What tunes are you learning? [Archive]

Strathspey

Jan-16-2004, 6:46pm

Given the "far from temperate" ( -25 C and like -55 C with windchill factored in) conditions around here, I have been able to spend some decent time on the mandolin recently. I have been concentrating on some new and old standards like Dinky's, High Road to Linton, MacArthur Road, Lime Hill, MacKinnon's Brook, Miss Shepherd's, O'er the Moor Among the Heather etc... I have been making great use of ABC's converting them to standard and tab via a "trial" version of Tabledit and making great progress. I have also been making great use of: CB Tunes (http://www.cranfordpub.com/tunes/abcs/abc_tunes.htm) and #More CB Tunes (http://www4.ncsu.edu/~pfackler/Music/), as well as the DunGreen Collection of Cape Breton Dance Music - which is an essential collection of music and musicology for anyone interested is Cape Breton or Celtic Music. I've also been heavy into my collection of Cape Breton and PEI music.

I'm just wondering what everyone here is up to - what you are learning and where are you getting the tunes?

Matt

EnderWiggin

Jan-16-2004, 8:35pm

A fellow picker friend gave me "The Fiddler's Fake Book." I have been working on a couple of tunes from it, mostly Star of the County Down, and King of the Faeries. Also i have been trying to pick out some of Loreena McKennitt's songs...slow going but fun!

Jack_Daniels

Jan-18-2004, 2:43pm

I've also been heavy into my collection of Cape Breton and PEI music.

I'm just wondering what everyone here is up to - what you are learning and where are you getting the tunes?

Matt
I'm just wondering what you live to be interested in Cape Breton/PEi music?

Jason

danb

Jan-18-2004, 3:24pm

Here's one I'm working up, nice & simple too..

Strathspey

Jan-18-2004, 4:51pm

Bugs

Jan-19-2004, 7:53am

I like hearing the melody of different songs so I am into websites with lots of tunes (especially Celtic).
Here are some that I like:
http://freetabs.members.easyspace.com/alphat-z.htm
http://www.sosyourmom.com/Oneils1.html
http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/irish-folk-music/index.htm

Just started working on Rambling Pitchfork and like it a lot. I also like learning Wind that Shakes the Barley. #Sailors Hornpipe is a blast and finally getting up speed on that one. #I like many of the Celtic tunes and think they are a huge challenge.
Emily
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

SteveK

Jan-19-2004, 11:15am

Here's one I'm working up, nice & simple too..
That is a nice one. I think that was recorded by Altan but with a different name. I can't think of it now and don't remember the album either. Anybody know?

Steve

mandokristin

Jan-19-2004, 1:24pm

I have also been making great use of: CB Tunes (http://www.cranfordpub.com/tunes/abcs/abc_tunes.htm) and More CB Tunes (http://www4.ncsu.edu/~pfackler/Music/), as well as the DunGreen Collection of Cape Breton Dance Music - which is an essential collection of music and musicology for anyone interested is Cape Breton or Celtic Music. I've also been heavy into my collection of Cape Breton and PEI music.

Matt
I think I'll have to check that out...I'm a big Natalie MacMaster fan, and I'd love to get into more Cape Breton stuff.

Not currently working on much right now. I've found a bunch of books and stuff at www.sheetmusicplus.com that I want, but I haven't gotten around to ordering it yet. Basically all I'm working on is the mando solos in the Dixie Chicks version of Landslide, and a few songs from the Fiddler's Fakebook...can't quite remember all the ones but I know a few of them are Soldier's Joy and the Irish Washerwoman.

layers5

Jan-19-2004, 4:30pm

This is a peculiar but curiously fascinating jig I've been playing lately. Mandoboob (Reuben Harris) mentioned to me that he and his cohorts have been playing it at their London sessions.

The second measure is in 9/8 time but after a while you don't notice it.

This one works well on the mandolin as well as mandola.

larry

layers5

Jan-19-2004, 6:00pm

Oops! I just saw my previous post and realized that I got carried away when I cropped the JPEG file for the tune. Rather than repost a better image, if you want to see the complete tune you can view it at JC's Tune Finder site:

ABC Tune Finder (http://trillian.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/FindTune.html)

If you aren't familiar with the ABC tune format the page gives you the option of viewing the tune in any of several image formats.

Sorry!

Larry

whistler

Jan-21-2004, 10:30am

The following comes from the sleeve note of Arty McGlynn's 'McGlynn's Fancy', via www.thesession.org:

"Arthur Darley arrived in Co. Donegal from Dublin to play the organ in a church somewhere around, it is believed, buckless. This jig, which Arty learned from the playing of the great Donegal fiddler, the late John Doherty, is one of several tunes that Arthur Darley composed in the early 19th century"

So, it's an older tune than one might expect. Apparently, the alternative title, 'The Swedish Jig' refers to the modulation from major to minor, not an uncommon feature in Swedish fiddle music.

It is a peculiar animal. I know each bit of the tune fairly well, but I have never been able to fathom its overall structure. I can hang on as long as somebody else is leading, but if they stop, I'm as lost as a penguin in Paraguay.

Laura Harmon

Jan-21-2004, 11:10pm

Some great websites for tunes listed here! I get many of my tunes from these sites. I import midis and abc's into TablEdit or midi's into Noteworthy Composer. I still use tab, but 2 years ago (and I said it here, then) I planned to take piano lessons to learn to read. Now I can read, but not fast yet.

The newest tune that I'm working on is The Musical Priest. I have some friends I play with and we worked on this just last week with pipes, fiddle, Irish flute, and mandolin. Nice tune with all that texture of instruments.

Keep the links and tunes coming,
Laura

MandoNoob

Jan-22-2004, 3:53am

MandoBoob, Larry?

Grrrrrr! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I'm learning Fair Jennie's Jig (http://www.celticmusic.com/cgi-bin/showtunes.pl?NAME=Fair%Jennie's%Jig+TYPE=jig+TRANS CRIBER=Dan¾imborn+SOURCE=Hom%Bru:%The%Shetland%Ses sions%Vol%1(Lismor%LCOMp21)+REGION=Modern+AUTHOR=P eterºrnes+GIF=fairjen.gif+WIDTH=665+HEIGHT=265+COM MENT=+CITTERN=+SAMPLE=+MIDI=+ABC=+SEE1=+SEE2=+SEE3 =), because DanB plays it a lot at sessions and it's absolutely lovely.

layers5

Jan-22-2004, 11:45am

Sorry, Reuben, I got to typing too fast; it wasn't even subconsciously intended!

Anyone ever play the Light and Airy jig? I first heard it on an old LP of Angus Chisholm recordings, where it was paired with Thompson's Jig. Chisholm played these in F (which is how I originally learned them) but Light and Airy is more often played in G. It works well on mandolin.

Strathspey

Jan-22-2004, 2:03pm

mandokristin

Jan-22-2004, 2:38pm

I just learned Jerry Holland's "Mom's Jig," which is one of his most widely played tunes (see Solas, Natalie MacMaster, Wendy MacIsaac and Jerry, himself!)

Mom's Jig (http://www.jerryholland.com/tunes/momsjig.jpg)

I am very pleased to have this tune, since it has long been one of my favourites. Now I need something nice in A major to complement it . . . so many tunes, so little time . . .

Matt
Oooo I like that song! I've only heard Natalie MacMaster's version though. Must try playing it, on my mando and my fiddle! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Strathspey

Jan-24-2004, 11:20am

layers5,

Thanks for the suggestion. I've been working on "Light and Airy" for the last couple of days. A great tune! I have been playing it in 'F'.

Matt

pickinBob

Feb-08-2004, 11:57pm

I hope this isnt goofy but I am really new to celtic playing and am not up with the rest of you all. #I've been working on Soldiers Joy, Fisher's Hornpipe, Arkansas Travleor, St Annes Reel, and Blackberry Blossom, all of which I run together and play in one straight run.

It kind of dawned on me one day that all these songs have similar ending notes to start another song so I tried it!

Oh yeah, I started to work on #Whiskey in the Haggis. It's in the rough right now, but not for long.

RolandTumble

Feb-09-2004, 2:32am

Not goofy at all. A couple of those tunes are much more American than Irish (or Scottish, or Manx, or...any other "celtic"), but the principle is sound. It's common in sessions to play "sets" of tunes, ususally playing each one twice or three times before moving on. Each local session develops its own sets that "go together", but they're usually all one type (jig, reel, &c.), and very often in the same key (or closely related). Bands that can work out arrangements (& stick to them) are often recording/performing sets of mixed type these days.

As for tunes I'm learning, I just learned "Liberty" recently (again, more American, I think, but oh well...). Got it from the 'tina player at the mini-session we have after our Scottish dance practice.

pickinBob

Feb-09-2004, 10:28am

I actually got hooked up from someone I was repairing their phone lines. #I gave them my number and they would pass it along to some folks that play for them at their dance practices and recitals. #Scottish and Irish dancing. #It's supposed to be a regular session every week at this guys place near me. #I thought it was a good stroke of #luck. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Bluegrasstjej

Feb-17-2004, 1:57pm

I'm learning a few Irish jigs and reels and some bluegrass too.
I have a book that I bought in Ireland named "100 essential session tunes" and I'm learning some from there. I've played most of them a lot but I want to be able to play them better and with imrpoved control. I'm also learning "The Otter's holt" that I like a lot, and I've learned it by ear and by a printed abc file another player gave me.
I've never understood the abc format. I tried to download some software but I could never manage to use it. Do I have to buy and register to be able to use it as it is supposed to be used? Or am I just stupid with abc software? I've tried three of them, didn't understand any of them.

mandocrucian

Feb-17-2004, 9:33pm

"Arthur Darley's Jig" is a great tune. There is a wonderfully played version of it on Mick Moloney's Strings Attached album; in fact, it's my favorite track on that particular record.

Niles H

(off-topic....Bluegrasstjej, have you ever tried to sing spooky Stanley Bros material with Lena Willemark style vocals/harmonies?)

pickinBob

Feb-17-2004, 11:37pm

I am also working on "Shane Bradley" off of Shatter the Calm. Chalenging piece for me , where I am at now.

Bluegrasstjej

Feb-18-2004, 10:49am

mandocrucian

Feb-18-2004, 11:42am

<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Never heard of her harmonies! Do you mean Lena Willemark has recorded some Stanley stuff???</span>

Your profile says that you are in Sweden. I thought you might be familiar with Lena Willemark (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDCASS80402181131290561&sql=Bfw3zeflkhgf5) or some of the groups she plays with: Nordan (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDCASS80402181131290561&sql=Am95e8qxnbtq4) and Frifot (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDCASS80402181131290561&sql=B3aw67ul080jk)

She's never done any BG that I know of. #But combining the sound of her vocals over a Stanley style ensemble, especially on the slow mountain moaner songs, would, I think, sound incredible.

Niles Hokkanen

PS: Tunes I'm messing with in an Irish vein? - "Do You Know The Way To San Jose" as a ceilidh style jig, with a lot of rolls and crans. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

jasona

Feb-18-2004, 11:36pm

Next on my list are Durham's Reel, and an air, When Fortune Turns Her Wheel . I am also hoping to put together a bluegrass arrangement of R.E.M.'s old tune Gardening at Night, but that's another project http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Strathspey

Mar-20-2004, 12:38pm

Paul Cranford just posted all of the ABC's from Paddy O'Brien, Jamie Gans and Daithi Sproule's album "Snug in the Blanket." A nice resource! Snug in the Blanket (http://www.cranfordpub.com/recordings/GansO'Brien.htm)

billkilpatrick

Mar-21-2004, 4:48am

i bought two interactive cd/book packages from - www.adgproductions.com - called "medieval music for mandolin" and a "renaissance music for guitar" by alan alexander and jessica walsh. # they're not much good as background music but are simply wonderful for playing along with and learning new material - lots of jigs and ancient dance tunes. #according to the adg production catalog that accompanied the discs, there's a large selection of celtic and latin american music as well.

recommended...especially if you're snowed in (or whatever) or miles from anyone to play with - bill

bennem

Mar-22-2004, 9:33am

Hmmmm, not learning enough if the truth is told. But at the moment my tune for the week is The butterfly and I'm going to have a look for Lark in the Clear Air which will be on someones abc site.

Also need to learn a third tune for my geese in the bog, connaught mans ramble set.

Oh and Willafjord for the Shetland set

and ...

and...

not enough time http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

Aidan Crossey

Mar-22-2004, 12:04pm

Try going into The Cliffs Of Moher with The Geese In The Bog/Connaughtman's Rambles ... it starts off with a few high phrases which carry on the theme of both previous tunes which spend a fair amount of time in the vicinity of the high B.

Bren

Mar-22-2004, 11:35pm

I'm learning Scott Skinner's "Laird of Drumblair" after hearing danB's ripping version at a session.
Interesting comments by Skinner here (http://www.abdn.ac.uk/scottskinner/display.php?ID=JSS0081)

I tried it on at an Irish session in Australia yesterday and was surprised that a few or them knew this very Scottish tune. Apparently the Bothy Band has recorded it (?).

Skinner - "several contestants have won medals with this tune" Nothing to do with their playing, eh, Scott, it's all down to your tune.... what a man.
Anyway, Dan gets my vote for the mandolin medal.

Aidan Crossey

Mar-23-2004, 3:48am

Bren ...

The Bothy Band recorded it on their 1975 studio album. Tommy Peoples takes the lead on Hector The Hero and then rips into The Laird of Drumblair. The pairing of the air and the strathspey (or stratsby as some Irish players prefer to call them!) is one of the highlights of the Bothy Band's recorded output. Once heard, never forgotten.

Bren

Mar-23-2004, 11:46am

...but did they win a medal?

pickinBob

Mar-23-2004, 11:53am

Working on a couple of standards, "Red Haired Boy" and "Whiskey Before Breakfast".. Also severval hymes one of which is "Slane" or "Be Thou My Vision". On Slane I am trying to figure out how to incorperate using a slide.

danb

Mar-23-2004, 12:50pm

I'm working very hard on "Ragtime Annie" and "Scotland", both more of the bluegrass instrumental tradition.. but again both great tunes to learn some syncopation tricks (that apply back to Irish style!).

Also just picked up Ceol ar an bhFidil ("Music on the Fiddle") by Paddy Glackin, and "The High Part of the Road" by Peoples/Brady. Both are stellar, must-have CDs. Because of those, I'm felling "Donegally" lately too http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

aimee

Mar-23-2004, 3:01pm

All of the above are some interesting ideas to try.

Recently, I'm trying to put together a little set of reels:
Repeal of the Union, The Flowing Bowl and the Merry Days of Easter. I picked the first one 'cause it's challenging, the second 'cause it's easy, and the third because it's just a blast. Plus, two of the three sound like they might be vaguely political.

I have to get them from sheet music so I get the feeling that a lot is lost "in translation".

John Ritchhart

Mar-23-2004, 3:07pm

I just stumbled over "Crucharan Cross" a simple sweet little melody with the one classic ornament in it. Does anyone know the story behind this tune?

Kirby161

Mar-25-2004, 9:35am

Im playing some variations of "The Star of Munster" and other fun jigs and reels like The Swallowtail Jig and the Swallows Tail Reel.
I get almost all of my stuff from the fiddlers fakebook. You need to be able to read music but it has more irish music in it than anywhere i know.

If not then you could go to the tabs section of this site or Aidian Crosseys page (lots of celtic tunes).

Good luck.