galaxed - Posted - 08/28/2023:  18:46:39

I had a question from a visitor today at the Blue Ridge Music Center. What is the origin of the raised foot to end a tune? It seems to be an American tradition, but I could be wrong about that. Thanks for any illumination!

tonygo - Posted - 08/28/2023:  19:21:23

I have always wondered how and where that got started, and figured it was out here on the West Coast. I remember first seeing it in the 70's.

mike gregory - Posted - 08/28/2023:  20:00:21

I wasn't there when it started, but if I was being paid to GUESS, I would guess that most folks were busy doing stuff to their instruments, with both hands.

BrendanD - Posted - 08/29/2023:  00:21:25

quote:

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Originally posted by tonygo

I have always wondered how and where that got started, and figured it was out here on the West Coast. I remember first seeing it in the 70's.

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Tony, the first place I saw/heard of that practice of sticking out a foot to signal the end of a tune was from Frank George, in a workshop at Fiddle Tunes in 1978. It caught on almost immediately. I'm not sure where Frank picked it up, though.

Edited by - BrendanD on 08/29/2023 00:21:59

Pomeroy - Posted - 08/29/2023:  03:26:57

Just to add to the foot communication dictionary a friend at our regular session mentioned that crossed feet is a veto on the raised foot end of tune indication. We just laughed at that idea...I mean it could lead to vetoing the veto and foot signal wars.



When folks feet are obscured by furniture, or would require yoga ability to get above table level, it's often just easier to say 'Last time' as the A part comes round. With familiarity often all that is needed is a look or a nod.

Edited by - Pomeroy on 08/29/2023 03:28:19

carlb - Posted - 08/29/2023:  05:01:57

quote:

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Originally posted by Pomeroy

When folks feet are obscured by furniture, or would require yoga ability to get above table level, it's often just easier to say 'Last time' as the A part comes round. With familiarity often all that is needed is a look or a nod.

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I say "One more". I like two syllables signals.

Will Frady - Posted - 08/29/2023:  06:16:14

I’m not sure where or when it started. I always knew that raising the foot or lifting the neck of the instrument was a sign that the song was ending . The same way a head nod will let you know it’s your turn to take a break . Just things you learn a long the way . Very interesting question though. I too am curious.

Tim Jumper - Posted - 08/29/2023:  06:53:16

In Irish trad they seem to indicate it with a little musical "wiggle" from the leader, usually the fiddler. Someone more versed in I.T. could explain it better, if indeed that is what they do.

wrench13 - Posted - 08/29/2023:  09:04:30

I know if I lift my foot up, I fall right over (balance issues).

I usually yell out "One More!" or "Right Here", as appropriate.

grassrootphilosopher - Posted - 08/31/2023:  00:26:22

I first saw it in the Netherlands half a lifetime ago. I allways found raising a foot funny and not very understandable. If done right musical phrasing allways indicates the end of a tune. We speak the same language. So this "ending line" is noticable to the player. And one person is leading the song. That´s the person responsible for the ending. No foot signal necessary.

John Yerxa - Posted - 08/31/2023:  03:46:07

Here in Oz the practice is that the fiddler who started the tune makes a noise a few bars before the finish - could be a screech, an ahh, or a whoop, whatever. Everybody gets the raised leg though.

Brendan - I think I was at that same workshop - have sent you a PM

Paul R - Posted - 08/31/2023:  10:44:49

At our late Bluegrass jam, the raised foot signal led to some interesting contortions and acrobatics. Foot sarcasm, if you will. Nothing was sacred there.

OldPappy - Posted - 09/22/2023:  15:18:04

On some of Norman Blake's recordings he ended a tune by calling out "Take it on home children".

I don't participate in many "Jams", but most of the fiddlers I have played with used the foot signal, with a few simply saying "one more time" on the last run. One fiddler I used to play with would add a different phrase in his tune to let folks know it was winding down, like what was mentioned about Irish music. I like that.