Comments

List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Gentles:

To all here who also pursue Scottish Traditional Music, could I ask of you -
If you were to name the 2-3 dozen absolute basic gotta-know-em Scottish fiddle tunes (reels, strathspeys, jigs, dances tunes) for any Scottish fiddler wannabee, what would they be?

What I refer to is the equivalent to ITM's Silver Spear, Out On The Ocean, Kesh Jig, Boys Of Bluehill, etc. etc.
The BASICS.

Gratefully,

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by Piece

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Do you want fiddle tunes only or does this also include GHB tunes?

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by DrSilverSpear

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Are Gordon Duncan tunes allowed?

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by ...

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Do they have to be in A? Or can we transcibe them to E

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by ...

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Haha.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by DrSilverSpear

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Rook, like the Irish top 50 or so you may only hear 3 or 4 of the most popular at any given sessions. The Ho-Ro Gheallaidh books give a very good indication what might be played though. Especially the 3rd one where more contemporary tunes are played. Here's a link, the tunes titles are listed there http://www.scotlandsmusic.com/session.htm

Recordings by Session A9, Gordon Duncan, Blazin Fiddles and Daimh have a fair number of the tunes popular in many sessions at the moment. Most Scottish sessioners will also know a surprising amount of Irish tunes too.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by bogman

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Reel of Tulloch
Tullochgorum
cripple malcolm in the glen
brown haired lad
red haired girl of Tulloch
Money musk
High road to Linton
Iron man
Laird of Drumblair
Cock of the North
devils dream
devil in the kitchin

Mind Im not a Scottish fiddler, I just play a few Scottish tunes.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by piobagusfidil

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Titter, just got the transcribe them to E joke :-)

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by bogman

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Ionannas said "Mind Im not a Scottish fiddler, I just play a few Scottish tunes."

Well yes, I think I'm in agreement with you there for once.. For example, is Money musk an expensive perfume?

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by On Sabbatical

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

?
Monymusk is a traditional Scottish tune found in the Donald Mac Donald Manuscript 1820. The W ross Manuscript and others.

Fiddler are you?

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by piobagusfidil

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

As a matter of fact, he is.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by Kenny

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

I have this bookmarked
http://www.campin.me.uk/Music/ScottishSessionTunes.abc
Is that a fair list ?

And how about that list you posted on C&F Kenny ?

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by David50

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Sorry, hope you don't mind
http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=64813
I was in punter mode at couple of sessions at a scottish festival this summer and over half of these were played

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by David50

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/4239

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by domhnall.

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

http://www.campin.me.uk/Music/ScottishSessionTunes.abc

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by domhnall.

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Well go on then. It it a fair list ?
Discuss ?

Jack Campin's list (from the link above)

Slow Air
Niel Gow's Lament for his Second Wife

Waltzes
Hills of Glenorchy
Stronsay Waltz
The Braes of Lochiel
Leaving Lismore

Marches
The Battle of the Somme
Fingal's Cave
The Burning of the Piper's Hut
Loch Ruan
Walter Douglas MBE
Campbell's Farewell to Redcastle
Corriechoille's Farewell to the Northern Meeting
Highland Laddie
Pipe Major Donald Maclean of Lewis

Strathspeys
The Lad wi' the Plaidie
Captain Campbell
The Smith's a Gallant Fireman
The Braes of Tulliemet
Katie Bairdie
Orange and Blue

Reels
Staten Island
Mrs McLeod of Raasay
The Fairy Dance
The Ale is Dear
The High Road to Linton
The Flowers of Edinburgh
The Mason's Apron
Lochleven Castle
The Deil Amang the Tailors
Shetland Reels
Saint Anne's Reel
Willafjord
Da Ferry Reel
Sleep Soond i da Mornin

Jigs
Kenmure's On and Awa, Willie
The Muckin o Geordie's Byre
The Stool of Repentance
Drummond Castle
Haste to the Wedding
The Jig of Slurs

Polka
Bluebell Polka

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by David50

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

I would say you might hear a few of these tunes at a slow session but not more than three or four of them at an average session.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by bogman

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

which 3 or 4?

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by Ben Steen

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Mrs McLeod of Raasay, The Ale is Dear, The Stool of Repentance, The Jig of Slurs - but every area is different.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by bogman

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Depends entirely on the session. Tunes like Willafjord, Spootoskerry and the High Road to Linton get trotted out as a set often enough in some sessions. Personally I can't stand that set any more. The Flowers of Edinburgh and The jig of Slurs gets trotted out too. :-(

Of Jack's list you might hear Drummond Castle and Captain Campbell's fairly frequently. Haste to the Wedding is a great tune.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Ah cross-post and different answers. :-) Well that proves it!

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

full circle back to the piping question.
any GHB tunes from Shetland?

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by Ben Steen

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Ooooh - probably not many no. Shetland has so many fiddlers the emphasis is really not on the pipes. I am sure there must be Shetland pipers though and, over time some of them must have written some tunes.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

There are apparently 2 pipe bands - Kirkwall City and Lerwick.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

I would have thought there were one or more pipe bands on Shetland, now and in its modern musical history. I would have thought that their introduction and continuing existence there would pre-date Tom Anderson and the fiddle revival, for that matter.

I might just check this out on the Net...

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by nicholas

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

http://www.shetland-music.com/

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Indeed! Lerwick Royal British Legion Pipe Band - still extant, or re-founded - was founded under that name in 1933, prior to which informal groups of pipers had played at events on Shetland; one such event - an Armistice march with pipers present - was photographed in 1919.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by nicholas

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Most Scottish sessions I go to probably, as a rough guide have about 30% Scots trad, 20% Irish trad, 40% Scots contemporary and 10% Irish contemporary. As we say it can be very regional but here's a list of tunes that have been very widely played over the last few years.....

Reels

Brenda Stubbert's
Jenny Dang the Weaver
Miss Susan Cooper
Dinkies
The High Drive
Nine Pint Coggie
Andy Renwick's Ferret
The Bird's Nest
Dolina MacKay
John Keith Laing
Molly Rankine's
Put Me in the Big Chest
Sheehan's
The Tongadale
The Spoot o' Skerry
Willafjord
Paddy's Trip to Scotland
Frank's Reel
The Islay Ranters
MacArthur Road
MacLeod's Farewell
Maggie's Pancakes
Mutt's Favourite
The Road to Errogie
The Ramnee Ceilidh
The Salvation
Bulgarian Red

Jigs

Scarce o' tatties
The Banks of Allan
The Jig Run Rig
Miss Campbell of Sheerness
Miss Sarah MacFadyen
Snug in a Blanket
The Seagull
Rory MacLeod
Rory Gallacher
Chloe's Passion
Donella Beaton
Kenneth MacDonald
Last Tango in Harris
The Price of a Pig
Donald Willie and his Dog
The Famous Baravan

There are of course strathspeys, marches etc but there are so many that it's pointless listing them.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by bogman

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Nicholas - Not only is there Lerwick but there is also Kirkwall City (as you will see in my post just above yours). :-)

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

We crossed - but Kirkwall is in Orkney, not Shetland.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by nicholas

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Damn it - of course it is.

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

There is a brand of fiddle-playing on the up in the Northern UK, mainly among the young and eager, which I think of as "Scottish-ish". Or maybe, "New-thumbrian".

It is bright in tone, very fast and all over the place. Think of The Stool Of Repentance, The Barrowburn Reel and Repeal The Poll Tax played like this, and you get the overall idea. It cheers one up in a crowded street on a frosty morning. It sounds like very large kittens having a fight.

God bless 'em, they'll get there!

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by nicholas

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

nicholas,
What think thee of 422 ?
They may fit into your description of

"a brand of fiddle-playing on the up in the Northern UK, mainly among the young and eager, which I think of as "Scottish-ish". Or maybe, "New-thumbrian".
It is bright in tone, very fast and all over the place. Think of The Stool Of Repentance.................."

(except "all over the place")

.......oh, and what do you consider "Northern UK"?

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by domhnall.

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

I think 422 are great. But I wouldn't be surprised if they started a bit like this..! No, this is really a lazy, hazy impression I get from living in the town (Durham) where Folkworks happens.

"Northern UK"? I was thinking of North-East England and assuming too that Scotland *must* have its share of newbies who play like this...please forgive me if I am wrong on this latter point!

# Posted on September 8th 2009 by nicholas

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

"I was thinking of North-East England and assuming too that Scotland *must* have its share of newbies who play like this..."

Does it ever!

# Posted on September 9th 2009 by DrSilverSpear

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Does that mean, Yes??...!..?

# Posted on September 9th 2009 by nicholas

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Some of the tunes from the lists above that we did in the (predominantly Irish) session last night:

Drummond Castle
Brenda Stubbert's
The Tongadale
Mutt's Favourite
Calum’s Road

The session was somewhat shorter than normal as there was only myself and a couple of fiddlers but it was good fun. There may have been more of the tunes than this but I am only the guitarist. What would I know? :-)

Other Scottish tunes that I can recall us playing would include:
The Periwig
Wha'll Dance Wi Wattie
The Dirty Bee

# Posted on September 9th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm

Thank You To All Of You Scots Scholars

Many thanks to all who replied (seriously and otherwise) to this humble aspirant to Scottish Fiddling's recent posting.

Any assistance on the subject is a mighty help to me here, in this ITM/STM desert.

Thank you all again.

At your service,

# Posted on September 9th 2009 by Piece

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

I think the Campin list above serves the same purpose in Scots music that our own Dow's List serves for Irish--the tunes everyone is expected to know, even though some find a few of them a bit simple and overplayed. Always best to start with the core tunes, and the tunes that people learn as children, and work your way up from there.

# Posted on September 9th 2009 by AlBrown

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

http://www.mcowen.net/fiddlezone/photos/SSSTunes.pdf

the Gordon Duncan tune Andy Renwicks Ferret has made its way around as a fiddle tune Micheal

# Posted on September 10th 2009 by Sunnybear

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Mrs McDougall's Murkin

# Posted on September 12th 2009 by mcknowall

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

Nobody play 'The Black Bear' or 'The Drunken Piper' ?

# Posted on September 14th 2009 by Alancorsini

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

. . . or Petronella, The Circassion Circle or The Braes of Bredalbine? or are they tunes to dance to rather than play on the fiddle?

# Posted on September 14th 2009 by Alancorsini

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

There tunes are popular dance tunes but tend not to get played at sessions nowadays, certainly here on the west side of Scotland. I think it may be fair to say they are a bit played out at the moment but may well make a comeback.

# Posted on September 14th 2009 by bogman

Re: List of Popular Scottish Fiddle Tunes (Yes, again)

I live in Wisconsin and happen to know

Red Haired Girl of Tulloch
Hawkie Through the water

# Posted on September 15th 2009 by Earl Cameron