Must be nice to only use two letters to sign your signature... ;-)

Mr. Babb published this tune in the 1890's and it must have been a big hit...I think I've seen more copies of it than "Whistling Rufus"...if that is possible.

I have been meaning to have a go at the TAB for years...but it is one of those tunes that I kept looking at and saying, "it doesn't look all that interesting"; off it would go to be buried in the mouldering stacks of dotted papyrus.

Then, when I heard "The Old 78's" playing it...wow! Now it sounds too complicated... Geez, Marc...is your glass half full or half empty? ;-)

So, here's the TAB and MIDI. My glass is acceptable as is.

This is a delightful tune and now I know why it was so popular...it is FUN to play...and quite simple, really. Basically, it is a theme with variations...some over-pretentious introductory chords and a loud and fast ending. There's a short B section that really doesn't do much but keep one from playing more damn A part variations for the entire alloted time. Added bonus, it serves to keep the 2nd banjoist from going crazy playing that same pattern overandoverandoverandover.

Oh, and the dots are already in the library. My tab is based on the original (A Notation) transposed to C.

 

 

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+1. No, make that, +5.

This is a fun one.  It is one of the standard pieces for the ABF (I've been giving myself a crash course in them).

I like how you skip along, stop to take a breather then rev back up to speed.

Aha! I see that Ian has posted my 'working dots' to the music library. I also sent in a set of dots for "Banjeaurine and Banjo", the Banjeaurine holding the 1st and the regular banjo playing 2nd.

Be aware that both sets are in "A-notation". Those of you who wish to make the attempt may easily transpose "A-notation" to "C-notation" by drawing a new staff line below the original (E), removing (with white-out/tippex, presumably...please print it out first, the white-out/tippex will mess up your computer screen) ;-) the top line and deleting three of the sharps. This will have you reading/playing in G/C.

Please note that the Banjeaurine/Banjo arrangement has the two instruments playing in two different keys. This is because the Banjeaurine is a transposing instrument, sounding a 4th higher than written. This arrangement thus (after transposing into C-notation), it will be read in G/C but actually be pitched in C/F for the Banjeaurine (the regular banjo part reads in pitch).

IF THAT isn't confusing enough, you can't play the two arrangements together as the Banjeaurine/Banjo arrangement is in a different key than the Banjo/Banjo version.

Oy! This is fairly common for period Banjeaurine arrangements where the Banjeaurine is the lead instrument...but it sure seems counterproductive to me. Why not make 'em all work together?

Oh, and if anyone really, really wants C-notation dots for the arrangements I used (either one), I can supply. (Perhaps your supply of Tippex is running low?) You'll have to beg though. ;-)

 

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