Tag: Esther Morgan-Ellis

Here’s the next in the series of tunes that resulted from a year-long collaboration with fiddler, Esther Morgan-Ellis. We’ve performed them in a series of concerts beginning in Spring 2024. We plan to release a recording of them soon. Here’s a performance of my tune “Red Coreopsis” from our concert at the University of North Georgia, Dahlonega.

And here’s the banjo tablature:

Notes About This Tune

• “Red Coreopsis” is in A, played in open A tuning (aEAC#E – open G, capo 2) using the clawhammer style.
• OK, I lied. It’s not really in straightforward A major. It’s actually in a mixed mode that goes by various names: mixolydian over lydian, lydian dominant, mixolydian #11, etc. The mode includes a raised fourth scale degree and a lowered seventh. It’s popular among bebop jazz musicians.
• The B part of this tune is so crooked that it’s bent almost completely out of shape. It starts with a lovely hemiola and then leans into the raised fourth scale degree. It’s a bit of a wild ride–lots of fun when played fast!
• The title comes from the Dwarf Red Coreopsis plant, a member of the tickseed family. I love growing these native perennials and reliably have a few varieties that reseed themselves in my garden every year.

I’ve been collaborating with fiddler, Esther Morgan-Ellis, for the last year on a group of new old-time tunes. We’ve performed them in a series of concerts beginning in Spring 2024. We plan to release a recording of them soon. Here’s a performance of my tune “Tidal Pull” from our concert at the University of North Georgia, Dahlonega.

And here’s tablature for the banjo part and a representative melody line.

Notes About This Tune

• “Tidal Pull” is in D, played in Double D tuning (aDADE) using the clawhammer style.
• This is one of the few tunes we play that is not crooked, which makes this one great for contra dances
• The syncopation of the a note in the B part is an important detail that’s easy to miss.
• For variety, I sometimes play the beginning of the second ending down an octave.
• I wrote this tune at a beach with a very strong undertow–practically a rip current! That explains the title and the motion of the melody.

Give the tune a try, and let me know how you like it!