PLAY CLOSE

Composer:	J.B. Lampe	Suppliers:
Editor:	Geoff Grainger	Sextet	A/T/T/B/B/GB(B)
Publisher:	Ditty Box Enterprises	Publication:	DBE 432

Length: approx. 3 mins.
In its day, Creole Belles was very popular and may be considered as a prime example of the precursors to "classic" ragtime music. Its form is of a 4-bar introduction followed by AABBA (in G) concluding with CC, 4-bar passage and AA (in C). The AA section uses the cakewalk rhythm, BB is somewhat like a march with counterpoint and syncopation whilst the CC section emphasises the so-called "Scotch snap", a hallmark often occurring in early plantation music.
All in all, this is a fine piece, not so technically demanding and well within reach of medium skilled ensembles. For those ensembles with a penchant for singing, Lampe provided lyrics to be sung between bars 72 and 87 as follows:

My Creole Belle, I love her well, around my heart she has cast a spell.
When stars do shine, I call her mine, my fancy lady, my Creole Belle.

Creole Belles was published by Lampe Music Co., Buffalo, New York, USA.
A tempo of 100 crotchets/min. is suggested.