Understanding Form: The Polka

Link to book composition lessons:
calendly.com/musicauniversalis
To get the most out of lessons, you should have a fairly basic knowledge of music theory. Basic meaning you can read treble and bass clef, know what a tonic and dominant are, time signatures, note values, and the circle of fifths. Literally the basics. It is not required that you know about figured bass or counterpoint. The ability to play a keyboard instrument is helpful, but not necessary.
(First Lesson is Free! Further Paid lessons cost 40€)
In this video I discuss the history and defining characteristics of the Polka.
A special thanks as always to musopen.org and imslp.org for offering free public domain sheet music and recordings online.

[@olavikorpi8269]

I live in Mexico and can confirm polka is one of the strongest foundations of its contemporary music. However not only is it core element of Norteño Music, but also of Ranchera ("mariachi music") and Banda (with bands being more similar to traditional European polka combos than those in Northern Mexico).

[@ss.fx3626]

rancheras is a song style usually 3/4 which is based on the waltz rhythm rancheras can be played by Banda or conjunto norteña. mariachi is a type of musical group

[@fabo--]

Narco polkas jajaja

[@lavendelle_swift]

I really love this "Understanding Form" series. Soon, I will compose a Polka someday. Thanks for this.

[@caterscarrots3407]

I will definitely compose one as part of a suite of Romantic Era dances. I so far have this structure: I. Polonaise - The longest(in terms of measures, not necessarily time) and most rhythmically complex of them all II. Mazurka - Short and accents beat 2, possibility of a Double III. Waltz - Widest tempo range, simplest to compose, possibility of a Double IV. Scherzo - At first, I questioned this, but then I was like "Well, the Minuet, its Baroque/Classical Era cousin is in the Baroque Suite, so why not have the Scherzo, which evolved from the Minuet in my Romantic Suite? After all, the other dances also have a few connections to the dances that would take their place in the Baroque Suite." V. Polka - Dotted rhythms, lots of dotted rhythms I'm not sure what else to include in the suite. As of now, I'm working on the Polonaise.

[@eduardocamacho4636]

It’s so cool that you acknowledged the influence that polkas had on mexican music, I thought this video was going to fully focus on the european history of polkas but I was plesently surprised. Thank you!

[@passing-notes]

The similarity between the Texan and and the Czech flag is clearly the real reason. I don't know why I haven't discovered your videos before, they are amazing.

[@BytomGirl]

I grew up in Poland near Czech border and danced Polka in many country dances and weddings. Have seen many folk concert in the nearby mountains of Beskidy. Oh my god, you played the Polka I love called Grandfather, my favorite. I totally forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me. And you right about Mexicans loving Polka, here in Bay Area are entire Mexican neighborhoods and driving through them you often hear the music. I also love Viennese Polkas of Strauss family and other waltz composers, then there is Polka of Schnittke from Dead Souls and Italian Polka of Rachmaninov. It certainly got around :)

[@MusicaUniversalis]

I particularly enjoy Gryaznov’s transcription of Rachmaninov’s Italian Polka.

[@BytomGirl]

@@MusicaUniversalis Yes, it has a slower tempo and it's longer improvisation, also like performed by Denis Matsuev, here is Griaznov kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpubp62ipLd-h5I

[@lucas89a]

The standard repertoire of Gaucho, Paraguayan and Southern Brazilian music is also polka. Probably due to the number of German immigrants who settled in the area in the late part of the 19th century.

[@CarinaPrimaBallerina]

This is a great and very well-made lecture on the subject! Thank you for making this!

[@generalferret7129]

I love your videos! They’re awesome!

[@audielavalos9619]

I am glad you mentioned the relation of Polka to Mexico. In spanish we call the oompah rhythm the tumpas-tumpas.

[@folkloricodude9801]

La clarinet polka we dance it a lot too ♥️

[@ramoneguzman8491]

I am from the Dominican Republic and there is also a northern type of folk dance called "Chenché" which comes from polka.

[@MusicaUniversalis]

Good to know, I’ll have to check it out.

[@historyhayden]

In Central Europe from Croatia to the Baltic Polka is veary prevalent, I have been listining to it ever sense I can remember.

[@trioofone8911]

I've gotten almost to the end of this video. Wanted to say that the examination of the spread of the polka should be done in the light of the spread of certain musical instruments, in this case, the accordion. Perhaps it's a coincidence, but the polka (or music that has polka characteristics) seems to be in the local folk music wherever some foem of squeezebox is also part if the folk music culture. Could the popularity of the accordion in all its glorious variety have contributed to--or itself been helped along by--the popularity of the polka?

[@caterscarrots3407]

Will you eventually make a video about the Mazurka? It's a dance that I have wanted to try composing, but for which I can't find much info besides the accented beat being beat 2. And I listened to all Chopin Mazurkas yesterday and that didn't really help me understand the Mazurka. I guess I will start analyzing the Chopin Mazurkas for common traits, but it would be nice if you made a video about the Mazurka.

[@chrisswinford89]

Hi Caters, I'm trying to connect with you on composition and arrangement but no info in your about

[@modderkevin5124]

For me, the first polka that comes to mind is Rachmaninoff’s Italian Polka. Then I realize Ltd that it kind of matched with the rhythm that you put on the screen. Awesome video!

[@faustolemos3917]

Great!

[@curtpiazza1688]

Great video! Love your opening with the candles...very quaint! Love the polka dot background! Have you experienced the polka culture in Northeastern Pennsylvania (Wilkes-Barre and Scranton)? Totally amazing!

[@89tonstar]

You left out one other possibibilty. During the 19th century there was a large amount of polish and eastern european immigrants to new mexico passing through both texas and mexico on their way to the new mexico. In fact to this day culturally new mexican traditions and even last names bare this history in them. These people settled all over their rio grande valley and introduced their music and cultural norms. Mariachi music has had the polka in its dance style since at least the mid 1800s if not further. These traveling musicians would pick up musical tradition from the people who they played for. This would indicate that the eastern european influence was deeply cemented by the turn of the 20th century. My own grandparents and their generation knew how to dance to polkas. It would also bring a smile to their face!

[@TheBestBoyyeeehehe]

I wish you would have spoken more about the actual polka, you just barely mentioned the rhythm and then spoke only of the history. The history is interesting as well but that's not what I wanted to learn.

[@ryanpsencik6350]

It's worth noting that there was (is) also a very large Czech population that runs, basically, down I-35 ... from DFW through central Texas, and South of Austin. Czech immigrants would have comingled with Mexican populations and shared their culture... especially their music. Is also worth noting the instrumental prevelance in national styles: most notably, accordian-style instruments. German polka tends to be brass- heavy. Both Czech and Norteno LOVE their accordians.

[@MelissaMoyaA]

Hi! Awesome content. The link you posted in the description for virtual classes doesn't work. Did you update it or something? :(

[@MusicaUniversalis]

Thanks for letting me know, no idea how that happened! Should be fixed now!

[@bryanholden6855]

Did you take a listen to some Slovenian polkas? Particularly those by the Avsenik brothers. Polka with a bounce (slight swing feel) - it's a whole different approach. I will be talking to you soon I hope - plan on booking lesson 1.

[@lunar.6091]

Are you only offering lessons for a limited time?

[@MusicaUniversalis]

No, I will be offering them regularly for the foreseeable future. Thanks for the interest!

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

Polka is the original punk rock.

[@CalebCarman]

Oh my God! That’s the Candy mountain song!

[@MusicaUniversalis]

Also known as Klarinettenmuckl

[@bazookaman1353]

I thought polka was finish I must be living under a weird rock.

[@Harlem55]

This is musically incorrect: Most polkas are, in the traditional repritoire, a 2/2 meter not a 2/4 meter. Also, the fundamental poka rhythym is two sixteenth notes and an eigth note in 2/4 or (as usually notated) two eigths and a quarter in 2/2.

[@martiglesias60]

Bohemia was at that time Austrian !

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

Yeah, empires always want to take credit for the achievements of their subjects regardless of their actual nationality.

[@JohnJones-tx6rt]

No specific examples. Just a wandering background polkesque .

[@MusicaUniversalis]

My worst video. Might delete and redo.

[@Alexcz7]

Polka isn't czech

[@cz_czan]

the polish nation keeps winning sarmatia triumphant