A cheerful tune to start our term, Irish polka Ger the Rigger. This tune appears in the 1976 book Ceol Rince na hÉireann vol. 2. Here are the basic dots, with an additional ornamented/varied version:
Here is the tune and harmony:
Here’s a slow and a faster version, with the riff at the end:
Here is the riff we tried (this will be developed next week!):
Finally here’s a fantastic version of the tune, it has more of a swing to it and a really lovely groove.
Mominette by Maxou Heintzen might sound a little familiar if you know the tune The Plane Tree, which is a jigged version of this same tune that is attributed to whistle player and piper Undine Hornby. It is a potential mate for Will’s Way, with other contenders including Harlequin Air – as and when we decide (depending on whether it’s a simple arrangement for dancing to or a complex arrangement for concerts), we will add some alternative chords. Here is a fabulous recording of the tune by Blowzabella.
Here are the dots and video for these week’s new tune, Coronation Day. This tune is in the 1698 edition of Playford’s Dancing Master collection (the first edition dating back to 1651) but not in the previous 1695 edition – this suggests that the coronation in question may have been of William and Mary, there having been a recent revolt against their predecessor James II and VII.
Here are the three versions of the chords that we tried, with a reminder that in experimenting, we’re not looking for one definitive set of chords but rather for different versions that contrast and give our arrangement light and shade, variety, a sense of direction etc.
Here are the harmonies for Sheriff’s Ride and Idbury Hill, both as PDFs:
I’m not currently able to do videos but will try to come back to this and do videos for these.
Here is the tune from Monday 5th December, from guest tutor and musician extraordinaire Ben Moss:
Here is the tune from Monday 31st, Mairi’s Wedding, aka The Lewis Bridal Song, or Jack Sweeney’s. This Scottish tune was first published in 1909, as is normally described as a Scottish/Scots Measure, this being a tune related to a reel but with more quavers if written in 2/4, or crotchets if written in 4/4. It is a popular tune for Scottish Country Dancing, with the well known words being added in around 1935. We will use this as the opening tune in a set with Peat Fire Flame.
Here are the dots and PDF:
Here is the tune from Monday 17th, Peat Fire Flame, aka The Fireside Reel. This Scottish tune was first published in 1734 and remains a popular tune especially for Scottish Country Dancing. Words were added on 1921 by Kenneth McCleod and this version was popularised by The Corries on their 1977 album Peat Fire Flame.
New Ealing Sessions 