I thought there might be a few people out there who might be interested in this. I've just finished a Manx fiddle tutor, called 'Fiddyl' for the Manx Heritage Foundation. The idea of it is to encouarge Manx fiddle music within the schools on the Island, and every child who is learning violin through their school will receive a free copy.
The book is designed to go from beginner to Grade 3 level, and it follows the ABRSM syllabus, so that teacher's can use it alongside classical repertoire. There are also duets and string groups pieces in it, and some of the pieces also have piano accompaniments. It contains lots of popular trad. Manx tunes, as well as more recent compositions.
It would be great for any fiddle teachers out there who want some new and exciting repertoire for their students, but it's also a good introduction to Manx music for anyone who is interested in learning some great tunes.
Very interesting indeed, I have long been interested in learning more about Manx music since first hearing a bit of it years ago.
However ---
If I may presume to suggest: I, for one, would not be inclined to throw down my coin to order a collection where the site offering it tells little of significance about the content.
As an instrumentalist who wants to learn some Manx tunes and understand something of the style to play them correctly, I would ask:
How many tunes?
What type of tunes (reels? jigs? waltzes? mazurkas? airs?)?
All traditional tunes or does the collection include modern contributions?
None of this is mentioned at the website.
Nor did I see much for the other offerings I clicked on.
I'm afraid the website selling it is beyond my control, but I'll pass on your comments.
There is not seen as being a 'correct style' of playing on the Island - emphasis is very much put on individual interpretation, so the book does not concentrate too much on style. In the teacher's book there are notes on ornamentation etc. though. It is primarily a teaching resource, but can also be used as an introduction to Manx fiddle music.
There are about 55 tunes in the book, and the tunes are a mix of solo, duet and string group pieces. In the teacher's book 15 of the tunes also have piano arrangements, and the rest of the tunes have suggested chords.
The tunes are mainly jigs, reels and slow airs (there's a couple of waltzes too), but the book is laid out in a graded format, and not by tune type.
As I said in my above post, the tune contains some of the most popular trad tunes, as well as modern compositions (most of them by fiddlers from the Island).
The student's book is A5, which is handy for fitting in fiddle cases, and is ring-bound with plastic coverings to protect it. The teacher's book is A4, and is also ring-bound with plastic coverings.
Hope this helps. Any more questions, just ask.............
"Hope this helps. Any more questions, just ask............."
It does indeed, and thank you very much, Manxygirl.
Rest assured I shall politely and humbly share any thoughts on this subject with you. A good, straight-foward, reasonably comprehensive Manx tune book aimed at fiddlers and pipers
-- and allright, maybe box-players too --
would be a lovely thing. Especially, I would think, one focusing upon really ancient and unique-to-Manx tunes ---
(May it come to pass!)
As a resident of Manx, and a fiddle teacher, what recordings would you recommend of the really "retro" artists, as in pre-20th Century dance tunes? While the revivals and awakenings throughout the folk world have been in many ways positive, I find that more and more I am looking into the dusty old archival stuff for music, and particularly the less-known stuff which may still be disappearing.
Are there any good sources along those lines from which to pick up by ear?
I'm afraid that we have no pipe tradition on the Island, so that project is unlikely. There are several collections of tunes that are available - the most comprehensive are the Kiaull yn Theay series of books, although I would reccommend Kiaull Vannin if you are more academically minded.
Unfortunately any early recordings of Manx music have been lost, so Manx music has largely been reconstructed using the tune collections of the Victorian collectors. However, what is important is that Manx music has again become a living tradition, and is once again flourishing! Which is what folk music is really about.
Manx 'Fiddyl' book
Manx 'Fiddyl' book
I thought there might be a few people out there who might be interested in this. I've just finished a Manx fiddle tutor, called 'Fiddyl' for the Manx Heritage Foundation. The idea of it is to encouarge Manx fiddle music within the schools on the Island, and every child who is learning violin through their school will receive a free copy.
The book is designed to go from beginner to Grade 3 level, and it follows the ABRSM syllabus, so that teacher's can use it alongside classical repertoire. There are also duets and string groups pieces in it, and some of the pieces also have piano accompaniments. It contains lots of popular trad. Manx tunes, as well as more recent compositions.
It would be great for any fiddle teachers out there who want some new and exciting repertoire for their students, but it's also a good introduction to Manx music for anyone who is interested in learning some great tunes.
http://www.manxmusic.com/publication_187495.html
If anyone's got any questions feel free to get in touch.
# Posted on February 8th 2012 by manxygirl
Re: Manx 'Fiddyl' book
Very interesting indeed, I have long been interested in learning more about Manx music since first hearing a bit of it years ago.
However ---
If I may presume to suggest: I, for one, would not be inclined to throw down my coin to order a collection where the site offering it tells little of significance about the content.
As an instrumentalist who wants to learn some Manx tunes and understand something of the style to play them correctly, I would ask:
How many tunes?
What type of tunes (reels? jigs? waltzes? mazurkas? airs?)?
All traditional tunes or does the collection include modern contributions?
None of this is mentioned at the website.
Nor did I see much for the other offerings I clicked on.
I am holding onto my money till I know more...
# Posted on February 8th 2012 by Piece
Re: Manx 'Fiddyl' book
Hi Piece,
I'm afraid the website selling it is beyond my control, but I'll pass on your comments.
There is not seen as being a 'correct style' of playing on the Island - emphasis is very much put on individual interpretation, so the book does not concentrate too much on style. In the teacher's book there are notes on ornamentation etc. though. It is primarily a teaching resource, but can also be used as an introduction to Manx fiddle music.
There are about 55 tunes in the book, and the tunes are a mix of solo, duet and string group pieces. In the teacher's book 15 of the tunes also have piano arrangements, and the rest of the tunes have suggested chords.
The tunes are mainly jigs, reels and slow airs (there's a couple of waltzes too), but the book is laid out in a graded format, and not by tune type.
As I said in my above post, the tune contains some of the most popular trad tunes, as well as modern compositions (most of them by fiddlers from the Island).
The student's book is A5, which is handy for fitting in fiddle cases, and is ring-bound with plastic coverings to protect it. The teacher's book is A4, and is also ring-bound with plastic coverings.
Hope this helps. Any more questions, just ask.............
# Posted on February 8th 2012 by manxygirl
Re: Manx 'Fiddyl' book
"Hope this helps. Any more questions, just ask............."
--
It does indeed, and thank you very much, Manxygirl.
Rest assured I shall politely and humbly share any thoughts on this subject with you. A good, straight-foward, reasonably comprehensive Manx tune book aimed at fiddlers and pipers
-- and allright, maybe box-players too
would be a lovely thing. Especially, I would think, one focusing upon really ancient and unique-to-Manx tunes ---
(May it come to pass!)
As a resident of Manx, and a fiddle teacher, what recordings would you recommend of the really "retro" artists, as in pre-20th Century dance tunes? While the revivals and awakenings throughout the folk world have been in many ways positive, I find that more and more I am looking into the dusty old archival stuff for music, and particularly the less-known stuff which may still be disappearing.
Are there any good sources along those lines from which to pick up by ear?
Thank you in advance.
# Posted on February 9th 2012 by Piece
Re: Manx 'Fiddyl' book
I'm afraid that we have no pipe tradition on the Island, so that project is unlikely. There are several collections of tunes that are available - the most comprehensive are the Kiaull yn Theay series of books, although I would reccommend Kiaull Vannin if you are more academically minded.
Unfortunately any early recordings of Manx music have been lost, so Manx music has largely been reconstructed using the tune collections of the Victorian collectors. However, what is important is that Manx music has again become a living tradition, and is once again flourishing! Which is what folk music is really about.
# Posted on February 11th 2012 by manxygirl