gentlemannatjuven - Posted - 03/01/2012:  15:53:05

Hi there everyone, as a novice on both the banjo and in the forums, I thought it'd be nice to start off with some kind of introduction of myself.

I'm mostly into folk music (in the broadest sense of the term). I dig that dirty blues, that early, primitive sound that screamed rock'n'roll and soul long before those words where ever incoporated into descriptions of musical genres. However, I tend to drift mostly towards British and American music both as audience and player, and when I finally decided to realize an old dream and get a banjo this inclination manifested itself even further. I've almost exclusively been learning clawhammer style because I find the primitive, rural, raw sound supreme, but as a Swede I miss the connection to my own local history and heritage. This is why I decided to start working on some arrangements of some very classical Swedish folk for clawhammer banjo.

First up is Äppelbo gånglåt, a walking tune from the wilderness of Dalecarlia which some of you will surely recognize. This tune was originally composed by Ärtbergs-Kalle (Peamountain-Carl), a famous spelman (as I've not yet found any real equivalent to this word in the English language I'd like to submit my own definition which is of a travelling musician from the old days who earned a living composing and playing music wherever he or she might roam) and distant relative of mine. Nowadays it's usually associated with the celebration of Midsummer's Eve and chances are slight that you'll spend a summer in Sweden without hearing it. I think it suits the banjo pretty well, the arrangement is pretty basic, but I present it to you with the intent that it might be appreciated by someone and hopefully elaborated further.

speedy.sh/ZTz5q/appelbo-ganglat.tef

NB. This is my first time working with TablEdit, opinions are always welcome!

janolov - Posted - 03/01/2012:  23:14:31

Nice!

Just one comment: in my opinion you have displaced the melody in relation to the timing. The first note (open forth string) should be a pick-up measure, and the first real measure should start with the open third string.

I am also working with some Swedish tunes.Just now I am trying a Slängpolska by Byss-Calle.

Banjo Island - Posted - 03/02/2012:  00:12:42

A very timely thread for me. I've just discovered Swedish music. Currently working on a Santa Fe Slangpolska, which I discovered a recording of Jayme Stone playing with Sandra Wong - so I know there are others out there playing this stuff on a banjo. 

I don't have any of the cultural reference you guys have, but I'm keen - so I can only offer general enthusiasm and welcome to gentlemannatjuven... 

Is there a Swedish/scandinavian music BHO group?

janolov - Posted - 03/02/2012:  00:37:43

quote:

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Originally posted by Banjo Island



Is there a Swedish/scandinavian music BHO group?

 

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 I just started a group: banjohangout.org/group/swedish...iconbanjo

gentlemannatjuven - Posted - 03/02/2012:  02:22:48

quote:

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Originally posted by janolov

Nice!

Just one comment: in my opinion you have displaced the melody in relation to the timing. The first note (open forth string) should be a pick-up measure, and the first real measure should start with the open third string.

I am also working with some Swedish tunes.Just now I am trying a Slängpolska by Byss-Calle.

Oh I know, it bugs me too, but the demo version only let's me save 16 measures!



What a great idea, that tune sounds like it's made for being played on the banjo, which got that sawtooth waveform and drone much like a nyckelharpa or twin fiddles.

Thanks for the feedback! Next up for me will be another traditional classic; Visa från Utanmyra.

Edited by - gentlemannatjuven on 03/02/2012 02:23:16