Just wondering if there are any English players going to the NE Squeeze-in who would like to get together to play tunes from "Dancing With Ma Baby." I've never heard any of these tunes played by anyone else and it would be interesting to hear how others play them. If there's any interest we could pick some tunes from the book to work on. I'm willing to work on anything in the book, but some of the more difficult tunes in the back are somewhat beyond my ability.

Any interest?
bruce boysen

I don't have that book, but I'm beginning to think it's one to get!

I play English and will be at the NE Squeeze-In, but...shall have to get back to you on this one, when/if I get to the Button Box or something, to buy a copy.

Hi Wendy,

I don't think the book is currently available. Perhaps the Button Box still has some copies, I don't know. If it's not available I could copy a few of the tunes and send them to you. The book is really great, you should try to find a copy.

If we get some people interested I'd like to make a list of tunes to work on. Sweet Auburn is pretty easy and is possibly my favorite, sounds great on concertina. Old Malabar is slightly more difficult, and is another that is really fun. I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts is a great arrangement. Love's Old Sweet Song has gorgeous harmonies but is a lot more difficult to play than the others I mentioned. Let me know if you can't find a copy and want me to send a few tunes your way.

bruce

Though I'm not an English player (I play Hayden duet), I have tried a number of tunes in that book, and would be interested in getting together to play tunes from it. I didn't get very far into the book mostly because I wasn't familiar with many of the tunes (I only recognized 4). I'd love to play through them with folk who know what the pieces are supposed to sound like.

Maybe a bunch of us can get one of them together enough to play for Saturday night's concert?

Hi Rich,

I wish I knew what these arrangements are supposed to sound like! I've never heard anyone play them and I've often wondered how badly I might be butchering them. I hope to get some ideas if we get some interest at the Squeeze-in.

Like you, I only know a couple of the melodies. I've heard "I've Got A lovely Bunch Of Coconuts" (Danny Kaye singing?) tons of times. When I was growing up my parents had a 78 of this song & my brothers & I played it all the time. A friend of mine has a James Joyce website (http://www.james-joyce-music.com/) and his college roomate sings "Love's Old Sweet Song" on the site. It's from a CD of Joyce era music they made. Other than that and a few melodies I recognise, I don't know what the tunes should sound like.

It would be even more fun to hear how they sound on other systems. How about David Cornell? I wonder if he plays any of them on his Maccann? He wrote the review of "Dancing With Ma Baby" that was in an old issue of Concertina & Squeezebox.

Rich, are there any paticular tunes from the book that you like?

bruce boysen

Hmmm.... Now that I revisit the tunes (rather than just check over the titles) I find that tunes I THOUGHT I knew, I really don't:

The Jenny Lind Polka version there is *very* different than the one I know.... Ave Maria is a classical piece I'm sure I've heard a number of times but I can't seem to play it well enough to remember how it goes.... Under the Double Eagle is NOT the Sousa tune I thought it was (I had gotten the name confused with his Invincible Eagle march.... And Tannhauser's Pilgrim's Chorus is another case of very familiar classical *name* but I couldn't resurrect a familiar tune from the dots.

I guess that makes me more clueless than you, Bruce, as I now rank at knowing only half of one tune! It really *would* be nice to hear how these things are supposed to go.

Taking your lead though, I'm working through your list and really like that Sweet Auburn. Interesting how the first few bars sounds like The Little Rascals....

Okay...thanks! I shall work on this after a decent night's sleep...after a decent cup of coffee, etc. (it's okay for me, I NEED caffeine!). I'll see if I can find a copy of 'Dancing With Ma Baby.'

Most likely, though, you'll be hearing from me that I couldn't find one.

I do have a copy of 'The English Concertina Melodist.' I'm working on some of that.

I find it SOOO much easier, though, to work on things that have vocal lines. So, my favorite book at the time is actually a voice/piano book.

Both these pieces are identical to the ones I know from my brass quintet work. Under the Double Eagle is even in the same key. I always wanted to try it with the EC and the B5tet alternating the repeated sections -- it would be great! I doubt I can get any of my quintet (besides myself) to come to the Squeeze-In, however.

Jay Lamsa, who hasn't chimed in here yet, is working on this book too. I recall he might be coming to the S-I. Me, I'll work on reading bass clef and play some of those notes for you on my baritone.

Ken

Ken, do you know where I could hear (CD or online) "Under The Double Eagle?" I hadn't tried this one before. I find some of these tunes at the back of the book pretty hard to play and it sure would help to hear any version of them.

Just a thought, but a lot of these tunes were arranged by Henry Stanley and somewhere in the book it said that his master library is actually all Duet arrangements and that he'd adapt them to the ability of the player and to the system it was to be played on. It sure would be interesting to hear these same tunes arranged for & played on Duet.

bruce

Yes, I'd be very interested! As Ken said, I'm trying to work through the book a little at a time. I've done most of the pieces in the so-called "easy" section. Maybe we could come to a concensus on say, three to five pieces and play them? I've never heard anybody else play these either!

I just recently met another english concertinist - I'll see if I can get her interested as well.

Jay

I have a home recording of our quintet playing "Under the Double Eagle" at a local nursing home four years ago. I am amazed to think of a single person playing all that on one concertina! If you are enough of a geek to use ftp Bruce, I can put a compressed version of it up where you can get it. Write me off bbs.

Jay, and all of you in New England (and Britain for that matter) are lucky to have other players around. Make the most of it, I say.

Ken
(currently in Indiana for part of the summer)

To BruceB...

As far as I know, I just sent you an e-mail (through the boards) re 'Dancing With Ma Baby,' but I'm just a bit unsure if it was actually sent. So, if you don't receive it, please let me know and I'll try again.

Thanks!

Jay,

Yes, let's make a list. How about 6 tunes? I'm open to any tunes from the book. How about two from the easy section, two from the medium & two from the difficult tunes? Obviously, only work on as few or as many tunes as you're comfortable with, the Squeeze isn't that far away.

Anyone want to propose which ones? Sweet Auburn is pretty easy yet sounds good.

bruce boysen

Tentative list from Dancing With Ma Baby for Squeeze.....

1. Side By Side
2. Sweet Auburn
3. I've Got A lovely Bunch Of Coconuts
4. Old Malabar
5. Dancing With Ma Baby
6. Love's Old Sweet Song

It's fine with me if the final list is completely different, this is just to get the ball rolling. Love's Old Sweet Song is the only one that is really difficult for me.

bruce boysen

Bruce, I wonder if it would be of use to some players if you posted what key these are in, in that book?

Then, anyone going that basically knows the songs but doesn't have the book, would be more ready to 'jump in' and play.

....If you've got the time to look that all up, of course!

That list looks good - I haven't tried the last three, so that gives me something to shoot for! The Jenny Lind is interesting, too.

Jay

Well, I do, and for once I am in the same place (on holiday in Indiana) as all my music. Let's see:

1. Side By Side F major
2. Sweet Auburn F major, part of Trio section in Bb major
3. I've Got A lovely Bunch Of Coconuts C major
4. Old Malabar F major, Trio in Bb major
5. Dancing With Ma Baby C major, Trio in F major
6. Love's Old Sweet Song F major

Hmm, do we see a pattern here? Apologies if any of these are actually in the relative minor, I tried humming the melodies to myself (since of course I can't play them) and they all seem to be major.

Yikes! The list does seem major key heavy. I'm not sure why that is, if anyone wants to suggest a tune in a minor key I'll try to work on it.

I made an interesting "discovery" last night. I found my copy of Duet Arrangements for Maccann that David Cornell did some years ago (the arrangements are at the Maccann site), and tried a few out on my tenor English. The first one I tried "Ashgrove" worked fine. I'd say it's moderate difficulty on an English. It's a nice arrangement too. I'm surprised by this as I thought they'd need extensive changes to work on a different system. It looks like lots of them will work with no more than minor changes. Waltzing Matilda is another excellent arrangement that seems pretty good on English.

You can check them out at the Maccann site.

bruce boysen

Okay, here's my 'progress report,' as far as this goes!

I will consider myself 'accomplished' if I get 3 of these compositions down well. So, that will probably be 'Side By Side,' 'Coconuts,' and 'Dancing With Ma Baby.'

As for the gradations of Easy to Difficult -- I can find my way through every one, but, I find it difficult to play any written musical arrangements (other than my own compositions) with the ease and grace required.

If luck (and time) allows, I'll have them ALL worked out well by the time of the Squeeze-In, but...hmm.

I really only began reading/sight-reading music very much when I began playing the concertina, so...I am stubborn. I have always tended to play more by ear.

Also...it's new to me to play (with any decency) pieces that have 'Trio' sections and so on. They seem long, and after I play them, I can't easily recall how they go! I don't get to hear them played and they aren't in my mental 'files.'

Anyway...just saying that I'm doing my best, within reason (must do SOME housework, etc.).

Yes - I'm planning on working on the list as well. Bellowbelle, I'm the opposite - I have to have the written music! Maybe you can give me some pointers on moving towards learning by ear. I wonder if it is like language - there is an "ideal period" in our lives when we can learn languages, including the language of music. Miss the window, and it is more difficult to pick up the "ear" vs. "written" music. Don't know.

"Side by Side" I'm doing pretty well with (at least by myself and no audience!). "Coconuts", too, and "Sweet Auburn" is coming along. Anyway, sounds like there will at least be a few of us working on these pieces for September - should be fun!

Jay

Hi everyone,
The last few weeks I've been hiking & riding more than playing. It's tough to stay inside when it's so beautiful in the woods. I haven't been working on Love's Old Sweet Song, as of now I can just slowly work my way through it. It's not close to being ready to be played in front of anyone else. It will be fun to hear how other people do these tunes.
I received my copy of Faulkner Brandon's "English Concertina Music." 140 tunes arranged for EC. The arrangements I've looked at are really good. They are fairly easy arrangements, about like "Side By Side" and "Sweet Auburn." I'm working on "The Ash Grove." It's simple but effective and very easy to pick up. It's also easy to add extra harmony notes to it. I have a tenor concertina, and adding the low D works well in several places.
bruce boysen

Well, I do need the music, for these 'long' compositions -- that's the catch! Also, I am probably not half as good at performing as I would be if I were more of a reader. (But...I don't really wish to perform regularly, so, that one's no big deal.)

I don't really LEARN tunes 'by ear,' HOWEVER, I like to be able to rely on my ear quite a bit when I'm finally playing them with ease.

It's really just preference, I don't think it makes the final outcome any better -- and, of course, the longer the piece and the more themes introduced...the more you'd want to be a good sight-reader!

Pointers....??? Hmm...well, I don't know, I wouldn't worry about 'missed windows' and all, if you really wish to do something.

I know that the musician (accordion player) who first taught and influenced me quite a bit really emphasized hearing the I-IV-V relationships, and then the extended relationships -- 'secondary fifths' (and fourths). I remember sticking closely to I-IV-V songs, then how great and unique it sounded when I eventually learned how to use the Bb chord in a song in the key of C -- etc..

So, the first trick was to listen for 'resolutions,' cadences, in the phrasing, and make note of those.

Then, of course, to improvise using the familiar chord structures. Singing or 'scatting' while playing, etc..

Obvious things, maybe...but, that's all I can think of...

And, I must add that I am no shining example of improvisational skills. I could have pursued it all a great deal further, but, for one thing, my family lived in an apartment and though the neighbors were all pretty nice, you can't 'scat' all day....
though, the lady downstairs did play loud polka music quite often!

Oh, I was just recently listening to a midi of that on the web -- didn't even realize that it was on the list! So, that's one I could maybe easily add on.


There's a lot of arrangements in the ICA newsletter, too, which I've just started receiving.

Just wondering how people were coming along with these tunes? I suddenly realized the Squeeze-In wasn't that far away and I had to get practicing! I'm doing OK on 1-3, should be presentable. Yes, Love's Old Sweet Song is no picnic.

Also, Come back to Sorrento (in particular) and Jenny Lind are fairly easy and fun to play - take a look at those ones!

Hope to see many of you there!

Jay

Just discovered this thread - what a great idea. Only problem is I've searched the internet high and low and can't find the music for these tunes anywhere. Anyone interested in transcribing these for abc and posting them in the tune-o-tron? If I can get hold of the music I could transcribe them. I'd love to join in with the tunes.

I'll have to surprise myself with whatever I'm able to play, in a group, at the Squeeze-In. (With a few prompts from the music, I can play Side By Side and Dancing With Ma Baby pretty well, but....I allow myself to goof around and get out of time and so on, and ya can't do that in a 'real' performance or whatever.)

I've had two main things to 'get over,' or, deal with.

One, a very bad flare-up of the crazy skin problem that afflicts my extremities, mainly the fingers. My fingers become so painful that it hurts to use my hands at all -- even to press the button on the T.V. remote control. (Please...no more lists and lists of stuff to try putting on them....thanks....I've got all the lists....yes, I do have a doctor, through an HMO....etc...) This problem is partly why I never touch a guitar anymore. Anyway, it can tend to cut down practice time. I'm making a little bit of healthful progress via the medicine I have for migraines and by exercising with my edge-trainer to keep my circulation circulating. I have a feeling that the skin problem and the migraine stuff are all related. Anyway....

The other thing....

I discovered, while trying to practice music to be played with a group, that I have had some left-over 'bad attitude' feelings towards doing just that! I've kind of resented, not too seriously, various music teachers/directors. (...drifts into little fantasy of throwing music book across the room and screaming, 'NO! I will NOT play that!') So, Myself and my SELF have reached a compromise. I won't care if I can't manage to do it all just right, as long as I promise to not care if I can't manage to do it all just right!!!

Other than that....

If my fingers treat me nice, I'll practice away on every single song in the set!

'Love's Old Sweet Song,' I haven't even given a decent try, though.

When my daughter goes back to school, a bit before the Squeeze-In, I'll probably be more apt to practice, too.

Ah Wendy,

Sending good thoughts your way.

English Squeezers,

Have tons of fun playing together. Okay, that sounded a little risque.

Helen

Thanks! Maybe that's what helped me practice a bit, today!

Realized, today, too, that I am usually one of those who fumbles along until the LAST MINUTE when the pressure is on, and then I suddenly 'get it all.' I don't know why...maybe it's my 'dosha,' me having a heavy dose of 'kapha,' or something....

Anyway, probably right before the S-I I'll suddenly conquer my music problems. (And my fingers will hopefully be migraine-free!)

Oh well in that case, Wendy, I am sending you more good thoughts.

I'll take a break on Monday, though, so you don't get overwhelmed with practicing.

My PA teacher is unavailable for two weeks. I don't think I should be so happy about this.

More tina time.

Helen