Annotation:Rye Waltz
X:1 % T:Rye Waltz, The M:2/4 L:1/8 B:Ford - Traditional Music in America (1940, p. 137) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:D A>A A<f|e>d e<f|A<A B>A|d3z|A>A a>f|e>d e<f|A>A B>A|d3z|| M:3/4 L:1/8 (a4f2)|(d4f2)|(e4d2)|(e4f2)|(a4f2)|(g4 a2)|(b6|b4)b2| a4f2|(g4e2)|f4d2|(e4f2)|A4 A2|(B4A2)|(d6|d4)z2||
RYE WALTZ. American, Canadian; Schottische-Waltz. USA; Washington, Arizona, Michigan, New York, New England, Ohio, West Virginia. Canada, Nova Scotia. D Major (Ford, Ruth): G Major (Johnson). Standard tuning (fiddle). AB. "Rye Waltz" is a version of the air "Comin' Thro' the Rye (1)," the dance for which (the "Rye Waltz") combines a waltz step with a schottische step (Linscott, 1939), and is particularly associated with the American Mid-west and West, although it has wide dissemination. The tune is the one Arizona fiddler Kenner C. Kartchner described as the first part in 2/4 time and the second sixteen bars in waltz time. "Rye Waltz" dates to the 1890's, although the dance's hey-day was in the early 20th century, and it was a staple for early 20th century dance musicians. It survived in tradition through the 20th century; during the latter years of which it was played by at least one old-time fiddler for a dance in Champion, western New York state, according to fiddler Chad Miller, although he only knew of one other fiddler who played the tune in that region. Musicologist Paul Gifford remarks that it is still well-known by old-time square dancers in Michigan, and Peter Yarensky reported that it was still performed occasionally in New Hampshire. Similarly, old-time music historian Kerry Blech says it was known among older informants in Ohio and West Virginia. The dance and tune also had currency in the 20th century in Nova Scotia.