Tip Top Hornpipe

[Constant Screamer]

I came across my old copy of Brass Monkey (the 1st release) and RE-discovered "Tip Top Hornpipe". Is that a tune that many play? Most of the Google links refer only to Brass Monkey....that's one FUN hornpipe to play.

 

Cheers

Edited January 11, 2008 by Constant Screamer

[David Barnert]

I play a tune called "Tip Top Polka." Same tune? It's also called "Clow Bank," "Sullivan's Glen" and the Bacup Coconut dance.

[John Wild]

I play a tune called "Tip Top Polka." Same tune? It's also called "Clow Bank," "Sullivan's Glen" and the Bacup Coconut dance.

 

I have not previously known this tune (or either tune if they are different), but I have this abc notation if that helps anyone.

 

best wishes

 

John Wild

 

X:26

T:Tip Top Polka

M:4/4

L:1/8

Z:abc2nwc

K:G

|:d2d2de dc|B2B2B2GA|B2B2B2d2|AG AB A2A2|

c2c2cd cB|A2A2A2G2|FG AB cd ef|g2g2g4:|

|:g2e2ed ef|g2d2d4|B2 (3BcB A2G2|e2d2d2ef|

g2e2ed ef|g2d2d4|cB AB cd ef|g2g2g4:|

[Roger Digby]

The tune that John has provided is indeed the Bacup tune; it is very well known in English sessions and you would find that most players know it. There is an mp3 on the Britannia Dancers' website of a live performance which is well worth hearing.

The problem, such as it is, lies in the name which can be variously 'Tip Top Polka', 'Tip Tap Polka', or change Polka to Hornpipe in both cases. This causes confusion because of other tunes with the same names and those players who play more than one make distinctions in the names, presumably to preserve their own sanity.

Call it what you will, it's a fine tune.