Hi guys,

I have a band gig tomorrow and was just told that we need to play 8 to 10 polkas throughout the night. It is for a schutzenfest in Ohio. Go figure. I suppose by the name I should have guessed on polkas.

Does anyone have any of the more popular polkas scanned that could be e-mailed or even MIDI files of the same so I could transcribe the melodies and chords for the band?

Nothing like being prepared for a gig.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Dave


[This message has been edited by WDMcM (edited 07-07-2005).]

You'll find lots of midi files via the search engine at www.musicrobot.com

Good Luck,

Gary

Dave you have mail.

Hi Fran,

Thanks a million. This gig will be a lot more fun with the appropriate music. Then again, how can a festival fail when there are piles of bratwurst and beer by the barrel full!

Thanks again,

Dave

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the link. My only problem is, and I hate to admit to it but... Beer Barrel Polka and the Chicken Dance is sort of the extent to my Polka repertoire. So I don't really know any song names to search for. I did find a number of Polkas, but due to my lack of experience with this music I didn't know which ones people in the know would recognize.

I think I am OK now though. Fran was kind enough to send me some MIDI files that I can transcribe for the band.

Best Regards,

Dave

Hi Dave -

As an accordionist I play a few polkas, although I really don't like to!

Here are some I play often:

Beer Barrel Polka
Clarinet Polka
Helena Polka
Liechenstiener Polka
La Campognola
Tick Tock Polka

Wow, I think I play a lot more than that but those are the only ones that come to mind quickly. I really wish I had the sheet music to fax you (eFax even) but I learned them when younger and they have been committed to memory for years as the actual sheet music decomposes (joke intended) in my parents musty basement 500 miles away.

Good luck with your gig!

Tommy

OK, so I'm from Wisconsin originally, so you played polkas there.....or else!!haha

Really, they're a lot of fun to play.

A couple more names you can try:

No Beer In Heaven (In Heaven There Is No Beer)

Helen (Helena) Polka

Just Because (We used to call it the "band aid song," you know, "just be gauze"

Tinker Polka

Blue Skirt Waltz (old time waltz)

Too Fat Polka

Julida Polka

Clarinet Polka

Chicken Polka

O Susanna Schottiche (noch ein immer trepschen)

Thanks to everyone! I really appreciate the help.

I think I have enough polkas to make it through the night. Maybe even enough to do only Polkas all night long. Which of course is a good thing not just because it is a schutzenfest but also because I can avoid playing Mustang Sally, Midnight Hour, Domino, etc. Although I will probably still have to play the Chicken Dance. Oh well.

Again, thanks to all for the help you offered.

And a special thanks to Fran C. and Donny P. for the SMF's.

Best Regards,

Dave

Hi Dave - I am wondering why you didn't look on the German general music site?
Or tried the site: www.d-o-o.de
Lots of files here with German touch.
You could also try www.midi-alpin.at
here you are really talking German/Austrian style

Best regards

Tommy

Hi Tommy,

Thanks for the links. I believe I have enough different songs now to get through this gig.

Best Regards,

Dave