Bonaparte's Retreat

[NancyMbWpg]

Very good fiddling --enjoyed this !

[MrApples6]

very nice playing.

[fiddler1861]

Bonaparte's March is the proper name, the Retreat is a similar but different tune.

[vithefiddler]

@fiddler1861 W.H. Stepp called it Bonaparte's Retreat in his 1937 (Allan Lomax) recording in the library congress. Do you have an earlier recording or transcription that calls it Bonaparte's March?

[ivanrorick]

@vithefiddler Actually I've heard that too - that this version is "March", and the others are "Retreat". Stepp did call it "Retreat" as you pointed out. It's obviously the same melody though, just played a bit differently. "Bonaparte's March" is also an alternate title for "Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine".

Confusing!

[sinrboy]

@vithefiddler I agree this is Bonaparte's Retreat 100%, and any true fiddler would know that!

[JupiterIV]

@vithefiddler Two questions:

I. Did you ever make the connection between this little number, and Copland's Rodeo?

II. Would you happen to know where I can get a PDF of the sheet music?

[ivanrorick]

Really nice version man! I love how everyone plays Bonaparte's Retreat totally different.

[vithefiddler]

@ivanrorick Thanks Ivan. I did this version when I played it in GDGD tuning, but now I usually play it DDAD.

[denman1953]

That was fantastic! I'm a beginning fiddler and very interested in alternate tunings, as I've played guitar for 40+ yrs.. Do you have any vids posted on alternate tunings? Thanks again for this one!

[vithefiddler]

@denman1953 I don't have any in specific, but I'm a big fan of playing with alternate tunings, and I plan to post more.

[pommelafleche]

Question: I really love this tune, practicing it on clawhammer banjo. However there are other clips with the same title but the melody is - to my ears - completely different ... are there several tunes with this title or are there just extreme variations of the same ?

[vithefiddler]

@pommelafleche Variations of the same tune. There is a 3rd verse that is added in the country variant of this song.

[madmanforlolz]

This Piece is that main feature of Aaron Copland's 'Hoe-down' the ballet 'Rodeo' very good piece.

[vithefiddler]

@madmanforlolz That is correct. It is my understanding that Copeland heard a recording of this tune in the library of congress.

[madmanforlolz]

@vithefiddler Wow that is really interesting, this will be more information to add to my assignment :) Thank you. Copland is a great patriotic composer that created a significant sound for American classical music!

[elfredwardo666]

@vithefiddler

You are correct :). Copeland was inspired by this tune (which he did find in the library of congress)

[NatureLover987]

I've been watching your videos all morning long, and I've finally figured out who you look just like.. Gus (I've forgotten his last name) from the movie Road to Avonlea!! I was like, holy crap, the sexy scottish fiddlin' lad lives on!!! haha :)

[vithefiddler]

@NatureLover987 Thanks. :)

[minoune86]

With the violin tuned this way, don't you want to play forever? It's the case with me. Cheers.

[vithefiddler]

@minoune86 I really do enjoy playing around in alternate keys and seeing what comes of it.

[csxtrainwreck]

Faster faster faster faster

[cogermax91]

very beautiful playing and sound !!!!bravo!*****

[vithefiddler]

Thank you very much.

[vithefiddler]

@cogermax91 Thank you.

[fiddlinmaniac]

ooooo!!!! I LOVE cross-tuning my fiddle. Way fun and fantastic job. :)

[vithefiddler]

Thanks!

[vithefiddler]

@fiddlinmaniac me too. It really gives you a different color palette to play with.

[Mandolin1944]

Very fine -- sounds good in saw mill tuning!

[mcneillrules]

I love this version! My violin teacher plays it also but of course in a different version, which is also amazing

[Rhawneld57]

So nice it too is familiar. You do nicely on the fiddle. Are you self taught?

Curious

Ron!

[nasiwise]

Completely mesmerizing!

In a way it has dampened down my pleasure of listening to Hoe-Down from Rodeo.

[SuperSeaCucumber]

oh my gosh. i never noticed before but this song is totally part of Hoe-Down from Rodeo. wow i'm stupid. and then if i'm not mistaken there is also Mrs McLeod in there, isnt there? that's so weird!!

[MazzingerZ7]

This is the best version of Bonapartes retreat Ive ever heard!!!

Ive been day dreaming: would it be possible to fit this into a country rock band version?

Would that be considered a blasphemy to this classic masterpiece?

[FashionFreak185]

If the music is good, I dont see a problem with it. Music is always evolving.

[MazzingerZ7]

Good, but I don`t remember any rock band who has dared... I wonder why...

[majik89d]

Listen to Mark O'Connor's recording.

[vithefiddler]

I like Mark O'Connor's version, and

Aly Bain as well, but my favorite is the WH Stepp version that is similar to the version I play.

[terrywildman]

Hot damn! The hairs on the back of my neck are going to be standing up all day now!

[FashionFreak185]

Thanks. :) I'm glad to have made your day!

[azuni262]

I have to tell you that my mouth dropped open when I heard you play, I am just learning this song for and hadn't heard it actually played correctly-hence me looking for it on here-but the pace and tuning that you played was truly enjoyable

[FashionFreak185]

Thanks. :)

[nickelsmine000]

Super! Bonaparte Himself Would Be So Honoured!

[vithefiddler]

Thanks. He would be honoured by a song in honor of his disgrace. ;)

[nickelsmine000]

A Big Ego Is Honoured Either Way....Grace or Disgrace.....(disgrace being the choice here)

Great Tune...nevertheless....

thanx!

[vithefiddler]

LOL

[LazyEye4]

That is amazing, absolutely awesome. So how long does it take to get that good? I have always wanted to play an instrument and I was thinking either fiddle or violin. I just want and idea of much time you need to spend to get good at it.

[vithefiddler]

I really don't get to practice much right now, since I have kids.

I have played since I was a kid (about 24 years), but with a good teacher, and dedicated practice, you should be able to be pretty good within 3-5 years if you have a little musical talent.

[Ricepatch1]

where can i find this music for the fiddle? Loved the tune by the way!! i want to learn it!!!

[vithefiddler]

Sorry, this is totally by ear, and I don't have any sheet music for it. The basic tune is in the fiddler's fakebook, but since I have cross-tuned my fiddle, the fingerings will be different.

Learn the basic tune first, and then play around with it.

[mcob1]

by george that is it, thanks

[t4kne]

Why no drums?

[vithefiddler]

I record in tiny snippets of time where I (sometimes) don't have a child hanging on my leg or asking for something. If you watch the videos careful, you will here evidence of children either banging on the Casio keyboard, or just making noise in the background. I do enjoy playing with drums though.

[About2Rain]

Fantastic job on a great song! Nice smooth crisp playing! You are excellent! Bravo....

[vithefiddler]

Thanks, I really enjoy playing it.

[tomtscotland]

Excellent - really good job!

[vithefiddler]

Thanks Tom!

[bowrocker]

Great job Vi! Nice variations!

[vithefiddler]

Thanks. I did have fun working those out.

[yellowbarber]

nice one!

[vithefiddler]

Thanks. I really enjoyed playing it as well.

[chrisricker]

Cool tune, I've never heard that one before, nor have I ever tried playing in GDGD, it's got a nice mellow tone compared to AEAE.

I'm going to have to try and learn it :D

Thanks

Chris

[vithefiddler]

I totally agree with you on this. I was just playing around with this tune tonight in DDAD and it works well there too. I will have to record and post it in that tuning too. :)

[y0e0r0t]

I agree i should try this too, but i play this tune solely in DDAD which i personally prefer for the resonance and drones that one can easily achieve

[vithefiddler]

It wasn't until I tried it in DDAD that I realized that the Jay Ungar recording of Bonaparte's Retreat is in DDAD.

I will post it in DDAD as soon as I get a chance. :)

[mcob1]

mark o'connor has a medley of midnight on the water and bonaparte's retreat in e with a drone, do you think he's EEBE? by the way, excellent.

[vithefiddler]

I would guess so, but I'm not sure.

[mythrev25]

I love that song! Great playing! I have been trying to learn Mark O'Connors version of it... funn stuff

[vithefiddler]

Nice. Good luck with it. Send me the video when you post it. :)

[ottlakerambler]

Very nice!

[vithefiddler]

Thanks. :)