Adriana Polka

  1. Martin Jonas
    Martin Jonas
    This is an Italian polka written in 1918 by Joseph Gioe, one of the in-house composers for Di Bella Music in New York. Published as a trio for two mandolins plus guitar. Sheri Migano has the first and second mandolin parts in her Dropbox archive, extracted here for easy reference:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/a...6&d=1664232382
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/a...7&d=1664232382

    From the file names in Sheri's archive, there should also be a guitar part, but unfortunately the PDF in question is a duplicate of the second mandolin part. In the absence of the actual guitar part, I came up with my own chord progression which seems to fit OK.

    Played on the Ceccherini, which has been complaining about being neglected. My bowlbacks each sound and play really quite different!

    1890s Umberto Ceccherini mandolin (x2)
    Vintage Viaten tenor guitar


    https://youtu.be/XI-nO0Cvr3A

    Martin
  2. Gelsenbury
    Gelsenbury
    I like these rhythmic chords at the end of some phrases, like a musical exclamation mark. I don't know the proper term for this, but I've come across other pieces that do it. Nice performance!
  3. Simon DS
    Simon DS
    And admirably energetic tempo Martin, well played, well done.
    Nice work-out, I like the deep breath at the end!
  4. John W.
    John W.
    I’m sure I’d be able to get up and dance to this one…if only I could dance!
  5. Martin Jonas
    Martin Jonas
    Thanks, Dennis, Simon and John -- much appreciated, and apologies for the late reply. I have been away for a few days...

    Italian polkas should be danced (and played) at a very brisk tempo, but I don't think I can go much above this speed without losing the pretty intricate melody.

    Simon: yes, quite a workout. I often leave out the repeats to shorted the videos, and once I was through this one I wished I had done so here as well...

    Martin
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