Classic-Banjo

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PORTO RICO by Ford T. Dabney

Some time ago Steve Harrison and I arranged Ford T. Dabney’s Georgia Grind for Classic Banjo and I posted a video of it. I really liked the way Dabney composed ragtime and recently found “PORTO RICO” an unusual piece by him that is described as a “Rag Intermezzo”.

PORTO RICO VIDEO

I guess what he meant was that it was a composition he did “in between” his ragtime composing, as it does not sound like a rag to me! I can only find one piano midi of the piece and no recordings on the net. I loved it as soon as I heard it so decided to get together with Steve again to produce a score. Steve did the framework and I added the fiddly bits J

I hope you like it. I play it on my new Weaver banjo, but the Weaver is still not set up quite correctly yet as the first string “zings” a bit and the bass is a bit muted, so I may have to change the bridge and alter the head tension!

Also to keep Lynn on her toes I have produced a Piano midi, that I am playing along with, on our new Yamaha Clavinola keyboard… just to show her that she can be replaced ;-)

I have added my banjo notation here:

PORTO RICO banjo score.pdf

It may have a few errors but should be mostly correct.

And a midi of the piano accompaniment, if anyone would like to play along, here:

PORTO RICO piano.mid

I will add the score to the MUSIC LIBRARY when I get time. I would like to thank Steve for the arranging and I hope that he approves of the video. It is not too difficult to play, but you wouldn’t think so from my face pulling !!

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Permalink Reply by Trapdoor2 on November 21, 2012 at 19:53

I've been enjoying a short exploration of Mr. Ford T. Dabney on the net. Very interesting chapter on him in the book, "Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry, 1890-1919". I found it via a google search on "Porto Rico Dabney".

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Permalink Reply by Steve Harrison on November 21, 2012 at 23:04

Well done Ian..I love your 'fiddly bits'..they really added to the arrangement...I like the sound of the renaissance head on your Weaver and at my next string change, I think I'll fit one to mine. Your interpretation was amazing as was Lynn's accompaniment..the money spent on her new piano was not wasted.....Steve.