What's your new fiddle tune?

[JeffD]

The usage I have heard is that a crooked tune doesn't fall on normal 16 bar contra dance template. There is either a short part, or a longer part, or the first half of the A part is longer than the second half so the B part comes in "early", you know what I mean. A friend of mine, an accomplished OT fiddler, calls it a "burl" in the rhythm.

When listening, a crooked tune is cool because it punctures your expectations of the normal "dramatic arc" of the tune. Playing a crooked tune is really fun because, once you get it, the "burl" can be addicting.

I would never put up a crooked tune at a contra dance.

But... there are many tunes that get ambiguous here and there, and while they are firmly 16 bar (four square regular), they can sound crooked in the emphasis. I like these tunes (I am trying to come up with an example, but my coffee cup is empty), thrown in at a contra dance because they are eminantly dancible, especially for experienced dancers, but have that little drama, that little threat of chaos in them.

[Jim Nollman]

I do Swinging on a Gate and Church Street Polka. Nice tunes, both. I'm curious about your tempo for "Gate".

[Jody Kruskal]

I especially liked Little Liza, with that sweet change to F#m, when played in A. As I learned the tune, I noticed that the change was suddenly sounding much better if i substituted a Bm7 for the F#m.

Hi Jim. I've been playing what I call Liza Jane for many years but never thought of substituting Bm7 there. Sounds great, thanks. I like it this way: A, A, A, Bm7, D, F#m, E, D before returning to the A for the next section. Perhaps a bit fancy for everyday use but sure sounds cool.

[Jody Kruskal]

I do Swinging on a Gate and Church Street Polka. Nice tunes, both. I'm curious about your tempo for "Gate".

When I play a dance I save Swinging on a Gate for when the caller wants something on the slow side of contra speed, perhaps after kicking up dust with a fast tune like Chateau-gay or Greasy Coat. There are a number of tunes that I think sound better played slowish and we use them so the dancers can dance and rest up at the same time.

You do that? What tunes do you like for that situation?

[Mike Snyder]

I pick up some tunes from a session group out of Wichita. They play 2-3 times a week. I get with them every couple of months. They fly through "Swingin' on a Gate", whereas I play it much slower busking or at home. It sounds real good at a fast pace, but I struggle to get all the proper notes in the proper place at that speed. They play everything at a fast pace cuz they play so often together, and it's fun. I have a chopped up left hand and picking at speed is a challenge.

[woodwizard]

Woodchopper's Reel
Staten Island Hornpipe
and Possom up a Gum Tree

Think I'll try to do a new video of these

[woodwizard]

Oops I meant "Possom up a Gum STUMP" ... Great ole' tune

[Jody Kruskal]

Yeah, Possum is a good old tune. I've been playing this Kentucky (?) version of "Cluck old Hen" from fiddler Pug Allen. Very different from the common minor version. Beverly Smith & Carl Jones, Glow

[mandolirius]

I just learned "Possum Up A Simmon Tree" from an Art Stamper recording. I wonder if it's the same tune.

[woodwizard]

I just learned "Possum Up A Simmon Tree" from an Art Stamper recording. I wonder if it's the same tune.

I don't believe it is.

[woodwizard]

Possomwood
Jaybird

[Mike Snyder]

We have alot of fun with Staten Island Hornpipe. There's a point where you hit a D chord twice, kinda fast in a row. Sometimes we'll call out "bad chord" and everyone will play a clam note, sometimes we'll call out "silent" and every one will just omit it for the two beats. Good for a laugh. Great tune, though. Lately I've been pairing old-time tunes.

Waiting for Nancy/Rock the Cradle Joe
Seneca Squaredance/Snake River Reel

Having alot of fun with an old Edith Piaf tune Under Paris Skies, not a fiddle tune,but fun anyway.

[mandolirius]

04 Track 4.mp3

"Chicken Under The Washtub", a cool tune by Vivian Williams in D. Here's a version without mandolin. Good for playing along with.

[mandolirius]

The conversion program I used imprinted a voice logo.

[Brent Hutto]

Lonesome John (precursor to Clinch Mountain Backstep)

[Alex Orr]

Dixie Hoedown

[Randy Smith]

The conversion program I used imprinted a voice logo.

Love the voice! Sounds like a fiddle tune conveying a coded message.

[Brian Ray]

Shortnin' Bread...

http://youtu.be/Og_TtDt50EE

[Jim Nollman]

Julia Delaney (reel) Smash the Windows (jig). JD has a push to it that reminds me, oddly enough, of 60s San Francisco rock.

Also, revisiting Arkansas Traveler, Golden Slippers, and 8th of January, as a "greatest fiddle tune hits" medley for an upcoming contra dance. Seems that everyone everywhere has enjoyed these 3 tunes sometime in their life.

[AlanN]

Festival Waltz
Gypsy Swing
Miller's Reel

[woodwizard]

We have alot of fun with Staten Island Hornpipe. There's a point where you hit a D chord twice, kinda fast in a row. Sometimes we'll call out "bad chord" and everyone will play a clam note, sometimes we'll call out "silent" and every one will just omit it for the two beats. Good for a laugh. Great tune, though. Lately I've been pairing old-time tunes.

Waiting for Nancy/Rock the Cradle Joe
Seneca Squaredance/Snake River Reel

.

We play around with Staten Island Hornpipe like that too... fun tune!

Just started playing "Snake River Reel" Thanks for bringing that one to my attention. I like it... It flows

[AKmusic]

The Cat Came Back The Very Next Day
Salt River
Steamboat Around The Bend

[mandolirius]

Love the voice! Sounds like a fiddle tune conveying a coded message.

Yeah, sort of like those cold war era "numbers" broadcasts.

[JeffD]

We have alot of fun with Staten Island Hornpipe. There's a point where you hit a D chord twice, kinda fast in a row. Sometimes we'll call out "bad chord" and everyone will play a clam note, sometimes we'll call out "silent" and every one will just omit it for the two beats. Good for a laugh..

That is supposed to be the horn of the Staten Island Ferry

[fatt-dad]

Sarah Armstrong's Tune. That's a great fiddle tune in D. It actually uses all the strings too!

f-d