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Does it have 13 measures or am I losing it?

Does it go 6 measures on the Am, then to C, etc?

Am///Am///Am///Am///Am///Am///C///Em///Am///
Am///C///Em///Am///

Kirk

Re: Does it have 13 measures or am I losing it?

I don't know anything about all that chord language y'all are discussing, but I do know there are at least 2 different positions to play it on the accordion, and I guess a few slightly different versions of each. On a C accordion, I play it in either Am or Dm.

And then, there's this, by my mentor, Harrison Fontenot. Link #2

Re: Does it have 13 measures or am I losing it?

Talking about different versions ... this is the so-called "Ghostriders"version?

Re: Does it have 13 measures or am I losing it?

Ghost Riders in the Sky comes to mind...

Re: Does it have 13 measures or am I losing it?

Dan Franceski tried to decode it 2005. He started in 4/4 and shifted to 5/4 for the 3rd and 9th measures! If 13 measures is correct, then he's missing two beats somewhere.

Easier to play than to rationalize, huh?

Re: La Danse de Mardi Gras

Ganey and I just recently had a similar discussion about this song. He has the answers - I just tap my foot and try to play the tune.

Re: La Danse de Mardi Gras

In the Balfa Brothers fiddle version, it is played in G major. The chords are G, Bb and D. In the accordion version, it is in Am. The chords being Am, C and G. The Mamou Playboys blended the two songs by starting off the fiddle version in G, then coming in at the end on the accordion in G minor using a Bb accordion.

Re: La Danse de Mardi Gras

Yes, it's that kind of "floating" between major and minor that makes this kind of old music so exciting, just like pre-war blues. Good stuff!

Re: La Danse de Mardi Gras

Thanks to all for the help.
Any other suggestions on how to play Mardi Gras Dance other than the Balfa version?
JB

Re: La Danse de Mardi Gras

There seem to be many more versions of this song than the famous Balfa rendition.
Lots of different melodies, chords, major, minor, you name it. Website #1.

Re: La Danse de Mardi Gras

It would be great if someone would post a slowed video for us to learn

Re: La Danse de Mardi Gras

I seem to recall the fabulous Chris Miller did just that in 2009. Here you are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htZeXzZkmug

Re: La Danse de Mardi Gras

Thanks for posting. Never saw or heard this one.
Another version with a different melody line, and in Am. (with a funny D chord at the end)
There are no "correct" basses to sustain the melody, and no guitar backing also, and still it sounds OK. Another great job by Chris!!

Re: La Danse de Mardi Gras

Here's a link to an MP3 of Nathan Abshire. I don't know where I got it, or the origin. Line #2 or http://www.nedcheever.com/mardi_gras_song.mp3



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