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 Building a Traditional Tune Repertoire
by Wendy Anthony
Angeline The Baker
(Key of D)
The Tune:
This traditional Appalachian fiddle tune, sometimes just called Angeline, is popular with beginner (and more advanced) Bluegrass players, as well as in Old-Time jams. This tune is not to be confused with Stephen Foster's song Angelina Baker, written in 1850, with a different melody & lyrics about a slave's love who was sold away.
Listen to the Angeline The Baker MIDI,
with intro & open string, chord note voicing (Variation 2):
120 & 160 bpm
Techniques:
- Overview of Tune: The main transcript is a simplified version of the tune, and is an easy, popular tune for beginners. This tune can be played at many different tempos, & though the simple version can also be played easily at quicker speeds, it sounds quite beautiful played slowly and clearly. Variation 2, with open string chord note voicing, gives a full, richer sound.
- Chords: This tune only uses 2 chords: the D (I) chord is used most often, changing to a G (IV) chord in the 4th measure of both Parts A & B. Measures 7 & 15 contain a quick chord change from D on the first beat, followed by G on the third beat, before returning to D at the beginning of the next measure.
- Pick Strokes: Pick all 1/4 notes with Downstrokes & all paired 1/8 notes with Down/Upstrokes. Note that as this tune contains many 1/4 notes, most of the pick strokes are played as Downstrokes. Measures 1, 5 & 6 (also 8, 9, 13, 17 & 18, in Variation 2) have a syncopated rhythm, produced by playing a dotted 1/4 note (the equivalent timing of 3 - 1/8 notes) with a Downstroke, followed by an 1/8 note, played with an Upstroke.
Variations:
- Add/Replace Notes: For variety, add extra open string notes (Measure-1); use hammer-ons (M-1&2); repeat notes to produce different rhythm (M-4); replace 1/4 notes with 1/8 notes (M-11); change 1/4 notes to 1/8 notes & add syncopated rhythm (M-13).
- Open String, Chord Voicing: Play open strings to include chord note voicings, creating a rich, full sound.
- Lyrics: Lyrics have been a recent addition, and can vary, depending on the source. They are about a middle aged woman who makes her own choices in life. I've included some popular verses.
Chorus:
Angeline the Baker, Angeline the Baker
Angeline, Angeline, won't you please be mine?
Verses:
The first time I saw Angeline, was at the county fair
Her daddy chased me halfway home, and told me to stay there.
Angeline the Baker, her age is forty-three
I give her candy by the peck, but she won't marry me.
Angelina Baker, Angeline I know
Wish I'd married Angeline, twenty years ago.
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