Kerr's and other sources

[Tim Twiss]

I have found sections in Kerr's Merry Melodies that are actual source material for the Buckley's, Converse, and Briggs'. I am not certain of the date these books were put out. An interesting one is the the "Kiss me Quick" Galop. It became "Kiss Me Quick and Go". So many of these are awesome. Much of it is fruit waiting to be picked. We have a huge continuation of 19th Century repertoire, right under our noses. I'll share as i unearth these new gems.

By the way, "Briggs" reading is very useful here. Many tunes are written in one or two sharps and lay well with the D as the thumb string. Anybody who thinks Briggs reading is useless outside of one book is mistaken.

[Tim Twiss]

Crazy...so I go digging for one thing, and find something completly different. Oh well.

A Scottish fiddle book is perfect for ADD people.

This one is a delight..."Alexandra Park".

[Tim Twiss]

Check out "Wee Sammy" on page 5 of Kerr's. YES!

[Paul Certo]

Money Musk is probably an American corruption of Monymusk, a village, manor and estate in Scotland. The song may have been named for any of the three, but Alan Jabbour states that it was names for the Village.  http://www.alanjabbour.com/photos_monymusk.html Parts of the house are believed date to 1205-1210. Here's more http://www.monymusk.com/index.asp?subsec=14 

I suspect none of this makes much difference in the playing of the tune, but some times my curiosity compels me to research songs and tunes. I think a little background adds to the fun, and makes good commentary when introducing a tune to an audience. 

Paul

[Tim Twiss]

No Paul, you're right. This one has some neat stuff attached to it. There was a great thread on the Banjo Hangout about it. I will try to find it and link it. May be redundant of what you have above...not sure. It is a real "root tune" that goes way back. I like how the variations show up....rhythmically especially. It is a good study for what "variations" might be. Still, the core thread of the tune goes through them all.

[Al Smitley]

We always played four parts to Moneymusk though not the additional which that are printed in Ryan's as the strathspey.  I don't know where they came from and it's always been a mystery to me because I've never seen the two additional parts printed in any book.  I think the Ford Orchestra played them and perhaps that's where I indirectly (from others who made somewhat of a study of Ford's Orchestra) learned it.

[Wes Merchant]

Al you are correct, it is in Henry Ford's "Good Morning" as a four part reel. Interestingly, Mellie Dunham (B. 1853), a favorite fiddler of Ford's has the two part version in his book. It is said to be composed by Daniel Dow around 1776.

[Tim Twiss]

I'm enjoying the "Scotch Snap" in many of these tunes.