Hey everyone,
I'm just starting to get into some celtic music (I play flute), and so I'm wondering what some classic tunes are that I should know. You know, 15-20 common ones that often come up in sessions.
So many good tunes!
Perhaps the best place to start is find a local session & listen to which tunes are being played. If there is nothing local ~ it's time to travel.
The above is the best advice. For more what you're looking for, though, click on the "Members" tab on the right side of the page, then select "Tunebook" from the top tabs. This will bring up the tunes posted to this page, in order of the frequency with which they appear here - this list, at least the first few pages of it, is a good list of popular tunes, most of them will be known by at least some of the players at most sessions.
I will leave the argumentation on the wisdom of learning tunes by this procedure for others.
Take it away, Michael.
Super Trouper
Clouds
I Will
Meet Me On The Corner
Mamma Mia
Cathy's Song
**AND**...
Yrnehta Fo Sdleif Eht
If you can interpret the last one, you're twisted enough to enter the world of Celtic music, guarded by dragons. Beautiful Celtic women will withdraw from your path. When you are twisted enough to hide behind a spiral staircase, you will be accorded a wary respect, and possibly recorded.
You will owe me a lifetime's gratitude for not recommending: Annie's Song, Mull Of Kintyre, All Kinds Of Everything, The Sexual Life Of The Camel, Dambusters, Wooden Heart, and Puff The Magic Dragon. I know you may not thank me now...
NB - my list is of very decent, kosher, diatonic(ish) tunes. Enjoy!
this query keeps popping out and the answer is usually similiar (eg Dows list) , would it be an idea to have a "sticky" posted at the top of the website to directly address this query?
Natureguy, I'd start small. After you find out what your local session plays, I'd learn maybe three reels and three jigs. Learn them well. Less is more. Then you can add more tunes as you go along; but it is better to learn a few really good tunes well than to hack through a large amount.
If Dow's List were posted, Jeremy would be deluged with whining about how the list was not the best, etc, etc. Better for us to chime in when newcomers arrive.
Check out these links, in Will's 'deatails' ~ find something you like to learn, and as previously mentioned, in agreement with the local sessions you're hoping to become a part of... It is better to know a few things well than a slew of things poorly...
Don't worry about which tunes too learn, they will find you. By all means start with some of the tunes at the top of Will or Dow's list, but once you start going to places where the tunes are alive ie in the air coming from instruments and not caged in abc or on paper you wont be able to choose which one you want to start to learn.
Before long it will be a mass of tunes in your head begging to be let out.
Just don't worry. Start learning one tune. When you can play it learn another. Choose the ones you like.
That really is all there is to it.
Am not trying to be glib, smug, put down an honest request, its not possible to learn all the tunes. So learn the ones you have heard folk play that you like.
What are some tunes I should know?
What are some tunes I should know?
Hey everyone,
I'm just starting to get into some celtic music (I play flute), and so I'm wondering what some classic tunes are that I should know. You know, 15-20 common ones that often come up in sessions.
A list would be great. Thanks!
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by natureguy
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
So many good tunes!
Perhaps the best place to start is find a local session & listen to which tunes are being played. If there is nothing local ~ it's time to travel.
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by Random_notes
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
The above is the best advice. For more what you're looking for, though, click on the "Members" tab on the right side of the page, then select "Tunebook" from the top tabs. This will bring up the tunes posted to this page, in order of the frequency with which they appear here - this list, at least the first few pages of it, is a good list of popular tunes, most of them will be known by at least some of the players at most sessions.
I will leave the argumentation on the wisdom of learning tunes by this procedure for others.
Take it away, Michael.
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Paradoxically, the music is nothing more than the tunes ... and yet ... it's not about learning the tunes, it's about learning the music.
If you don't understand that, there's hope for you.
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Wise paradox...does this wisdmon come down from the ancient jewish Leahcims lineage, llig?
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by Sergio Corriero
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
...waiting for a lighitning coming from heaven to punish me....
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by Sergio Corriero
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
White Lightning from the nearest off-licence can do that.
Unlike the acts of heaven, it can be bought.
It is also highly accurate.
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by nicholas
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Ok, please send me an X800 and a Zeus.
Thanks.
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by Sergio Corriero
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Dow wrote a "list" of some common session tunes a wee while ago.
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/1311/comments#comment241459
Of course they may not apply to you at your local session, but it might provide somewhere to start.
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by creathana
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
It's a list useful to me also. Now i have a starting point. Thanks
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by Sergio Corriero
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
These:
Super Trouper
Clouds
I Will
Meet Me On The Corner
Mamma Mia
Cathy's Song
**AND**...
Yrnehta Fo Sdleif Eht
If you can interpret the last one, you're twisted enough to enter the world of Celtic music, guarded by dragons. Beautiful Celtic women will withdraw from your path. When you are twisted enough to hide behind a spiral staircase, you will be accorded a wary respect, and possibly recorded.
You will owe me a lifetime's gratitude for not recommending: Annie's Song, Mull Of Kintyre, All Kinds Of Everything, The Sexual Life Of The Camel, Dambusters, Wooden Heart, and Puff The Magic Dragon. I know you may not thank me now...
NB - my list is of very decent, kosher, diatonic(ish) tunes. Enjoy!
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by nicholas
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Is that Y m e h t a or Y r n e h t a ??
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by rogfox
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
The latter!
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by nicholas
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
this query keeps popping out and the answer is usually similiar (eg Dows list) , would it be an idea to have a "sticky" posted at the top of the website to directly address this query?
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by BanjoBongo
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Dow ... or Dow not. There is no try. For nine hundred years that list have I read.
Good list Dow's list is. But learning tunes from a list must you not. Much better to learn tunes because them you like.
But beware you must ... if like you not the tunes on Dow's list, much to learn have you.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
How get you so glib writing words of this kind?
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by Rook
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
"Use the dots, Luke - use the DOTS!"
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by Rook
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Natureguy, I'd start small. After you find out what your local session plays, I'd learn maybe three reels and three jigs. Learn them well. Less is more. Then you can add more tunes as you go along; but it is better to learn a few really good tunes well than to hack through a large amount.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Glib, you call me?. Learn respect for Jedi ways you must. Or seat on the council you will have not.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
If Dow's List were posted, Jeremy would be deluged with whining about how the list was not the best, etc, etc. Better for us to chime in when newcomers arrive.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by AlBrown
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Crossposted did I. Aware that we were speaking Yodaish, I was not.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by AlBrown
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
use the fork Luke, the tuning fork....
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by BanjoBongo
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
A similar list did Will compile. Yet advantage has Dow of being much travelled.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Bloomin' heck, Llig,--- bursting through the 8000-post mark with aplomb !
Indefatigable, I say
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by domnull
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Idefatigable, say you, young trad-eye?
You do not know the POWER of the Dark Side of the Llig...
# Posted on June 23rd 2009 by Rook
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Not a tune mentioned yet girls.
# Posted on June 23rd 2009 by mcknowall
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Check out these links, in Will's 'deatails' ~ find something you like to learn, and as previously mentioned, in agreement with the local sessions you're hoping to become a part of... It is better to know a few things well than a slew of things poorly...
# Posted on June 23rd 2009 by ceolachan
Re: What are some tunes I should know?
Don't worry about which tunes too learn, they will find you. By all means start with some of the tunes at the top of Will or Dow's list, but once you start going to places where the tunes are alive ie in the air coming from instruments and not caged in abc or on paper you wont be able to choose which one you want to start to learn.
Before long it will be a mass of tunes in your head begging to be let out.
Just don't worry. Start learning one tune. When you can play it learn another. Choose the ones you like.
That really is all there is to it.
Am not trying to be glib, smug, put down an honest request, its not possible to learn all the tunes. So learn the ones you have heard folk play that you like.
# Posted on June 23rd 2009 by clunk999