Re: [scots-l] Session Tunes
Jack Campin wrote: Stan Chapman's Jig (Jerry Holland) Dinkies The more I hear those two tunes the less I like them. Dunno why but they just don't grow on me. I'm not saying this is the case with you, Jack, but tunes do go in and out of fashion, and what might be a hackneyed tune to an old hand is a wonderful, exciting tune to someone who is learning. I feel lucky in that I'm someone who is responsible for introducing tunes to learners, but it's difficult! (Just in case I haven't said that before!) John Stephen of Chance Inn (Angus Fitchett) Took me ages to figure out that of all the instruments I play, the only one that makes a reasonable job of that one in the original key is a C whistle. Yep, I quite agree. I usually try to keep to tunes which fall within the capabilities of a D whistle, but I'm going to persuade the whistlers to bring in an F whistle for this one. A tune that goes well with it (also in F) is Pottinger's Reel. Pottinger's Reel is possibly my favourite tune of all. -- Nigel Gatherer, Crieff, Scotland [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/gatherer/ Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
Re: [scots-l] Session Tunes
Nigel Gatherer wrote: I'm compiling a new list of tunes for my Slow Session class...I'd be very grateful to hear your opinions, or tunes you think are wonderful at the moment. I'm pleased to have got a couple of responses (thanks Alexander, Kate and Jack), but the main message was Don't know a lot of these tunes, and only one other suggestion. All you folk shaking your head and saying to yourselves What a lame selection make an alternative suggestion. What would YOU put on that list? -- Nigel Gatherer, Crieff, Scotland [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/gatherer/ Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
Re: [scots-l] Session Tunes
Kate Dunlay wrote: If I were at your session I'd have to learn a bunch of new tunes! What I'm trying to do - put together a repertoire which is interesting and popular - is a very difficult task, but these are tunes which I've heard played in sessions and which, I am reasoning, people would enjoy learning. The reason I asked for other people's opinions was to find more ideas for what tunes would be suitable. Where does one find the following? New High Level Hornpipe (Andrew Rankine) I can't remember where I first heard this. I think it's in one of the Northumbrian Pipers' Tune Books, and in Ho-ro-gheallaidh Book 1 [1]. Jamie Rae This is my indulgence: I heard it on a record and it took my fancy for some reason. I thought I'd single-handedly introduce it into the session scene! [2] Walking On the Moon (Addie Harper) There are a few tunes written by this Wick dance band leader which have taken off, the most well known possibly being The Barrowburn Reel. I wasn't sure about this one, but I think people like it, and it's easily learnt. High Drive (Gordon Duncan) Ho-ro-gheallaidh Book 2 [1] [3]. John Stephen of Chance Inn (Angus Fitchett) This has been played around Edinburgh for years. I can't remember where I first learnt it. The Harsh February (Phil Cunningham) A recent tune from Phil Cunningham. I had heard it's becoming popular in Irish sessions, so I found it on the internet. The Setting Sun (Ian Hardie) This is from The Nineties Collection, a book of new compositions from all over Scotland. It has become a popular source of new tunes, many of them being played in sessions, such as Marnie Swanson of the Grey Coast (Andy Thorburn); Creag an Righ (Ian Hardie); Crabbit Shona (Angus R Grant); The Jig Runrig (Fergie Macdonald); Da Eye Wifie (Iain Macleod); The Fyrish Reel (David Gordon) and so on. [1] = There have been a lot of new tunebooks from the Skye publishers Taigh Na Teud, amongst them the two Ho-ro-gheallaidh books which purport to be collections of session tunes. I don't like these books for a couple of reasons, but they do provide some excellent tunes. [2] = X:162 T:Jamie Rae D:Colin Campbell, Highland Style (1973) Z:Nigel Gatherer M:6/8 L:1/8 K:A mix g|AAA a3|geg a3|GGG g2 e|dBd BGB|AAA a3|geg a3| g2 e dBd|e2 A A2::e|AAA e2 A|d2 A A2 B|GGG g2 e| dBd BGB|AAA e2 A|dBA g2 a|g2 e dBd|e2 A A2 e:|] [3] = There seems to be an appetite for new compositions. I think this is a good thing, because there is a whole load of young musicians who are getting enthusiastic about new Scots tunes, where twenty years ago it might have been for Planxty or The Bothy Band. -- Nigel Gatherer, Crieff, Scotland [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/gatherer/ Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
[scots-l] Re: Session tunes
For anyone on this list within striking distancethe Adult Learning Project's new programme is now available in printed form, and should be going on the web site before long. IIRC there will be a harmony and arrangement class in the second term, so that might suit Manuel. David Francis [EMAIL PROTECTED] t/f (44) 131 557 1050 (o); (44) 131 669 8824 (h) Edinburgh Traditional Arts Projects Performance: Education: Agency: Consultancy Representing via Stoneyport Agency: The Cast; Bag o Cats; Calluna; Ceolbeg; De Dannan; Frankie Gavin; Fiddlers Bid; Keltik Elektrik www.stoneyport.demon.co.uk Bella MacNab's Dance Band www.ceilidhdance.com Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
Re: [scots-l] Session Tunes
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: What would YOU put on that list? This is a clarsair speaking, remember, so don't know how this would work for your gang, Nigel, but I'm using Mrs. Crawford of Donside with my students. It plays very nicely and hauntingly if done slowly, so I do not have them play it as a reel, but rather as a slow air. This is still experimental, I only noticed this tune about 3 weeks ago. My idea is that once I have a student who can play it perfectly well slowly, I'll tell them to bring it up to reel tempo. My pedagolgical intent is that I will finally be able to convince *someone* of the advantage of slow practice, as opposed to jumping right in there at full speed and missing half the notes. --Cynthia Cathcart http://www.cynthiacathcart.net Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
RE: [scots-l] Re: Session tunes
- Original Message - From: David Francis [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Scots-L Posting [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2001 12:25 PM Subject: [scots-l] Re: Session tunes For anyone on this list within striking distancethe Adult Learning Project's new programme is now available in printed form, and should be going on the web site before long. IIRC there will be a harmony and arrangement class in the second term, so that might suit Manuel. .. Thanks for the information, nevertheless, I'm not sure if I will be in Scotland in January; my idea is to attend first term, I will come to Edinburgh the 22th of this month, so maybe I go directly into the class on tuesday! Manuel Waldesco Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
Re: [scots-l] Session Tunes
Cynthia Cathcart wrote: ...I'm using Mrs. Crawford of Donside with my students. It plays very nicely and hauntingly if done slowly, so I do not have them play it as a reel, but rather as a slow air. Sounds good. I remember hearing Gillian Boucher (Cape Breton fiddler and step dancer) playing Mrs Crawford as a slow air, and I think I might suggest that one. Perhaps Mrs Crawford of Donside would go well with it? Where did you get it, Cynthia? -- Nigel Gatherer, Crieff, Scotland [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/gatherer/ Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
Re: [scots-l] Session Tunes
Nigel Gatherer wrote: What would YOU put on that list? How about Rebecca Knorr's Johnstown Reel - a tune that is supposed to be played slowly. On our trip to France, it was a tune that two local flute players played along with the Scottish youngsters. I think this tune is superb and should be classed as Scottish. 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
