Key signature: Dmajor
Submitted on April 14th 2007 by Falkbeer.
This tune has been added to 4 tunebooks.
Also known as Dorset 4-hand, The Dorset 4-Hand Reel., The Dorset 4-hand, Dorset Four-Hand, The Dorset Four-Hand.
Recordings of a tune by this name:
X: 1
T: Dorset, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Dmaj
F/E/ | DFAG/F/ GBGB | DFA>G FEEF/E/ |DFAG/F/ GBGB | DFA>G FDD :|
A | ddd/c/B AAA/G/F | EE/F/GA BAAB/c/ |ddd/c/B AAA/G/F |1 EE/F/GE D2D :|2 EE/F/GE D3 ||
The Dorset 4-hand reel
I do not know what your source is Falkbeer but this is in fact just one half of a tune for the dance collected, not too long ago, in, believe it or not, DORSET, fine county in the south of England. The same county that was used by Hardy as the basis for his many novels.
you have written it as if it was an Irish or Scottish reel. To me, misleading. 4/4 certainly but most of the notes are crotchets and there shpuld be more bars. There is a second part. The part here is the first and would be played twice. then the second part would also be played twice. An extra 'B' music would be played for the dancers to finish with a swing.
Originally, I believe, the tune was collected written in 'G' for the first part and then 'A' for the second. because my little melodion is a sod to play in 'A' (in fact I do not have a G#) I play it in 'D' & then 'G' for the second part.
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by hetty
ABC's on their way
I've written out abc's for both parts but they seem to have been lost on the way.
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by hetty
Great!
Thanks for your comment! What you say Hetty is very interesting! I´ve always liked The Dorset as it is (nice littel tune), but will be very interesting to see the other parts. Please upload the whole tune as you think it should be played!
What´s a melodion?
All the best, Falkbeer
# Posted on April 16th 2007 by Falkbeer
T: Dorset 4-Hand Reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/4
R: Reel / Polka
K: D major / G major
part 1 played twice
|: F/E/ | D F A>F | G B G B | D F A>F | G E E F/E/ | D F A>F | G B G B | D F A>G | F D D :||
|: d d d/c/B | A A A/G/ F | E E/F/ G A | B A A B/c/ | d d d/c/B | A A A/G/ F | E E/F/ G E | D G D :||
part 2
|: G B/d/ g/d/B/G/ | c e c e | G B/d/ g/d/B/G/ | F A F A | G B/d/ g/d/B/G/ | c e c e | d f/e/ d/c/B/A/ | G4 :||
d B d B/d/ | e c e c/e/ | d B d B | A d d>d | d B d B/d/ | e c e c/e/ | d f/e/ d/c/B/A/ | G4 :||
play extra 'B' music on the last time for the swing.
When I started dancing in the South of England over 30yrs ago this was one of the most popular dances.
I think my ABC shows clearly how the rhythm goes. (just by looking) Where did you get your notation from? did you transpose it from a recording or is it straight from manuscript?
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by hetty
The midi plays the notes correctly but you can sense that it is not a reel. It is far to fast. slow it down considerably and you should be able to get a feel for the dance stepping. I can't help being perturbed when abc's give the wrong impression of a tune, especially when translated into midi which misleads and when there is no explanation to indicate what should be happening.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by hetty
I have just found this link to the Leitrim Clog Dance.
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/4076
If you investigate through the net you will find reference to the dance and mention about the rant step. this has for many years been danced with a rant step (Northumbrian) whereas it should be danced with the 'Dorset Double Step' similar to the 'rant' but noticeably different.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by hetty
Thanks Hetty
For uploading the complete version of The Dorset Four Hand Reel. I´ve added the part you contributed with to my repertoire!
All the best, Falkbeer
# Posted on April 22nd 2007 by Falkbeer