Melodeon.net Forums
Discussions => Tune of the Month => Topic started by: Clive Williams on August 01, 2020, 07:29:10 AM
-
With thanks to Paedar for his most excellent suggestion, Civil Engineering it is! That means anything covering manmade construction, so roads, tunnels, bridges, etc, all fair game. So would towns (a collection of buildings and roads!), and I do encourage the stretching of the theme in any way possible; the more stretched the connection, the better!
If you really can't think of anything, perhaps you might write something and name it after a local piece of civil engineering of note; around Milton Keynes, for example, I don't think anyone's written a tune called 250 roundabouts... yet. Who knows, there might be soon!
Cheers,
Clive
-
With thanks to Paedar for his most excellent suggestion, Civil Engineering it is! That means anything covering manmade construction, so roads, tunnels, bridges, etc, all fair game. So would towns (a collection of buildings and roads!), and I do encourage the stretching of the theme in any way possible; the more stretched the connection, the better!
If you really can't think of anything, perhaps you might write something and name it after a local piece of civil engineering of note; around Milton Keynes, for example, I don't think anyone's written a tune called 250 roundabouts... yet. Who knows, there might be soon!
Cheers,
Clive
:||:To get into the mood: this piece from 2 years ago, work-holiday in France. I played the melodeon and our friend wrote the lyrics. https://youtu.be/TozR4YzSLjA
Google translate: we are the workers
fierce workers, we solidify stone, solidify stone, solidify stone stone stone
we have to execution, we have to drag and are happy 1 for 1
we are the savage workers, we saw wood, wood, wood, we have to carry, we have to build
we are happy, young and old
we are the ferocious workers
forging steel, forging steel, forging steel, steel steel,
we have to burn, we have to smoke
and are all happy
we are the girls, the beautiful girls
we are so gentle, gentle gentle we will dance
we will sing, we will make love through the night
we are the workers, savage workers
and we are ready, then we are going to drink, we are going to smell, and we are happy together
we are the savage workers, and if we go
then our lives of work remain written
forever as scratches in the stone
-
That was very nice, Janneke. Mind you, it sounded very Russian to my ears, and the "girls" was stretching it a bit, but still beautiful.
-
Thanks Clive!
Civil Engineering seemed a good idea when I suggested it. ::)
I am not convinced that towns as such are civil engineering works- and town walls are definitely out - that's military engineering. Drains on the other hand are in, as are canals, docks, lighthouses, dams, railways and polders.
I would look at the Civil Engineering theme from the opposite direction- and suggest contributors focus on tunes closely associated with civil engineering - but not neccessarily tunes with British/anglophone roots.
As a starting point consider: Major works celebrated by dedicated tunes - The High Level, commorating the 1840's building of the High Level Bridge across the Tyne an obvious example. Others (often songs) celebrated the armies of construction workers that lived in site based camps during the construction of major projects - MacAlpine's Fusiiers a well known example and Finally tunes associated with the generic celebrtion when the job was over - "See the conquering hero comes" appears to have been hot favourite at railway openings in the mid 19th century.
And as Clive says if you are really stuck be inspired - if only by the roundabouts of Milton Keynes (or Livingston, Lothian - "Baile nan Dotaman").
Thanks again Clive...I'll squeeze something out of the concrete pump this month.
(:)
-
Dan gaan we drinken, Totdat we stinken
I love many things about the the Dutch, especially their sense of humour.
Also, it does indeed sound very Russian. I assume it's meant to be a parody of a Soviet government approved workers' song.
-
:||:To get into the mood: this piece from 2 years ago, work-holiday in France. I played the melodeon and our friend wrote the lyrics. https://youtu.be/TozR4YzSLjA
Janneke - That's fantastic - love it.
-
town walls are definitely out - that's military engineering. Drains on the other hand are in
I think walls are fine.
As for drains: when I younger I met some civil engineering students and what they dreamed about was sewage schemes. It takes all sorts...
The High Level
Shush now, I was hoping to sneak that in before someone else thought of it....
-
Peadar, are you going to give us a rendition of the Kishorn Commandos. They are near enough to your neck of the woods. ;D
-
That was very nice, Janneke. Mind you, it sounded very Russian to my ears, and the "girls" was stretching it a bit, but still beautiful.
Thank you! It is an Italian song. Bella Ciao: According wikipedia: "Bella ciao" (Italian pronunciation: [ˈbɛlla ˈtʃaːo]; "Goodbye beautiful") is an Italian protest folk song that originated in the hardships of the mondina women, the paddy field workers in the late 19th century who sang it to protest against harsh working conditions in the paddy fields of North Italy. The song was modified and adopted as an anthem of the anti-fascist resistance by the Italian partisans between 1943 and 1945 during the Italian Resistance, the resistance of Italian partisans against the Nazi German forces occupying Italy, and, during the Italian Civil War, the Italian partisan struggle against the fascist Italian Social Republic and its Nazi German allies. Versions of "Bella ciao" are sung worldwide as an anti-fascist hymn of freedom and resistance.
-
Peadar, are you going to give us a rendition of the Kishorn Commandos. They are near enough to your neck of the woods. ;D
I was hoping you'd get there first 8)
-
Thanks again Clive...I'll squeeze something out of the concrete pump this month.
(:)
The Skye Bridge Song (same tune as the Skye Boat Song, because it crosses the same bit of water)?
-
Peadar, are you going to give us a rendition of the Kishorn Commandos. They are near enough to your neck of the woods. ;D
I was hoping you'd get there first 8)
I wish I had the dots or ABC for that tune.
-
Thanks again Clive...I'll squeeze something out of the concrete pump this month.
(:)
The Skye Bridge Song (same tune as the Skye Boat Song, because it crosses the same bit of water)?
Different bit of water. Different Song. Different Tune.
Orain na Drochaide (i.e. Song of the Bridge) was made as a campaign song by Dr Angus MacDonald circa 1995, during the campaign to get the tolls off the newly opened bridge. I can only remember one verse and the seisd.
Oran na Drochaide
le Dr. Aonghas Domhnullach
Cuiridh sinn as na cisean na drochaide,
Ged bheireadh e bliadhn' is Cuirt na Roinn Eorpa,
Cuiridh sinn as na cisean na drochaide.
Thuirt Michael Forsyth nach phaigheadh e sgillin,
Sin mus chual' e mu Myrna 's na gillean,
Cuiridh sinn as na cisean na drochaide.
It isn't my song - so if anyone wants to use Google translate please do it privately.
Typo corrected. Accents omitted.
-
Quick! Getting in this tune before anyone else does (everyone should feel free to post their own version of tunes already played of course, I'm just kidding).
I've gone for Jon Swayne's 'Motorway Mazurka' :-)
https://youtu.be/bupb_Aj39y8
Played on the Van der Aa in G/C, in C.
-
I've gone for Jon Swayne's 'Motorway Mazurka' :-)
https://youtu.be/bupb_Aj39y8
Played on the Van der Aa in G/C, in C.
Clive, that's lovely. I knew you'd do more justice to the VdA than I ever could....
-
Cheers Guy :-) It's a lovely box!
-
I'm not having any luck working out the notes to Stairway to Heaven
JM
-
I'm not having any luck working out the notes to Stairway to Heaven
JM
;D ;D ;D
Highway to Hell?
-
I'm not having any luck working out the notes to Stairway to Heaven
JM
;D ;D ;D
Highway to Hell?
Road to Nowhere?...(Actually that fits on the box....) :|glug
-
Of course, why didn't I remember it sooner. The ultimate civil engineer Calum MacLeod , as in Calum's Road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkFpEi0FCDw
Sir John
-
Thank you Sir John...... Looks like I was beaten to it!
'Calum's Road' is a favourite of mine and fitted the category perfectly. Need to think again.
Nice sounding box too....
Q
-
I'm not having any luck working out the notes to Stairway to Heaven
JM
It's based on the 6th degree of the Maj scale, the Aeolian Mode. On my G/C it works in C with the LH chords as well. Transpose to fit your box?
-
Thank you Sir John...... Looks like I was beaten to it!
'Calum's Road' is a favourite of mine and fitted the category perfectly. Need to think again.
Nice sounding box too....
Q
Anything closer to home? Is there not a local tune/song commemorating the Saltash Bridge?
P
-
Err.... not that I know of.
I know good old Isambard did much to celebrate but the Saltash bridge *connects* Devon to Cornwall
>:E
I'll have to get my act together, stop digging holes in the garden and see if I can get around to recording something.
I've realised my version of Calum's Road is played with a Devonshire accent so it is different ;)
Cheers.
Q
-
Thank you Sir John...... Looks like I was beaten to it!
'Calum's Road' is a favourite of mine and fitted the category perfectly. Need to think again.
Nice sounding box too....
Q
Anything closer to home? Is there not a local tune/song commemorating the Saltash Bridge?
P
There's Farewell to Kingsbridge, but it's Kingsbridge New York
-
Bridge over the River Kwai? Not exactly "civil" engineering though.
Bob.
-
Right, before I wreck my arms digging ( more ) holes in the garden, here's my version of Calum's Road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gaR0Kyzc3g
I think the original's in the ley of D and I thought I played it in D but of course I don't, it's in the key of G!
I first heard it when Owen Woods of this parish demonstrated his - then - new Bergflodt melodeon and played it and I really liked it.
There's a fascinating story behind it. Essentially building a road on Raasay armed with a pick axe, shovel, wheelbarrow and a road building manual two brothers Malcolm
( Calum ) and Charles MacLeod built a 1 3/4 mile long road on the island cos no one else would.
Civil Engineering at its absolute basics and good for them!
cheers
Q
-
An Anne Lorne Gillies number......one of her lesser known songs, from a tape she made in the 1980's. Just one verse 'cos I can't find the tape or the book.
The song tells of the consequences of inadequate local authority bridge maintenance budgets. The tune may be familiar. Substitute words in your regional language and the name of a major bridge near you according to taste.
https://youtu.be/-wR4P5P3_i8
(Posted in case I don't have time to learn anything more sophisticated this month)
-
Right, before I wreck my arms digging ( more ) holes in the garden, here's my version of Calum's Road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gaR0Kyzc3g
Ana mhath agus moran taing- Way above my level but very nice to hear your version- and many thanks
P.
-
Thanks Peadar.
It's a lovely tune and an equally lovely story behind it, a favourite of mine.
Q
-
consequences of inadequate local authority bridge maintenance budgets
I was surprised and amused :||:
-
Try again - Down the Road
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xnnOWw0xwg
-
A nice blast from the past for me there Lester!
Thanks for that.
Q
-
Try again - Down the Road
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xnnOWw0xwg
Beat me to that one...whilst I was researching its origins I found a version recorded by Reg Hall and a concertina player(not Scan) :|glug in Scan Tester's house...I'd like to pretend I learned my version from that, but, like most of us I suspect mine came from the Flowers and Frolics third of the Holy Trinity.
As Q says, a nice blast from the past... :|glug
-
Since we seem tp have got onto bridges, this is one of my favourite songs of that oeuvre. It's a song I always associate with Jacqui & Bridie who were the first peeps I heard singing it.
Anyway, apart from all that, it would make a good melodeon tune, repeat the chorus, and there you go, The Humber Bridge Song.
Sir John
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvuQJNVDJYk
-
And yet another road...an Anglicised (some might say bastardised...) version of an Irish Set Dance.
The Lodge Road
https://youtu.be/ch1fzh-CPMU
Not sure where I learned this from, but Martin Ellison may have had something to do with it...
Telling me it's unavailable...I'll have a mess later...seems to be working now... :Ph
-
And yet another road...an Anglicised (some might say bastardised...) version of an Irish Set Dance.
The Lodge Road.
So jolly!
I must ask, are there actually Danish cookies in the box behind you or is it holding sewing equipment?
-
And yet another road...an Anglicised (some might say bastardised...) version of an Irish Set Dance.
The Lodge Road.
So jolly!
I must ask, are (:) there actually Danish cookies in the box behind you or is it holding sewing equipment?
There were before the grandchildren called round.... (:)
-
Thank you Sir John...... Looks like I was beaten to it!
'Calum's Road' is a favourite of mine and fitted the category perfectly. Need to think again.
Nice sounding box too....
Q
Anything closer to home? Is there not a local tune/song commemorating the Saltash Bridge?
P
There's Farewell to Kingsbridge, but it's Kingsbridge New York
Menai Bridge and Craigellachie Bridge are both closer - and both of them engineered by Thomas Telford. John Smeaton the first man to call himself a civilian engineer - as distinct from a military engineer and whose Eddystone lighthouse was eventually rebuilt on Plymouth Hoe engineered i.e. designed the Brig o'Perth. Regretably all three tunes well above my current capabilties but all on folktune finder. If only I could find a tune dedicated to sewers....
-
The nearest that I can think of is perhaps, "Down where the drunkards roll", but I cannot bring it all to mind at the mo.
-
And yet another road...an Anglicised (some might say bastardised...) version of an Irish Set Dance.
The Lodge Road
So that's what can be done on a Preciosa! Great energy and precision.
-
So that's what can be done on a Preciosa! Great energy and precision.
Pretty sure this is a Liliput
-
Thanks Baz, really enjoyed that!
Another blast from the past (:)
Q
-
The nearest that I can think of is perhaps, "Down where the drunkards roll", but I cannot bring it all to mind at the mo.
There is a Percy French song in ballad form: "The Lay of William, Inspector of Drains". Anyone know the tune?
-
We seem to be straying from tunes, but as Peader asked for a sewer song, you can thank the late great Sydney Carter for this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHbGjA_RXaY
SJ
-
...If only I could find a tune dedicated to sewers....
Nearest I could think of is the muckspreader song: Fling it here...
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=the+muckspreader+song
-
Nearest I could think of is the muckspreader song: Fling it here...
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=the+muckspreader+song
Oh dear. This isn't a Traditional muckspreading song from Dorset, England but was composed by Stuart Lawrence from Dalton in Cumbria. The Yetties heard it and asked Stuart if they could sing it. They altered the chorus and changed the tune from the one that Stuart wrote to the well known Villikins and his Dinah tune. Stuart wasn't impressed.
-
So that's what can be done on a Preciosa! Great energy and precision.
Pretty sure this is a Liliput
And you'd be correct...quite why I put Preciosa I have no idea...I don't think I've ever played one :|bl
Can we just pretend I pput a deliberate mistake in to see if anyone actually watched the video? >:E
-
Nearest I could think of is the muckspreader song: Fling it here...
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=the+muckspreader+song
...They altered the chorus and changed the tune from the one that Stuart wrote to the well known Villikins and his Dinah tune. Stuart wasn't impressed.
Thanks for the info. Seems like thetraditional folk ripoff process in action.
-
https://youtu.be/FSMewc97TQU
Delving into the w.i.p box again. The New Ipswich Town Hall Polka. Commissioned by Neil Bateman for Ipswich Jazz Festival 2018 and the 150th anniversary of the opening of the 'New' Town Hall. Composed by Chris Ingham and George Double and first performed at the festival by a Jazz ensemble. Neil kindly sourced a 'top line' notation for me. Here shoehorned onto a Hohner DG pokerwork and played in 'Suffolk' polka style. (The video is also a piece of prefabricated civil engineering, segmented and built). There are eight sections, arranged as four 'AB's here, intro and outro, comes in at about six minutes.
I had intended to do more with this and still might, but this theme seemed to be a good excuse for a rough draft. I have attached my 'working' notes as a PDF. The original is more complex and out of range of the melodeon in places.
There is a recording of the debut performance at the Jazz Festival at
https://www.facebook.com/ipswichjazzfestival/videos/940928682746379/
All the best
Bill
-
We seem to be straying from tunes, but as Peader asked for a sewer song, you can thank the late great Sydney Carter for this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHbGjA_RXaY
SJ
It's all yours Sir John - I look forward to your melodeonous take on it.
-
The nearest that I can think of is perhaps, "Down where the drunkards roll", but I cannot bring it all to mind at the mo.
"Wor Geordie's lost 'is pinker" - a traditional Geordie song .....the cundy features significantly. Cundy - a type of drain/culvert
formed of a floor slab, two side walls and a cover slab. Very common form of railway culvert in southern Scotland and as sewer in older miner's rows..
-
...If only I could find a tune dedicated to sewers....
Nearest I could think of is the muckspreader song: Fling it here...
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=the+muckspreader+song
Talk about thread drift!
Sewers belong to the realm of civil engineering.....muckspreaders are in the desmene of agricultural engineering. Different branch of engineering and a different potential theme of the month. :||: >:E :||:
-
...If only I could find a tune dedicated to sewers....
Nearest I could think of is the muckspreader song: Fling it here...
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=the+muckspreader+song
Talk about thread drift!
Sewers belong to the realm of civil engineering.....muckspreaders are in the desmene of agricultural engineering. Different branch of engineering and a different potential theme of the month. :||: >:E :||:
You are, of course, absolutely right ;D
-
The Ironbridge Hornpipe
I reckon that definitely counts as Civil Engineering !
https://youtu.be/rvGHxaA_-8Q
Julian
-
The Ironbridge Hornpipe
I reckon that definitely counts as Civil Engineering !
https://youtu.be/rvGHxaA_-8Q
Julian
Certainly does. Inspirational bridge. Inspirational playing. Enjoyed listening and watching - though I'm not going to be tackling Hornpipes anytime in the foreseeable future. (:)
-
I somehow lack inspiration for this month's theme.
-
I somehow lack inspiration for this month's theme.
My next choice might be Andy Cuttings 'Long Drive'...after all a really long driveway would count as civil engineering...
J
-
I somehow lack inspiration for this month's theme.
My next choice might be Andy Cuttings 'Long Drive'...after all a really long driveway would count as civil engineering...
J
Canals might count.
-
Canals - when do you recommend Greg, in early Autumn?
;D
-
Canals - when do you recommend Greg, in early Autumn?
;D
;)
Less obviously, I see there's a reel called the Grand Canal too.
Or other large man-made bodies of water requiring excavation?? Reservoirs? Artificial lakes? I could manage a couple of those!
-
Ok here's one.
Boulevard Garibaldi. It's a bit rough as I couldn't be inspired enough to do it again.
A 2 time bourrée that would sound a lot better with Mel playing Cabrette alongside.
https://youtu.be/88bwIEZMZyQ
-
I somehow lack inspiration for this month's theme.
My next choice might be Andy Cuttings 'Long Drive'...after all a really long driveway would count as civil engineering...
J
Canals might count.
Absolutely....as do songs celebrating the men that buillt them and to the best of my knowledge songs have tunes.
-
I somehow lack inspiration for this month's theme.
My next choice might be Andy Cuttings 'Long Drive'...after all a really long driveway would count as civil engineering...
J
Canals might count.
Absolutely....as do songs celebrating the men that buillt them and to the best of my knowledge songs have tunes.
And railways...Like the ones built by men who dig ditches, wearing corduroy britches?
-
La Moulin (the mill)
https://soundcloud.com/tuftyabc/le-moulinles-korrigansmp3
Learned from a Stephan Delicq album. The only track I could manage!
-
I somehow lack inspiration for this month's theme.
My next choice might be Andy Cuttings 'Long Drive'...after all a really long driveway would count as civil engineering...
J
Canals might count.
Absolutely....as do songs celebrating the men that buillt them and to the best of my knowledge songs have tunes.
And railways...Like the ones built by men who dig ditches, wearing corduroy britches?
Yes......why the devil are lyrics (of a sort) easy to find on the net but dots damn near impossible.
-
The Ironbridge Hornpipe
I reckon that definitely counts as Civil Engineering !
https://youtu.be/rvGHxaA_-8Q
Julian
That's another one I've been beaten to...but having lived just up the hill and spent many Boxing days and New Year's Days dancing on it I may have to join you... :|glug
-
The Ironbridge Hornpipe
I reckon that definitely counts as Civil Engineering !
https://youtu.be/rvGHxaA_-8Q
Julian
That's another one I've been beaten to...but having lived just up the hill and spent many Boxing days and New Year's Days dancing on it I may have to join you... :|glug
I'm sure you can do a better version Baz ! (It's years since I lived in Ironbridge - and seems ages since I was playing at Blists Hill with the Gang and Old Bones - I'm out of practice :|glug)
J
-
The Ironbridge Hornpipe
I reckon that definitely counts as Civil Engineering !
https://youtu.be/rvGHxaA_-8Q
Julian
That's another one I've been beaten to...but having lived just up the hill and spent many Boxing days and New Year's Days dancing on it I may have to join you... :|glug
I'm sure you can do a better version Baz ! (It's years since I lived in Ironbridge - and seems ages since I was playing at Blists Hill with the Gang and Old Bones - I'm out of practice :|glug)
J
If you're out of practice I think I'm retired hurt... :|glug :|glug
-
Thanks Julian, I love a good hornpipe!
I have fond memories of dancing on Ironbridge in great company. Usually with Baz somewhere, often disappearing into the local hostelry :|glug
Plus sampling an early pint and pork pie straight out the oven from the butchers, best sunday morning breakfast ever (:)
-
Thanks Julian, I love a good hornpipe!
I have fond memories of dancing on Ironbridge in great company. Usually with Baz somewhere, often disappearing into the local hostelry :|glug
Plus sampling an early pint and pork pie straight out the oven from the butchers, best sunday morning breakfast ever (:)
Pedant alert...you danced IN Ironbridge but ON The Iron Bridge...but I'll forgive you. ;)
-
Well - it's a road.
Road to the Isles played on my Maestro
https://soundcloud.com/user-725891401/road-to-the-isles
-
Thank you for correcting me Baz, I am for ever in your debt ;D
Q
-
Well - it's a road.
Road to the Isles played on my Maestro
https://soundcloud.com/user-725891401/road-to-the-isles
Well plaid sir! Nice rythm. Very much a music hall song, but one I have always liked and, as luck would have it I was in Lochaber this very morning. ;D
-
Here's my contribution; a failed civil engineering project as the tunnel collapsed. It can be found in James Nuttalls's manuscript on the Village Music Project site. I became aware of it after hearing Dave Ball play it, an inspirational source of so many excellent tunes.
https://youtu.be/tVeSQ9UuHgY
-
Here's my contribution; a failed civil engineering project as the tunnel collapsed. It can be found in James Nuttalls's manuscript on the Village Music Project site. I became aware of it after hearing Dave Ball play it, an inspirational source of so many excellent tunes.
https://youtu.be/tVeSQ9UuHgY
Good story, nice tune and playing! One to learn...
-
Yes, I totally agree with Anahata!
Thanks Ellisteph.
Cheers.
Q
-
Thanks chaps - so pleased you liked it.
-
Great theme this month, here’s one for a bridge in the highlands of Scotland.
The Farley Bridge
https://youtu.be/EH2xWWWK-dg
A work in progress as always.
-
Great theme this month, here’s one for a bridge in the highlands of Scotland.
The Farley Bridge
https://youtu.be/EH2xWWWK-dg
A work in progress as always.
Call me biased- but I like that tune and the way you played it.
-
Great theme this month, here’s one for a bridge in the highlands of Scotland.
The Farley Bridge
https://youtu.be/EH2xWWWK-dg
A work in progress as always.
Call me biased- but I like that tune and the way you played it.
Mòran taing! 😉
-
Great theme this month, here’s one for a bridge in the highlands of Scotland.
The Farley Bridge
https://youtu.be/EH2xWWWK-dg
A work in progress as always.
Nice :-) Been learning that myself!
-
Great theme this month, here’s one for a bridge in the highlands of Scotland.
The Farley Bridge
https://youtu.be/EH2xWWWK-dg
A work in progress as always.
Call me biased- but I like that tune and the way you played it.
Mòran taing! 😉
'S e do bheatha! (:)
-
From the days when oysterband had both a definitive article and capital letters in their name a Kerry style polka from Chris Taylor of this parish.
I don't think it's quite how Chris used to play it but 1984 was a very long time ago
Spaghetti Junction... :|glug
https://youtu.be/NtQoMrtrGz4
-
Here's a quick bash through The Roman Wall. The local Britons on either side might have fancied doing that when it was built and...they may not have considered it too 'civil' either. (Would have been a bit easier if my box had a Bm instead of a Bmajor chord and I didn't want to stop out the thirds).
https://youtu.be/lYXrSFIz2Xk
-
Here's a quick bash through The Roman Wall. The local Britons on either side might have fancied doing that when it was built and...they may not have considered it too 'civil' either. (Would have been a bit easier if my box had a Bm instead of a Bmajor chord and I didn't want to stop out the thirds).
https://youtu.be/lYXrSFIz2Xk
Very spritely. 5 🌟
Question:
Can you not utilize the standard substitution of the D triad (d,f#,a) for the B triad (b,d#,f#) to get the bm7? Your percussive tap on the cited major button works just fine, though.
Well done.
-
Thanks Dick. I was doing my best to hit the B bass then the D chord. I might have managed it a couple of times! (:)
-
Thanks Dick. I was doing my best to hit the B bass then the D chord. I might have managed it a couple of times! (:)
Many times the intent itself will carry the day.
-
Dick
The more you say, the more I warm to you. There are many who fall into the opposite camp.
-
Civil engineering projects don't come much bigger than the Forth Bridge, so it's hardly surprising that someone wrote a tune for it. In fact, I've found three tunes called the Forth Bridge; two composed by Williamson Blyth - a reel and a strathspey. J. Scott Skinner also wrote one - 'The Forth Brig'. I've gone for Blyth's reel (which is probably the easiest option!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-k7kjaHEmU
-
Civil engineering projects don't come much bigger than the Forth Bridge, so it's hardly surprising that someone wrote a tune for it. In fact, I've found three tunes called the Forth Bridge; two composed by Williamson Blyth - a reel and a strathspey. J. Scott Skinner also wrote one - 'The Forth Brig'. I've gone for Blyth's reel (which is probably the easiest option!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-k7kjaHEmU
Terrific tune and lovely performance.
-
Civil engineering projects don't come much bigger than the Forth Bridge, so it's hardly surprising that someone wrote a tune for it. In fact, I've found three tunes called the Forth Bridge; two composed by Williamson Blyth - a reel and a strathspey. J. Scott Skinner also wrote one - 'The Forth Brig'. I've gone for Blyth's reel (which is probably the easiest option!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-k7kjaHEmU
Thank you! Easiest option or not, exactly the kind of nugget I was hoping someone would dig up. Nice lively tune and one that brings back a slew of memories.
The bad news is that the Strathspey and Reel were probably written as a dance set. In Scotland the "Foursome and Half Tulloch" (Foursome Reel in Strathspey time and Reel of Tulloch) is a traditional opening dance to a formal ball.
-
Yes it's another bridge! After toying with assorted roads, walls and reservoirs, I settled on Thomond Bridge, an Irish hornpipe named for the Shannon crossing in Limerick. Played under other names elsewhere but this seems to be the best known name and it appears as such in Roche, where it's in F. Attempted in D here.
First learned as a flute tune around 20 years ago from Michael Hurley in Tubbercurry but it sits nicely on melodeon (well, most of the time ::) )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNYGLALXdBI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNYGLALXdBI)
-
Big Humphrey - by Derek Pearce , in honour of the big whackers they used to use to mend the roads!
https://youtu.be/_xZz14c6f78
-
Big Humphrey - by Derek Pearce , in honour of the big whackers they used to use to mend the roads!
https://youtu.be/_xZz14c6f78
That’s a cracker of a tune! Brilliant playing! And did I catch a smile at 2.05? Thanks for posting this.
-
Excellent Pikey!
Unless I'm mistaken, it conjures up memories of my early Sidmouths listening to Roaring Jelly?
Cheers.
Q
-
Big Humphrey - by Derek Pearce , in honour of the big whackers they used to use to mend the roads!
https://youtu.be/_xZz14c6f78
Nice video. Knees up!
-
thanks for Spag Junction Baz - I'll just sit and wait for the royalties to roll in - lol. By the way has no-one thought of Le Canal en Octobre?
-
I thought of a couple of "road" reels: The Road to Lisdoonvarna & Drag Her Round the Road. I'm sure there are plenty of others but these will have to do for now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDdG5VK3cYE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDdG5VK3cYE)
-
I thought of a couple of "road" reels: The Road to Lisdoonvarna & Drag Her Round the Road. I'm sure there are plenty of others but these will have to do for now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDdG5VK3cYE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDdG5VK3cYE)
Nicely played.
Thanks also for confirming that I'm barking up the right tree with my fingerings for D mix.
-
"All down the glen came Mac Alpine's men with their shovels slung behind them....."
https://youtu.be/sk7kg_wXLjA
Feachd Mhic Albainn~MacAlpine's Fusiliers
-
The New Road to Alston (https://soundcloud.com/user-318525393/nrta)
All I know about Alston is that it is the highest market town in England (jointly with Buxton if you believe Wikipedia). I do have a curious story about the tune.
I have played for Camden Clog (a clog side formed by Pat Tracy) for longer than I care to think and we have always danced Pat's A-Routine to The Rakes of Mallow or a mixture of musichall tunes. But in north-west England the A-Routine has become linked to The New Road to Alston, so much so that one dancer told me that that was the name of the dance.
Is there a northern clog musician here who can throw some light on how NRtA became so firmly linked to the A-Routine in that area?
-
The New Road to Alston (https://soundcloud.com/user-318525393/nrta)
All I know about Alston is that it is the highest market town in England (jointly with Buxton if you believe Wikipedia).
According to the OS map, they're both generally about the same elevation (290 - 300 m aOD) but of course it depends on where in the towns you measure. In both Buxton and Alston, parts of the town rise to 340 - 350 m aOD.
Great tune and great playing. Plenty of energy and rhythm! I had thought of doing this myself, but I'm glad you got in first, as I think the way I play it is much more plain. No matter, I have another option up my sleeve if I can get round to playing and recording it. ;)
-
It was Tom Lehrer who said it is bad form to quote your own reviews....before quoting the New York Times review that said "Mr. Lehrer's performance does not suffer from anything so inhibiting as taste..."
Nonetheless I was quite impressed that within seconds of my uploading my second attempt at the tune of "MacAlpine's Fusiliers" You Tube told me that an organisation called ICE_CS was accusing me of copyright infringement claiming the melody is identical to that of "Our Famous Celtic Team". I presume Oban Celtic are not the team in question....if only because while Robert MacAlpine & Co built the West Highland Railway (Glasgow to Fort William), John MacKay got the Callandar and Oban contract.
Even more impressive: In the (British) civil engineering world ICE means "Institution of Civil Engineers"...the oldest of Great Britain's professional engineering institutions (I am not a member- my professional body is the Institution of Engineers of Ireland). ICE_CS strongly suggests to me Institution of Civil Engineering Corporate Services ...or something like that.
There is some mystery about who made the song "MacAlpine's Fusiliers". It appears to have been well established with the Irish community/Irish construction workers in England in the 1950's. Whilst Dominic Behan reworked and popularised it in the 1960's (the Dubliners version is acredited to him) it is claimed (I think correctly) for Martin Henry of Rooskey, who laboured on construction sites in and around London in that period.
Then the tune itself...some say it is a speeded up version of "The Foggy Dew"....other authorities say "Jackets Green".....which turns out to be a Fenian ballad written in New York, probably before 1900 as the author died in 1917. Either way the melody is spectacularily out of copyright!
What I actually played was the transcipton of "Jackets Green" on folk tune finder which most closely resembled the tune as I recall it from a Dubliners album (imagine if you dare student proto Karaoke circa 1983)...and within which I linked/broke sustained notes here and there to match the rythm of the words.....all of which seems bog standard traditional music interpretation/personalisation.
At one level I suppose I should feel honoured that my playing has reached a standard at which a computer somewhere can recognise a tune played by me.
On the other hand the notion that any person may claim copyright on a traditional melody on the grounds they have (legitimate) copyright on their own particular version of it is deeply disturbing.
I will now call the tune , as I play it, Feachd Mhic Albainn .....if anyone wants to view and pass comment on what the correct name of the tune should be then feel free.
https://youtu.be/sk7kg_wXLjA
"Feachd Mhic Albainn"
-
The copyright bots strike again! How bizarre, regarding the acronym, though. Interesting quick read: https://www.internetandtechnologylaw.com/copyright-bots/
Don't worry, though - this guy will demand their 27 B/6. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/music-copyright-algorithm-lawsuit-damien-riehl-a9364536.html ...we're all in it together...
-
The copyright bots strike again! How bizarre, regarding the acronym, though. Interesting quick read: https://www.internetandtechnologylaw.com/copyright-bots/
Don't worry, though - this guy will demand their 27 B/6. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/music-copyright-algorithm-lawsuit-damien-riehl-a9364536.html ...we're all in it together...
Thanks for these.....50% creepy and 50% re-assuring. I love the idea of Damien Riehl using a computer algorithm to generate every possible eight note melody, claiming copyright and then releasing the whole shooting match into the public domain. As you say we're all in this together.
The bot reminded me of something a number of international drug companies did in the late 70's - basically they sent research teams into tribal areas like Amazonia, looked for traditional medecines- took samples of medicinal plants back to the lab, analysed the bio-chemistry and patented their discoveries. Then went back to the tribal areas and effectively claimed royalties on/suppressed traditional use of their "patent" medecines to protect their patentor's monopoly in world markets.
-
I think a causeway counts as civil engineering. Causeway Head, written by Bernard Evans of the Penzance dance band Golowan c.2000, and played for the local Mazy Day celebrations. A rather perky little hornpipe.
https://soundcloud.com/greg-bradfield-smith/causeway-head
-
I like it, do you have dots or the abc for that Greg?
-
I like it, do you have dots or the abc for that Greg?
No problem. I don't have any other recordings, I'm afraid.
Here's Bernard's handwritten score. He just calls it The Causeway.
and my abc transcription. I personalised it slightly.
X:155
T:Causewayhead
C:Written by Bernard Evans of the band Golowan, c.2000.
O:Cornish
R:Hornpipe
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:G
(3def|:gd Bd c2 dc|Bd BG A2dc|B2 BG c2 dc|Bd BG A2(3def|
gd Bd c2 dc|Bd BG A2 dc|Bd BG Ac AF|[1G2G2G2(3def:|[2G2G2G2AG||
K:DMaj
|:FA dcd2ed|ce gfg2ag|fa fd eg ec|edcB AGFE|
FA dcd2ed|ce gfg2ag|(3fga fd eg ec|[1d2d2d2AG:|[2d2d2d4|]
P:alternative bar 4s
|edcB AGF=F||"as Bernard wrote it" edcB A2AG||
-
I enjoyed that Greg!
It ambles along nicely (:)
Q
-
Shockingly familiar - until I remembered I have a copy of the Golowan Band's CD and tune book and that's why I know it well!
And that nice, ambling swing is just how they play it.
-
Thanks guys. I've never heard it played. Done from Bernard's score.
-
I think a causeway counts as civil engineering. Causeway Head, written by Bernard Evans of the Penzance dance band Golowan c.2000, and played for the local Mazy Day celebrations. A rather perky little hornpipe.
https://soundcloud.com/greg-bradfield-smith/causeway-head
Definitely civil engineering.....and a nice tune.
-
Here's Alistair Anderson's Road To The North (https://youtu.be/Vn2V2KbpdVg) which has come up in a local online session recently.
With Mary Humphreys on English concertina. The harmony part is not the one Alistair wrote, but my own.
I have a copy of the Steel Skies album which has this tune on it, but I haven't listened to it in ages, so I've forgotten how they played it.
-
Here's Alistair Anderson's Road To The North (https://youtu.be/Vn2V2KbpdVg) which has come up in a local online session recently.
With Mary Humphreys on English concertina...
Reckon it's cheating getting Mary to play. Those harmonies sound far too good (:)
-
Great stuff Anahata, your harmony line is excellent. (:)
I had the great good fortune to attend a two day workshop with Alistair some years ago now, we rehearsed and played the whole of the Steel Skies Suite, it was a lot of fun. I ABC'd the music and shared it around with Alistair's blessing (only one or two tunes had the harmony lines provided so it's mostly just melodies not the whole thing with all of the parts). The ABC is here:
Steel Skies (https://app.box.com/s/hi0qw3u864z3n02ypzg0vedmfmsrnxxf).
-
I am still hoping someone is going to deliver the High Level Hornpipe. ::)
It isn't going to be me anytime soon.
-
I am still hoping someone is going to deliver the High Level Hornpipe. ::)
It isn't going to be me anytime soon.
It was planned, and here it is: The High Level Hornpipe (https://youtu.be/9_plXabi4DM), celebrating the famous High Level Bridge in Newcastle, of course.
Some of the bolts on my version of the bridge could do with tightening up, but the end of August is coming up soon. At least I made it from one end to the other without falling off...
-
I am still hoping someone is going to deliver the High Level Hornpipe. ::)
It isn't going to be me anytime soon.
It was planned, and here it is: The High Level Hornpipe (https://youtu.be/9_plXabi4DM), celebrating the famous High Level Bridge in Newcastle, of course.
Some of the bolts on my version of the bridge could do with tightening up, but the end of August is coming up soon. At least I made it from one end to the other without falling off...
My hero! Thank you.
-
OK - just sneaking in here with a few more hours to spare before it's September; here's my contribution:
Clawdd Offa (Offa's Dyke) - the Early Medieval age ditch and bank earthwork which runs along, or close to, the border between Wales and England. The long-distance footpath, Offa's Dyke Path, runs from the Severn Esturary to Liverpool Bay and follows the original earthwork where it is extant, although the original ditch and bank itself is not continuous along the whole length. More information about Offa's Dyke here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offa's_Dyke).
The tune:
Clawdd Offa is, strictly speaking, only the name of the traditional dance. The tune is entitled 'Sawdl y Fuwch' (The Cowslip) in the Welsh tunebook 'Blodau'r Grug'. But as far as I recall, no-one in Wales (at least where I lived) used that name for the tune - we always called it 'Clawdd Offa'.
Here it is as a four track, multitracked, recording played on a Castagnari 1914 melodeon in D/G (two tracks), a Wesson Clipper one-row four-stop melodeon in D, and a Dipper G/D anglo concertina. The only post-processing is a bit of EQ and gentle reverb. I didn't have time to do any post-processing synchronisation of the individual tracks; it's just as recorded, one track after another.
https://soundcloud.com/steve_freereeder/clawdd-offa
'Clawdd' rhymes approximately with the English word 'cloud', with the final 'dd' pronounced as a 'th' sound as in 'this', not as in thick. 'Offa' is pronounced a bit like 'Offa'.
-
'Clawdd Offa'.
Here it is as a four track, multitracked, recording played on a Castagnari 1914 melodeon in D/G (two tracks), a Wesson Clipper one-row four-stop melodeon in D, and a Dipper G/D anglo concertina.
...
https://soundcloud.com/steve_freereeder/clawdd-offa
Beautifully played, a nice clean recording and an interpretation of the theme that nobody else has thought of!
-
Another very last-minute submission. Have we had a tube station yet?
Seanamhac Tube Station exists only in the fancy of John Carty and the Connemara men he used to play with in London so this might be civil imagineering.
A nice pentatonic tune in G. Sound quality could be better - I really must dig out the old Zoom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6I_nZmSDmc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6I_nZmSDmc)
-
'Clawdd Offa'.
Here it is as a four track, multitracked, recording played on a Castagnari 1914 melodeon in D/G (two tracks), a Wesson Clipper one-row four-stop melodeon in D, and a Dipper G/D anglo concertina.
...
https://soundcloud.com/steve_freereeder/clawdd-offa
Beautifully played, a nice clean recording and an interpretation of the theme that nobody else has thought of!
Thanks, Anahata. I'm pleased you like it! (:)
-
It was planned, and here it is: The High Level Hornpipe (https://youtu.be/9_plXabi4DM), celebrating the famous High Level Bridge in Newcastle, of course.
Some of the bolts on my version of the bridge could do with tightening up, but the end of August is coming up soon. At least I made it from one end to the other without falling off...
That was brilliant! (:)
I don't know about any loose bolts or "At least I made it from one end to the other without falling off..." You just danced along the bridge and back, several times. Great playing and great sounding box too. :|glug
-
CAB, that's great. I'm learning that tune as well - I find it pretty twisty on a C#/D, but it's good for my brain. I considered trying to get it in shape for this theme, but it's just as well, as you have it well covered. That leaves me free to go on to sillier things:
Autobahn Chapel.
http://basiljam.com/autobahn_chapel.mp3
Which of course is Maudabawn Chapel (Kevin Burke's version) layered over a portion of Kraftwerk's 1974 electronica track "Autobahn," from their album of the same name.
-
http://basiljam.com/autobahn_chapel.mp3
Hey, that really works!
Love hearing a familiar tune get an imaginative reinterpretation.
go Gonk (:)
-
http://basiljam.com/autobahn_chapel.mp3
Hey, that really works!
Love hearing a familiar tune get an imaginative reinterpretation.
go Gonk (:)
Yes, indeed; it does work very nicely. Well played and well arranged. I loved the ending too!
-
Autobahn Chapel.
http://basiljam.com/autobahn_chapel.mp3
Excellent! 8)
-
What a fabulous theme this has been. Clawdd Offa - brilliant Steve; and High Level Hornpipe just great Anahata. In fact well done everyone who contributed. What at first seemed a really strange theme has thrown up some wonderful tunes & performances - I reckon we could go on with this theme for another month.
Thanks to all for loads of inspiring tunes; I want to learn them all!
Ellis
-
Not to mention your Highbury Tunnel, Ellisteph, which I learned and found deceptively hard to play, but it was on my list of possible contributions.
-
Indeed - great theme everyone! It's the first of the month, so onto the next theme. Please feel free to stick any late contributions on the end of this thread as usual.
-
Sorry, its late, Civil Engineering, the Lock Keeper.
Trigger warning, bass guitar, fiddles and flute are in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Pd3GtlQw8
Derek
-
Derek, I like the shift around 1:00 when everyone joins in. Is that a tune of your composition?
-
Gonk, thank you, yes it is.
-
Sorry, its late, Civil Engineering, the Lock Keeper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Pd3GtlQw8
Great tune! Nicely danceable! (:)
-
Thanks Steve, the way I look at is if people aren't dancing to it or wanting to dance to it I am not playing it properly
-
Hello. I, too, am late.
Really did not have the foggiest what to do. So I searched folk tune finder for words I could think of as currently being in vogue - I tried 'runway', since Flight Simulator 2020 has taken over half of the internet, apparently. Looked at the score, thought 'ooo I like the look of that G over an A chord' and here we are.
Orville on the Runway
https://youtu.be/mgJ_c68F-cg
This tune was sourced ultimately from https://thesession.org/tunes/4822 which lists the composer as George Wilson, a fiddle player from the USA. No idea exactly what the title is referring to, but runways are totally something to do with infrastructure. Probably. Unless they're fashion runways, which isn't impossible I suppose - green ducks are quite stylin... I also found this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihZ63hoaL2Y) recording that included it sandwiched in the middle of a set of tunes.
My stops:
Chord 3rds off (for the vague E chord)
Low Bass on
3v on
What I should have done, and I've just been reminded of, was a distinct-from-Derek's tune by the name of 'The Locktender's Reel', this one by Eric Skye - a (I think) father/daughter fiddle duo tend to play in the session tent at Purbeck Folk festival the last few times I've been there, and I've been meaning to learn it. Here's a video of that tune, from the composer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AlPOVgQ5JM - it's a pretty great tune, love that B music as well. Food for thought, anyone else who wants to be late.
-
https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/wright-brothers/online/fly/1903/
Any help to you, Gena?
-
https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/wright-brothers/online/fly/1903/
Any help to you, Gena?
Compelling, to be sure. If it cements the tune as clearly being related to civil engineering, then I guess you're my hero!
I certainly enjoy playing it, anyway. It was interesting to try and spam RHS chords all over a jig - I ended up cutting a lot of what could be there out for the sake of not messing up for the recording, although I think I also like the contrast. Also, I'm gonna have to crawl back over this thread and pick some of the offerings out to lean because there really were a lot of neat tunes.
-
The last minute flurry of activity is very typical of civil engineering projects....but after Big Humphrey I'm really surprised no one re-posted "The Railway".
-
Looked at the score, thought 'ooo I like the look of that G over an A chord' and here we are.
Orville on the Runway
https://youtu.be/mgJ_c68F-cg
That's a great tune and was well worth the wait. I can hear how you're enjoying those A7 chords in the B music, and so am I.
One to learn...
-
Can't quite let go of this theme yet - here's J. Scott Skinner's Forth Brig tune
https://youtu.be/TLgBBhOVl_4
Some tricky passages, but falls into place eventually.
-
Lovely. If you're going to have two and a half rows, use 'em! I shall watch this at slow speed with the Saltarelle layout chart to hand and see what I can learn.
-
Glorious Ellisteph!
Any dots or abc available?.....
I hesitate to ask in case I can't make it on my 2 row but..... it's the sort of tune that makes me chuckle with glee (:)
cheers
Q
-
Glorious Ellisteph!
Any dots or abc available?.....
I hesitate to ask in case I can't make it on my 2 row but..... it's the sort of tune that makes me chuckle with glee (:)
cheers
Q
Thanks for your kind comments CAB & Thrupenny Bit. I got the dots from Folktunefunder so readily available. I think you may find that you need more accidentals than are on a standard 2 row, but there are ways of fudging these things if you're cleverer than I am. Good luck!
-
OK will go for a nose around.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, and also for the video!
-
That's lovely!
Yes, Q, you'll need a low F natural to do that one properly.
-
Ah well, on one of the Erika's I have a low F nat (:)
In fact, after ( with passport in hand ) making a trip to foreign parts ( Cornwall! ) this week , Mr. Rowbotham has sorted my half row as it's something that I've been thinking of getting to use. It might make a good learning exercise.
.... he says, but I haven't looked for the tune yet ::)
Q
-
Ah found it.... that will keep me out of trouble for a Very Long Time!!
-
Ah found it.... that will keep me out of trouble for a Very Long Time!!
Link, link!
-
http://www.folktunefinder.com/tunes/158986
Found in 2 seconds on folktunefinder.com
-
We need a word for the one note that isn't available on the available instrument...in my case the low F nat on Forth Brig. But I reckon it makes a good work out for those with 2.5 rows - and a good exercise in fudging otherwise !
J
-
Apologies Pete, and to be fair, Anahata's version is clearer than the one I found so am using that ( as per link ).
Julian, I expect I'll be having a chat with you soon and picking brains ;)
cheers
Q
-
We need a word for the one note that isn't available on the available instrument...in my case the low F nat on Forth Brig.
There's a low E♭ too, though that's easily omitted without it being obvious that anything's missing.
-
Ah well, on one of the Erika's I have a low F nat (:)
In fact, after ( with passport in hand ) making a trip to foreign parts ( Cornwall! ) this week , Mr. Rowbotham has sorted my half row as it's something that I've been thinking of getting to use. It might make a good learning exercise.
.... he says, but I haven't looked for the tune yet ::)
Q
Dead right there. Even in Scotland we know that Cornwall isn't part of England and never was!
-
;D
-
Having explored my Albrecht Liliput I have both the low Fnat and the low Eb but I think it will be a long time before I'm able to get anywhere near playing this tune.
http://www.folktunefinder.com/tunes/158986 (http://www.folktunefinder.com/tunes/158986)
Found in 2 seconds on folktunefinder.com
I'd missed the reference to folktunefinder so thanks for that!
-
It's the first button on my Erika's half row so it is playable, well the box could play this tune but not necessarily the owner!
Having now had the rest of the half row changed to reflect the normal chin end ones, I've now to decide if I can use the half row accidentals as opposed to the chin end which I've become quite used to. We will see.....