Tune Req: Hambo?

Subject: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: GLoux
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 08:40 AM

My band is preparing to play for a couple of dances with a caller we enjoy working with, and she has asked us to open with a Hambo...which we haven't done before, so we're scrambling to find a few to consider...any recommendations or favorites out there?

Thanks,
-Greg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: bfdk
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 08:57 AM

There are some here, but I can't help with recommendations, you'll just have to look for yourselves :-)

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: GLoux
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 09:14 AM

Bente,

Thanks so much...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 10:21 AM

Whatever tune you choose, for a Hambo, play it fast! (I never was very good at dancing that one, it really races along)

SRS

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 10:33 AM

Eek -- not too fast! Ask the one who's requesting it to set a tempo for you. A dancer should be able to imagine the dance and provide that for you.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: GLoux
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 10:42 AM

I agree with Becky...here's a link to a site with some video clips of a couple of Hambos being danced. They are faster than a waltz, but if they are too fast, I think it would ruin the dance.

-Greg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 10:58 AM

Don't get me wrong--I would have preferred it slowed down when I was learning it. But we were using little 45rpm records and didn't have much choice except to use the music we had.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: GUEST,Grimmy
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 11:08 AM

Richard Robinson's Tunebook also has a list.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: MaineDog
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 12:09 PM

Play it at about 112
MD

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 12:09 PM

I used to be part of a bonifide Scandinavian Dance Band(We even played at the grand opening of the first Ikea in the USA)--so you have my understanding sympathy--since this is for dancers, you will have to get the pulse and the tempo exactly right, or you will be very unpopular--

The Hambo isn't necessarily faster than the waltz(waltzes can be quite fast, especially when played by, say, a polka band)--the deal with it is that the dance is a pivoting or turning dance and the dancers use centrifugal force--so if it is too slow, they can't get going, too fast, and they go careening into the folding chairs--also, it has a "gum-sticking-to-my-shoe" feeling--

All in all, it is best if a musician who can do the dance lead the band--if not, get a couple of good dancers to come to your practice and help you find the feel and the tempo--


My favorite Hambo tune is the one the call "Old Swedish Hambopolska", but I don't have a recording and music that I can easily send--here is another popular one--

Here is a video of the dance, with good music-- Hambo på logen

Here is the sheet music, with lyrics and a midi file that isn't very helpful--
Sheet Music

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 12:50 PM

Just roughly counting a couple of the videos from the site above, the tempo tends to run between 120 and 135, depending on the type of hambo--depends on the dancers, though--

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: GLoux
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 12:53 PM

Thanks to all. Mudcat has once again proven its worth to me...what resources this community has!!!

Hambo på logen is one that Bente pointed to. Very nice tune. The Richard Robinson Tunebook I've never seen before. We've got a nice selection to choose from.

We've got over a month to get a couple of these down. The dance itself is very fascinating to watch. The video clips are very useful. I would like to learn the dance but I don't think I'll get the chance before we have to play one.

-Greg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: GLoux
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 12:59 PM

The dancers should be pretty well experienced. Run of the Mill String Band is playing the Glen Echo dance (DC area) in January and our caller is Janine Smith, who is very familiar with both the venue and the dance community there...she used to be involved in organizing it. I'm sure she'll "keep us honest" when it comes to tempo.

-Greg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hambo?
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 04:39 PM

One more suggestion is that you do it with two fiddles--the more fiddles, the better, in fact.

You should do fine--this music is fun to play, and you won't want to stop with one number. You should learn Swede Anna's Waltz, or Ana's Waltz or Svenskanavaltzen, or whatever version of the name someone wants to use--it the favorite Scandinavian waltz, and maybe you're caller will late you squeeze it in-- you'll get good mileage out of it in other siutations, as well.

I'd come over to hear you that night, except that I am out of town that whole weekend--my bad luck, I am sure....