Flea Waltz

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The Flea Waltz is a popular piano piece . There is no clear version of the work in notation . The basic version is easy to learn, even for non- pianists , because of its memorability and the fingering that can be mastered by inexperienced hands . The particular popularity of the piece is probably due to the fact that, even with the least amount of practice, it is possible to play a rhythmically and tonally non-irritating piece on the piano with both hands.

Despite the name, the piece is not a waltz , because it is in an even time signature (2/4 or 4/4) and is therefore rhythmically a polka or a gallop .

As with many works of popular music, the composer is not known. In a parody of a musicological treatise, Eric Baumann jokingly claims that it came from a Ferdinand Loh (abbreviated as F. Loh).

Russ Conway has recorded a version with orchestra entitled Lesson One . A Sinalco jingle on the melody of the flea waltz appeared in German-language advertising in 1979 .

construction

The basic version of the "flea waltz"

The flea waltz is in the key of F sharp major or G flat major, which means that the piano is played predominantly on the black keys, which makes fingering and finding the right keys easier. The second four bars are a harmonic modification of the first four bars in the dominant . This eight-bar scheme is largely retained in the numerous variants that have evolved, mainly playing with inversions . The simple melodic and harmonic structure also makes it possible for a second player to add one or more melody voices using the Quodlibet method.

The "flea waltz" worldwide

The flea waltz is known by different names in many countries. Here is an overview:

  • Belgium: Dutch : Vlooienwals, French: Valse de la puce, German: Flea Waltz ("Flea Waltz")
  • Bulgaria: Котешки марш , Koteschki Marsch ("Katzenmarsch")
  • China: 小偷 进行曲Xiǎotōu jìnxíngqǔ : ("March of the thieves")
  • Denmark: Prinsesse Raging ("Princess Bipod")
  • Finland: Kissanpolkka (" Katzenpolka ")
  • France: Côtelettes ("ribs", "chops")
  • Great Britain: Chopsticks ("chopsticks")
  • Japan: 猫 踏 ん じ ゃ っ たNeko Funjatta ("I stepped on the cat")
  • Korea: 고양이 춤 Koyangi Chum ("cat dance")
  • Mallorca: Polca de los Tontos ("Polka of the fools")
  • Mexico: Los Changuitos ("Little Monkeys")
  • Netherlands: Vlooien-Mars ("Flea March")
  • Norway: Loppevals ("Flea Waltz ")
  • Poland: Kotlety ("chops")
  • Romania: Marsul magarilor ( "March of the donkeys")
  • Russia: Собачий вальс , Sobatschi Wals ("dog waltz")
  • Sweden: Kalle Johansson
  • Switzerland: chop waltz
  • Slovakia: Somársky pochod (" Donkey March ")
  • Spain: Chocolatera ("Chocolate Pot")
  • Czech Republic: Prasečí valčík ("porpoise")
  • Ukraine: Собачий вальс, Sobachyj Wals ("dog waltz")
  • Hungary: Szamár-Induló (" Donkey March ")
  • United States: Flea Waltz (" Flea Waltz ")

Notes and audio samples

literature

  • Ferdinand Loh: Flea Waltz. Piano . (Sheet music) ,. Hans Sikorski, Hamburg, ISBN 979-0-00300418-1 .
  • Ferdinand Loh: Flea Waltz. Marimba . Norsk Musikverlag, Oslo (Arr. By Peter Klemke).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Eric Baumann: The composer Ferdinand Loh and his magnum opus: The Flea Waltz . Atlantis Musikbuch-Verlag, Zurich 1996, ISBN 3-254-00205-9 (62 pages).
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-0JE1wC3OA

Web links

Wiktionary: Flea Waltz  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations