I've been playing the Ballydesmond Polka #1 and #2 in our local session, however one of the others asked me would I add a third tune to the set, something in a major key...anyone do this? Any suggestions?
I've been playing the Ballydesmond Polka #1 and #2 in our local session, however one of the others asked me would I add a third tune to the set, something in a major key...anyone do this? Any suggestions?
Well, there's always the third ballydesmond. Not that many people play it, but it might be fun to add to the other two
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1920 Lyon & Healy bowlback
1923 Gibson A-1 snakehead
1952 Strad-o-lin
1983 Giannini ABSM1 bandolim
2009 Giannini GBSM3 bandolim
2011 Eastman MD305
Hi Randi, that's a row I've had with an accordion player he's of the opinion that there's only 2 and while I've never heard #3 I've always seen references to Ballydesmond #1 #2 and #3, any links to it? I've never met a group of musicians who could agree which was #1 and which was #2 and I've met others who say #1 or #2 is #3. (that's a lot of # in one post)
Roger Landes
http://rogerlandes.com
Lessons: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/199670#199670
The Hal Leonard Irish Bouzouki Method:
https://www.halleonard.com/product/v...?itemid=696348
"Dragon Reels" 25th Anniversary Reissue
https://rogerlandes.bandcamp.com/releases
Here's what we call Ballydesmond #1.
Thanks for the input M.Marmot and Zoukboy but that's what I know as #1 or #2 depending on who I'm talking to. Doug C I don't know that one but will try it later Thanks.
Doug C posted a version of the missing one, although it really isn't A dorian (I'd say it is in D). The other posters gave versions of the two standard ones. Numbers don't mean anything, the two Am ones are often played, the third one is largely forgotten and I think there is a reason for it. Here are all three on one page, from Mike Long's compilation King Street Sessions, which is available at http://www.m-d-long.com/
Thanks Roland that looks good and gives me something to fuel the "Ballydesmond Argument" at the session :-)
Hey pgb -- sorry for not getting back; that's what i get for not getting on the interwebs for 2 days . Roland posted the trio the way I've got it (I think I got the three from a German ITM site several years ago). Our group also has a book with all 3 of them, but we convinced the guy who put it together that no one plays the last one so we skip it. Nothing wrong with 2 polkas instead of three, I say, if you play them 4 times each! I actually can play it (sort of) and was at a session in Cape Cod where they played all three, but that was the only time I've heard the trio (as opposed to just two of them) getting air time.
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1920 Lyon & Healy bowlback
1923 Gibson A-1 snakehead
1952 Strad-o-lin
1983 Giannini ABSM1 bandolim
2009 Giannini GBSM3 bandolim
2011 Eastman MD305
Not that it matters all that much in the great scheme of things, but I think the customary numbering comes from the order of the three tunes on the seminal "The Star Above the Garter" recording (1969, Claddagh Records CC5) by Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford. On that recording they are played in this order:
Roger Landes
http://rogerlandes.com
Lessons: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/199670#199670
The Hal Leonard Irish Bouzouki Method:
https://www.halleonard.com/product/v...?itemid=696348
"Dragon Reels" 25th Anniversary Reissue
https://rogerlandes.bandcamp.com/releases
I've never actually heard all 3 played together. I'm listening to 3 (or 1?) now I think I'll do it with the newer one first as the others seem to have more drive to them.
Thanks for the album recommendation Zoukboy, just downloaded The Star above the Garther. The order you've shown above certainly works better.
Welcome to Sliabh Luachra - first stop , ballydesmond, second stop, ballydesmond, third stop ballydesmond.
It's like a polka based groundhog day - too busy playing music to come up with titles - The Star Above the Garter is a great album you'll not be disappointed by it.
That's how I'm used to hearing/playing the set, and that LP is a treasure. Still available digitally, too. (iTunes, Amazon, etc.) Oddly enough, my introduction to this set was via Tommy Thompson's banjo version with the Red Clay Ramblers. I don't know if clawhammer players still play this set, but for a while those polkas were a popular part of the old-time repertoire.
Just one guy's opinion
www.guitarfish.net
Just one guy's opinion
www.guitarfish.net
Our band play the three Ballydesmonds the way Roger shows it too. The first one is not played as much, but it is a great tune. No sense in breaking them up
Mike Keyes
I'll second Paul and heartily recommend "The Star Above the Garter." It's essential for understanding the music of Sliabh Luachra. Getting that feel on polkas is a challenge on fretted instruments but it is doable.
Roger Landes
http://rogerlandes.com
Lessons: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/199670#199670
The Hal Leonard Irish Bouzouki Method:
https://www.halleonard.com/product/v...?itemid=696348
"Dragon Reels" 25th Anniversary Reissue
https://rogerlandes.bandcamp.com/releases
We were told that polkas (especially from sliabh luachra) are emphasized on the offbeat (sort of like a chop ... ) to get that nice bounce.
--------------------------------
1920 Lyon & Healy bowlback
1923 Gibson A-1 snakehead
1952 Strad-o-lin
1983 Giannini ABSM1 bandolim
2009 Giannini GBSM3 bandolim
2011 Eastman MD305
Roger Landes
http://rogerlandes.com
Lessons: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/199670#199670
The Hal Leonard Irish Bouzouki Method:
https://www.halleonard.com/product/v...?itemid=696348
"Dragon Reels" 25th Anniversary Reissue
https://rogerlandes.bandcamp.com/releases
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