Mr Jollyboy Tempo

[Russ Chandler]

According to my score Grimshaw's Mister Jollyboy has two tempos.

That gloriously melodramatic introduction is noted at M.M. 48 then the rest of the tune is at M.M. 88

That 88 sounds really slow to my ears. Certainly way slower than any version I've heard.

Am I misunderstanding how to set my metronome for a 2/4 tempo tune or does everyone just ignore the marked tempo on this one?

[thereallyniceman]

Hi Russ,

I used the online metronome here: FREE METRONOME

and listened to Olly Oakley recording of Mr Jollyboy. Oakley adds musical changes of tempo, but the nearest I get is that he starts the piece at 48bpm and then in the later sections plays at 90-92 bpm.

MISTER JOLLYBOY by Olly Oakley

This is not far off the tempos shown on the score. Perhaps you overwound your metronome?  ;-)))

[Russ Chandler]

That's a good idea - thank you!

[Anthony Myatt]

Ian

It's been a long long time since I heard this recording and I'd forgotten how good it was. Can you or anyone else direct me to a fingerstyle score (paid or unpaid). I know Clifford Essex have the plectrum score and with some work I could re-engineer a fingerstyle arrangement, but I would prefer to see an original fingerstyle score if possible.

[Anthony Myatt]

Ignore my request. Just found out that Clifford Essex are also selling the fingerstyle score - ordering my copy now.

[3f791ff1qn25n]

Do you know that "Mr. JollyBoy" was a common name given to various English limberjack/jigdoll models in the early 1900s?  (being wooden jointed dancing dolls, attached to a stick or string and usually made to dance percussively on a bouncing paddle)

early UK jigdolls & JollyBoys

...more

[Russ Chandler]

Brilliant - I love jig dolls!

I love Jeff Warners one - 



Strumelia said:

Do you know that "Mr. JollyBoy" was a common name given to various English limberjack/jigdoll models in the early 1900s?  (being wooden jointed dancing dolls, attached to a stick or string and usually made to dance percussively on a bouncing paddle)

early UK jigdolls & JollyBoys

...more

[Steve Harrison]

In Victorian and Edwardian England, at out seaside resorts, troupes of entertainers could often be seen on the beaches, Jolly Boys was one of the names given to them....Steve.

[3f791ff1qn25n]

Steve, yes I was suspecting the name came originally from a description of some type of entertainment comic/character, perhaps from vaudeville stage or earlier.  Thanks for the further back lineage!

I have a small collection of limberjacks, and i use them regularly.   :)