Tune Of The Month, April 2014: Zelda

[Jim Besser]

Well, now it's time to announce the winner of the April 2014 poll, not the other day. I'd like to say it was a computer gremlin that caused the premature announcement, but it was plain old user error. My bad.

This month's voting wasn't close at all: it's Zelda by a landslide.

This lively French dance tune by Philippe Plard is pretty easy to play and positively infectious. If you don't believe that, watch this Paris flash mob, complete with dancers.

See more examples

and

.

Here's a link to some notation, if you're paper trained. I've mostly heard it played in Am, but the key is entirely up to you; I look forward to a lot of different versions.

If you haven't participated in the TOTM before, now's a good time to start, even if you're a beginner. Especially if you're a beginner; the idea here is to benefit from the discipline of learning and recording a tune - a lot more challenging than just playing it in splendid isolation - and from the helpful feedback of other c.netters.

And recording is easy; you don't need fancy equipment. A smartphone or computer with mic or camera will do just fine; it's a simple matter to post your sound or video recording on Soundcloud or YouTube. PM me if you need help.

Edited April 1, 2014 by Jim Besser

[alex_holden]

Well, now it's time to announce the winner of the April 2014 poll, not the other day. I'd like to say it was a computer gremlin that caused the premature announcement, but it was plain old user error. My bad.

Given that it's April 1st, you probably should have announced something completely different had won!

 

This month's voting wasn't close at all: it's Zelda by a landslide.

Hurrah! I've been looking forward to learning this one.

 

Here's a link to some notation, if you're paper trained. I've mostly heard it played in Am, but the key is entirely up to you; I look forward to a lot of different versions.

I've no idea what the stuff below the dots means, but here is a transcription into ABC:

 

X:1

T:Zelda

C:Philippe Plard

M:6/8

L:1/8

Q:1/4=160

P:A2B2

K:Am

P:A

|: e2 A e2 A | fed e2 e | edc B2 B |1 Bcd c2 A :|2 BcB A3 |

P:B

|: ABc E2 E | ABc F2 F | ABc B2 B |1 dcB c2 A :|2 dcB A3 |

 

I've made a tiny tweak to the second bar because it was the wrong length.

[Further small edits at the suggestion of Chris and Doug in the comments below.]

Edited April 3, 2014 by alex_holden

[JimLucas]

Given that it's April 1st, you probably should have announced something completely different had won!

 

Given that it's April 1st, maybe Jim B. has decided to select a tune that didn't win the poll as the "real" winner, and we'll find out which one, tomorrow.

[Steve Mansfield]

 

I've no idea what the stuff below the dots means, but here is a transcription into ABC:

 

Just as a point of information it's tablature for melodeon - button, direction, and duration. I've never found any form of tablature remotely useful compared to good old fashioned tadpoles-on-a-five-bar-gate but some people swear by it. Thinking about it, is there an anglo equivalent?

[Chris Drinkwater]

 

Well, now it's time to announce the winner of the April 2014 poll, not the other day. I'd like to say it was a computer gremlin that caused the premature announcement, but it was plain old user error. My bad.

Given that it's April 1st, you probably should have announced something completely different had won!

 

This month's voting wasn't close at all: it's Zelda by a landslide.

Hurrah! I've been looking forward to learning this one.

 

Here's a link to some notation, if you're paper trained. I've mostly heard it played in Am, but the key is entirely up to you; I look forward to a lot of different versions.

I've no idea what the stuff below the dots means, but here is a transcription into ABC:

 

X:1

T:Zelda

C:Philippe Plard

M:6/8

L:1/8

Q:1/4=150

K:Am

|: e2 A e2 A | fed e3 | edc B2 B |1 Bcd c2 A :|2 BcB A3 |

|: ABc E2 E | ABc F2 F | ABc B2 B |1 dcB c2 A :|2 dcB A3 |

 

I've made a tiny tweak to the second bar because it was the wrong length.

 

 

 

Yes, the second bar in the A part should have a dotted crochet as the last note. Also, the A part and B part should be repeated, i.e. each played twice through and not once, as notated in Alex's ABC version, making 32 bars in total.

 

Chris

[Jody Kruskal]

Zelda it is then. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHe1z98sBC8

 

Great tune. What makes it great, IMO is the B part. It's simple but deceiving and throws me off balance every time I play it. Here is my analysis of the B part deception.

 

The B section chord changes come on the second half of measures 2, 3 and 4. From Am to D to E and back to Am. Most of the tunes I play have important chord changes on the first beat of a measure... not Zelda. This makes the third phrase repeat of the notes A, B, C in the top of B measure 3 sound like the pickup to the B note, the one with the E chord in the second half of measure 3. That is to say... to me, it sounds like a crooked tune with the second measure of the B being a 9/8 measure.

 

It's not... but every time I get there, I'm fooled into thinking that it is.

 

I must be playing too many of those crooked West Virginia A modal tunes where they actually do such things... but without the dancers who might fall over in France. My beret is off to the clever Mr. Philippe Plard for devising such an economical harmonic/rhythmic deception!

 

Anyone else hear this cool bait and switch with the relationship between the chords and the melody forcing a crooked feel to an otherwise straight tune?

 

I'm in awe!

Edited April 15, 2014 by Jody Kruskal

[alex_holden]

Yes, the second bar in the A part should have a dotted crochet as the last note. Also, the A part and B part should be repeated, i.e. each played twice through and not once, as notated in Alex's ABC version, making 32 bars in total.

Thanks, I've added the parts to my notation above.

[Jim Besser]

 

It's not... but every time I get there, I'm fooled into thinking that it is.

 

I must be playing too many of those crooked West Virginia A modal tunes where they actually do such things... but without the dancers who might fall over in France. My beret is off to the clever Mr. Philippe Plard for devising such an economical harmonic/rhythmic deception!

 

Anyone else hear this cool bait and switch with the relationship between the chords and the melody forcing a crooked feel to an otherwise straight tune?

 

I'm in awe!

 

Yes! Yesterday I had to play it with a metronome because it was messing with my head.

 

The tune also has some interesting chording possibilities. Definitely a fun one.

[Doug Anderson]

I tried it with the "e3" in the second measure, and with an "e2 e", and I prefer the latter.

Edited April 2, 2014 by Doug Anderson

[Łukasz Martynowicz]

After a long, long absence from TOTM I simply couldn't resist to find some time and learn Zelda - such an energetic tune.

 

So, for starters, here is my melody-only WIP: https://soundcloud.com/martynowi-cz/totm-april-zelda-wip-melody

 

I play the first bar differently, with e-c and not e-A, because I will add A in the accompaniment for this part.

 

Also not too many variations for now, only one major in the second repetition of B part.

[alex_holden]

I tried it with the "e3" in the second measure, and with an "e2 e", and I prefer the latter.

Just tried it and I agree.

[Jim Besser]

What a nice tune. https://soundcloud.com/concertinist/zelda-besser-mp3-mp3

 

Played in Am on a 30 key Lachenal / Dipper C/G

[Łukasz Martynowicz]

I like your A part very much Jim, it has a nice Early Music feel to it.

[JulieK]

Hi all!

This is a very beginner question... I've had my concertina for exactly one week today!! Yay! I purchased it at the Button Box in MA... I already read music, so really it's a matter of figuring out fingering and style... In the last week I've watched LOTS of videos (mostly the oaim ones) and can play 3 songs... I'm pretty proud of that!! So, I love Zelda and can play the melody (not nearly as fast as the ones I've heard so far) it's slow but recognizable... So, my question is, how do you decide on harmony notes to add in? I have no problem playing the written notes, but am unsure how to decide on the "other" things... I'm a middle school general music teacher and understand harmonies but have never played an instrument that leans so heavily on tradition and not so much on reading Trying to learn something new isn't easy, but it sure is fun I appreciate any guidance I might even record myself (if you all promise not to laugh

[Wolf Molkentin]

Hi Julie, welcome to concertina universe! As to your request, are you playing Zelda in A minor? If so, you may simply try out every major or minor triad which is playable with white piano keys at different points of the tune: C, F and G major as well as D, E and A minor, just for a start.

 

Best wishes - Wolf

 

P.S.: Although I would do so when playing Zelda, E major might replace E minor, as a matter of personal taste. Looking forward to listening to your recording, be it single line melody or with some harmonies added...

Edited April 6, 2014 by blue eyed sailor

[Leonard]

Another mystery solved....

 

In 2006 C.net member Cream-T posted this tune, calling it 'Belgian Breakfast', but asking for the correct title.

I played the tune for a while back then, and now I recognized Jim's rendition on Soundcloud.

 

..........

Here's the abc from (my quite probably slightly flawed) memory. If someone knows the real title and composer, I'd be very grateful. Thanks!

X:1
T:Belgian Breakfast - real title unknown
S:Sidmouth Ethno England workshop
C:unknown
L:1/8
M:6/8
K:G treble
%
B2E B2E | cBA B2E | FGA AGF | AGF G2E|\
B2E B2E | cBA B2E | FGA FGA | FGF E3 :|
EFG B,zB,| EFG CzC | EFG DzD | AGF G2F|\
EFG B,zB,| EFG CzC | EFG DzD | AGF E3:|

 

Here's the original post. Cream-T hasn't been seen on C.net since 2009....

[chas]

Three parts but only two concertinists so: Zelda played first against a drone, then a low harmony (which really needed to be on a baritone and doesn't quite work on a treble ) and finally with a top harmony. Maybe we can get together with a baritone-playing friend before the end of the month!

(Two Englishes, an Aeola and a Wheatstone with riveted reeds.)

 

https://soundcloud.com/jignatius-aeola/zelda

[Łukasz Martynowicz]

Indeed the second part doesn't work well with treble, sounds a bit chaotic - but the third part is great and gives an idea of what you had in mind for the second part. Hope you'll find a baritone and play a trio, can't wait to hear it happen