Hello everyone.
I'm trying to put together a short repertoire of tunes on Irish whistle for a graduation recital, and need a slow piece to include. I have several medleys of reels and jigs that have been well prepared, but I want a slow, Irish air/waltz to play that really sounds Irish - preferably a particularly remorseful tune in a minor key to balance out the upbeat reels. Something of the Waking Ned Devine sort I think would sound great - but more traditional if possible. I'm really in over my head on this one, and would love some help.
The Dear Irish Boy is a very good one on whistle or any other solo instrument. De Danann recorded it back in the 1970s on "Selected Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes And Songs" (I'm not sure I've got the order right here...). Charlie Piggott played it solo on one-row melodeon, I think.
The Bright Hollow Fog is a beautiful air. John Williams plays it on concertina, but it sounds great on flute and fiddle. Would work nicely on whistle. In E minor.
another great idea is to do something original _ really slow down the tune to that old song 'Murseen Durkeen' as an air and it's as good as your going to get ( . . . there goes another one of mine)
and a great friend of mine and piper Jimmy Morrison (Cork) told me the second part of this tune (to the song) was lifted from a trad Cork hornpipe _either way it's brilliant played as a slow air
Irish Airs in minor keys
Irish Airs in minor keys
Hello everyone.
I'm trying to put together a short repertoire of tunes on Irish whistle for a graduation recital, and need a slow piece to include. I have several medleys of reels and jigs that have been well prepared, but I want a slow, Irish air/waltz to play that really sounds Irish - preferably a particularly remorseful tune in a minor key to balance out the upbeat reels. Something of the Waking Ned Devine sort I think would sound great - but more traditional if possible. I'm really in over my head on this one, and would love some help.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Grace
# Posted on May 31st 2009 by Grace Westin
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
I've always heard The Green Fields of Canada on pipes, but it sounds killer on whistle. Another good one is An Feochan. I think by Tommy Peoples?
# Posted on May 31st 2009 by shanty
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
The Dear Irish Boy is a very good one on whistle or any other solo instrument. De Danann recorded it back in the 1970s on "Selected Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes And Songs" (I'm not sure I've got the order right here...). Charlie Piggott played it solo on one-row melodeon, I think.
# Posted on May 31st 2009 by nicholas
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
The Bright Hollow Fog is a beautiful air. John Williams plays it on concertina, but it sounds great on flute and fiddle. Would work nicely on whistle. In E minor.
# Posted on May 31st 2009 by John Culhane
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
An incredible slow air from Nollaig Casey called "Strand of the Pearl" in am.
It can be found on her 1995 CD 'Causeway' with Arty McGlynn. TARA3035
Also, The Foggy Dew played as a slow air in em. Easy to play, remember, and with a nice change in and out of G in the B part.
# Posted on May 31st 2009 by Toppish
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
a D minor original tune worth considering is Lisaniska on the 'Hungry Grass' myspace site _ see what you think _ you can use it if you like
# Posted on May 31st 2009 by lisaniska
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
Check out Arran Boat Song
# Posted on June 1st 2009 by Whiddler
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
Her Mantle so Green is a nice one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dR-BffA7Ig
other possibilities are
Anach Cuan
An raibh tu ag an gCarraig
Se Fath mo Buartha
# Posted on June 1st 2009 by cathycook
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
The Song of the Books - very slow and meloncholy.
# Posted on June 1st 2009 by Bredna
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
Jimmy Whelan is a lovely one
# Posted on June 1st 2009 by dannym
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
another great idea is to do something original _ really slow down the tune to that old song 'Murseen Durkeen' as an air and it's as good as your going to get ( . . . there goes another one of mine)
and a great friend of mine and piper Jimmy Morrison (Cork) told me the second part of this tune (to the song) was lifted from a trad Cork hornpipe _either way it's brilliant played as a slow air
# Posted on June 2nd 2009 by lisaniska
Re: Irish Airs in minor keys
She Moved Through The Fair which has the advantage of being recognisable really slow, or I'd also second doing a job on The Foggy Dew.
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by Beanzy