Tunes 2001: 65 tunes from Laura Risk
liner notes
After making (at a rough count) close to a hundred copies of various
repertoire tapes for my students over the last few years, only to find that
the tapes were plagued with distortion and would often play back at the
wrong pitch, I decided to join the Information Age and make these CDs.
How did I chose these particular tunes? This is a teaching CD, so I picked
the tunes I like to teach. These tunes are memorable, fun to learn, fun to
play, and for the most part, well-known in the greater world of fiddling.
Many of them offer a particular technical or stylistic challenge. Many of
them are particularly well-suited to beginning-level fidders. On these CDs,
I play each tune fast and then slow (unless it's a slow air -- then I just
play it slow).
These CDs are meant to be used in conjunction with private or group
lessons, so I haven't provided much commentary. Here's an example of what
you'll find in these notes:
5-6 Soldier's Joy
5-6 means that this tune, Soldier's Joy, is on tracks 5-6 of
the CD. On track 5, I play the tune at tempo. On track 6, I play it slow.
D major reel; Shetland/Scotland/New England
'D major reel' means that this tune is a reel in the key of D
major. 'Shetland/Scotland/New England' is where you'll find this tune
played, and the sort of sessions you might want to play it in. It is often
also the origin of the tune, but not always.
A simple, catchy, and very popular tune. It emphasizes D arpeggios and
scales. Try improvising or composing a more complex version. Start by
adding pickups and go from there.
In the comments, I've focused almost exclusively on practical,
technical, and stylistic concerns. If you're curious about the history of
the tune, ask me or do some research in the library, the record store, or
on the Internet.
Check out the version on Scottish Tradition CD #4, 'Shetland Fiddle
Music'.
I've listed all recorded versions of these tunes that come to
mind. I'm sure I'm missing quite a few -- please let me know if you find
other recordings of these tunes and I'll update these notes.
Also, I've included words for a few of the tunes -- if you're into words,
I've got more! More verses, more alternate versions, words to more songs.
Legitimate words and made-up words... Just ask me...
What are these parts all about?
I've divided the tunes into four Parts. If you've just started playing the
fiddle and you're looking for technically easy tunes, check out Part 1.
Parts 2 and 3 are Intermediate level tunes. Part 3 ranges into some more
difficult keys and offers some opportunities for more complex ornamentation
and bowing. Part 4 is still more intricate -- many of those tunes are ones
I teach with specific bowings or ornamentation.
Within each part, the tunes are in no particular order. The tunes at the
end of Part 3 are a bit harder than those at the beginning of it; on the
other hand, tunes like 'Devil in the Kitchen' and 'Smith's a Gallant
Fireman' almost made it into Part 4. As a result, there's no reason to try
to learn the tunes in order. Just pick the ones you like and go for it...
11 Things to do with the CDs
1. Listen -- to the whole CD, and then to the track that you want to learn
-- over and over and over.
2. Sing along.
3. Clap, tap, and snap along with the tune.
4. Walk around the room, singing the tune along with the CD and matching your steps to the beat of the tune.
5. Play along (start by playing along with the slow version). It
might help to put the track on repeat.
6. Play a rhythmic drone along with the CD.
7. Compose a bassline (a low, simple harmony part) to the tune. Now
play that along with the CD.
8. Compose a more complex harmony part and play that along with the
CD.
9. Figure out the chords of the tune and play them along with the CD,
using double-stops.
10. If you can, figure out some of the ornaments or bowings.
11. Transcribe the tune once you've learned it by ear.
And one very important thing to do without the CDs...
Find other folks who know the same tunes. Get together and jam. Then
try some of the same harmony ideas: drones, basslines, etc.
D major jig; Scotland/New England
Watch out for the D arpeggios and broken thirds.
4 Tha Mi Sgith (Ha Me Skee)
A modal; air/song; Scotland
Tha me sgith means 'I am tired' in Gaelic. A version of this tune is
the well-known strathspey 'Cutting Ferns'. Look for the internal repetition
when you're learning it.
D major reel; Shetland/Scotland/New England
A simple, catchy, and very popular tune. It emphasizes D arpeggios
and scales. Try improvising or composing a more complex version. Start by
adding pickups and go from there. Check out the version on Scottish
Tradition CD #4, 'Shetland Fiddle Music'.
G major air/song; Scotland
This song commemorates Prince Charlie's escape from Scotland. Flora
Macdonald took Bonnie Prince Charlie, disguised as a serving maid, from
Uist to Skye in a small boat.
The hardest part of this one is the string crossings at the
beginning of the B part.
Here are some of the words:
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry.
Carry the lad that's born to be king
over the sea to Skye.
Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,
Thunderclaps rend the air,
Baffled, our foes stand by the shore,
Follow they will not dare.
8-9 Highland Laddie
A major march/song; Scotland
This is a fairly simply march. Try some ornaments and
double-stops.
10-11 Stool of Repentance
A major jig; Scotland
Before playing this tune, be sure you can play the A major scale and
the A major and B minor arpeggios. In the third bar of the B part, put your
first finger down on the A and E strings simultaneously.
D major reel; Québec
This memorable tune is technically very easy. Look for repeated
phrases and bits of scales. It's also a nice introduction to syncopation.
Also known as Reel St-Stanislas.
14 Star of the County Down
A minor waltz; Ireland
This is a good tune to learn the key of A minor.
A major air/song; Scotland
A beautiful Scottish air. It's also played in G major. Listen to
Alasdair Fraser and Jody Stecher play this on "The Driven Bow".
A major reel; Scotland
This is one of the best-known Scottish reels. It's also played in
Cape Breton, New England, Ireland (with the parts reversed and in G major),
and Appalachia (where it's called Uncle Joe). The Appalachian version of
this tune is on the soundtrack of 'Ride with the Devil', starring
Jewel.
D major reel; Scotland
Composed by Nathaniel Gow.
This tune is all scales and broken thirds. Hanneke Cassel recorded
this on "My Joy", and Alasdair Fraser recorded it on "Legacy of the
Scottish Fiddle, Vol 1."
G major waltz; Ireland
This is a good tune to learn more about the key of G major.
21-22 My Love She's But a Lassie Yet
D major eightsome reel; song. Scotland
Lots of D arpeggios and broken thirds. Learn the words first:
My love she's but a lassie yet,
My love she's but a lassie yet,
We'll let her stand a year or two,
She'll no be half sae saucy yet.
I rue the day I sought her O
I rue the day I sought her O
Wha gets her needs na say he's woo'd,
But he may say he's bought her O.
A major polka; Ireland
Get another fiddler to play this melody and try to compose a harmony
part.
E minor air/song; Scotland/Ireland
If you liked Skye Boat Song, here's another one in the same vein.
PART 2
G major reel; Québec
Try the chord at the beginning. Also, look out for the chromatic line
in the turn-around. This is a very well-known reel in Québec. In New
England, it's sometimes called Reel de Montréal.
A minor jig; Ireland
Try slurring over the beat, and look out for the 4th finger ornaments
in the B part.
D major reel; Shetland
This tune is a nice introduction to syncopation. You can also do some
shuffle bowing at the ends of the phrases. Figure out the chords to this
tune and then play back-up as someone else plays the tune. Check out the
version on Scottish Tradition CD #4, 'Shetland Fiddle Music'.
A major waltz; English
Composed by Pat Shaw.
Try slurring the repeat of the B part in pairs -- over the beat!
33-34 Lay Dee at Dee
D major reel; Shetland
This is a great example of D and A arpeggios at work. It's also a
good tune to practice shuffle bowing.
35-36 Mucking of Geordie's Byre
D major jig; Scotland
Once you've got Off She Goes, try this jig.
37 Mist-Covered Mountains
A minor air; Scotland
Here are the words to the chorus of this well-known tune:
Oh, roe, soon shall I see them, oh, hee-roe, see them,
oh see them.
Oh, roe, soon shall I see them, the mist covered mountains of
home!
D major march; Cape Breton
Marches are good tunes to practice your ornaments. Try putting an
ornament on almost every beat. (Count the tune with 4 beats to the
bar.)
A modal air; Scotland
Practice your pipe ornaments. Lochaber is in the western Highlands.
D minor jig; Scotland/New England
This is a great tune to introduce you to D minor. Watch out for the F
naturals. I recorded this on 'The Merry Making'.
43-44 Stella's Trip to Kamloops
A major march; Cape Breton
Composed by Pat Chafe
Double-stop with your 4th finger on the A string and your open E
string at the beginning. Kamloops is in British Columbia.
A minor reel; Cape Breton
Composed by Jerry Holland
This is a good tune to practice playing bowed triplets. Notice how
the tune is made up of only four different phrases. Brenda Stubbert is a
Cape Breton fiddler and pianist. This tune was a huge hit about ten years
ago and has been recorded many times.
E major jig; Cape Breton
A good tune for learning E major. Practice your E major and D major
arpeggios first. At the very beginning of the tune, put your first finger
down on both the D and A strings and leave it there until you play the open
D note in bar 4. This tune was recorded by Jerry Holland and by
Altan.
D major air; Scotland
Watch for the hold before the last phrase. Think about phrasing,
tone, and expression.
50-51 High Road to Linton
A major reel; Scotland
The trickiest thing about this tune is the third part. Watch your
rhythm! Check out the version on Scottish Tradition CD #9, 'The Fiddler and
his Art'. Alasdair Fraser recorded this on "Return to Kintail."
A minor jig; Ireland
Try some rolls. Martin Hayes plays a beautiful version of this in F
on his self-titled CD. I recorded this on 'Greenfire.'
D major strathspey; Scotland
This is a great tune and a very popular strathspey. The children's
words are as follows:
Some say the deil's dead, the deil's dead, the deil's dead,
Some say the deil's dead and buried in Killarney.
Some say he rose again, some say he rose again,
Some say he rose again and joined the British army.
The C and D parts of the tune were added later. Try writing words
to them...
A major reel; Scotland/Cape Breton
Try accenting the off-beats. Also, use your 4th finger to double-stop
the E. Alasdair Fraser recorded this on "The Driven Bow".
58 Lament for the Reverend Archie Beaton
G major air; Scotland
Composed by John Mason
Slow airs offer an great opportunity to explore ornamentation,
phrasing, and dynamics. Be expressive! And make sure you know the G
arpeggio before trying this tune...
John Mason, the composer, was a lawyer and fiddler from Orkney.
59-60 Devil in the Kitchen
A modal strathspey; Cape Breton, Scotland
This tune has back-to-back bowed triplets. Practice playing triplets
starting on a down-bow and on an up-bow. Alasdair Fraser recorded this on
"Return to Kintail."
61-62 The Smith's a Gallant Fireman
D major strathspey; Scotland
There is an excellent recording of this on Alasdair Fraser's new CD,
"Legacy of the Scottish Fiddle, Vol 1". You'll probably need to practice
the G B G B F#A F# A passage slowly and carefully -- try doingthe string
crossings without the left hand, and then try playing that passage and
slurring it all in one bow. The try it normal, but slowly.
CD #2 -- (PART 3 continued)
A major jig; Cape Breton
Composed by Jerry Holland.
Try some rolls on the E and B. Listen to Alasdair Fraser's version of
this on 'The Road North.' (He calls it 'Willie's Trip to
Toronto.')
D minor reel; Ireland
Eileen Ivers recorded a wild version of this on her eponymous
CD.
G major jig; Ireland
Listen to Martin Hayes play this on 'Under the Moon'.
A minor strathspey; Cape Breton
Listen to Alasdair Fraser play this on 'The Driven Bow.'
D major reel; Scotland
Composed by Addie Harper.
Try composing some variations for the B part. I recorded this on
'Greenfire'.
E minor hornpipe; Ireland
Check out Paddy Canny's version of this on his CD, 'Paddy Canny:
Traditional Music from the Legendary East Clare Fiddler.' He plays it in D
minor.
A minor jig; Cape Breton, Scotland
Try starting the B part with two up-bows. James IV courted (and maybe
secretly wed) Margaret Drummond here. The gardens are famous and appear at
the end of the movie "Rob Roy".
D major strathspey; Scotland
Try to get the bowing in the first few bars.
A major reel; Scotland
St. Kilda's is an island off the west coast of Scotland that was
abandoned by its last residents in 1930. It's now an army radar station.
Try accenting the offbeats and driving the up-bows.
F major jig; Scotland/Cape Breton
A good tune for working on F major. Practice the F arpeggio
first.
E major jig; Scotland
Composed by Dave Richardson.
Listen to Alasdair Fraser's version of this on 'The Road North'.
A major reel; Ireland
A great tune for triplets. This tune was made famous by the Irish
band Altan.
A modal jig; Scotland
This is a pipe jig -- try some pipe ornaments. I recorded this on
'Host of the Air'.
A major air; Scotland
Composed by J.S. Skinner.
Good practice playing on the G string. There is a beautiful version
of this played by Hanneke Cassel and Ryan McKassen on 'The Wee Hours' (a
hard CD to find!)
28-29 Paddy's Trip to Scotland
D major reel; Ireland
Try shuffle bowing in the B part.
30-31 Braes of Castle Grant
A major pipe march; Scotland
As pipe marches go, this one isn't so hard. Try singing it first.
Then add some pipe ornaments and drones.
32-33 Miss Drummond of Perth
A modal strathspey; Scotland
Learn your A major and G major arpeggios before trying this tune.
Keep your fingers down wherever possible in the G arpeggio sections.
34-35 Marquis of Huntly's
G minor strathspey; Scotland
Watch out for the alternating F naturals and F sharps in the B
part.Alasdair Fraser recorded this on "Return to Kintail."
E major reel; Scotland/Ireland
Composed by Dave Richardson
Shift to third position in the B part. This is a great tune for
improvising. I recorded this on "Greenfire." Dave Richardson plays in The
Boys of the Lough.
A modal jig; Ireland
I've drawn heavily on Kevin Burke's version as played on the first
'Celtic Fiddle Festival' album.
40-41 Ewie with the Crooked Horn
G minor strathspey; Scotland
Alasdair Fraser recorded this on "Return to Kintail." I recorded it
on "Journey Begun." Natalie MacMaster recorded it on "My Roots are
Showing."
42-43 Mrs. Mary MacDonald
G minor reel; Scotland
I recorded this on 'The Merry Making'. This is my own version of this
tune, and is slightly different from the version published in the Athole
Collection.
44 Father John McMillan of Barra
A major pipe march; Scotland
This is a typical 4-part pipe march. The 3rd and 4th parts are
variations on the 1st and 2nd parts. Marches like this can be hard to
learn, so I'd suggest you listen to the CD many times and really get the
melody in your head before trying to play it. Once you've got the tune, try
some pipe ornaments.
A major strathspey; Scotland
Composed by J. Scott Skinner
J. Scott Skinner was a renowned fiddler and composer who lived at the
turn of the last century. Check out his autobiography sometime. I recorded
this on 'Host of the Air'.
A major reel; Scotland
Look out for the triplets.
E major jig; Cape Breton
Great for learning your E major and D arpeggios. Try improvising.
B minor reel; Ireland
Lots of rolls...
G major hornpipe; Ireland
Try to figure out the chords in the B part. Also, try composing a
parallel harmony part.
F major waltz; United States
Composed by Pete Sutherland.
I recorded this on 'The Merry Making'. The Sunday River is in Maine.