G'day Rincon Roy,

I'm not sure that what Allen Dodsworth describes can be the same Polka Mazurka - since the Polka is in 2/4 and the I know Polka Mazurka is in 3/4 ... and could be described as a Mazurka with a hop, which is what "polka ... = ... pulka" means. As with jets' (presumably French) example, the same name may have been applied to completely different dances in different traditions.

CarolC: In regard to listening to MIDIs - The MIDI plays the tune just as it is notated ... if the notation is accurate, the MIDI plays it accurately (presuming the speed is right). So the MIDI can give you just as good an idea as the musical notation ... but there are details and emphases that can't be conveniently notated ... and sometimes good dance musicians "cheat" a little to make sure the music works just for that dance.

The only way you can really do that well is to know that dance well - and the best way to know a dance well is to dance it well! But it helps ... when you come across some dance tune you have never danced - have never seen danced - know nobody that dances ... to hear what the music says. Sightreaders with perfect pitch may be able to read it straight off the dots, but a MIDI is very convenient for real life humans!

My Music Workshop gets musicians of all levels - and I give them dots ... and, if they wish, MIDIs ... then we play together - and, when possible, to real dancers. We don't get chased away very often!

Regards,

Bob Bolton