{"id":3924,"date":"2022-04-27T14:07:23","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T20:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplymandolin.com\/flekd\/?p=3924"},"modified":"2023-02-02T21:09:14","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T03:09:14","slug":"off-to-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplymandolin.com\/flekd\/off-to-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Off to California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Irish immigrants heading for the U.S.<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Just the name of this tune, “Off to California<\/strong>“, brings up images and stories of immigrants getting on a boat and heading to the ‘new country’ – heading to America. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The movies I watched as a kid often portray it in different ways, and sometimes it all seemed kind of exciting and romantic. Although, years ago, it wasn’t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can’t imagine the hardships and suffering that these adventurers and families must have gone through in search of a new life in America<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in those days,moving through uncharted territory and crossing mountains to get to California would have been that much more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newsletter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A Little History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain<\/strong>. What is now known as California became Mexican territory. There was some settlement around the different trading ports, but most the population consisted of nomadic natives, traders, trappers and adventurers. There was no real law, and the southern areas were mostly controlled by a couple of prominent Mexican families.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

California remained under Mexican control for 25 years. Texas had gained independence from Mexico in 1836<\/strong>, it was not yet a state and some lands in the territory were still disputed. In 1846 Mexican cavalry attacked and killed U.S. soldiers<\/strong> on this disputed land, and the U.S. entered into war with Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The war lasted about 2 years, and California became U.S. property<\/strong> as part of the treaty agreement ending the Mexican-American War<\/strong>. Amazingly, just days before the Mexican Government gave up the land, gold was discovered in California.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Chords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some chords that I might use in attempting to back up this melody. Of course, these are just suggestions<\/strong>. You can use the full chord, or completely different voicings if something else suits your ear.<\/p>\n\n\n

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I’ve muted the 1st string (E) in each chord.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Tune<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Off to California” is a traditional Irish hornpipe.<\/strong> The tune is one of many melodies collected by Francis O’Neill<\/strong> and later published in “O’Neill’s Music of Ireland<\/strong><\/em>“.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two settings in that publication (#1628 and #1629). If you look at those settings you’ll notice the dotted quarter notes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hornpipes are supposed to have a little ‘lilt’, or a ‘bounce’ to them, and that’s often written with dotted quarter notes. I sometimes find that sounds a little static, or a little much, like.. Ta Da, Ta Da, Ta Da, Ta Da<\/strong>… I like the bounce to be a little less pronounced<\/strong>, but that’s just my opinion. You, of course, will play it how you like!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll usually tab out a hornpipe without the dotted notes, then put the lilt and emphasis in wherever I want. But sometimes, I just end up playing the hornpipe more like a reel. Especially when I speed up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOff to California\u201d is in the key of G Major<\/strong>, and I’ve tabbed it out in 4\/4 timing (without dotted notes). The second version is slowed down a little, with a bit of a bounce.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n