For enthusiasts of early banjo
Tom Briggs' Jig, from Emmett MS
At the request of Carl Anderton (at least I think this was the one he wanted), here are the dots for a tune that was part of my presentation at AEBG III. It has some very nice syncopation. See also the video.
Views: 155
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Comment by Carl Anderton on September 9, 2010 at 5:50pm
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This was indeed the one I wanted. The tune that you played to kick off our corn-cert in a fine fashion.
I've had this tune running through my head ever since and now it must find its way to my fingers.
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I see measure four leaves a little room for self-expression in an artistic manner. Should be fun.
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Comment by Tim Twiss on September 9, 2010 at 6:08pm
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Shared in Ryans...correct? (at work, can't check right now)
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Comment by Ian Bell on September 9, 2010 at 7:08pm
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Good memory Tim! It is in Ryan's - Note for note, right under Jersey Lightning. It's interesting that the latter tune is so changed from the manuscript while Tom Briggs' even has the same ornamentation indicated.
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I take it back! It's NOT note for note. The second last bar of each part ends on an "e" in the published version - a little more predictable than the "d" in the manuscript. The "d" seems to make the syncopation work better for some reason.
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I wouldn't mind a little lesson on how this tune might have traveled around and gotton different names...original source, and date of Ryans"?
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I'll have a poke through the tune book heap and see if it turns up anywhere else. Ryan's was published in the early 80s by our old buddy Elias Howe. I understand Howe put out a couple of "1000 Fiddle Tunes" type books in the 1860s and I wouldn't be surprised if some of Ryan's was recycled from these.
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Where would Emmett's hand date this one?
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The only other place I find it is in Kerr's Merry Melodies for The Violin Vol. 2, published in, of all places, Glasgow, in the 1870s (before Ryans!) Though most of the repertoire in this four volume set is Scots/Irish, Vol. 2 has a section of "Sand Jigs & Plantation Dances". Other tunes include a version of Juba, Whoop De Dooden Do, Coal Black Rose, and the Boatman Dance. A few American tunes are scattered through Vol 1, 3 & 4 as well. Unfortunately Vol. 2 is the one Kerr's book I don't have in the house at the moment. I'm going into Toronto on the weekend and will attempt to retrieve it from the person I loaned it to. I'll scan the version and post it when I get the chance. This is turning into a entertaining quest! While I was looking through my books I noted all the other tunes I think of as "early banjo" repertoire. I'll put those together in some sensible form too - but not today!
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