Originally published on burlapbanjo,wordpress.com
Tomorrow marks the 1-year anniversary of my failed bid for a Fulbright Scholarship to study the fiddle music of Wales on the 5-string banjo. Rather than give up, however, I pursued my studies independently and published a Welsh banjo primer, Teaching the Banjo to Speak Welsh, and thus grew Welsh banjo repertoire by a modest 5 pieces.
But let's be honest: 5 pieces isn't enough. Shucks, 50 pieces isn't enough. It'll never be enough! The music of Wales is too rich to be entirely translated onto a new instrument in anyone's lifetime--but that need not stop one from trying.
Therefore, in continued commitment to expanding the Welsh repertoire of the banjo, I've worked out a new tune for you all entitled "Darfodedigaeth (Consumption)." This tune, like others from Teaching the Banjo to Speak Welsh, was inspired by Alawon John Thomas, an 18th-century fiddler's manuscript edited by Cass Meurig.
And here's a video of the tune performed. Enjoy!
-N.A.
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