Hi all,
There are many tunes in our repertoire which are both airs to songs and
pipe tunes in their own right. This duality is often the result of a
borrowing (Reiving) mechanism. which occasionally involves a key change.
I have a great admiration for Highland Piping and I think our traditions
have a symbiotic relationship. Occasionally, I react strongly to 'Jocks
in Frocks' telling us how piping should be, but in this particular case
I think we should look to the 'official' (military?) Scottish version
and publish that.( stripping all the grace notes). This is a funereal
tune; Northumbrian pipers occasionally have to deputise when Highland
pipers are not available; and the those who pay the piper call the tune.
The same is true of Highland Cathedral.
Where such contrasting versions exist, I think NPS publications should
include information on the choice of version as footnotes on the page,
rather than hidden away at the back of the book. I like publications
which indicate the history of the tune I am playing.
Although this publication is on general release, I believe its primary
purpose is to assist players of the Northumbrian Smallpipes,
particularly Society members. The NPS is an adult society and its
members well able to make an informed decisions given appropriate
background information.
Barry
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Dear all
More opinions sought on tunes in the second NPS tunebook. This time
it's Flowers of the Forest. Yes, I know. There are myriad versions
"out there", including an article in the last NPS magazine.
The one in the current tunebook is not thought satisfactory.
My personal version I've obviously picked up from Ray Fisher's
"Traditional Songs of Scotland" CD:
X:2489
T:Flowers of the Forest
M:6/8
E:12
L:1/8
K:D
A3 A2 B|A2 B d2 e/f/|g2 f e2 d|B d2 B>AG|\
A3 A2 B|A2 B d>ef/g/ |f3 e2 d|d3-d2||*
e/d/|=c3 c2 d|B/A/-A2 A3|f3 e2 d|B d2 B>AG|\
A3 A2 B|A2 B d>ef/g/ |f3 e2 d|d3-d2||**
..give or take a few twiddly bits.
I've also got available a 4 part version in 6/8:
X:2488
T:Flowers of the Forest
M:6/8
E:12
L:1/8
K:D
A3 A2 B|A B2 d2 e/f/|g2 f e2 d|B d2 A2 F|\
A3 A2 B|A B2 d>ef/g/ |f3 e2 d|d3-d3||*
=c3 c>e d/c/|B2 A B d2|A f2 e2 d|B d2 A2 B|\
=c3 c>e d/c/|B2 A B d2|A f2 e2 d|d3-d3||*
f a2 a2 a|b2 a g2 f|g2 f e2 d|B d2 A3|\
f a2 a2 a|b2 a g2 f|(4egfe e2 d|d3-d3|\
f a2 a2 a|b2 a g2 f|g2 f e2 d|B d2 A3|\
A3 A2 B|A B2 d>ef/g/ |f3 e2 d|d3-d3||**
and the same thing, but in 4/4:
X:2488
T:Flowers of the Forest
M:4/4
E:12
L:1/8
K:D
A4 A3 B|A B3 d2 ef|g2 f2 e2 d2|B d3 A3 F|\
A4 A3 B|A B3 d2 (3efg |f4 e3 d|d4-d4||*
=c4 cedc|B3 A B3 d|A f3 e3 d|B d3 A3 B|\
=c4 cedc|B3 A B3 d|A f3 e3 d|d4-d4||*
f a3 a3 a|b2 a2 g2 f2|g2 f2 e2 d2|B d3 A4|\
f a3 a3 a|b2 a2 g2 f2|egfe e3 d|d4-d4|\
f a3 a3 a|b2 a2 g2 f2|g2 f2 e2 d2|B d3 A4|\
A4 A3 B|A B3 d2 (3efg |f4 e3 d|d4-d4||**
I find it difficult to get my head round this last one - I end up
playing the 6/8 version.
Does anybody out there have any comments / opinions / contributions?
(bearing in mind this is an nsp book, not aimed at GHB players)
I can supply these as printed out music if abc doesn't do it for you.
All views welcome
Cheers
Julia
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