|
|
The waltz has 3 beats
in the bar and is in 3/4 simple time. It is usually played at
a moderate tempo, c. crotchet = 100. Scottish waltz tunes are
usually 16 or 32 bars long, and musicians will often play a
set of three or more tunes for one dance. The form of the waltz
is similar to the forms of the other tune types that are highlighted
on this site in that many have two parts of equal length. In
the waltz these tend to be 16 bars long (making 32 bars for
the whole tune). Some shorter tunes may only be 16 bars long
altogether.
|
The waltz as a dance
It is a popular dance all over the world; many countries have their
own styles of waltz. Different types of waltzes popular in Scotland
include the Saint Bernard’s Waltz and the Pride of Erin
Waltz; these are very straightforward and easy to learn. The
Lomond Waltz and the New Hesitation Waltz are a few so-called
'Old Time' Dances, which include a whole variety of different
steps for the waltz, all with different names.
The waltz is a very graceful dance, and is usually the first dance to
be done at a Scottish wedding by the bride and groom. In Scotland it
is also commonly the last dance of an evening, although fast, lively
dances such as the Orcadian Strip the Willow may also finish the night,
depending on the dancers and the nature of the event.
Song tunes as waltzes
The waltz, because of its steady tempo, is an ideally paced tune for
singing. Many well known songs have been written to waltz tunes: The
Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen, I belong tae Glasgow, Fagail
Lismor (Leaving Lismor) and Lovely Stornoway are a few popular
examples. Song airs are often used by dance bands playing a set of tunes
for dancers to waltz to, and if these are Scottish songs, the dance
may be described as a 'Scottish waltz'. The musicians will often create
an introduction to the dance by playing the last eight bars of the tune.
A favourite waltz tune is song known as The Four Maries (actually
a shortened version of a much longer ballad).
Listen to this recording
of The Four Maries
(fiddle - Jo Miller, piano - Ian Muir), and try it on your own instruments,
using the arrangement provided in the Parts
section. The tune is a short one - it only has 16 bars and the melody
uses a major scale.
If Gaelic song airs are used,
the dance may be announced as a Gaelic waltz. Now listen to Sine
Bhan (Fair Jean) (accordion - Angus MacPhail); this is a Gaelic
waltz tune played on the accordion. It has 32 bars and the melody is
pentatonic.
Choose a waltz activity from
below:
|
