Does anyone have any suggestions for suitable tunes for the fleadh on the fiddle?I don't have a teacher this year and I'm at a complete loss as to what tunes to pick.
Thanks!
"Cork!!!" ~ That county and its neighbours have a rich heritage to draw from, pick at least some one thing that is not a reel or a jig... If you are comfortable with it, something that shows your ability to swing a tune with the bow. It always comes down to the judges and their inclinations, but keep it simple ~ 32 bar tunes, nothing extra.
Why not give you a list ~ because you know your abilities best, you know what you like and don't like ~ and because you also have that rich Cork heritage to draw on. Ask some local musicians, your local session or Comhaltas. Ask your grandparents. And, what about tunes composed by musicians in that general area, older established musicians especially ~ Cork and its surrounds?
Here's some good, classic fiddle tunes that often come up in competitions.
Reels:
Jenny's Welcome to Charlie, Lord Gordon's, Trim the Velvet, O'Dowd's Favorite, Colonel Fraser's, Bonnie Kate
Jigs:
The Knocknagow, The Old Gray Goose, The Humours of Ballyloughlin, The Monaghan, The Maid at the Spinning Wheel, The Gold Ring (the 4-part Dmaj version)
Also anything in Gminor, Fmaj, Bflat maj, etc. Basically keys that are uncommon for other instruments and that are generally unique to the fiddle.
That's just to give you a start. I don't know how old you are, and therefore how many tunes you have to play. But in general, it's good to pick one "big," multi-part and/or complicated tune and then have your other tune(s) be a bit more manageable. Also, consider playing more than just jigs and reels. Throw in a hornpipe, slip jig, or something else to make you a little more unique. But overall, just play what you're comfortable with. Maybe you could give us a list of tunes you're considering (or some of your favorite tunes) and ask for opinions?
~ "unique to the fiddle" ~ I should have noted that on "Patrick's" ~ that it was composed by a fiddler and that it takes in the lower capabilities of the instrument by dropping below D...
FidDLe01 has several good points ~ what do you play now, what are you happy and comfortable with? And 'age'? I don't know where it is know, as said, it depends on the adjudicator, but some things are tiring, like silly tunes, tunes that get too much air time because they make good 'party pieces', and trying to be too 'cute' or 'bizarre'... A well played old-standard will get better reception than something chosen that is not natural to you and was picked out just to 'impress'... Be true to yourself, be yourself...play what you like, what fits...
I just learned the 'Drunken Sailor' on the fiddle which is a beautiful tune and quite difficult, I don't know if its a fiddle tune but I think it would be a good one to play. Its in a nice minor key with plenty of parts!
People (and judges) usually either love or hate The Drunken Sailor. It has a tendency to be overplayed and sort of cliche, and therefore not a good competition tune, but I know for a fact that the All-Ireland has been won with that tune before, so who knows? Depends who's playing it and how well. Same goes for any other tune. manglegrinder, you're right about the minor key and the abundance of parts. I'm guessing that's what prompts people to play it in competitons. Those types of impressive tunes are always popular with competitors (and judges!)
Suitable fleadh tunes
Suitable fleadh tunes
Does anyone have any suggestions for suitable tunes for the fleadh on the fiddle?I don't have a teacher this year and I'm at a complete loss as to what tunes to pick.
Thanks!
# Posted on February 3rd 2008 by TradChic
Re: Suitable fleadh tunes
"Cork!!!" ~ That county and its neighbours have a rich heritage to draw from, pick at least some one thing that is not a reel or a jig... If you are comfortable with it, something that shows your ability to swing a tune with the bow. It always comes down to the judges and their inclinations, but keep it simple ~ 32 bar tunes, nothing extra.
Why not give you a list ~ because you know your abilities best, you know what you like and don't like ~ and because you also have that rich Cork heritage to draw on. Ask some local musicians, your local session or Comhaltas. Ask your grandparents. And, what about tunes composed by musicians in that general area, older established musicians especially ~ Cork and its surrounds?
# Posted on February 3rd 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Suitable fleadh tunes
Alright, one ~
"Patrick's Reel"
C: Seán Ryan
Key signature: D Major
Submitted on January 30th 2008 by ceolachan.
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/8197
# Posted on February 3rd 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Suitable fleadh tunes
Here's some good, classic fiddle tunes that often come up in competitions.
Reels:
Jenny's Welcome to Charlie, Lord Gordon's, Trim the Velvet, O'Dowd's Favorite, Colonel Fraser's, Bonnie Kate
Jigs:
The Knocknagow, The Old Gray Goose, The Humours of Ballyloughlin, The Monaghan, The Maid at the Spinning Wheel, The Gold Ring (the 4-part Dmaj version)
Also anything in Gminor, Fmaj, Bflat maj, etc. Basically keys that are uncommon for other instruments and that are generally unique to the fiddle.
That's just to give you a start. I don't know how old you are, and therefore how many tunes you have to play. But in general, it's good to pick one "big," multi-part and/or complicated tune and then have your other tune(s) be a bit more manageable. Also, consider playing more than just jigs and reels. Throw in a hornpipe, slip jig, or something else to make you a little more unique. But overall, just play what you're comfortable with. Maybe you could give us a list of tunes you're considering (or some of your favorite tunes) and ask for opinions?
# Posted on February 3rd 2008 by fiddleplayer01
Re: Suitable fleadh tunes
~ "unique to the fiddle" ~ I should have noted that on "Patrick's" ~ that it was composed by a fiddler and that it takes in the lower capabilities of the instrument by dropping below D...
FidDLe01 has several good points ~ what do you play now, what are you happy and comfortable with? And 'age'? I don't know where it is know, as said, it depends on the adjudicator, but some things are tiring, like silly tunes, tunes that get too much air time because they make good 'party pieces', and trying to be too 'cute' or 'bizarre'... A well played old-standard will get better reception than something chosen that is not natural to you and was picked out just to 'impress'... Be true to yourself, be yourself...play what you like, what fits...
# Posted on February 4th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Suitable fleadh tunes
Don't play it for the judges if you wouldn't play it for fun, alone, just because.
--DtM
# Posted on February 4th 2008 by Dan the Man
Re: Suitable fleadh tunes
I just learned the 'Drunken Sailor' on the fiddle which is a beautiful tune and quite difficult, I don't know if its a fiddle tune but I think it would be a good one to play. Its in a nice minor key with plenty of parts!
# Posted on February 4th 2008 by manglegrinder
Re: Suitable fleadh tunes
People (and judges) usually either love or hate The Drunken Sailor. It has a tendency to be overplayed and sort of cliche, and therefore not a good competition tune, but I know for a fact that the All-Ireland has been won with that tune before, so who knows? Depends who's playing it and how well. Same goes for any other tune. manglegrinder, you're right about the minor key and the abundance of parts. I'm guessing that's what prompts people to play it in competitons. Those types of impressive tunes are always popular with competitors (and judges!)
# Posted on February 5th 2008 by fiddleplayer01