On Thu, 19 Jul 2001, Jack Campin wrote:
> > the "offending" notes sometimes have more to do with the fingering on
> > the fiddle and how difficult it is to play them. Therefore, it is not
> > necessarily the same intervals which offend in each key. This I can
> > see because for instance, I have a terrible time playing in tune in E
> > major. It drives me crazy.
>
> I wonder whether this is the point of using that key? By far the most
> popular E major tune round here is "Calliope House". Wimp fiddlers play
> it in D and it never sounds as good that way - maybe the variations in
> intonation produced by the technical difficulties Kate describes could
> be part of what gives it its distinctive character?
Yeah, I never understood why anyone would play that one in D,
unless they had a flute player that was playing along with them, or some
situation like that. Lack of ability is no excuse :-) That's what practice is for.
Very often when people start messing with the keys on tunes, they
detract from quality of the tune. Sometimes they add something to the
tune, but I think it's less common that the tune is improved.
Toby
Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To
subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
