fiddlepogo - Posted - 05/28/2015:  11:56:41

Could it be said that the difference between 3 beat waltzes and 1 beat waltzes is that with a 3 beat waltz, the dancers are more swaying about the room, and with a 1 beat waltz, they are more whirling around the room... and have to watch out for collisions with other couples?

fiddlinsteudel - Posted - 05/28/2015:  12:49:47

Did anyone mention Amelia's Waltz? That's a first position waltz and easy.

alaskafiddler - Posted - 05/28/2015:  17:14:36

quote:

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Originally posted by fiddlepogo



Part of my motivation is for my senior audiences.  I'll be listening for distinctive classic tunes they will enjoy.  

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Put Your Little Foot - a lot of older folks know this one - it's a Varsovienne, probably most popular one (has words as well).

My parents and grandparents (midwest), popular songs were often played for waltzing, just used more waltz feel.. (they are different than fiddle-tune waltzes). I notice your list already includes some in this category (like Daisy Bell); here are common examples;

The Band Played On; My Wild Irish Rose; Beautiful Dreamer - (9/4, but can be wlatzified); Greensleeves; On Top of Old Smoky; My Merry Oldsmobile; After the Ball; Black Velvet Band; Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (Irish Lullaby); When Irish Eyes Are Smiling; Gum-Tree Canoe; In the Pines; Down in the Valley, Home on the Range; Old Paint...

Many old (Country, Irish, Cowboy, Minstrel, Tin Pan) songs are 3/4 and can be played as a waltz. Of course many of the seniors now might be more nostalgic with songs from the late forties and fifties like - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Blue Moon of Kentucky.

What turns these songs into a waltz ( "what is a waltz?") is how they are played, the rhythmic pulse and accent. Certainly having a rhythmic accompaniment pound a solid waltz is one way - but the fiddler (even solo) can give it that feel. It is much the same as any simple 2/4 folk song melody and making it a dance tune - incorporating the melody and rhythm pulse and accent; (perhaps inserting little rhythmic fill notes between the melodic). As someone once mentioned the one man band idea to fiddling - the same applies to 3/4

Edited by - alaskafiddler on 05/28/2015 17:22:15

Humbled by this instrument - Posted - 05/29/2015:  06:59:13

"Blackest Crow!"

mswlogo - Posted - 05/29/2015:  10:03:38

For a senior crowd, you might consider adding these.

Bella Ragazza

GreenSleeves

My Cape Breton Home

Peek-a-boo Waltz (adding another vote)

And if you really want to capture the Seniors but going out of first position Waltzing Matilda, Moon River and Blue Danube would be really something.

Bob on Delmarva - Posted - 05/30/2015:  02:14:15

The Touch of your Hand, the one recorded by Nothin Fancy bluegrass.

timfiskwa - Posted - 05/30/2015:  16:00:17

...From the Bluegrass and Gospel music traditions we have, "Angel Band", "Down in the Willow Garden", "In the Pines","Don't Put Her Down, You Helped Put Her There" by Hazel Dickens, "Knoxville Girl", "Old Rugged Cross", "The Lonesome River" by Ralph Stanley, "Lord I'm Coming Home", "My Better Years" by Hazel Dickens, "New Freedom Bell", "Paradise" by John Prine, "Rank Stranger", "Satisfied Mind", "Short Life of Trouble", "When the Golden Leaves Begin to Fall" recorded by Bill Monroe. You could go on forever...

fiddlepogo - Posted - 05/30/2015:  18:13:29

quote:

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Originally posted by timfiskwa

 

...From the Bluegrass and Gospel music traditions we have, "Angel Band", "Down in the Willow Garden", "In the Pines","Don't Put Her Down, You Helped Put Her There" by Hazel Dickens, "Knoxville Girl", "Old Rugged Cross", "The Lonesome River" by Ralph Stanley, "Lord I'm Coming Home", "My Better Years" by Hazel Dickens, "New Freedom Bell", "Paradise" by John Prine, "Rank Stranger", "Satisfied Mind", "Short Life of Trouble", "When the Golden Leaves Begin to Fall" recorded by Bill Monroe. You could go on forever...

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"You could go on forever..."

True that!!!!

timfiskwa - Posted - 06/13/2015:  18:20:08

Beating this dead horse one last time...remember the waltz every beginning piano player first learned, the immortal "Chopsticks!"