What is a breakdown?

[maroon]

I just bought an album by Old and in the Way. #It contains a really hot number entitled "Old and in the Way Breakdown." #This got me to wondering. #I've heard the term most all my life, of course, in the title of Foggy Mountain Breakdown. #So please help me. #What are the characteristics of a "breakdown?" #(This is one of those terms that, in this context, you can't just google.)

[Jacob]

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=breakdown&x=18&y=11) - 2 : a fast shuffling dance; also : music for such a dance
Rod's Encyclopedic Dictionary Of Traditional Music (http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/traditional-music/ency/b.htm) - any rapid dance tune, as in "Foggy Mountain Breakdown".

[maroon]

Interesting that both definitions mention dancing. Although I am aware that some people do dance to bluegrass, I wasn't aware that say, Foggy Mountain Breakdown" was any more danceable than many another tune.

[John Flynn]

A "breakdown" was a dance form that originated with African-American slaves. The dance style became popular with segments of white society in the 1880's. The first tunes to be called "breakdowns" were dance tunes that were written to support that.

[pathfinder]

Not to be confused with 'breakdancing' which was never intentionally done at barndances unless a fight broke out. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[John Flynn]

"Breakdancing" originated when kids tried to steal hubcaps off of moving cars! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[pathfinder]

Hey, I like that one! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[maroon]

A "breakdown" was a dance form that originated with African-American slaves. The dance style became popular with segments of white society in the 1880's. The first tunes to be called "breakdowns" were dance tunes that were written to support that.
So, if one were to compose a new tune today, what qualities, do you suppose, would justify calling it a breakdown? Another way to ask the question is whether a breakdown is different in some meaningful way from any other quick tune.

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

Seems to me that the term breakdown in now synonymous with a very fast instrumental tune.

[Bob DeVellis]

I think of a breakdown as a descendent of the reel -- 4/4 time at a really quick clip. I would be surprised if the earliest-to-arrive African slaves did dances in strict 4/4 time, but the breakdown may be a hybrid of fast slave dances that reminded Europeans of reels. So, maybe the European 4/4 timing was imposed on the African form of a fast dance to give us our breakdowns? Are there any breakdowns not is 4/4 or 2/4 time?

[maroon]

I don't know enough tunes to be able to answer bobd's question about the time of breakdowns but I wonder if Atlanta Mando Mike isn't on to something with his conception of what a breakdown has come to be (a very fast instrumental). #I searched bluegrasslyrics.com and found only one song with words that is called a breakdown. #The song is titled Fugitive Breakdown and here's the link to the lyrics. #http://www.bluegrasslyrics.com/all_song.cfm-recordID=sp489.htm

[evanreilly]

Ahhh... the 'Bluegrass Breakdown"... Monroe's old bus, according to Peter Rowan.

[sunburst]

Yep, Evan. I've heard him relate that story from the stage. I was going to mention it too. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Pattroglyph]

Evan, did you see in the other thread on favorite breakdowns that Bill Monroe wrote Crossing the Cumberlands for the old bus? #I am amazed at some of these threads and where they lead!

Well I did a little researh too and found some interesting things about breakdowns. #Hope you don't mind me sharing.

According to Swing Street a dance web site...
Jigs Clogging and Breakdowns are related. #Hornpipes might be also.

http://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3jig.htm

There is a short book on the dance form on line also.
Jig, Clog & Breakdown dancing made easy Jig & Clog dancers of America 1873 E. James. Describes the musical pattern.

http://texts01.archive.org/texts/opensourcebooks/danceman/text/117.txt

And as you guys said, the Breakdown was popular around the 1880-90's Afro American culture. #BUT I have found a site that shows the Chicken Reel listed below as considered a breakdown too!
The Virtual Grammaphone has a bunch of French Canadian about 1920 and 30's playing breakdowns.


1. # Ferland, Maurice. : Breakdown de minuit = Midnight breakdown. [1937]. Victor: Bluebird: 4886
2. # LaMadeleine, J. O. (Joseph-Ovila), 1880-1973 : LaMadeleine, Marcel. : Breakdown de nuit = [Midnight breakdown]. [1938]. Compo: Starr: 16180
3. # Soucy, Isidore, 1899-1963 : Lafleur, (Donat), 1892-1973. : Breakdown des fêtes. [1937]. Victor: RCA Victor: 4881
4. # LaMadeleine, J. O. (Joseph-Ovila), 1880-1973 : LaMadeleine, Marcel. : Breakdown du jour de l'an. [1939]. Compo: Starr: 16222
5. # Boulay, A. J. (Arthur-Joseph), 1883-1948. : Chicken reel : breakdown. [1928]. Victor: His Master's Voice: 216529
6. # Wade, George. : Soldier's joy, ou, [Chicken in the bread tray] ; [French four] : square dance : breakdown. Victor: RCA Victor: 216571
7. # Allard, Joseph, 1873-1947. Breakdown de nuit = Midnight breakdown. [1929]. Victor: Victor: 263634

http://www2.nlc-bnc.ca/plsql/gramophone/app78rpm.prepbresult

[Peter Hackman]

Evan, did you see in the other thread on favorite breakdowns that Bill Monroe wrote Crossing the Cumberlands for the old bus? I am amazed at some of these threads and where they lead!
Actually, the bus broke down in the Cumberlands, and Monroe
wrote the piece right there, while waiting for help to arrive.
I heard this from him several times in 1969 when the
record was out. The story is also in Richard Smith's
biography.

Of course, it's not a breakdown at all,
just a very stately banjo piece. I brought it home
and had our banjo player do it. We took it places,
even did a version on vibraphone. A good song can
take that kind of treatment.