On 17 Jun, Janice Lane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> So many tunes are named
> "Mrs. Somebody's Favourite" How does this come about? Does the old dear
> express her liking for an unnamed tune and from then on it becomes hers? Or
> does the composer think "I'll name a tune for her and she'll give me lots of
> money"?
Janice - I think when names are used so much as titles we are talking
about shrewd manipulation of commercail patronage - at least in the 18th
C. The most adept musician at this was Nathaniel Gow, Niel's Son, who made
a good living from music publishing and playing. He also milked the Gow
name for all it was worth.
If you named a tune after a young society belle, you were on a winner -
firstly Daddy would have to subscribe to your next publication which
includes "Miss Sally McN" - several copies! If there is a society ball
thrown in the house, guess whose band gets the gig? If she marries, you
get the big ball to play at where you announce the tune formerly known as
Miss Sally McA - as "Mrs Sally C"
No need to write your own tune, if you are lacking inspiration, rename a
traditional tune - changing it to modern flat key, (It probably had an
extremely rude name anyway!) - Or pinch one from William Marshall.
This is a paraphrase of a passage in "18th Century Scottish Fiddle Music"
by DAvid Johnson which is well worth reading. It also explains the
prevalence of tunes in "flat keys" in Scottish music - from this time.
Another good idea is to name your latest tune after someone's stately
pile, eg Marchmont House, or the ..... Hunt - bound to get the gig for
Hunt Ball.
Philip
--
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To
subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
