"Chromatic Polka"

[Andy Alexis]

I was just browsing Northumbrian music;  I ran across this; clearly it is a classic banjo piece.    

Perhaps someone recognizes it?

http://www.folknortheast.com/archive/detail.asp?id=W0003003

Andy Alexis

Sacramento, CA.

[Jody Stecher]

the file will not play. it seems to be perpetually loading. is there another doorway to the recording?

[Trapdoor2]

I got it to play...short answer: Yes, it is fingerstyle "classic" banjo...and it does ring familiar.

I don't have anything "Chromatic" but I suspect it is actually "The Cromartie Polka March", by R. Heath, which was quite popular in the day, I think I have a couple of copies of it in my holdings.

Looks like #65 in the Turner catalog. 

[Steve Harrison]

I think it sounds very similar to Black Bess...good tune though..Steve.

[Trapdoor2]

Ok, I've started Tabbing out "The Cromartie Polka-March" and can confirm that it is indeed it.

I'll post a MIDI as soon as I'm done.

[Andy Alexis]

That would make sense; "Cromartie" is a Scottish name, I think, and Northumbria is close to Scotland.  But of course, Senegambian Revels doesn't come from Senegambia though. 

[Andy Alexis]

I had to download the M3U, open it as a text file, copy the URL of the MP3, paste it into the browser location bar.  

That does, however, allow one to save the MP3 for later hearing.

Jody Stecher said:

the file will not play. it seems to be perpetually loading. is there another doorway to the recording?

[Jody Stecher]

Any chance that Cromartie was misheard as "Chromatic"?

Andy Alexis said:

That would make sense; "Cromartie" is a Scottish name, I think, and Northumbria is close to Scotland.  But of course, Senegambian Revels doesn't come from Senegambia though. 

[Trapdoor2]

No doubt it was misheard. This is a neat little piece, quite easy and heavy on the 5th string. I'll send it all in for Ian to put in the library...but here's the MIDI.

[Trapdoor2]

Pooh...I forgot to upload the original banjo player Mp3 for those of you who could not properly access it. Here 'tis.

Well, it looks like it won't open directly from this site. On my computer, it initiates a download and then plays from Windoze Media Player...no problem.

[Jody Stecher]

thanks for that, Marc. Unfortunately the same thing happens : loading without end. Oh well, I can play the midi then. Nope. My computer decided it was music score file. attached is the best part! I eventually did get the midi to play. The tune wasn't nearly as funny as the notation:

Trapdoor2 said:

Pooh...I forgot to upload the original banjo player Mp3 for those of you who could not properly access it. Here 'tis.

Well, it looks like it won't open directly from this site. On my computer, it initiates a download and then plays from Windoze Media Player...no problem.

[thereallyniceman]

Marc has kindly sent me a cleaned up copy of the 1st banjo notation and Tablature for "Cromartie".

I have added the full score with piano part to the MUSIC LIBRARY and you can also play Marc's midi file.

[Trapdoor2]

I just listened to 'Black Bess'...sister tunes, for sure. I wonder which was the inspiration for which? They have very similar motifs in the A and C sections (and ending). I think 'Cromartie' has the edge in the 'tuneful' category though.
 
Steve Harrison said:

I think it sounds very similar to Black Bess...good tune though..Steve.