Jim Besser Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 (edited) Wow - this poll wasn't even close, and I can't say I'm sorry: Crested Hens - originally Les Poules Huppées - is a wonderful French tune that lends itself to a variety of styles. I can't wait to see what you folks will do with it. As I said in the poll, I first heard this played by the great Irish band Solas, and that lovely version apparently was the model for many other recordings: hauntingly slow and lyrical. It's amazing how many Irish groups do this French tune thanks to Solas. But this tune was originally a bouree and often played as a mazurka; On the Anglo International CD, Nigel Chippendale paired the tune - here simply called Mazurka - with Petit Valse, both played as lively dance tunes. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any dance versions of the tune on YouTube. Here's a fuller description from the Traditional Tune Archive page, with the original 3/8 notation and the 3/4 version played by Solas: CRESTED HENS, THE (Les Poules Huppées). French, Bourrée à 3 temps (3/8 time). E Dorian. Standard tuning (fiddle). Composed in 1983 by French national and hurdy-gurdy (vielle a roue) player, Gilles Chabenat, who remarks that some bars of a Debussy composition served as inspiration for the germ of the tune. It is of a type from central France, where it is also a folk dance, and is usually played at a medium tempo though this tune is often heard played slower, a la the Irish group Solas (who popularised the tune and translated the title). Gilles remarks that the title was a kind of nonsense play, from his teenage years. The tune is often mistakenly ascribed Breton origins, of varying degrees of antiquity, however, it is a modern composition by Chabenat. It can sound great played in a melody-only style, but it also has great potential for a harmonic piece. There are lots of ways to make this tune your own. As promised, here's a recording of the basic melody, in Em. Please remember: I learn this stuff by ear, and my versions are not at all authoritative. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/68325595/Crested_Hens_Simple_melody.MP3 Here's some notation on the ABC home page: http://abcnotation.com/tunePage?a=www.ellwood.org/slow/mas/0210 And an image file: http://www.fiddlestudio.com/2009/10/crested-hens.html And, thanks to Sqzbxr, the raw ABCs: X:1 T:Crested HensT:Les Poules HuppeesM:3/4L:1/8R:waltzQ:110O:Gilles Chabenat 1983, FranceC:bourrée/waltzK:Edor|:"Em"E3 GFE|B4 Bc|"G"dc Be dc|"D"dc BA GF|"Em"E3 GFE|B4 Bc|"D"dc BA GA|"Em"B3 G FD|E3 GFE|B4 Bc|"G"dc Be dc|"D"dc BA GF|"Em"E3 GFE|B4 Bc|"D"dc BA GA|"Em"B4 ef|gB Bg gB|"C"=c4 ef|"D"gf ag fe|"B7"^d2 e2 f2|"Em"gB Bg gB|"C"=c4 ef|"D"gf ag fd|"Em"e3 e ef|gB Bg gB|"C"=c4 ef|"D"gf ag fe|"B7"^d2 e2 f2| "Em"gB Bg gB|"C"=c4 ef|"D"gf ag fd|"Em"e3 G FA:| Edited October 1, 2014 by Jim Besser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Hey folks, remember that October doesn't just have a THEME of the month, it also has this TUNE of the month. This thread -- so far with no replies, much less submitted recordings -- is already halfway down the second page of my New Content, nearly swept away by the wave of so many other topics. So I think it's time for a BUMP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Besser Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 I wasn't going to post this until I could work out a better arrangement and play it more smoothly, but massive computer trouble here, better get this up before the whole thing melts down! https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/68325595/CrestedHens1_besser.MP3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Barnert Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 (edited) And here's mine. This is a tune I've never played before today. https://soundcloud.com/dr-sleep-1/the-crested-hen Edited to add: So today I've posted my earliest tune and my most recent. Edited October 4, 2014 by David Barnert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene S. Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 (edited) "But this tune was originally a bouree and often played as a mazurka; On the Anglo International CD, Nigel Chippendale paired the tune - here simply called Mazurka - with Petit Valse, both played as lively dance tunes. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any dance versions of the tune on YouTube." It should probably be pointed out that Nigel's surname was correctly spelled "Chippindale". The spelling on the sleeve notes for Anglo International was unfortunately incorrect. But also, although Nigel IS on the track, he is not actually playing the tune. I had wondered why this month's tune sounded familiar to me, and couldn't think why. The concertina player on the track is actually Ralph Jordan, who was playing a 58 key Maccann duet. (Long story, but due to a misunderstanding the wrong track got supplied when Al Day was hunting for stuff from Nigel. It was only after Anglo International came out that Ralph realised the error - and didn't want to upset anyone by mentioning it. Now he is no longer with us, I reckon it is safe to bring it up.) Edited October 5, 2014 by Irene S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Besser Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 "But this tune was originally a bouree and often played as a mazurka; On the Anglo International CD, Nigel Chippendale paired the tune - here simply called Mazurka - with Petit Valse, both played as lively dance tunes. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any dance versions of the tune on YouTube." It should probably be pointed out that Nigel's surname was correctly spelled "Chippindale". The spelling on the sleeve notes for Anglo International was unfortunately incorrect. But also, although Nigel IS on the track, he is not actually playing the tune. I had wondered why this month's tune sounded familiar to me, and couldn't think why. The concertina player on the track is actually Ralph Jordan, who was playing a 58 key Maccann duet. (Long story, but due to a misunderstanding the wrong track got supplied when Al Day was hunting for stuff from Nigel. It was only after Anglo International came out that Ralph realised the error - and didn't want to upset anyone by mentioning it. Now he is no longer with us, I reckon it is safe to bring it up.) Thanks for the clarification. It's a great track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Besser Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 And here's mine. This is a tune I've never played before today. https://soundcloud.com/dr-sleep-1/the-crested-hen Edited to add: So today I've posted my earliest tune and my most recent. Nice. Would you consider this version a mazurka or a waltz? Seems more waltzlike to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Day Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 This tune was taken from the cassette issued after Nigel died called Nigel "Chippindale out takes" and from memory came from the Sidmouth Concert at the Beach Store . I was not aware that it was not Nigel playing. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene S. Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 (edited) I'm afraid so Al.He was playing on the track, but not the concertina in question. :-( Edited October 6, 2014 by Irene S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Day Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 No wonder I had problems working out the Petit Waltz on my anglo. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daria Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) Here is my version. I worked on trying to play it slowly, simply and steadily and tried to give the piece some space and silence .Easier said than done. A little snippet of an old french Christmas carol popped in my head at the end of the piece. https://soundcloud.com/stream Edited October 14, 2014 by Daria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Besser Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Here is my version. I worked on trying to play it slowly, simply and steadily and tried to give the piece some space and silence .Easier said than done. A little snippet of an old french Christmas carol popped in my head at the end of the piece. https://soundcloud.com/user643105994/crested-hens I like the space. That's something I have trouble with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Collicutt Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MofdfUl-6ks&feature=youtu.be Hopefully played as a 3/8 bouree, but not as a fast as Blowzabella, but my wife thinks too fast. Played on C/G Wakker Phoenix with Wheatstone reeds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 This is terrific Graham, love your approach beyond the realms of both waltz and polska ...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Besser Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MofdfUl-6ks&feature=youtu.be Hopefully played as a 3/8 bouree, but not as a fast as Blowzabella, but my wife thinks too fast. Played on C/G Wakker Phoenix with Wheatstone reeds. Nice! I"m guessing this was the way the tune was intended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Collicutt Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 I have now found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZPIulK33GE being played on the instrument, on which it was composed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 (edited) I have now found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZPIulK33GE being played on the instrument, on which it was composed? A proper speed for the bourée à trois temps... I say 'a' because there will always be those who want to dance slower or faster than this. On the Hurdy Gurdy the tune sounds ok at this speed... in fact a period recording of Gilles Chabenat playing the piece is a wee bit quicker than this video. I feel it might sound 'rushed' at this speed on a concertina for some reason. Edited October 9, 2014 by Geoff Wooff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 I have now found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZPIulK33GE being played on the instrument, on which it was composed? Very impressive, although that drone really works just with the A-part as for me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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