Country Dance by Carulli for Ukulele

Country Dance by Carulli for Classical Ukulele

This delightful Country Dance by Ferdinando Carulli comes from his 18 Morceaux faciles et progressifs, Op. 120. This is the second of these “easy” pieces called “Contredanse.”  While the typical English translation is “country dance,” which is what it was in 17th-century England, the contredanse was actually a dance of the 18th-century French court. “Country” dances were learned socially, by watching others and passed down organically. “Court” dances, however, were taught by dance masters and so were more complex. Carulli’s version is quite simple, with three sections that repeat (like many Renaissance English country dances).

Performance Notes

The piece is composed of three brief sections in 2/4 time. The first two sections highlight two-note chords, with the open G note on the 4th string played on the upbeats. It’s important to play these upbeats softly, allowing the emphasis to remain on the higher chords on the downbeats. In the second section, follow the dynamic markings closely. Measure 9 features a crescendo, gradually increasing in volume, while measures 11 and 12 require a decrescendo. Achieving smooth and steady rises and falls in volume takes practice. Be patient and take your time to master this.

The third section shifts to the relative minor key of A minor from C major, incorporating arpeggiation, bass-to-chord movement, and the use of the open 2nd string as a softer repeating tone beneath the melodic motion. After playing the third section twice, you’ll return to the beginning of the piece. At the end of the page, you’ll notice the D. C. al Fine marking. This stands for Da Capo al Fine, instructing you to go back to the beginning and play until the Fine at the end of measure 16. Remember to observe the repeats the first time through but omit them during the D. C. al Fine section.