Hi there, I'm new on this site, great site by the way
I've been playing guitar in different guises for years but have lately come back around to trad and finally want to learn this kind of music. I have some sisters who also played some instruments years ago but the intruments have been away too long and they no longer remember any tunes!
We are all living in different places and we want to learn some tunes so when we are back together at Christmas and times like this that we can play together.
We will be playing guitar, mandolin, accordion, concertina and tin whistle.
Have you any suggestions of tunes we could learn that are good for beginners and that would suit being played by these instruments?
First, find out what you all listen to and what takes your fancy, then see if there is collective agreement. Or, you could have eacy person make a suggestion, a 'small' list, and then share those lists amongst you and choose your first half dozen from there.
You mentioned Christmas ~ here are a few of the links to discussions from our past, and there are more, on that subject ~
Search the discussions for Dow's List, and you will not only find a good list of 50 tunes people are generally expected to know, but you will also find lots of discussions of repetoire.
These are all excellent suggestions. Since there are so many tunes and it can be overwhelming, I suggest picking a small number, say, five reels and five jigs and learn them well. Then, gradually alearn more, one at a time.
On 'session lists' there are also Will CPTs collective discussions and contributions, but the lists are huge when you consider them all, and the continual additions. It sounds like you are mostly wanting something 'easy', on a beginning and basic footing, and maybe, as I've suggested, thematic, if as may be the suggestion from your handle, your roots are Ulster, Tyrone... Start with forms more accessible for beginners, with quick satisfaction built in, and you could leave reels alone to start with. But it's your choice. You might ask your kin and come back here with some idea of what they'd like to help us better make a smaller choice for you...
It's an admirable goal, so you're sure to have plenty of support from us lot...
You're lucky, a nice combination of instruments... As you all once played, and likely have some favourite recordings and listens, there are sure to be some favourites amongst you that are still in the mind and heart. Start there...
Two lovely little collections that feature quite a variety of tunes are "Whistle and Sing!" ~ book 1 & 2...
For dance music, with chords, one I often recommend because of its variety is ~
It features a lot of music featured on many recordings, for your ears, including Matt Cunningham's first 10 recordings of "Dance Music of Ireland", produced for dancing...
Thanks for all these suggestions, it's very helpful!
I'm sure if we sat down we could remember some tunes but not know their names anymore, so hopefully some of these will turn out to be some of them.
I've been reading the forums and visiting the site for a few weeks now and have seen all of you contributing to other discussions here. Thanks again for giving your time and knowledge on this one.
And yes we are from Ulster / Tyrone, though we're all over nowadays. I really wish we had kept playing though, I suppose we just didn't appreciate how rich and rewarding this music could be when we were young.
Anyway, we're determined to get it back now! So thanks again.
You'll be excited at how quickly it will start coming back, and now without any of the pressures or interferences of youth... You can take your time with it and will get plenty of laughs, hopefully, out of reacquainting yourselves with it again. Rather that than sorrow, eh?
Let us know how it develops... If you can even remember little bits of a melody, and have some idea of ABCs, you can come here and do a search under 'Advanced' in the Tunes section and that can help you put a name to it. Some people, when all else fails, offer up a couple of bars here in discussion, or a partial name, and we often find the answer...
Here's three sites to start getting a hand at the ABCs ~
The 'fiddle music', with regards to the above Ulster recording, are lilts:
14.) Merrily Kiss the Quaker ~ duet: song & lilt, jig
17.) Wellington's Medal ~ duet: lilt, jig & reel
20.) Molly Brannigan ~ duet: song & lilt, reel
Mostly it is two albums in one, 21 tracks, Eddie Butcher's "I Once Was a Daysman", all song, and Joe Holmes' & Len Graham's "Chaste Muses, Bards & Sages", songs and the three lilts... I also happen to love both recordings, and have them as LPs, but I also realize they may not be everyone's choice, however fond I may be of it...
I'd take Kenny up on his offer, it's a good one, a recording that includes a lot of session standards, instrumentals played by a talented group of musicians...
Those Comhaltas links are another big help, thanks again guys.
We are mainly looking for fairly easy to play, lively jigs and reels and maybe some hornpipes. I never really understood (still don't really) the difference in reels and hornpipes, unless the speed to play them at!
Thanks for the Northern references as well ceolachan.
At the min we are taking a look through Dow's List, it seems to be a good starting point. Someone mentioned in one of the threads it's discussed in that it's a good idea for every tune learned from that list to learn one that's not on it, and it seems like good advice!
It's funny how many of the tunes we're recognising when we're going through them roughly, I think My Darling Asleep was the first trad tune I learned!
"My Darling Asleep" is a good addition to make to your list. If you are interested in popularity, as far as this site and elsewhere, check here for starters and click on the 'Tunebook' tab at the top ~
Most listed in tunebooks on site ~ some from the top 20
1.) reel ~ Drowsy Maggie
2.) jig ~ The Kesh
3.) slip jig ~ The Butterfly
4.) hornpipe ~ Cooley's ~ ???
5.) jig ~ Morrisons
9.) jig ~ Banish Misfortune (good thematically speaking!!!)
11.) jig ~ The Connaughtman's Rambles
13.) hornpipe ~ The Rights of Man
17.) slip jig ~ The Kid on the Mountain
18.) jig ~ Out on the Ocean
19.) hornpipe ~ The Harvest Home
20.) jig ~ The Blarney Pilgrim
Tyrone!!! ~ consider barndances & highland flings
& while beaten to death by some, "Soldier's Joy" was well known and enjoyed by the folks in Tyrone and the surrounding neighbourhood...
Irish Tune Info ~ realizing it is based on what he has in his personal collection, which is impressive...
You can then go to the links in the box on the right and choose to chase up the "Top Ten" for tune type or decade... There's also a list of recommended recordings, his 'most-cited albums'...
For tunes, since I mentioned it, here's barndances, then highlands & flings (one in the same! ~ highland flings!) ~
And, depending on ability levels, there is nothing wrong with playing the airs to some favorite songs together. A simple tune played well can be a lot more enjoyable than hearing people struggle with something they are not comfortable with.
Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Hi there, I'm new on this site, great site by the way
I've been playing guitar in different guises for years but have lately come back around to trad and finally want to learn this kind of music. I have some sisters who also played some instruments years ago but the intruments have been away too long and they no longer remember any tunes!
We are all living in different places and we want to learn some tunes so when we are back together at Christmas and times like this that we can play together.
We will be playing guitar, mandolin, accordion, concertina and tin whistle.
Have you any suggestions of tunes we could learn that are good for beginners and that would suit being played by these instruments?
Thanks for taking the time to read this. :>
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by dee.
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Welcome!
Try checking out this discussion:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/4234
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by fiddlercjp
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
First, find out what you all listen to and what takes your fancy, then see if there is collective agreement. Or, you could have eacy person make a suggestion, a 'small' list, and then share those lists amongst you and choose your first half dozen from there.
You mentioned Christmas ~ here are a few of the links to discussions from our past, and there are more, on that subject ~
Sooo.. Christmas tunes? I think so!
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by fiddlinviolinin
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/8412
Air for Christmas
# Posted on November 12th 2005 by lowdens
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/8339
Christmas coming
# Posted on November 15th 2004 by jorge o'lochlainn
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/4973
Ohhhhhhhhh, Christmas tree O Christmas tree...
# Posted on December 1st 2003 by Zina Lee
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/2472
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Search the discussions for Dow's List, and you will not only find a good list of 50 tunes people are generally expected to know, but you will also find lots of discussions of repetoire.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
These are all excellent suggestions. Since there are so many tunes and it can be overwhelming, I suggest picking a small number, say, five reels and five jigs and learn them well. Then, gradually alearn more, one at a time.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Something else from the North, a mix of choices recently rereleased by the Free Reed folk, with some songs you could learn as well ~
http://www.free-reed.co.uk/
"Ballads, Fiddle Tunes and Songs from the North of Ireland"
http://www.free-reed.co.uk/frrr08
On 'session lists' there are also Will CPTs collective discussions and contributions, but the lists are huge when you consider them all, and the continual additions. It sounds like you are mostly wanting something 'easy', on a beginning and basic footing, and maybe, as I've suggested, thematic, if as may be the suggestion from your handle, your roots are Ulster, Tyrone... Start with forms more accessible for beginners, with quick satisfaction built in, and you could leave reels alone to start with. But it's your choice. You might ask your kin and come back here with some idea of what they'd like to help us better make a smaller choice for you...
It's an admirable goal, so you're sure to have plenty of support from us lot...
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Dow / Mark
http://www.thesession.org/members/display/4763
Dow's lists, & others ~
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/1311/comments
Will CPT
http://www.thesession.org/members/display/58
Will CPT's lists
41 (and counting) slip jigs widely played at Irish sessions
# Posted on June 16th 2008 by Will CPT
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18120
71 widely played polkas
# Posted on June 13th 2008 by Will CPT
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18087
Some "essential" hornpipres for Irish sessions
# Posted on June 12th 2008 by Will CPT
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18069
150 or so "essential" Irish session jigs
# Posted on June 11th 2008 by Will CPT
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18049
300 some-odd "essential" Irish session reels
# Posted on June 10th 2008 by Will CPT http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18036
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
You're lucky, a nice combination of instruments... As you all once played, and likely have some favourite recordings and listens, there are sure to be some favourites amongst you that are still in the mind and heart. Start there...
Two lovely little collections that feature quite a variety of tunes are "Whistle and Sing!" ~ book 1 & 2...
For dance music, with chords, one I often recommend because of its variety is ~
"Matt Cunningham's Dance Music of Ireland"
There's 298 dance tunes with chords in it...
Dave Mallinson Publications, 1999
ISBN: 1-899512-45-4
http://www.mally.com/
http://www.mally.com/details.asp?id=64
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
It features a lot of music featured on many recordings, for your ears, including Matt Cunningham's first 10 recordings of "Dance Music of Ireland", produced for dancing...
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Thanks for all these suggestions, it's very helpful!
I'm sure if we sat down we could remember some tunes but not know their names anymore, so hopefully some of these will turn out to be some of them.
I've been reading the forums and visiting the site for a few weeks now and have seen all of you contributing to other discussions here. Thanks again for giving your time and knowledge on this one.
And yes we are from Ulster / Tyrone, though we're all over nowadays. I really wish we had kept playing though, I suppose we just didn't appreciate how rich and rewarding this music could be when we were young.
Anyway, we're determined to get it back now! So thanks again.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by dee.
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
You'll be excited at how quickly it will start coming back, and now without any of the pressures or interferences of youth... You can take your time with it and will get plenty of laughs, hopefully, out of reacquainting yourselves with it again. Rather that than sorrow, eh?
Let us know how it develops... If you can even remember little bits of a melody, and have some idea of ABCs, you can come here and do a search under 'Advanced' in the Tunes section and that can help you put a name to it. Some people, when all else fails, offer up a couple of bars here in discussion, or a partial name, and we often find the answer...
Here's three sites to start getting a hand at the ABCs ~
Steve Mansfield's
http://www.lesession.co.uk/abc/abc_notation.htm
Chris Walshaw's
http://www.walshaw.plus.com/abc/
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abc_notation
Now I really have to stop avoiding work...
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
This CD might help : [ see the comments ]
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/1949
If you PM me an address to send it to, I'll send you one. The genuine article, not a computer copy. Good luck.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
I'd better clarify this one mentioned earlier, as it has 'fiddle' in the title ~
"Ballads, Fiddle Tunes and Songs from the North of Ireland"
http://www.free-reed.co.uk/frrr08
The 'fiddle music', with regards to the above Ulster recording, are lilts:
14.) Merrily Kiss the Quaker ~ duet: song & lilt, jig
17.) Wellington's Medal ~ duet: lilt, jig & reel
20.) Molly Brannigan ~ duet: song & lilt, reel
Mostly it is two albums in one, 21 tracks, Eddie Butcher's "I Once Was a Daysman", all song, and Joe Holmes' & Len Graham's "Chaste Muses, Bards & Sages", songs and the three lilts... I also happen to love both recordings, and have them as LPs, but I also realize they may not be everyone's choice, however fond I may be of it...
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
I'd take Kenny up on his offer, it's a good one, a recording that includes a lot of session standards, instrumentals played by a talented group of musicians...
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
You can download audio for a bunch of popular tunes here:
http://comhaltas.ie/shop/detail/foinn_seisiun_book_volume_1/
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Mike Floorstand
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Don't forget Volume 2 ~ good suggestion
http://comhaltas.ie/shop/detail/foinn_seisiun_book_volume_2/
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Comhaltas ~ best to finish that connection in full, starting with HOME
http://comhaltas.ie/
http://comhaltas.ie/music/
There's loads there to enjoy for free...
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Those Comhaltas links are another big help, thanks again guys.
We are mainly looking for fairly easy to play, lively jigs and reels and maybe some hornpipes. I never really understood (still don't really) the difference in reels and hornpipes, unless the speed to play them at!
Thanks for the Northern references as well ceolachan.
At the min we are taking a look through Dow's List, it seems to be a good starting point. Someone mentioned in one of the threads it's discussed in that it's a good idea for every tune learned from that list to learn one that's not on it, and it seems like good advice!
It's funny how many of the tunes we're recognising when we're going through them roughly, I think My Darling Asleep was the first trad tune I learned!
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by dee.
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
"My Darling Asleep" is a good addition to make to your list. If you are interested in popularity, as far as this site and elsewhere, check here for starters and click on the 'Tunebook' tab at the top ~
http://www.thesession.org/members/index/faqs
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
Most listed in tunebooks on site ~ some from the top 20
1.) reel ~ Drowsy Maggie
2.) jig ~ The Kesh
3.) slip jig ~ The Butterfly
4.) hornpipe ~ Cooley's ~ ???
5.) jig ~ Morrisons
9.) jig ~ Banish Misfortune (good thematically speaking!!!)
11.) jig ~ The Connaughtman's Rambles
13.) hornpipe ~ The Rights of Man
17.) slip jig ~ The Kid on the Mountain
18.) jig ~ Out on the Ocean
19.) hornpipe ~ The Harvest Home
20.) jig ~ The Blarney Pilgrim
Tyrone!!! ~ consider barndances & highland flings
& while beaten to death by some, "Soldier's Joy" was well known and enjoyed by the folks in Tyrone and the surrounding neighbourhood...
Irish Tune Info ~ realizing it is based on what he has in his personal collection, which is impressive...
http://www.irishtune.info/
http://www.irishtune.info/top-tunes/
You can then go to the links in the box on the right and choose to chase up the "Top Ten" for tune type or decade... There's also a list of recommended recordings, his 'most-cited albums'...
For tunes, since I mentioned it, here's barndances, then highlands & flings (one in the same! ~ highland flings!) ~
http://www.irishtune.info/rhythm/top-barn+dances.htm
http://www.irishtune.info/rhythm/top-highlands.htm
http://www.irishtune.info/rhythm/top-flings.htm
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Hello, looking for some tune suggestions
And, depending on ability levels, there is nothing wrong with playing the airs to some favorite songs together. A simple tune played well can be a lot more enjoyable than hearing people struggle with something they are not comfortable with.
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by AlBrown