Old Tar River as found in Gumbo Chaff

Comment by Tim Twiss on October 24, 2012 at 7:38am

So, what do you make of that?

Not quite a Walk Round....and not as seen in the actual sheet music.

hmmm

Comment by Strumelia on October 24, 2012 at 12:18pm

The 3rd high part seems like somebody's personal variation they added later on to beef up the tune.  Just has that feeling to me.  Part A reminds me a little of The Rose tree...sounds English.

Comment by Tim Twiss on October 24, 2012 at 3:17pm

It seems that SO MANY of these Minstrel melodies come from English tunes. Is there a good collection available? I would be into tracing these root tunes.

Comment by Al Smitley on October 24, 2012 at 5:41pm

I have Barnes Book of English Country Dance Tunes.  Most tunes are dated.  Some (a few) are recent creations but most are from the 17th & 18th century.....the earliest coming from the collection of The Dancing Master, 1651-1728.  You're welcome to borrow it, Tim, next time I see you.

Comment by Tim Twiss on October 24, 2012 at 6:31pm

The Hans Nathan book does a great job of linig these up. I love this discussion...finding root tunes for the Minstrel songs. Speculating where the true "Negro" or backwoods elements are......such as the chorus of "Boatman's Dance".  Which ones are truly original???

Comment by Mark Weems on October 24, 2012 at 8:16pm

Possibly a variation that Elias Howe heard old Joe Sweeney himself play? 10-15% of the Banjo Preceptor material is made up of known Sweeny repertoire numbers. He was still extremely influential at the time the book was being put together. At any rate, another instance of the Preceptor actually having much to offer us. 

Comment by Tim Twiss on October 24, 2012 at 8:49pm

Okay guys, let's stop ripping on this Howe book and take another look. ha ha

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