I like this take. Kinda gettin' jiggy with it.
BlueMt, you've got a definite march feel happening in your version. Cool take on it.
I figured a tune about Bonaparte and the Rhine called for a military tone. Thanks for the kind comments. Eric
Here's my go at it on the the mandolin and mandola. This is one of those tunes that when I play by myself, I tend to get confused about how many times I've played which part. That should be evident once you watch the videos! LOL
Sean, those both sounded the business! I gotta find the time to try to learn this one.
Shaun, the doublestops are great on the mando version. The mandola is sounding great too--rich and full.
Both very nice Shaun. I like the mando version especially.
Here's mine on a Flatiron A5-2. I took bits and pieces of all the great versions here. PS: Where can you find Napoleon Bonaparte in the grocery store? --Egg's aisle
Egg's Aisle....lol... Nice pickin Marcelyn.
Shaun, what's the scale length on that beast?
Nicely played, Marcelyn, and your Flatiron sounds lovely!
Great playing, all! I've noticed that the versions being played, are really nothing like the ABC's of the tunes that I found early on (at least to my ear!) But, here is standard notation for the tune that most are playing here... http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/old-time-music/001185.HTM
Shaun, Very nice playing! Because of you and Don I'm starting to pine for a mandola. Marcelyn, Well played! The ornaments you used fit perfectly. Eric
Very nice, Shaun & Marcelyn. I also like the trills/hammer-on/pull-offs, adds a lot of color to this great tune. I've been working on the Jonas version and hope to have it recordable soon. I guess I'll be the one who never turns his home work in on time.
Thanks for the kind words. This is just a really fun tune to play. And I really like the different variations we've seen. From double stops, a march feel, hammer on/pull offs. There is just so much music in these "simple" fiddle tunes. Great stuff everybody! Eddie, it's a Kimble mandola with a 16" scale. I like that scale length. I can pretty much use mando fingering for everything.
I've got a question. The only notation that I found (above) for the tune that we are playing, has this tune in the format of AABB, with the A's & B's having slightly different 2nd endings. OldSausage seems to be playing it in the format of ABAB. I like it both ways, and am unfamiliar with how it's usually played in gatherings (if it is...) OldSausage, is this how you play it with others, or did you find it in notation this way, or what? I like it both ways, like I said, and I think it's good to learn to be flexible when playing with others.. so I'm working on it both ways! I'm also thinking that if you listen to Old Sausage's version, it could be considered AABB, with shorter A's & B's.... well, really, normal length A's & B's... the written out version seems to be with LONG A's & B's! What do ya'll think?
Barbara, I learned it by listening to a recording I have, on a CD called "Spirit of the Mountains", and that's how they play it.
OS, I'm using your version to practice with. I'm still in Texas, no decent camera, only 2 instruments at my disposal. But one of them is my new Petersen tenor guitar, and I'm having a great time, learning both the rhythm & the melody, playing along with yours. On the videos posted, the first banjo version, is played like you play it. The Jonas version, is played with the longer A's & B's repeated. So, it seems to be whatever!
I notice the Fiddler's Fakebook has AABB as well, so maybe that's right. I've never heard anyone play this tune at a bluegrass jam so I've no idea how it's commonly done, maybe there are some old-time folk who can tell us.
I hadn't heard it before. I picked it up by ear from the earlier posts...
I have heard it some. I think its is most often played AABB. I don't think it matters too much.
Norman Blake plays it AABB, Slavek Hanzlk plays it AAB, and the Pegram Jam does it ABAB. The Pegram Jam has a website with recordings of a great many Old Time tunes that they play. You now have to register to get to them, but it's free at http://www.pegramjam.com/ There are no tabs, but there is a lot of mandolin in their Jam.
Here is the Fiddler's Fakebook version, with a few embellishments:
I really like the oldtimey feel to your version Manfred. It sounded both happy and relaxed. And you got it down just in time too.
That sounded great, Manfred! Here's my version which could be a bit better but time is of the essence these days.........Kind of made it sound like I was over-caffeinated!
Wow, how many different versions! That's so cool to hear all the variations! Here's my take on it.
... brava!
Grazie, Bill
Welcome back, Suzi! Nice to hear your mandolin again.
Thanks Rob, it's nice to be back!!
Marcelyn and Rob, thanks for your kind words. I liked your playing, too. Rob, try to play under the influence of red wine , which is my panacea for combatting camera fever. Susi, very nice and lively picking.
Well played guys and gals. This sure is a catchy tune...
To those of you still trying to work up the courage to video and post..... it really does get easier as you do it more and more. We are a forgiving bunch.... while it's nice to see and hear the almost professional recordings and videos.... it's also great to see the most simple ones, flubs & all! Also, recording & videoing is a great practice tool!
i've been practicing with this version - very slow, tempo seems to me to be how it must have been played originally:
Bill, at first I thought you'd had a sex change, and took up the accordian! I like this tempo.... it has a real old-time feel. Can't wait to hear your version... what instrument?
here's "a" version of the song, played on fiddle ... yes, barbara - well spotted - being a curious cove, i tried a sex change but activated the restitution clause in the contract almost immediately. didn't like it much - as katherine whitehorn said: "outside every thin woman there's a fat man trying to get in" ...
MR. Bill, that was great! The fiddle is next on my list of instruments to attempt to learn... and I expect it to be the hardest to date!
I like the other video better... maybe it was the accordion... Inside every fat woman is a thin woman she has eaten...
This tune is beginning to grow on me. I guess I'll take the time to learn it after all.
There's a lot of discussion on the web about whether or not this tune is the same as Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine, ...the Alps, or in the case...the Rocky Mountains. I'm really confused. .. here's Bonaparte Crossing the Rocky Mountains.
I love how all of yall are playing it. So many variations . Tom T. just sent me tab,, I cant wait to start learning it. Ive never timed myself , to see how long it takes to get a tune in my head , but I think I will with this one. Steve
Did Bonaparte ever cross himself?
Lots of folks were cross with him it seems....
A friend loaned me a tenor banjo yesterday, and I almost have Bonaparte down so me & my dogs ,, made a vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CNGN7qxDd0
Steve that was great! Great playing (I'm a lover of tenor banjos!); smoker is smoking, dogs are enjoying the playing, someone lazing away in the hammock.... and are those some old soldiers I see behind you? I'm embedding your video, rather than the link, as you had it. It's nice to have them right here in the discussion!
Thanks Barbara, yep a couple old soldiers bit the dust LOL . Until I heard Martin playing Minsterel Boy, I thought of tenors as only a Dixieland ints, that the only way Id heard them played. I needed to get my horizons widened & Martin did it for me. I think I will borrow this banjo , as long as the fellow lets me. thanks for embedding Steve
That sounds great on the banjo, Steve. You definitely need one of those.
Yes! That was great Steve. I'm gonna work on that.
Got it worked out. Banjo part starts a little rough.
Very nice, and also, interesting visual!
