Bal Folk is a collection of French traditional dance music drawn principally from the musical traditions of central France. Completely revised from material originally published in Massif Central Volumes 1 and 2, the collection combines traditional repertoire with original compositions by Trevor Upham and Chris Shaw written in the central French style.

The book contains the characteristic mixture of tunes encountered at a French Bal Folk, including mazurkas, valses, scottisches, two-time and three-time bourr es, and polkas. Most of the traditional repertoire comes from the central French regions of Berry, Bourbonnais and Auvergne, areas with particularly strong traditions of hurdy-gurdy and bagpipe music.

Alongside these established dance forms are examples of some less commonly encountered repertoire, including a five-time waltz from Alsace. The emphasis throughout is practical rather than academic, providing musicians with a varied and enjoyable source of tunes for playing French traditional music and accompanying dancing.

The music is particularly suitable for melodeon, fiddle and accordion, while many of the tunes also fall within the range of the hurdy-gurdy and bagpipes. A number of tunes are presented in C, reflecting the widespread use in France of C/G melodeons alongside Auvergne-tuned hurdy-gurdies and bagpipes in C. Players using the G/D melodeon more commonly encountered in England can readily transpose these tunes into G where appropriate.

The collection also includes original compositions by Trevor Upham and Chris Shaw, two England-based musicians with considerable experience of French traditional music. Trevor lived in France for many years and was closely involved with its folk dance scene, giving the newly composed material a strong connection with the musical tradition that inspired it.

Key Features:

• Collection of French traditional dance tunes
• Completely revised from Massif Central Volumes 1 and 2
• Errors from the earlier editions corrected
• Focuses particularly on music from central France
• Includes repertoire from Berry, Bourbonnais and Auvergne
• Features mazurkas, valses, scottisches and polkas
• Includes both two-time and three-time bourr es
• Additional examples of less commonly encountered French dance forms
• Includes original compositions by Trevor Upham and Chris Shaw
• Suitable for melodeon, fiddle and accordion
• Many tunes suitable for hurdy-gurdy and bagpipes
• Useful repertoire for playing at a French Bal Folk
• Includes tunes in C suited to traditional French instrument combinations
• Includes a FREE Hamcor Publishing Key Signature Bookmark

With its mixture of traditional central French repertoire and newer compositions written in the same spirit, Bal Folk provides a practical and varied source of music for anyone who enjoys playing French traditional tunes or providing music for French folk dancing.

Contents include:

Scottishes

Bourr es Trois Temps

Bourr es d Auvergne

Valses

Mazurkas

Bourr es Deux Temps

Polkas

Divers

*** EXCLUSIVE FREE BOOKMARK OFFER ***

Every Bal Folk music book includes a FREE Hamcor Publishing Treble Clef Key Signature Bookmark a practical reference tool to help with reading and learning key signatures.

• Premium 350gsm silk card, laminated and printed on both sides
• 210mm 55mm
• All major key signatures with their relative minor keys
• Staff note names for lines and spaces
• Ideal for flautists, students and teachers
• A useful companion for lessons, practice and exam preparation