by Steve GaddThis article introduces the music which was played in Tasmania from the mid 19th to the mid 20th centuries. For the most part it is dance music. Dances such as the Varsovienna, The Alberts, The Lancers, The One Hop Polka, the 3 step Polka , The Mazurka, Polka Mazurka and the Schottische were common in the community halls and Apple Sheds across the island. The tunes are from my forthcoming book on the traditional music of Tasmania. They are both collected from the Dawsons of Swamp Rd Franklin. About the tunes.Both tunes were originally played in C major. I have shifted the Hornpipe to the key of D to make it more accessible to fiddle players in particular for the young fiddle players of The Tasmanian Heritage String Ensemble. I hope that these pieces bring you the pleasure they bring me and open that rare window to a gentler time. Finally I hope that these tunes inspire the modern folk musician to explore the real roots music of our little Island. For other examples of this heritage try to check out Fred Pribac's highly recommended book of Tasmanian Dance Tunes. Have fun.EDITOR's NOTE: This article appears courtesy of DRUMBEAT .
It has been reworked for Simply Australia with Steve's permission. |
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