Crooked tune

A crooked tune is a musical piece, generally in the American, Canadian, or Irish tradition, which deviates for the standard number of beats for that style of tune (reel, hornpipe, polka). That is, the tune may add or drop notes, disrupting the usual rhythm.^[1]

Banjo player Tony Trischka described crooked tunes as: Things aren't all foursquare. They're quirky around the edges. Just the way players of yore felt it. Instinctively correct rather than technically correct.^[2]

References

1. April Verch; Brian Wicklund (14 February 2011). The American Fiddle Method - Canadian Fiddle Styles. Mel Bay Publications. pp. 8–. ISBN 978-1-61065-126-4. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
2. Christiansen, Corey; Tony Trischka (18 August 2011). Tony Trischka Master Collection of Fiddle Tunes for Banjo. Mel Bay Publications. pp. 47–. ISBN 978-1-61065-900-0. Retrieved 30 April 2013.

External links

• An Introduction to Crooked Tunes by Butch Ross at Mel Bay's Dulcimer Sessions, February 2010