Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune

Subject: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: GUEST,Peter Coggins
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 02:46 PM

I have arranged the Morris Dancing tune Swaggering Boney (Longborough) for guitar. How may beats per minute should I play it at/aim for? It's in 6/8 time.

Thanks

peter

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: jonm
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 05:24 PM

Bacon has 100 bpm

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 19 Oct 05 - 05:53 PM

If the Morris dancers fall over you 're playing it too fast

Gerry

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Oct 05 - 08:02 AM

Seriously, watch carefully what the dancers are doing, and it will be obvious how fast (or ,rather, how slow) to play it.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: GUEST,Shuffer
Date: 20 Oct 05 - 08:04 AM

Doesn't matter It will always be the wrong speed for the dancers (even if you play it at the speed that was right last time they danced it !!)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 20 Oct 05 - 09:54 AM

Guest is right. I used to folk dance, and it was clear to us when a tune was too slow or too fast. The dancers will let you know.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 20 Oct 05 - 09:56 AM

Depends on your team's policy for that sort of thing.

Gloucestershire Old Spot (RIP) and Hammersmith always err(ed) on the side of slowness, so the dancers can gain extra height, precision, athleticism and sexiness! To aid this, the tune should be played 'dotted' with the emphasis on the first beat. To get a better feel, look at the dynamic of the dancers feet so you play for the dancing rather than at it.

When all else fails, go to Bampton on Spring Bank Holiday and watch Martin Carthy on the rare moments he is asked to play for the team, and see how he does this - probably not a good guide since the current Bampton style is a whole lot brisker than Longborough.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: Les from Hull
Date: 20 Oct 05 - 12:14 PM

If you're just playing it as a guitar piece (not for dancing) just play it at the speed you like to hear it. It's now a musical piece, an interpretation, so you can do what you like with it.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: 12string growler
Date: 20 Oct 05 - 02:52 PM

If they fall over it's too fast as per Banjo Flower, if they can't stay in the air long enough it's too s l o w. but neither BF or I would know about that, would we Gerry?

Chris

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Speed in 6/8 time for morris tune
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 20 Oct 05 - 04:49 PM

I've seen them falling down more than i've seen them floating in the air

Gerry