Buckley 1860 - Part 2

[Tim Twiss]

So I sub-divided the book into 3 parts to make each volume a reasonable size. ( appr. 38 tunes each ). This is the start of the second part, beginning on page 25 with Raccoon Jig, and Corn-husking Jig. I've done them both a lot before, but as usual....under close scrutiny, flaws pop up that need fixing. Got 2 pretty good takes, using the Bell Boucher for this leg of the trip. The interpretation of the dotted rhythm is a bit of a beautiful mystery to me yet...

[Tim Twiss]

11/16/12...did Clark's Waltz. Tried it both ways, and ended up using fingerstyle. An interval with a big split (like the last notes) hastens my conclusion. Next up, Waltz with Variations. This one is more difficult, but I won't move on until I get this one. Looking it over, it feels more relaxed than i previously did, and I have a nice new fingering for the last movement. It is a consistant move for each of the the sixteenth note figure...and gives it an even feel.

[Tim Twiss]

11/17/12...Those Waltz Variations (James Buckley) on page 26 are a bitch to do well. Trying...thinking...trying. I'll go at it again tonight. Fingerstyle...stroke...tempos...hmmm.

[Tim Twiss]

Finally got a good take on the Waltz with Variations. That one hung me up a bit. I ended up using Stroke style on it, and yet another modified fingering on the last variation. I recapped with the first one without repeats. I felt good about the tempos I chose for it. One at a time on these...no matter what.

[Tim Twiss]

Also added Varsovienne. Hybrid style on this one...using stroke for the single notes in the B section. Something about stroke on the single lines.....sounds better. I won't analyze it.

Varsovienne is another Polish dance. I tried for the proper dance tempo on this one. next up....the ever challenging Japanese Grand March.

[Tim Twiss]

11/18/12 Thinking of the Japanese Grand March...the tempo of a Napoleonic March was about 120, but I don't think that applies or works with this one. I listen to Verdi (classical composer), and a Grand March tempo...it is much slower....even maybe under 100BPM. Once again, this is only my opinion and speculation. You guys listen to it....and try to play it. Let me know what you think. Verdi is referenced more than once in Buckley's works.

[Tim Twiss]

11/19/20 AHA! Got a satisfactory version of Japanese Grand March. See thoughts in last blog....that is pretty much how it worked out. Done Stroke Style

On to the always delightful Tobacco Jake Jig.

[Paul Draper]

Japanese Grand March -- that one is very far off on my horizon; I get dizzy just looking at the score....

[Tim Twiss]

Naw, just start playing it. You'll do great on this one.

[Tim Twiss]

11/20/12. Added Tobacco Jake Jig....if you have not done this one...try it. Totally delightful stroke tune. One thing going on is a lot of internal dialogue about feels and tempos. One thing for sure....often, what it feels like you are doing and what it actually sounds like are 2 different things. Listening to one's self is ESSENTIAL!!

[Bell Banjos]

YES YES YES, Tim. You said, "What it feels like you are doing and what it actually sounds like are 2 different things. Listening to one's self is ESSENTIAL!!" I second that !!!!!