How do you play Flop-eared Mule?

[TheBum]

First off, I apologize if I post this more than once. I accidentally hit a backspace and it disappeared, so I’ll try again.
I’m getting ready to learn Flop-eared Mule and would like to know how most people play it. I have lots of books, but the three I use most often all play it differently. Pennye Sheiber, who is from Michigan I believe, shows it played AABBA with Part A in the key of D and Part B in the key of A. Maddie MacNeil, who is from the East, shows it AABCC (C is virtually the same as Part A so we could say she plays it AABAA) with Part A in the key of D, Part B in the key of A, and Part C back in the key of D. Rick Thum, who is from the Midwest, plays it AABB, with Part A in the key of G and part B in the key of D. The reason I’m asking this is that I really get frustrated when I work so hard to learn a song one way and then find out most people play it totally differently. For example, I learned Black Nag in the Key of Em; then, the first jam session I went to, everyone played it in the key of D. I learned Soldier’s Joy at a festival, came home and worked hard to memorize it. When I got to a local session, I found out the Part B I had learned was 90 percent Part A of Blackberry Blossoms. By the way, it works very nicely.
I know, the way the HD is laid out, it’s not a big deal to jump back and forth in the major key boxes of D, G, and C if the song is played the straight old fiddle-tune way of AABB. But, when I have to start thinking out of the box (pun intended), my brain just shuts down. Years ago, it was expected that different areas would play songs differently, but now, with all our dulcimer websites and the way HD instructors travel to festivals all over the country, many of us spending summers in the North and winters in the South, I think it would be great if we could come together more on our songs. Anyway, I’d certainly appreciate it you’d let me know how you play Flop-eared Mule.

[Mistydawn]

I play it in the key of D, although the second part seems to go into a different key or mode. I don't know that much about theory to describe it accurately. At any rate, I play AABA. I usually play it as the last tune of a three-song medley.

[Sarah]

Fiddlers I've encountered all play it with the "A" part in the key of D and the "B" part in the key of A, with structural form AABB.

[cboody]

Everyone I've played it with plays Flop Eared Mule AA BB (in keys of D and A) but ends the tune with either A or AA depending on the group. It is customary to end tunes that shift to the dominant key (count up 5 from the starting key) by returning "home" to the original key.

As to the "rules" for other tunes: There aren't any some things are more common than others, but really that variety is the spice of most traditional music. I played Jump at the Sun in G minor because some folks insisted that was the original key. I've played Willafjord without syncopation because another group insisted that was "the way it was meant to be played." HD players often play Margaret's Waltz in G, but fiddlers and many others insist the key is A. And on and on it goes. I'd hate to see the wonderful differences disappear. We've way too much homogenization seems to me.

So, what's a learner to do? Learn to play the tune comfortably at a decent tempo. When you hear another version see what you can find out about how the "locals" play that tune and adapt. Yeah your head will explode for a while, but soon you'll enjoy it, or at least get better at it!

BTW, I suspect the Black Nag you heard was in B minor not D. Same key signature but....

[forums]

pretty good.

[TheBum]

Thanks to you, cboody, a light bulb just went on: B minor is the relative minor of D major, and as I look at the music, I see it ends on a B rather than a D. I learn something every day1
Of course, you're right about diversity in music. I'm just slow learner who wants to learn it ALL. I was talking to an old fiddler last night about Flop-eared Mule, and he said when he was young he played with Part A in D and Part B in A but then years ago he changed it to C and F#.

[cboody]

Thanks to you, cboody, a light bulb just went on: B minor is the relative minor of D major, and as I look at the music, I see it ends on a B rather than a D. I learn something every day1
Of course, you're right about diversity in music. I'm just slow learner who wants to learn it ALL. I was talking to an old fiddler last night about Flop-eared Mule, and he said when he was young he played with Part A in D and Part B in A but then years ago he changed it to C and F#.

I think what he's trying to tell you is that he definitely is tired of the tune!!! I play it in E dorian and B dorian sometimes. That usually stops everyone...if they don't start playing Missouri, which is what the A sections sounds like (sorta).

[Paul Gifford]

As a schottische, in G & D.

Paul Gifford

[cboody]

Come to Evart Paul and we'll do it!

Oh! and it makes a pretty good waltz too...

Chuck Boody