Need a new tune or two...

[Trapdoor2]

I just got thru cleaning out my "Front Porch" tunebook, removing tunes that I just feel I'm never going to really learn to play and a few worn out old hacks that needed to move on. I need to bulk it back up with a few fresh pieces.

My normal routine is to play all the "C" tunes (bass to C) and then all the "D" tunes (bass to D)...sometimes vice versa, etc.

Here's what's now in there:

"C" tunes:

At Sunset, Grimshaw (something to push my boundaries. Very familiar but never attempted.)

A Banjo Oddity, Morley (old hat, but much enjoyed)

Berkely March, Brooks and Denton (more old hat but I need to get it back into shape)

Cannon Jig, Morley (I played it at the last rally but it is too much fun to stop playing it)

Fun On The Wabash, Parke Hunter (needs work to be able to trot it out with impunity)

Kaloola, A. J. Weidt (a lot of fun to play but it needs to be replaced)

Skeleton Dance, Norton Greenop (ibid)

Sunflower Dance, Herman Rowland (Ibid, not replacing it)

Twilight Reverie, Paul Eno (new, not difficult, but fun to work on)

Tyro Mazurka, Brooks and Denton (first Classic tune I fully tabbed...and never learned, new)

Whistling Rufus (working on the D part, which I never played previously)

"Bass to D" tunes:

Bluebell Polka, Frank Stanley (fun to play, easy, needs to be replaced)

Camilla, Frank Bone (new, familiar tune, never attempted before)

Dashwood Quickstep, Olly Oakley (had it in the book on and off for years, need to perfect it)

Dat Yam Rag, A. J. Weidt (ibid)

Drowsy Dempsey, Lansing (ibid, no real need to keep it though)

Lilies of the Valley, Weidt (also played at the last rally. I really need a new waltz.)

Montclair Galop, Weidt (noisy, raucous, typical Weidt. Right up my alley. Fun to play)

Red Rover March, Weidt (another worn-out-but-still-fun tune, needs replacing)

That's it for tonight. Any suggestions for interesting and enjoyable tunes? Replacements? I'm not really looking for difficult stuff...but neither do I want too easy. I've been thru the common ABF tune list and I'm just not interested in any of them as Solos (exceptions above). I dropped some of my 'nemesis' tunes like "Glitter of Steel" and "The Banshee", they just never inspired me enough to put in the work. Morley's "Joy Ride" has always been a favorite (I had it nearly recordable but got distracted and laid it by) but again, way too much work.

There are so many good tunes out there. I'm open to any/all suggestions.

[Jody Stecher]

Life In Louisiana (Grimshaw)

Valse de Concert (Eno)

A Banjo Revel (Morley)

Kansas Jig (Ellis)

Mississippi Bubble (Haynes)

[Jody Stecher]

Dill Pickles (Johnson)

Jody Stecher said:

Life In Louisiana (Grimshaw)

Valse de Concert (Eno)

A Banjo Revel (Morley)

Kansas Jig (Ellis)

Mississippi Bubble (Haynes)

[Trapdoor2]

Thanks, Jody. I just finished watching your video on "Dill Pickles", very good explanation of techniques. I played the "bluegrass" version back in the 80s (I can't recall where I got the music). Might indeed be a good one to work on, esp. since we have music that is closer to the original piano version.

Of the others you mentioned, Morely is always given preference in my book (much like Weidt). I've done "Kansas Jig" and "Mississippi Bubble". I'm keying in "Life in Louisiana" at the moment, I do like Grimshaw as a rule but I'll have to give it a listen first.

[Jody Stecher]

Another good Morley tune is "Florida Cracker". I think there might be a couple of typos in score but maybe not. It's a unique memorable banjo solo of medium difficulty.

Trapdoor2 said:

Thanks, Jody. I just finished watching your video on "Dill Pickles", very good explanation of techniques. I played the "bluegrass" version back in the 80s (I can't recall where I got the music). Might indeed be a good one to work on, esp. since we have music that is closer to the original piano version.

Of the others you mentioned, Morely is always given preference in my book (much like Weidt). I've done "Kansas Jig" and "Mississippi Bubble". I'm keying in "Life in Louisiana" at the moment, I do like Grimshaw as a rule but I'll have to give it a listen first.

[Russ Chandler]

I reckon "Mr Jollyboy" covers a lot of the same territory as Banshee and is easier to play. Well it is for me, anyway.

Oakley's arrangement of "Schaffers Jig" is fun and comes together quickly.

Morley's "A Darkie Chuckle" is a nice characteristic one with a big melodramatic intro, although I call it "Joe's Chuckle" when I play it out.

[Trapdoor2]

Thanks, Russ!

I tabbed out "Mister Jollyboy" ages ago but don't remember ever working on it. I just looked at my old Tab and it needs reworking to my current standard (easier to read).

"Schaeffer's Jig" does look fun. I've both the Essex version and Oakley's. I wonder just how different they actually are? I guess I'll find out!

I think I have enough Morley on my plate, though "A Darkie Chuckle" is a great tune.

I've been sorting thru "Turner's 101 Breakdowns, jigs and hornpipes" the past few days. Maybe I'll find a couple of short tunes to add in.

[Trapdoor2]

Working with "Schaeffer's Jig", it turns out to be "Arling Shaeffer's Celebrated Jig No. 1", which was published in Shaeffer's tutor of 1919. The "original" notation is pretty awkwardly written...though it is a fun jig. No wonder Essex and Oakley re-arranged it, it is missing beats in several sections due to the triplet pickup measures. Both Oakley and Essex re-thought those triplets as grace notes. Also, the Essex version is simplified in spots. 

Trapdoor2 said:

Thanks, Russ!

I tabbed out "Mister Jollyboy" ages ago but don't remember ever working on it. I just looked at my old Tab and it needs reworking to my current standard (easier to read).

"Schaeffer's Jig" does look fun. I've both the Essex version and Oakley's. I wonder just how different they actually are? I guess I'll find out!

I think I have enough Morley on my plate, though "A Darkie Chuckle" is a great tune.

I've been sorting thru "Turner's 101 Breakdowns, jigs and hornpipes" the past few days. Maybe I'll find a couple of short tunes to add in.

[Joel Hooks]

Roll that back to 1884:

https://archive.org/details/shaeffers-celebrated-solo-jig-no-1.-arl...

and here is No. 2 FWIW:

https://archive.org/details/shaeffers-celebrated-solo-jig-no.-2

[Trapdoor2]

LOL, I stopped searching at what was in my computer files...but I knew the style of the tune was much earlier! Now I'll give #2 a look. Thanks Joel!

[Trapdoor2]

So, here's Arling Shaeffer's Celebrated Jig No. 2. Errata/fixes: he seems to consistently err on the 32nd note triplets, which ought to be 16th triplets. I've "fixed" those, wherever they occur...including the leading grace-notes.

Speaking of which, I dislike those leading grace notes. So, I created a second score where I've re-interpreted them as standard 16th triplets by adding pick-up measures, stuffing them in where I could, etc. I think it makes it an easier read and it doesn't affect the timing, mostly. ;-)

Without having played thru these, I would hazard a guess that they could be played in the Stroke Style.

The following are a straight transposition to C notation, my arrangement and my arrangement in Tab.