Presumably the "Traditional" tunes for the NSP would be among those included in the basic tune books. However I have reason to believe that many of these started life as fiddle tunes and many more, which lie beautifully on the pipes (such as Madame Bonapart) came from other parts of what used to be called "the British Isles". As there seems to be a lack of clarity in the subject under discussion, it would be most interesting to see a list of perhaps 20 - 30 tunes, compiled by those who regard themselves as purists, of what may be called the best "NSP traditional music" . Are they essentially tunes which started life as pipe tunes? Are they tunes which lie easily under the fingers of the piper? Are they tunes which make you smile and feel happy because they have that lovely "bubbling" sound which we feel to be typical of the instrument (and which often, basicly, means that they include lots of bouncing, ascending G major arpeggios) ? Are they simply tunes which make the pipes sound like the most beautiful instrument ever invented? Having grown up in canny Newcastle, hearing songs such as "The Keel Row", "The Waters of Tyne" and "Keep your Feet Still, Geordie Hinney" I am well aware that they are (perhaps I should say, "are considered by many as . ." ?) traditional Northumbrian folk songs and, although they are frequently played on our favourite instrument, I personally don't feel that (excluding variations on the Keel Row composed by a certain eminent piper) in any way, they show off its true beauty. Equally, I think it has to be admitted, there are quite a few tunes in the basic books that don't really do much for the instrument. The Northumbrian pipes are enjoyed by so many people from many different national, cultural and musical backgrounds that I feel a definition of what is really and truly traditional would be appreciated. Sheila
-- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
