Far Away Friends

Aidan Broadbridge and I have been friends for too many years to count. 

We have played together on many occasions in the United kingdom and in the USA. It's always fun as he has a great sense of humour.

This last week Aidan was 50 years old and to celebrate this significant birthday I wrote a tune for him, and now, a week later, there is also a traditional style dance. The notation for dance is at the end of the blog.

Gigue Cinquante

It started out to be a simple jig with a Scottish/Irish feel, but it soon grew into a 4 part 64 bar Jig with a more modern final section. Here's the melody:-

Click on the music, or here, to download a .PDF version of the tune. As this was a special occasion, and also I thought this might make a good tune for a new dance, I made a recording. Click here to listen.

Back in 2011, Aidan (and his wife Annette's son, Levi was born. I also wrote this tune for Levi.

Dave Brown's Compliments to Levi Broadbridge.

Click on the music, or here, to download a .PDF version of the tune. As this was a special occasion, and also I thought this might make a good tune for a new dance, I made a recording. Click here to listen.

I was pleased with the reception of both tunes. Aidan's wife, Annette said, "Just had a listen! Wow! You are so full of amazing tunes Dave! And we are so privileged that your music is part of the soundtrack of our lives! "

In a special way, it's a good feeling to be able to contribute.

Here is a small video clip of Aidan and I playing at an evening party at the Berea Christmas School in Kentucky, USA. A bit blurry, and a few tuning issues on the night, but I think readers will enjoy the fun. 1st tune Goddesses (but not as you know it) and the second tune Devil Among the Tailors - plus some surprise guests.

....and now the dance to accompany this tune:

Gigue Cinquante:                          

Music: Own Tune - Gigue Cinquante.

A dance for 4 couples 

in a longways set

A.1.   Right Shoulder *Siding with partner:  Do-si-do partner (right shoulder):

A.2.   Left Shoulder Siding with partner:    Do-si-do partner (left shoulder):

B.1.   Arm Right with partner (8 steps): and in groups of 4 Circle left (8 steps):

B.2.   Arm Left with partner (8 steps): and Circle Right (8 steps):

A.3.   Take hands along lines and advance (4 steps); and back (4 steps): 

         Drop hands and cross over to change places with partner (6 steps) and turn to face partner (2 steps):

A.4.   Repeat above back to place

C.1.   2-hands to partner, Balance forward and back and, with the lady turning underneath the man's right arm finish facing down (8 steps): Lead down the hall (4 steps); 1st couple continue to bottom of the set (4 steps = Progression) whilst  couples 2,3 & 4 cast individually, outwards in a small loop to finish facing partner (dancers are on the wrong side!) 

C.2.  **2-hands to partner, Balance forward and back and, with the lady turning underneath the man's right arm finish facing up (8 steps): All 4 couples (order now 2341) lead up the hall (4 steps) and cast individually in a small loop (4 steps) to finish moving towards their partners ready for A.1. (Siding)

Dance Notes: This dance includes the traditional elements of an English dance - Leading Up; Arming  and Siding, but not in the usual order.

* I suggest walking forward 4 steps and aligning right shoulders with partner and moving back 4 steps to original position to prepare for the do-si-do. Likewise for the Left shoulder siding.

** This is actually the same movement as C.1 (without the progression). Dancers start from the opposite side and lead up the hall 

Click here to visit my website where readers can find more music: and click here to return home to the Blog.

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