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Tune Of The Month, June 2014: Emma's Waltz


Jim Besser

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This one wasn't even close; our democratic choice for June is the lovely Finnish waltz Emma's, and a fine choice it is.

 

What I really like about Emma's is the variety of ways in which it can be played. Lilting or sultry, straight or with a tango feel, there options to suit many tastes. I'm sure we'll hear many of them on the TOTM forum.

 

I first heard it at a jam when it was played with a distinctly Klezmer feel, and I still suspect that while it is Finnish in origin, there are some Eastern European influences lurking in there somewhere.

 

Here's a good source for notation. As always, remember that this represents just one way of playing this tune. Listen to some of the versions on YouTube and figure out what style works best for you.

 

- this one has a real klezmer feel.
- virtuosic playing by an Irish melodeonist

 

Over on The Session, there's an extensive discussion about the tune, with no clear consensus about its origins, and additional ABC versions.

 

It's a great tune and I look forward to lots of different interpretations.

 

Remember, the Tune of the Month forum only works when people participate. Don't be shy, don't be afraid to record yourself no matter what your level of playing.

Edited by Jim Besser
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Hi Jim and all,

 

anticipated this yesterday and had a nice hour with deciding whether I would keep (or even expand) the Klezmer feel or take the tune more in the modal/celtic direction, arranging and playing it...

 

As you will hear I chose to stick with the approach of the first video, even adding a little D# note to the A-min:

 

 

Emma's Waltz

 

 

It's a first attempt (couldn't avoid having it sounding a bit heavy), and I hope there will be some progress from listening to fellow members' takes (and of course better rehearsing too).

 

Best - Wolf

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I learned this on melodeon, and had a hard time getting a feel for it on concertina.

 

I liked the A part much better in Am (on the G/D Anglo), but the B part was very awkward with the limitations of a 30 button instrument. So I settled on Bm, and aimed for a different feel than my melodeon version.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfvpr7AcLJM&feature=youtu.be

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Here's the text in Swedish:

 

Å-å minns du den kvällen
den månskenskvällen, då vi
dansade helt allena.
Och du svor och du lova',
på heligt bedyra', att alltid, alltid var min.
Å-å-å Emma, Emma å Emma, Emma
du svor att alltid var min.
Å-å-å Emma, Emma å Emma, Emma
du svor att alltid var min.

 

 

It's one of my favourite tunes, and I like to sing along with it in sessions.

 

 

 

Edit: I was digging around on YouTube looking for other Finnish goodies when I found this.

Edited by SteveS
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Another take. I said I liked the A part better in Am, but that the B is really tricky on a 30 button G/D Anglo.

 

So I tried it in AM, playing the B part low. And I returned to the melody I used on melodeon, at a brisker pace.

 

I don't particularly like it, but it was worth trying.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrH56kgjIMY&feature=youtu.be

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Hi Jim,

 

I love your version in BM !!

 

I am struggling with the lefthand !

 

I have a G/D Jefferies

 

Any hints please as to what you are pressing

 

This is my favourite tune of the moment and really want to crack it in BM, it sounds so great !!

 

Kind regards

 

Karl

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Hi Jim,

 

I love your version in BM !!

 

I am struggling with the lefthand !

 

I have a G/D Jefferies

 

Any hints please as to what you are pressing

 

This is my favourite tune of the moment and really want to crack it in BM, it sounds so great !!

 

Kind regards

 

Karl

 

Thanks! I much prefer the Bm version to the Am one I recorded.

 

I'll be happy to tell you more, but I'm away at a music event for the weekend.

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Hi Jim,

 

Would love to have some suggestions for the left hand in this tune,

 

If you get a chance

 

Kind regards

 

Karl

 

I could video me playing it with a fairly closeup view of the left hand. Would that work for you?

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]

 

Here is my version in Em. I played around with Bm and Am but Em seemed to work best for me and my G/D Stagi. It is still choppy, but hopefully I am making a little progress.

 

Tune of the month is a great teaching tool - I'd encourage other novice players to try it!

 

 

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WUxVAw7D_g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WUxVAw7D_g[/url

Edited by Daria
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]

 

Here is my version in Em. I played around with Bm and Am but Em seemed to work best for me and my G/D Stagi. It is still choppy, but hopefully I am making a little progress.

 

Tune of the month is a great teaching tool - I'd encourage other novice players to try it!

 

 

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WUxVAw7D_g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WUxVAw7D_g[/url

 

Nicely done, Daria!

 

And what is that white beast at your side???

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