Slow is More

[Jody Kruskal]

One of the things that started me on this SLOW is MORE journey was being amazed at the tempo changes listening to VÄSEN play this.

 

However, I’ve discovered that for me, it sounds very cool to play the B section up an octave, and that will take some work to naturalize those squirrelly button positions with my uncooperative pinky.

 

Instead, perhaps my next selection might be Da Auld Swarra Jupie from the Shetlands. Both tunes share a similar sense of a floating tempo that ebbs and flows. I’m sure that Auld Swarra Jupie would also welcome the slow treatment.

 

Check it out here:

https://jodykruskal.com/tune_of_the_month/march_2009.html

[Jody Kruskal]

Da Auld Swarra Jupie makes reference to the motion of water in the sea. That makes it an excellent tune for my SLOW IS MORE tempo research project.

It’s a Shetland lament for sailors lost in the great storms of the 19th century when the fishermen rowed out in six-oared open boats called sixareens. The title refers to a woven shirt worn next to the skin of the sailors back then. If a sailor drowned, often the only way to identify the body was by their clothes.

 

I learned it many years ago from fiddler Paul Friedman who got it from Tom Anderson at a workshop in Scotland. You can read more about the tune here, https://tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:Auld_Swaara

 

 

[Jody Kruskal]

Here is the best ABC I could find.

 

X: 5
T: Da Auld Swaara Jupie
R: barndance

M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Gmaj
[M:2/4]|:D|GG (3DB,G,|(3DGD (3B,A,B,|G,2 BA/F/|GG (3DB,G,|(3DGD (3B,A,B,|[G,D]G G:|
|:D|G/F/E/D/ (3CEC|(3B,DB, A,>B,|G,2 BA/F/|G/F/E/D/ (3CEC|(3B,DB, A,>B,|[G,D]G G:|
|:D|G/F/E/D/ Gg|ed/B/ d/e/f/g/|a2 BA/F/|G/F/E/D/ Gg|ed/B/ (3dgd|BG G:|

[Jim Besser]

Jody - It occurred to me today that a fast dance tune that works really well slowed down is your own Krazy for Kasha.  Gotta try recording it!

[Jody Kruskal]

Good idea Jim.  I've attached a lead sheet for Krazy for Kasha. BTW, this tune plays nicely on G/D Anglo as written. For ease of play on the C/G it is advised to play just the A section up an octave from what is written in the score.

Krazy for Kasha.pdf

[Cathasach]

I play Donkey Riding in g minor quite slow and it's a lot of fun. Nice and spooky holloween music.

[Jim Besser]

8 minutes ago, Cathasach said:

I play Donkey Riding in g minor quite slow and it's a lot of fun. Nice and spooky holloween music.

I've done that. Donkey Riding is one of those tunes that works in a wide range of styles. I've played it at a brisk contra dance speed for dances, and very slow for Morris.   Another that works like that: William and Nancy. 

[Jody Kruskal]

All Night Long Blues, aka Richmond Blues Performed by Jody Kruskal as part of his SLOW IS MORE research project. Solo G/D Anglo concertina based on the 1928 recording by Foster & Rutherford.