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tunes in 7/8 time

tunes in 7/8 time

There doesn't seem to be a way of adding tunes to this site in 7/8 time. Is it because Irish Traditional Music doesn't use this type of rhythm?
Plenty of modern bands/players ie "Flook" "M.McGoldrick" use Eastern European rhythms and it would be nice to add some of these tunes to the session.

# Posted on August 5th 2004 by Twiz

Re: tunes in 7/8 time

Hi Twiz
It's a very common time signature in Eastern Europe, and I've written a few tunes using it myself.
I've never come across a trad "Irish" tune in 7/8 and some folks get a bit sniffy if you try and introduce non-indigenous Irish forms (unless of cause they're Waltzes, Mazurkas, Polkas, or Reels)

TTFN
PP

# Posted on August 5th 2004 by Pied Piper

Re: tunes in 7/8 time

Here's what one person did: http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display.php/2443

# Posted on August 5th 2004 by Max Becher

Re: tunes in 7/8 time

The way to submit a "jig" in 7/8 is to submit it as a "jig" (so it automatically gets the 6/8 time signature), and then immediately at the start of the tune insert in the ABC code the magic rune "M:7/8", which overides the 6/8. This will ensure that the dots print out in 7/8. Have a look at the coding for the balkan "horos" on the tune database. These clearly show how to change the time signature several times within a tune.

BTW, the original version of the jig "Thunderhead" by Grey Larsen is in 7/8, with one measure in 6/8 - doubtless to upset a rhythm player who isn't paying attention :) The original version is in the Lunasa Tune Book.

A further BTW: the "B" part of the reel "Catharsis" is written in straight 4/4, but the rhythmic effect is as if it were written 9/8 + 7/8 + 9/8 + 7/8 + 9/8 + 7/8 + 4/4 + 4/4. Have fun!

Trevor

# Posted on August 5th 2004 by lazyhound

Re: tunes in 7/8 time

Ta for that, I will give it a go!

# Posted on August 5th 2004 by Twiz

Re: tunes in 7/8 time

It won't let me change the time signature! I will submit it as 6/8 and see what happens?

# Posted on August 5th 2004 by Twiz

Re: tunes in 7/8 time

twiz,
do as you want, but if you really want the time signature saying "7/8", you need to type "M:7/8" as the verry first thing in the abc-notation. so, after having selected everything else, before you put |:aaa bb cc|ddd etc, put "M:7/8" as the first line, just as Trevor J sujests. see http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display.php/3366 for a 26/8 example: after the key-selection (K:Emin) i put "M:26/8" manually.
have a go, like to see your 7/8 up on the screen ...
mm

# Posted on August 5th 2004 by MM

Re: tunes in 7/8 time

IIRC, the "original" version of Thunderhead that Grey Larsen posted to Irtrad some years ago included both the jig and 7/8 parts (with one measure of 6/8), as recorded on his album of the same name. But who's counting?

# Posted on August 5th 2004 by Gzeg

Re: tunes in 7/8 time

Well the music fairy seems to have magically changed it into a 7/8 time signature and there's sheet music too!
I will put my next tooth under the pillow...

# Posted on August 5th 2004 by Twiz

Re: tunes in 7/8 time

I quite like clapping to tunes in 7/8... :P

# Posted on August 6th 2004 by UglyBoyJoe

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