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[strad]

One of my polkas that I hope people will try. I think it's an easy tune to play.

X:1
T:The Asta Polka
C:Nigel Hallett
L:1/8
M:4/4
K:G
BA|G2 G2 G2 AB|c2 E2 A3 G|F2 A2 D2 EF|GABc d2 BA|
G2 G2 G2 AB|c2 E2 A3 G|F2 A2 D2 EF|G2 G,2 G,2:|
Bc|d2 B2 g3 f|e2 A2 A2 FG|A2 F2 f3 e|d2 G2 G2 AB|
c2 A2 f2 e2|d2 A2 f4|a2 f2 d2 ef|g2 G2 G2:|

Seasons Greetings
Nigel

[Stiamh]

Very nice, Nigel, thanks!

In Ireland you'd most likely call that a barn dance - to distinguish it from Cork / Kerry polkas, which have a different feel altogether.

[waltzman]

Very nice, Nigel, thanks!

In Ireland you'd most likely call that a barn dance - to distinguish it from Cork / Kerry polkas, which have a different feel altogether.

How can you tell what the 'feel' is just from looking at the melody?

[strad]

I wish I knew! My tune writing is affected by the music I play. This wanders through Irish, Shetland, English, Scottish, Scandinavian, American & Canadian. The tune I posted ain't a march or a reel or a hornpipe so perhaps it's a polka and that's what I called it. It certainly fits that type of dance where I do most of my playing. Anyway, I just enjoy writing and playing all types of music whatever it's called.

[Tyker]

How can you tell what the 'feel' is just from looking at the melody?

Playing the ABC will give you a 'guestimation'. I have trouble knowing when a tune is a scottische
as it's not a dance I have done .

[Theo]

Very nice, Nigel, thanks!

In Ireland you'd most likely call that a barn dance - to distinguish it from Cork / Kerry polkas, which have a different feel altogether.

In England, especially southern England, it would very definitely be a polka, the first 4 bars have very much the same rhythm as Astleys Ride.   In the north of England it might speed up slightly and become a rant.  I agree its not like a typical Kerry polka.

[Stiamh]

How can you tell what the 'feel' is just from looking at the melody?

Well, time signature is one clue - Kerry polkas would be written in 2/4, and the way the notes are grouped together and broken up is another. For example Nigel's tune has some figures very characteristic of the "barndance" type of polka, including the three crotchet Gs in the first bar and at the end of each part (the type of figure you get in a lot of hornpipes and rants too). 

Many people can sightread a tune, either in their heads, or to sing, you know - especially people who have sung in choirs! I can't do it perfectly but I could make a passable attempt at singing a simple tune like that from the music. Enough to give me the gist without maybe some of the finer melodic points.

In this case I didn't judge the feel from looking anyway, I picked up a whistle lying on the desk and played it to myself and thought: this would make a great tune for a barndance!

Here are some typical Cork/Kerry polkas: http://www.rogermillington.com/steam/lonesomepolkas.mp3http://www.rogermillington.com/steam/barn_dances.mp3

[ghijze mitter hacken]

In the Netherlands it is just a polka, play it a bit slower and it is schottish. Nice tune.

[Québécois]

[finnhorse]

I like your tune a lot!  Are you publishing anything?  Keep us informed if you do (or at least me :)).

It could sound nice with this schottis:

X:1
T:Schottis Fran Norrgimma
C:Lars-Olof Larsson
L:1/8
M:4/4
K: G maj
d2|\
B2 d2 G2 AB | c2 e2 A3 g | f2 ga d2 ef | .g2 gf (3efe d2 |
B2 d2 G2 AB | c2 e2 A3 g | f2 ga d2 ef | g2 b2 g2 :|
Bc|\
d2 Bd g2 B2 | cBcd .e2 e2 | D2 FA d2 F2 | GABc d2 Bc |
d2 Bd g2 B2 | cBcd .e2 e2 | D2 FA dcBA | G2 g2 g2 :|

[strad]

I love the rhythm of the two sets that Steve posted links to. Not too fast but with a hell of a bounce to them. Great.

When I write tunes I like to write them in pairs so I have a ready built set rather than going hunting for something to match the first tune. So this weekend I wrote a tune to go with the Asta Polka. When I emerged from my cubby-hole my wife said "Who are you?" The answer being "I'm fine. Whoose yourself?" Silence reigns!

X:2
T:The Setter Polka
C:Nigel Hallett
L:1/8
M:4/4
K:G
gf|g2 d2 B2 d2|e2 c2 A2-AG|F2 A2 f2 e2|d^cde d2 gf|
g2 d2 B2 d2|e2 c2 e2 de|fedc B2 A2| G2 G2 G2:|
Bc|d2 B2 d2 gf|e2 c2 A2-AB|c2 A2 f2 fe|d^cde d2 Bc|
d2 B2 d2 cd|e2 c2 e2 de|fedc B2 A2|G2 G2 G2:|

Have fun!

[finnhorse]

Strad,

Tried to send you a PM but I'm not sure if it went through because I cant see it in the outbox.

Cheers.

[Bill Young]

Strad,

Tried to send you a PM but I'm not sure if it went through because I cant see it in the outbox.

When you send a PM, you have to tick the box "Save a copy in my outbox " to keep a copy. (It would be better if this was the default).

EDIT: Well, whadda ya know? It can be made a default in "Profile - Personal Message Options".

[finnhorse]

Strad,

Tried to send you a PM but I'm not sure if it went through because I cant see it in the outbox.

When you send a PM, you have to tick the box "Save a copy in my outbox " to keep a copy. (It would be better if this was the default).

EDIT: Well, whadda ya know? It can be made a default in "Profile - Personal Message Options".

Thanks, BIll, hadn't noticed that feature before.