn't look at the supplied notation for this one, as I already knew how the tune went. So, is this key issue somehow related to that? I'm a bit confused...
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So, playing it in G was somehow the wrong thing for me to do? ???
I admit that I didn't look at the supplied notation for this one, as I already knew how the tune went. So, is this key issue somehow related to that? I'm a bit confused...
Daily Express Community Songbook for 1928 or whenever has it in G, anyway. Seems to me to sound better in G.
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The 'Waltz Book' also has it in G.
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So, playing it in G was somehow the wrong thing for me to do? ???
I admit that I didn't look at the supplied notation for this one, as I already knew how the tune went. So, is this key issue somehow related to that? I'm a bit confused...
The key issue has to do with another member not having a G# so the suggestion was made by Anahata and myself to play in G instead. For reasons of his own HallelujahAl has taken exception to this. I say play it in whatever key suits you! ;D
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So, playing it in G was somehow the wrong thing for me to do? ???
I admit that I didn't look at the supplied notation for this one, as I already knew how the tune went. So, is this key issue somehow related to that? I'm a bit confused...
No, playing this in G as you did was exactly the right thing to do...for you. It sounded great. We all can have opinions about how a tune "should" sound, or the "correct" key that it should be in, or the "right" fingering (and I'll defend my 3-finger bass against all comers), but in the end it's the musical result that counts.
The debates are quite fun though....
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The debates are quite fun though....
That they are! BTW, checked out the Cat's Claw video, very nice! And I'm with you on the 3-finger bass! ;D
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The debates are quite fun though....
That they are! BTW, checked out the Cat's Claw video, very nice! And I'm with you on the 3-finger bass! ;D
Thank you-much appreciated! (Apologies for thread drift here). Back to The Ash Grove...
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I always get baffled when folks start on and on about G# and accidentals, and whether it's played in the wrong key / right key - it's all means nothing to me - I just play the tune ::) And butcher it to hell and back....http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989 (http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989)
Almo
PS - On bass fingering - I have only ever used two fingers, which is odd for a guitarist.... ::)
PPS - I don't read music - so I play a tune in whatever key seems to work the best with a D/G box
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The key issue has to do with another member not having a G# so the suggestion was made by Anahata and myself to play in G instead. For reasons of his own HallelujahAl has taken exception to this.
What a bunch! I was simply responding to our new member's (pammylou) request on how to play the supplied notation on a DG box that doesn't appear to have a G#. All you lot respond by saying to play it in G (a typical folkie response if ever I heard one) whereas I was pointing out that there are indeed ways of playing in D on a D/G box other than running away from the issue and transposing everything into G!
Now I'm off to get a cup of coffee and wake up!!!
;D
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I think, Al, that as you have a printed version in D (as reproduced in your first posting here) you are a little attached to the notion that D is somehow the "original and correct" key and that anything else is wrong.
Absent the influence of such a document in my possession, G is the first key I would have thought of and it seems I'm not alone. On a D/G instrument, it's also in a comfortable range. If somebody wanted to sing it in D, I'd play it in D. Or C. Or A. With limitations...
(and when you get your B/C box with special basses sorted, you can have a go a playing it in F, which might well be a good key for singing it too. Good luck with that and enjoy your coffee :|glug )
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I think, Al, that as you have a printed version in D (as reproduced in your first posting here) you are a little attached to the notion that D is somehow the "original and correct" key and that anything else is wrong.
Wrong! I was simply responding to pammylou's issue with the 'supplied' notation that Clive posted which as it happens is in D. My own preferred version is in Bb and is the one I'm most familiar with...and anyway the only thing I'm criticisng is the seemingly endless flight to G when D gets too difficult for some folk.
Back to coffee now ;D
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I bet Clive didn't think all this debate about keys and fingering would have started when he selected the tune....!! :D
Isn't it time to move on and just play / record it in whatever you're comfortable with....
Love and peace to all... :-*
Almo
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If somebody wanted to sing it in D, I'd play it in D. Or C. Or A. With limitations...
This is a terribly important point: when you play with other diatonic (pitch-limited) instruments, you should be able to play a tune in a number of keys. The Ash Grove is a typical (Border) pipe tune, and it should be learned to play in D as well, in case you had a piper with an "A-pitched" Border pipe set in your band/session. I nearly always play music with others: family band, Bb/A/G hurd-gurdy and piper friends, GC session.
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OK, folks. Let's draw a line under the key discussion please. In TOTM you can feel free to play tunes in any key you like, any time signature you like, minorise, majorise, or anything else you fancy. It's all good. I agree with the 'someone famous' view; the only real damage you can do to traditional music is not to play it at all...
I'm still figuring out how to play this tune myself! I'm leaning towards a version in G like GbH's, though frankly I don't think it'll be as good as GbH's, which is really rather well played I think - but TOTM is all about taking part, so that's fine - I'll just play it as well as I can.
Cheers,
Clive
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And butcher it to hell and back....http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989 (http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989)
:o
You sir, are as mad as a box of frogs! It comes out really very well doesn't it!
Cheers,
Clive ( now a fellow Mixcraft owner (:) )
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And butcher it to hell and back....http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989 (http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989)
:o
You sir, are as mad as a box of frogs! It comes out really very well doesn't it!
Cheers,
Clive ( now a fellow Mixcraft owner (:) )
Nice one Clive - I'm glad you got Mixcraft - hope you have as much fun with it as I do ;)
For playing the tune - it's based round the old guitar 'four chord trick' of G - Em - C - D / G - C - D - G if that helps anyone to navigate..
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... saying to play it in G (a typical folkie response if ever I heard one)....
I trust it's OK if I take that as a compliment?
Anyway, I'd started off trying to play it in D and initially not liked what I heard, even before running out of buttons. A stab in G [reading from Daily Express book] seemed to sound much better.
Like most men of my age, I only knew the crude words, and was somewhat taken aback at the tragic drawing-room ballad revealed.
As my recording equipment is sub-minimal - not sub-optimal, sub-minimal - it remains to be seen what if anything may eventually get posted.
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...the only thing I'm criticisng is the seemingly endless flight to G when D gets too difficult for some folk...
My suggestion to switch to G had nothing to do with difficulty and everything to do with available notes on a particular instrument. To my mind it makes more sense to maintain the integrity of the tune rather than the key, since keeping within a particular vocal range is not an issue here. Done with this discussion.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9CKFaKo5KA
Prompted by forum chatter about keys and fudging. Otherwise straight to tape. After my effort for the theme of the month I thought I'd better play a straight bat on this one!
All the best
Bill
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OK, to keep Al happy, I decided to learn it in Bb instead. Well, sort of...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGDL9CpoYxI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGDL9CpoYxI) ;D
(Yep, it only got delivered yesterday, so I've not really got the hang of using the slide yet. Still, it was much cheaper than a new box and it's certainly a lot of fun to mess around with...)
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Drat! You took my idea! ;D
Seriously, that was great. No, seriously!
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OK, to keep Al happy, I decided to learn it in Bb instead. Well, sort of...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGDL9CpoYx (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGDL9CpoYx)
aaaaah...normal service has been resumed ;D
AL
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Fantastic on both renditions GbH. And that trombone was sounding pretty good; if that was your first time with a slide then I am incredibly impressed. I've been wanting to buy a soprano trombone for years and now that I am beginning to play brass I actually might at some point. Of course, exams have limited my practice, such that my lip is probably completely gone, haven't played in a week :(
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OK, to keep Al happy, I decided to learn it in Bb instead. Well, sort of...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGDL9CpoYxI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGDL9CpoYxI) ;D
(Yep, it only got delivered yesterday, so I've not really got the hang of using the slide yet. Still, it was much cheaper than a new box and it's certainly a lot of fun to mess around with...)
Excellent video Guy....I need to brush up on my juggling skill to get where you are....
Not sure about Bb though... ::)
Almo
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OK, to keep Al happy, I decided to learn it in Bb instead. Well, sort of...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGDL9CpoYxI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGDL9CpoYxI) ;D
(Yep, it only got delivered yesterday, so I've not really got the hang of using the slide yet. Still, it was much cheaper than a new box and it's certainly a lot of fun to mess around with...)
Brilliant!
It made me go back and check out your first Ash Grove video as well - also a beautifully musical rendition. For some reason I wondered where people were watching it from, so I clicked the insights button. Some curious information:
- 137 viewings via melnet forum (just over half of all viewings)
- but ... "this video is most popular with Males, aged 13-17"
My my, what a young forum this turns out to be! :D
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I was amazed at the response and discussion my question provoked and I thank everyone who contributed to this debate.
I know the key debate has now been terminated, but, for myself, everything is now much clearer. I now know what I should do and what I am going to do with the Ash Grove.
I just have to go and do it ::)
Pam
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I now know what I should do and what I am going to do with the Ash Grove.
So what you going to do?
:D
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(Yep, it only got delivered yesterday, so I've not really got the hang of using the slide yet. Still, it was much cheaper than a new box and it's certainly a lot of fun to mess around with...)
I have a vague memory that the Ash Grove was one of the pieces that I played for a Trombone exam in the dim and distant past . . .
. . . can't remember having to juggle tho . . .
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I always get baffled when folks start on and on about G# and accidentals, and whether it's played in the wrong key / right key - it's all means nothing to me - I just play the tune ::) And butcher it to hell and back....http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989 (http://www.myspace.com/alanmorleys/music/songs/The-Ash-Groove-81613989)
Almo
PS - On bass fingering - I have only ever used two fingers, which is odd for a guitarist.... ::)
PPS - I don't read music - so I play a tune in whatever key seems to work the best with a D/G box
This version is just fab and has inspired me to maybe have a go mesel' which I wasn't going to this month. Nuff respect, rastafari!!
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I now know what I should do and what I am going to do with the Ash Grove.
So what you going to do?
:D
Play it in G!!! :P
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Play it in G!!! :P
OK then - I will.
Seriously - I've probably had a go at most of the TOTMs since their inception, but never got around to recording anything. This is a good tune to say goodbye to the Oakwood with I think. I'm going to meet a man in a pub tonight and that will be it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox2_FOK4gFk
I may do next months on the Eric Martin to see whether I've made an error or not ;D
Cheers
Squeezy
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So, Squeezy, how did you manage to put the video up back to front? Great playing though ;-)
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So, Squeezy, how did you manage to put the video up back to front? Great playing though ;-)
Peter. It's done by playing at a video camera directly attached to the computer. Gives a mirror image.
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Play it in G!!! :P
OK then - I will.
What a lovely version. Don't think I'll manage to equal that in any way, shape or form.
Pam
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Sorry about the back to front thing. I'm sure there is a way to flip it, but I didn't notice at all before sticking it up on YouTube.
I really think the TOTM is brilliant - I already nicked a couple of bits of mine from some of the performances that went before which are all fantastic in totally different ways.
I'm all for the camp that says play it in the key that is easiest/sounds best on your instrument by the way. The music behind it is the same - keys are a modern construct pigeon-holing certain frequencies as "in tune" or "out of tune" - and that hasn't even been consistent over the years so it seems silly to rigidly adhere to them. Of course when playing with others it is probably better to decide on a key first ;D
Cheers
Squeezy
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Sorry about the back to front thing. I'm sure there is a way to flip it, but I didn't notice at all before sticking it up on YouTube.
I really think the TOTM is brilliant - I already nicked a couple of bits of mine from some of the performances that went before which are all fantastic in totally different ways.
Squeezy
My versions are usually 'different', the reggae feel just seemed to fit...... ::)
I loved your bass work John, certainly something I should work on.
Almo
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Lovely playing, John. As ever, you are an inspiration to us all.
I'm all for the camp that says play it in the key that is easiest/sounds best on your instrument by the way. The music behind it is the same......
Yes, I agree (almost) completely, especially when it comes to melodeon or concertina playing....
..... The music behind it is the same - keys are a modern construct pigeon-holing certain frequencies as "in tune" or "out of tune" - and that hasn't even been consistent over the years so it seems silly to rigidly adhere to them.
And yet, and yet......
The Ash Grove sounds quite different when playing in G compared with being played in D, (or C or Bb, etc.). The difference in pitch gives it a completely different feel. If you were to hear two separate recordings, or performances (not side by side) in the different keys, you would notice the difference.
In the classical world it is thought to be quite important to many composers. For example, Beethoven was very specific about the keys of his pieces. The 3rd Symphony 'Eroica' is in the key of E-flat major, which somehow has a solid, rounded feel to it. If it were to be transposed just one semitone higher and played in the key of E major it would feel quite different: E major has a bright, almost brittle, feel to it.
And although the absolute pitch standard has shifted about over the centuries, this difference still applies. Even in equal temperament, the feel of one key compared with another has to do with the relationship between the two keys in question, rather than their absolute pitch standards. I don't know why exactly, but it is a tangible thing, all bound up with the psychology of how we perceive music.
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Believe me, it gets even stronger if you have perfect pitch. One of the reasons why I bought BCC# was because I was getting bored of G, D and A. I've always been a sharp person though, I've always enjoyed playing things in sharps rather than flats. In fact I am still puzzled as to why other clarinet players prefer to play in flats, in my mind the sharp fingerings are easier (especially E), which is probably just because I prefer playing in them.
The scary thing is that in my mind, G# major sounds different from Ab major, even when playing on piano. It doesn't, at all, it sounds exactly the same, but I perceive it as different, dependent on which key I think of myself as playing in. That's psychology stuff though.
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Believe me, it gets even stronger if you have perfect pitch. One of the reasons why I bought BCC# was because I was getting bored of G, D and A. I've always been a sharp person though, I've always enjoyed playing things in sharps rather than flats. In fact I am still puzzled as to why other clarinet players prefer to play in flats, in my mind the sharp fingerings are easier (especially E), which is probably just because I prefer playing in them.
The scary thing is that in my mind, G# major sounds different from Ab major, even when playing on piano. It doesn't, at all, it sounds exactly the same, but I perceive it as different, dependent on which key I think of myself as playing in. That's psychology stuff though.
In danger of serious thread drift here (for which I apologise) but this is something I very really interesting.
As a clarinettist, I do tend to fall into the stereotype of preferring the flat keys, and I will readily pick up my A clarinet and play in a flat key rather than play in a sharp key on my Bb. But when I'm playing saxophone, sharp keys come out as easy as anything. I have no qualms about playing in say B major or C# major. Perhaps it's something to do with the fingering layout of the two instruments and the fact that the saxophone overblows in octaves and the clarinet overblows in 12ths.
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Of course - I entirely agree with the sentiments that different keys give a different feel to music - of course they do. I really remember the excitement of getting a C/F after many years of strictly D/G playing, it was a real inspiration. I don't suffer from perfect pitch but at the time I was sure I had worn out all the sensors in my ears that receive the notes in the D and G scales - playing in F and Dmin seemed so vibrant for a bit.
I do, howeve have "melodeon pitch" which means I can almost instantly tell in a session that a tune is not in a Melodeon (D/G) friendly key without checking against my instrument. Don't know why that is, but I certainly have it.
Cheers
Squeezy
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I do, however have "melodeon pitch" which means I can almost instantly tell in a session that a tune is not in a Melodeon (D/G) friendly key without checking against my instrument. Don't know why that is, but I certainly have it.
Yes - me too. I think that after years of playing I have developed a 'pitch memory' for D and G.
And I agree with you about C/F boxes. I think they sound gorgeous!
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The 3rd Symphony 'Eroica' is in the key of E-flat major, which somehow has a solid, rounded feel to it. If it were to be transposed just one semitone higher and played in the key of E major it would feel quite different: E major has a bright, almost brittle, feel to it.
And although the absolute pitch standard has shifted about over the centuries, this difference still applies. Even in equal temperament, the feel of one key compared with another has to do with the relationship between the two keys in question, rather than their absolute pitch standards. I don't know why exactly
It has partly to do with instruments and the way they produce sound.
G, D, A and E all have important notes on the open strings of a violin, which make a brighter sound.
In flat keys every note has to be stopped.
I suspect the tone of brass and wind instruments is cleaner on notes in their natural scales too.
That doesn't explain why every key is in a different colour on a piano, though. Unless there's a musical memory involved.
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It has partly to do with instruments and the way they produce sound.
Excellent point, I would not say "partly", I'd rather say, completely.
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That doesn't explain why every key is in a different colour on a piano, though. Unless there's a musical memory involved.
Synaesthesia?
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That doesn't explain why every key is in a different colour on a piano, though. Unless there's a musical memory involved.
Synaesthesia?
Yes indeed, but putting a name to it doesn't explain it.
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That doesn't explain why every key is in a different colour on a piano, though. Unless there's a musical memory involved.
Synaesthesia?
Yes indeed, but putting a name to it doesn't explain it.
Indeed not. Someone I know is very clear that one particular note or key - can't remember enough detail - has a particular colour. D is blue, say. One or two other people about with it in the same circle. Seems utterly weird to me, but then I don't have it and wonder what it would be like to have it. Sounds pretty intimidating. How the brain connections go, I suppose, which doesn't help at all.
What would be a green key for The Ash Grove?
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That doesn't explain why every key is in a different colour on a piano, though. Unless there's a musical memory involved.
Synaesthesia?
Yes indeed, but putting a name to it doesn't explain it.
Indeed not. Someone I know is very clear that one particular note or key - can't remember enough detail - has a particular colour. D is blue, say. One or two other people about with it in the same circle. Seems utterly weird to me, but then I don't have it and wonder what it would be like to have it. Sounds pretty intimidating. How the brain connections go, I suppose, which doesn't help at all.
What would be a green key for The Ash Grove?
All this thread drifting smells a bit purple to me. >:E
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I will play it in C ;D .. its the best key for it on a G/C melodon
The ABC in the very first post is actually for an A/D melodeon,
because a G-pull bass is required which is not available on D/G
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I will play it in C
This is exactly the key a piper would play it on G set. Michael, we have our next common session tune. Can Ash Grove be played in set of tunes for the dance mazurka?
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http://www.icmpc8.umn.edu/proceedings/ICMPC8/PDF/AUTHOR/MP040020.PDF (http://www.icmpc8.umn.edu/proceedings/ICMPC8/PDF/AUTHOR/MP040020.PDF)
may be of interest.
H
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I would like Rees to play it in F#minor please >:E
Sandy
(:)
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In snooker terms - can we have a re-rack and start this thread all over again..... :(
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because a G-pull bass is required which is not available on D/G
I'm glad you mention that >:E ...thus if I were attempting to play it in D on a standard D/G melodeon (as pammylou's first question indicated) I would fudge it, in other words forget the G# altogether and probably either stay on the top A or modulate to B (instead of the G#) as that is the third note in the E chord triad. Both of which sound perfectly acceptable, and frankly make the tune easier to play - though I agree it's not ideal.
AL
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I don't suffer from perfect pitch
It does have advantages, sometimes :P Just a right bugger if you try to play a transposing instrument. Means that I have to relearn the instrument every time I take up a new system, i.e. for me C/F is a completely different box to D/G, it's just that it doesn't take long to get my head around it, since my muscles know the patterns. Ollie will attest though that any attempt to play his Bb/Eb ends in disaster.
As for the melodeon keys business, everybody who is exposed to music a lot over time develops relative pitch to a greater or lesser degree as your brain remembers the pitches of different notes. It is a skill and can be learned.
It has partly to do with instruments and the way they produce sound.
G, D, A and E all have important notes on the open strings of a violin, which make a brighter sound.
In flat keys every note has to be stopped.
I suspect the tone of brass and wind instruments is cleaner on notes in their natural scales too.
That doesn't explain why every key is in a different colour on a piano, though. Unless there's a musical memory involved.
The general explanation of why flats are easier on brass is that on every brass and woodwind instrument, the natural thing is to lengthen the tune, therefore flats are easier. Stringed instrument the natural thing to do is shorten the string, so sharps are easier. I've never been quite convinced by this.
As for colours, my girlfriend has synaesthesia and I've always been slightly envious. Mind you, she is slightly envious of me for having perfect pitch, because she doesn't. She can identify chords by the colour, I can identify notes by the sound. Between us we can do a pretty good job :P
Perhaps this discusssion ought to be split :|bl
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The general explanation of why flats are easier on brass is that on every brass and woodwind instrument, the natural thing is to lengthen the tune, therefore flats are easier. Stringed instrument the natural thing to do is shorten the string, so sharps are easier. I've never been quite convinced by this.
No - I'm not convinced by this either. On wind instruments, I think it is more to do with the fingering layout and patterns. On a clarinet the basic scale obtained by lifting your fingers from the tube one by one, is a scale of F major (in the low register). The Bb is 'built in' to the fingering system, which is why I think flat keys are easier on a clarinet, you already have a flying start. To produce B natural and sharps such as F#, you have to use 'fork fingering' and other sharps are produced by the keywork.
On a penny whistle, the basic scale obtained by lifting fingers one by one is D major, so you have two sharps already built in to the system, Hence the whistle 'likes' sharp keys more than flat keys. The saxophone is much more akin to a whistle in its fingering system than it is to a clarinet, so I think that's why sharp keys on a saxophone are easier.
Not being a string player I don't think I'm qualified to comment, other than to say that the open strings of G D A and E on a fiddle are all foundations for sharp keys rather than flat keys.
Perhaps this discusssion ought to be split :|bl
Yes, perhaps it should! ;)
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Yes, perhaps it should! ;)
I'll do it....What title do you want for the thread?
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Yes, perhaps it should! ;)
I'll do it....What title do you want for the thread?
Sarah - just hang fire on this a bit longer, if you don't mind, please. I've a feeling that the thread drift is about to expire soon anyway, and also it is mixed up with relevant, on-topic, snippets concerning playing of the Ash Grove.
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Yes, perhaps it should! ;)
I'll do it....What title do you want for the thread?
Sarah - just hang fire on this a bit longer, if you don't mind, please. I've a feeling that the thread drift is about to expire soon anyway, and also it is mixed up with relevant, on-topic, snippets concerning playing of the Ash Grove.
Make your mind up. ::)
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It seems to me often tunes sound better in key of F on my accordion. I like B flat when I play the piano. So as an experiment I have tried to play Ash Grove two times in the same way on my accordion. The first time in the key of G followed by the second time in B flat. This is a cheat since I am using a CBA so the fingering is identical for both keys.
see results here http://www.onmvoice.com/play.php?a=51503 (http://www.onmvoice.com/play.php?a=51503)
I like B flat for my accordion too. Don't know if its ear fatigue with the common keys or perhaps reeds are worn in the key of G. I wanted to try F and D by my accordion has a seasonal allergy to pine pollen stuffing up some of the low notes in those keys.
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I'm still figuring out how to play this tune myself! I'm leaning towards a version in G...
Heh. So much for that! I did *try* to play it straight, then I discovered how nice it sounds in a minor key, and then I figured out that it really makes a cracking jig with a bit of shoehorning, rewiring and generally ripping it apart. It sounds nothing like the original now, I admit, but it did start out as the Ash Grove, and if you listen *really* carefully, you might just be able to hear the original tune gasping for air, trying to escape.
So here we have ... the Ash Grove Jig!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdrKGhVp4gw
Played on the Hohner Preciosa in Bb/Eb (so this is in C minor again), because let's face it, it's the zippiest, boogiest box I've got!
Cheers,
Clive
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Clive - you're as loopy as I am mate.... ;)
Nice butchering of The Ash Grove, interesting treatment as usual from your good self. Nicely done sir.
Almo
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Without prior knowledge I wouldn't have recognised it as having anything to to with the Ash Grove - but it's beautiful anyway (:)
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Clive, that's absolutely brilliant! I'm off to the practice cabin now with my Preciosa to try and work out how you've done it....
If I can, then it'll find it's way into the band repertoire....deserves to be more widely played like this!
Cheers,
Guy
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I'm not a huge fan of the original tune, but that is fantastic! :D Definitely going to learn that.
Can anyone transcribe it? I'd love to, but I've not got the time to either transcribe or learn by ear (damned exams). Thanks. (:)
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Clive, that's absolutely brilliant! I'm off to the practice cabin now with my Preciosa to try and work out how you've done it....
If I can, then it'll find it's way into the band repertoire....deserves to be more widely played like this!
Cheers,
Guy
Thanks and good luck! It all plays nicely on a 2 row 8 bass; there's a couple of accidentals in the B music, which are mostly grace notes and can be ignored/substituted if necessary... in fact, on the video I probably play 2 or 3 different variations for the same section. Take your pick! I quite like the 'diddly diddly' one ;D
Cheers,
Clive
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Clive, that is absolutely brilliant! Have to work that one out on the D/G as my next project. ;D
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I've stuck with the traditional tune as i would rather play other tunes than this one really >:E ... i've not posted for a while so heres a quick rendition of my ASH GROVE played on my AD Loffet box. ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxQVJ8E0ZSQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxQVJ8E0ZSQ)
DTN :|||:
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I wasn't going to post a version this month as I wasn't too inspired by the tune until I heard Almo's most excellent version. So my attempt is inspired by and dedicated to Almo. Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z6vN6O3xQ0
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I wasn't going to post a version this month as I wasn't too inspired by the tune until I heard Almo's most excellent version. So my attempt is inspired by and dedicated to Almo. Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z6vN6O3xQ0
Hiya Mcgroover,
Nice one, thanks for the comments - I'm glad you had a go, I think it fit nicely in a reggae version. ;) I'll have to do a video for YouTube when I'm in a daft mood again ..
Almo
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Aww, I was reasonably happy with my original attempt at The Ash Grove when I first did it, but now I've seen what others have been able to do, I feel a bit :'( . I know it shouldn't really be any sort of surprise, but DTN's, in particular, just leaves me feeling like I don't know what I'm doing. That middle section, where Derek takes it into those minor variations, seems just magical to me - yet it just comes down to one person playing one box.
Almo's, too, impresses me, in so far that he's taken a studio-based approach to his arrangements and made it work in a way that really sets him apart. To me, I see that as a reminder that there are so many more approaches and possibilities available, if you take the trouble to look for them.
I guess I just need to go and practice more. A lot more...
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Aww, I was reasonably happy with my original attempt at The Ash Grove when I first did it, but now I've seen what others have been able to do, I feel a bit :'(
@GBH
Hello Guy,
Thanks for your comment, I agree with what you say about Derek's version too.
The main point of the Tune of The Month to me, is a way of exploring a tune yourself and seeing what others do with it as well. There is always something in everyone's posts which we can all learn from and take on board.
I'm always interested in what people do with a tune, too many to name and thank - but in no particular order Derek, Clive, Anahata, Squeezy and everyone who would make the list too long including some bloke called GBH - Guy someone.... ;) (lol - Derek and Clive - wasn't that Pete Cook and Dudley Moore...!!)
We all have our own way of knocking out a tune.....
Keep squeezing
Alan
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Aww, I was reasonably happy with my original attempt at The Ash Grove when I first did it, but now I've seen what others have been able to do, I feel a bit :'( . I know it shouldn't really be any sort of surprise, but DTN's, in particular, just leaves me feeling like I don't know what I'm doing. That middle section, where Derek takes it into those minor variations, seems just magical to me - yet it just comes down to one person playing one box.
Almo's, too, impresses me, in so far that he's taken a studio-based approach to his arrangements and made it work in a way that really sets him apart. To me, I see that as a reminder that there are so many more approaches and possibilities available, if you take the trouble to look for them.
I guess I just need to go and practice more. A lot more...
We all do mate - that's the fun! Everyone has different strengths, and brings different things to their versions, but equally that means that everyone can learn something off other videos. Chordally on the treble, you (and many others!) are stronger than me; I guess I really should practice that part of my playing, and what you're doing. Squeezy's bass work is just out of this world, and frankly I don't think I'll get that with any amount of practice. Likewise, Almo's production quality makes me aware of what can be done; I don't feel the need to match it, but it does help me improve my recording standards a bit. I have a liking for slow stuff, messing around with time signatures, and tune modes, and hopefully other people can get a few ideas off that. With this particular tune, if you haven't tried it as a minor tune, do so (just hack the key signature in the ABC file to Dmin and then transpose it to Am, Em or Bm), because it's *gorgeous*... it doesn't need to be sped up into a jig really; it's great as a slow minor tune, and it's a snippet of that that you're hearing in DTN's lovely version.
Cheers,
Clive
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I'm still figuring out how to play this tune myself! I'm leaning towards a version in G...
Heh. So much for that! I did *try* to play it straight, then I discovered how nice it sounds in a minor key, and then I figured out that it really makes a cracking jig with a bit of shoehorning, rewiring and generally ripping it apart. It sounds nothing like the original now, I admit, but it did start out as the Ash Grove, and if you listen *really* carefully, you might just be able to hear the original tune gasping for air, trying to escape.
So here we have ... the Ash Grove Jig!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdrKGhVp4gw
Played on the Hohner Preciosa in Bb/Eb (so this is in C minor again), because let's face it, it's the zippiest, boogiest box I've got!
Cheers,
Clive
Sounds it could be danced mazurka, doesn't it ?
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When it looked as if Mr Beveridge's Maggot was going to win the pole for tune of the month I chivvied Danny Chapman to have a go at it as he's already played it fairly well on concertina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHw2xeGtBo8).
I don't think he's a member here yet but perhaps he's a lurker. Seems like he's had a bit of a go at the Ash Grove (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT6TEj7wtBc) and even acknowledged melnet's tune of the month as his inspiration!
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When it looked as if Mr Beveridge's Maggot was going to win the pole for tune of the month I chivvied Danny Chapman to have a go at it as he's already played it fairly well on concertina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHw2xeGtBo8).
I don't think he's a member here yet but perhaps he's a lurker. Seems like he's had a bit of a go at the Ash Grove (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT6TEj7wtBc) and even acknowledged melnet's tune of the month as his inspiration!
That's lovely. This tune has really become changed for me. Thanks to Mel.net TOTM squeezers. Thanks Danny and Tallship (:)
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I don't think he's a member here yet but perhaps he's a lurker. Seems like he's had a bit of a go at the Ash Grove (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT6TEj7wtBc) and even acknowledged melnet's tune of the month as his inspiration!
Wow! I'd forgotten he played cello too, and I don't think I've seen him play a melodeon before.
My first thought was : hey, I could do that (:)
And my second thought was: no, I couldn't :(
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My first thought was : hey, I could do that (:)
And my second thought was: no, I couldn't :(
Oh yes you could >:E :D
I've just had a look at this tune and had a play through. There's one very dodgy part in the middle that sounds like the National Anthem (and not the Welsh one :P)... and that's just putting me off.............I'll work through it though :|||:
cheers
Sandy
(:)
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Here's my ditty of a dirge ::)
I used a strange low sounding single reed setting on the DG Saltarelle Nuage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVoAuDh_91o
cheers
Sandy
(:)
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Here's my ditty of a dirge ::)
I used a strange low sounding single reed setting on the DG Saltarelle Nuage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVoAuDh_91o
cheers
Sandy
(:)
Very majestic with the nice minors in there - lovely
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Lovely Sandy!
great to see you've got the video camera working again, it's great to actually see what you're doing, even if I can't emulate it as well as I'ld like :(
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Thank you both......I wasn't sure at first about a total sombre version but it seemed apt ....
Ash Grove did remind me of my 'yoof' and old paper round in West London. It was in Ash Grove that I found an injured pigeon. I put the papers under a bush (it was raining) and took the pigeon in the bag back home to my dad' aviary.
To cut a long story short..the papers got wet..... I got the sack....and the pigeon died :o
sorry, just thought I'd share that with you
Sandy
:D
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No it works so well. As for the pigeon - the famous Dominique Forge scottiche sansonnet is named after a dying starling. Incidentally I got an email for Dominique who is touring UK in October with his band and was after a fill-in gig
BandaBéro sera ..
à Norwich le mercredi 26 Oct - à Sommerset le jeudi 27 Oct
à St albans le samedi 29 Oct - à Bath le dimanche 30 Oct
PS - it might have been me that shot the pigeon after what they did to my car. Those ash (yes, really) shoots seem to ' go straight through them'! Then set like concrete overnight >:(
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I put the papers under a bush (it was raining) and took the pigeon in the bag back home to my dad' aviary.
To cut a long story short..the papers got wet..... I got the sack....and the pigeon died :o
sorry, just thought I'd share that with you
Sandy
:D
But... your intentions were beyond reproach ;D ;D ;D
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Here's my ditty of a dirge ::)
I used a strange low sounding single reed setting on the DG Saltarelle Nuage.
Sandy
(:)
Very beautiful. I love that "strange low sounding single reed." I use that setting a lot on my Pastourelle. I call it "playing the Low Lonesome."
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Variations and Impersonations, in the which The Ash Grove sometimes pretends to be other tunes with varying degrees of success...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGyGn9hRbp0
As writted in the YouTube intro:
I sat down tinkering with this tune and had no idea what I was going to do with it. When I tried making varations, it kept on trying to turn into other tunes and pieces of music. So now we have a set of classical-style variations with several impersonations of other tunes:
- played straight apart form the fluffed notes
- as a mazurka
- a polka that turned into the slow movement of Haydn's "Surprise" symphony
- the obligatory minor key variation
- a version that is trying to impersonate Stoney Steps (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MJLh_Wzh9E to compare with the real thing)
Tech note: I finally cracked the problem with weird grey pixellated video corruption at the start - by uploading in a .MKV container file instead of .MP4 :Ph :|glug :|glug
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Variations and Impersonations, in the which The Ash Grove sometimes pretends to be other tunes with varying degrees of success...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGyGn9hRbp0
A splendid medley of variations - inspiration to us all :-)
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Variations and Impersonations, in the which The Ash Grove sometimes pretends to be other tunes with varying degrees of success...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGyGn9hRbp0
This, along with other submissions this month, is a great example of "possibility thinking". We can improve our playing not only by trying more challenging pieces but taking a simple piece and seeing what musical possibilities we can discover.
TOTM in all its glory!
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Variations and Impersonations, in the which The Ash Grove sometimes pretends to be other tunes with varying degrees of success...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGyGn9hRbp0
Brilliant, Anahata - your variations work really well. It deserves to become part of your concert/festival repertoire.
Andy
PS Just realised who it reminds me of - Messrs Sartin and Hutchinson in Belshazzars Feast.
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Had friends round yesterday so we gave "the Ash grove" a go. I kept getting lost ::) but enjoyed it anyway :||:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q78afuN12HQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q78afuN12HQ)
Louise
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Variations and Impersonations, in the which The Ash Grove sometimes pretends to be other tunes with varying degrees of success...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGyGn9hRbp0
Absolutely brilliant! Thank you! (:)
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Variations and Impersonations, in the which The Ash Grove sometimes pretends to be other tunes with varying degrees of success...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGyGn9hRbp0
Absolutely brilliant! Thank you! (:)
+1 +1 +1
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Variations and Impersonations, in the which The Ash Grove sometimes pretends to be other tunes with varying degrees of success...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGyGn9hRbp0
Goodness me I nearly swore. :Ph AMAZING !! .....but I sort of miss the signature pixelation at the beginning :P
thank you
Sandy
(:)
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Goodness me I nearly swore. :Ph
;D Actually I thought you especially might appreciate the Stoney Steps variant, having had a go at learning the tune yourself.
I sort of miss the signature pixelation at the beginning
Oh, I know how to do that now if you want it :P
Thanks to all who made such positive comments. I was really nervous about doing this in case it should turn out just too silly.
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Variations and Impersonations, in the which The Ash Grove sometimes pretends to be other tunes with varying degrees of success...
Brill! This is excellent on the level of Swarbick's "The Trip We Took Over the Mountain" or, dare I say it, Mozart's "Twinkle Variations."
Very inspiring.
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WOW! that is amazing - especially the "Stoney Ash Grove Steps" 8)
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Had friends round yesterday so we gave "the Ash grove" a go. I kept getting lost ::) but enjoyed it anyway :||:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q78afuN12HQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q78afuN12HQ)
Louise
Delightful Louise!
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Variations and Impersonations, in the which The Ash Grove sometimes pretends to be other tunes with varying degrees of success...
Wow, fabulous Anahata, the aural equivalent of reading a great story (:)
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Had friends round yesterday so we gave "the Ash grove" a go. I kept getting lost ::) but enjoyed it anyway :||:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q78afuN12HQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q78afuN12HQ)
Louise
Very nice, and I have GOT to get a pair of those socks!
(:)
Rick
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Had friends round yesterday so we gave "the Ash grove" a go. I kept getting lost ::) but enjoyed it anyway :||:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q78afuN12HQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q78afuN12HQ)
Louise
That was really lovely, Louise (and I've got a pair of those socks ;D )
Pam
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Thanks for the nice comments, glad you like the socks (hand knitted from Connemara) ;D
Louise
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I read that as "hand knitted FROM A Connemara"!
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Well, this has been a humbling experience, but I gave the Ash Grove a try and put it on You Tube. I'm a real beginner--I got the box in mid-March and have been practicing steadily, trying to make the switch from PA to button box. Here is the evidence that it will be a steep learning curve! I tried to Irish up the tune a bit to make it easier for me (I play Irish music on the PA), and also to distract from the fact that I can't play the basses at all yet. I'm practicing them, but they are hard for me, and the Paolo Soprani factory set-up is quite frustrating with no D major on the push. So, with all of those disclaimers, here's my entry! I love this instrument and am having lots of fun so far. The next video will be a little bit better, I imagine. :|||:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftBLCTp4zV0
Suzanne
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Hi Suzanne,
Well I think that is worth a pat on the back. It seems you have learned your way around the B/C in a very short time. It always strikes me that it would be a tricky thing to convert from Accordion to Melodeon and get used to the 'push-me-pull-you' thingy ;).
I had a go on a B/C and it turned my head around !
So, I think......Very ~Well done~ and I look forward to hearing more from you.
Roland
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Thanks very much Roland. I appreciate the encouraging words! (:) Suzanne
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Well I think that is worth a pat on the back.
I agree. Well done.
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thank you Gary! (:)
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My contribution for this month -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHhlFSLJYA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHhlFSLJYA)
BTW the "flashing lights" are not flashing at all. It's a strobe effect.
Howard
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Thanks Howard, great update and on top of the instrument; or in other words
you got it Roll'n. Appreciate the hard work you have done going thru those schemes!
Your a strong player too!!
Larry
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My contribution for this month -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHhlFSLJYA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHhlFSLJYA)
BTW the "flashing lights" are not flashing at all. It's a strobe effect.
Howard
Nice playing Howard, ;)
but I'm still not a fan of midi boxes.. :'(
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I'm a real beginner
...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftBLCTp4zV0
Pretty d**n good for a beginner.
It's clear that you know what you want to do with the music; it won't take long for your fingers to catch up.
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Well, this has been a humbling experience, but I gave the Ash Grove a try and put it on You Tube. I'm a real beginner--I got the box in mid-March and have been practicing steadily, trying to make the switch from PA to button box. Here is the evidence that it will be a steep learning curve! I tried to Irish up the tune a bit to make it easier for me (I play Irish music on the PA), and also to distract from the fact that I can't play the basses at all yet. I'm practicing them, but they are hard for me, and the Paolo Soprani factory set-up is quite frustrating with no D major on the push. So, with all of those disclaimers, here's my entry! I love this instrument and am having lots of fun so far. The next video will be a little bit better, I imagine. :|||:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftBLCTp4zV0
Suzanne
That's really nice. Well done to play a B/C! My hubby does that and is brilliant and I just can't understand how much patience it requires to find notes!!! I fiddle around some on the anglo concertina which is a bit more like the D/G or G/C but with extra buttons. I admire anyone who manages to make melodies on a B/C box. Looking forward to hearing more!
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Thanks to Anahata and to Susi for the kind words. Anahata--I very much enjoyed your clever variations on the Ash Grove! Susi, I'm glad to know that a "mixed marriage" between a B/C player and a D/G player can work! (:) Suzanne
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Thanks to Anahata and to Susi for the kind words. Anahata--I very much enjoyed your clever variations on the Ash Grove! Susi, I'm glad to know that a "mixed marriage" between a B/C player and a D/G player can work! (:) Suzanne
Hahahaha, yeah, it works! In emergency cases I have an octave mandolin to back him with, although my goal is to play along on the Irish tunes with the concertina.
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Ash Grove After some wine
Just watched Dr Who, had a nice steak and some wine - I know - I'll record Ash Grove...
Sorry about the sound quality - I didn't balance anything... :|glug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_G12UF2JtU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_G12UF2JtU)
Almo :|glug :||: :|glug
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Well, this has been a humbling experience, but I gave the Ash Grove a try and put it on You Tube. I'm a real beginner-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftBLCTp4zV0
Suzanne
Bloody well done!!! That sounds lovely, the basses will come (:)
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Thank you Juker! That is very encouraging! :|||:
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Ash Grove After some wine
Just watched Dr Who, had a nice steak and some wine - I know - I'll record Ash Grove...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_G12UF2JtU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_G12UF2JtU)
So lovely! I think I'll give the steak and wine a try
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Ash Grove After some wine
Just watched Dr Who, had a nice steak and some wine - I know - I'll record Ash Grove...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_G12UF2JtU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_G12UF2JtU)
So lovely! I think I'll give the steak and wine a try
If I'd had any more wine - I'd have been in 'default box' mode..there is only one tune I remember when too 'relaxed' shall I say - that's Speed The Plough played on auto pilot.
Oh memories of the Beer Tent at Stainsby Folk Festival years ago....drinking and playing some session tunes with two fiddlers from the Old Rope String Band... :|glug :|glug
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Here's a second offering played on a Dallape Club melodeon in C/F. As you can see, this instrument is very old and needs new bellows. It's a three reed box with a switch behind the finger board to remove the low reed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Vz9xxPO-8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Vz9xxPO-8)
I used the reversed C on the F row which the club layout provides as I would normally use this reversal on the half row of other instruments.
I don't have the means of removing thirds on the bass so the Gm becomes an Gm7 by using an G bass and Bb chord.
I don't use the 2 accidental button in this tune. The box also has other accidentals at the end of the row.
Howard
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Here's a second offering played on a Dallape Club melodeon in C/F.
Really lovely and a great box too!
Louise
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There are so many great renditions this month!
Here is mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOAjziAc9wY
Thought I would practice some counterpoint, and cadences. :)
Here is the MIDI if you wish to play along. Just change txt to mid.
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It looks like there just might be a flurry of submissions late in the month.
Here's mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVAMAzBw_gg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVAMAzBw_gg)
"There's jaunty, there's minor and a bass run that could be finer ..."
... well those are the words in my head as I play such a well-known tune ;) (so I've put in each of them!)
It's also my first go with a "proper" mic to record the audio - the iphone audio recording isn't bad, but it doesn't do justice in the end. Let me know what you think of the audio quality too?
Thanks
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played on a Dallape Club melodeon in C/F.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Vz9xxPO-8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Vz9xxPO-8)
Howard, this instrument sounds terrific and your playing is perfect to my taste. It is interesting that you play sequences of push-pull-push-pull where a regular Club player would play cross-row pull or push runs. This is nice example, IMHO, that a Club can be played in a number of ways. Thank You for the music for this morning!
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My contribution for this month -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHhlFSLJYA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHhlFSLJYA)
BTW the "flashing lights" are not flashing at all. It's a strobe effect.
Howard
Sings: ' I play a black and white one, that's got a flashing light on - and at the push of a button can play different keys......' ;)
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On we move to the next tune folks; late submissions as ever always welcome!
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Didn't quite make it under the wire this month! But here is my contribution, tardy as it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnpxCLvpsg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnpxCLvpsg)
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Didn't quite make it under the wire this month! But here is my contribution, tardy as it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnpxCLvpsg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnpxCLvpsg)
Very very nice - the box sounds lovely too
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Very very nice - the box sounds lovely too
Kind words, Almo...thanks very much.
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Here is my attempt ...
http://youtu.be/LGythjctcHE (http://youtu.be/LGythjctcHE)
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Here is my attempt ...
http://youtu.be/LGythjctcHE (http://youtu.be/LGythjctcHE)
Rock steady rhythm. A tendency to drop the bass side when you think it won't work for you which is good thinking and adds to the tune rather than diminishing it. Again a gentle criticism if you'll allow, once or twice you needed it bit more wellie on the pull to keep the reeds going but the box is new to you so fair play.
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Here is my attempt ...
http://youtu.be/LGythjctcHE (http://youtu.be/LGythjctcHE)
Rock steady rhythm. A tendency to drop the bass side when you think it won't work for you which is good thinking and adds to the tune rather than diminishing it. Again a gentle criticism if you'll allow, once or twice you needed it bit more wellie on the pull to keep the reeds going but the box is new to you so fair play.
Again, Thanks Pete. Its very helpfull to me to have good constructive feed back. Always happy to try an give it a bit more wellie! javascript:void(0);
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Here's my version played on a Hohner Erica GC. I chopped this out of one of my blogs!
http://youtu.be/I_RMiVo73qM