Alright,
1.nobody asked for this,
2.it's possibly been done already,
3.I know jeremy intended this site to be about "ITM" and
4.all I've done is crib the contents list off Christine Martin and Anne Hughes' excellent Ho-Ro-Geallaidh Books of session tunes 1 & 2, but ...
it's a fairly good representation of tunes you might hear at a Scottish session, including some of the oft-played Irish tunes. I haven't edited it to remove "composed by traditional" or listed it by tune type or alphabetically, so it's not great for reference but it may make interesting browsing. The order is from the contents of the books' pages which are roughly arranged in suggested sets:
Jean's Reel G Major, composed by Bobby MacLeod
The Spey In Spate D Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Bungalow A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
Fairy Dance D Major, composed by Traditional
Sleepy Maggie B Minor, composed by Traditional
Ships Are Sailing E Minor, composed by Traditional
Moving Cloud G Major, composed by Traditional
Lady Montgomerie Bb Major, composed by Traditional
Archie Menzies F Major, composed by Traditional
The New High Level G Major, composed by Andrew Rankine
The Hamilton Rant Or Dr. Bob Smith D Major, composed by J. Stanley Hamilton
Birkhall D Major, composed by J. Robertson
The Duke And Duchess Of Edinburgh G Major, composed by J. Robertson
Sir David Davidson Of Cantray D Major, composed by Traditional
The Bobers Of Brechin G Minor, composed by W. Marshall
Sheep Shanks A Major, composed by Traditional
The Wind That Shakes The Barley D Major, composed by Traditional
Inver Lasses A Major, composed by Traditional
Loch Leven Castle A Minor, composed by Traditional
The Apple Tree A Major, composed by Traditional
The Tongadale Reel A Minor, composed by Farquhar MacDonald
Glen Ogle D Major, composed by Traditional
Cran Hill D Major, composed by C.F. Sherritt
Lynne's Reel D Major, composed by Roger Crook
Jenny Dang The Weaver D Major, composed by Traditional
The Old Grey Cat E Minor, composed by Traditional
Lord MacDonald G Major, composed by Traditional
Miss Lyall A Minor, composed by Traditional
Miss Lyall II A Minor, composed by Traditional
Ruileadh Chailleach A Major, composed by Traditional
Rona Morgana E Minor, composed by Ronan Martin
Mrs. Charles Stewart, Pettyvaich F Major, composed by William Marshall
James F. Dickie A Major, composed by J. Murdoch Henderson
Prince Charlie E Minor, composed by Traditional
Gillian's Reel A Major, composed by P. Milne
Knockdhu Reel A Minor, composed by Ian Hardie
The Easy Club Reel A Major, composed by Jim Sutherland
Daldownys A Major, composed by Traditional
Mrs. Dundas Of Arniston Or The Highland Reel C Major, composed by Will Gow
Captain Campbell A Minor, composed by Traditional
Davy Work A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
Carnie's Canter F Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Left Handed Fiddler A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Laird O' Drumblair A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
Angus Campbell A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Forth Brig D Major, composed by W. Blyth
The Forth Brig Reel D Major, composed by W. Blyth
Nine Pint Coggie E Minor, composed by Traditional
The Spirit Of Pultney E Minor, composed by Traditional
MacLaine Of Lochbuie's Reel A Minor, composed by Traditional
Tom McKerron's Reel A Major, composed by Charlie McKerron
The North Shore D Major, composed by Traditional
I Wish You Would Marry Me Now A Minor, composed by Bremner Coll
Miss Georgina Campbell G Major, composed by Traditional
Kissing Is The Best Of A' G Major, composed by Traditional
The Hurdle Race A Major, composed by Traditional
Captain D. Stewart's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
Miss Shepherd A Minor, composed by J. Scott Skinner
Gladstone A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Mullindhu B Minor, composed by Traditional
Itchy Fingers A Major, composed by Traditional
The High Drive D Major, composed by Gordon Duncan
The Concertina A Major, composed by Traditional
Calum Donaldson A Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Mickie Ainsworth D Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
The Tushkar A Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Miss Susan Cooper D Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Millbrae A Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Gordon's Favourite G Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Aandowin At Da Bow G Major, composed by Traditional
Lasses Trust In Providence D Major, composed by Traditional
John Spence Of Uyeasound A Major, composed by Traditional
Da Full Rigged Ship A Minor, composed by Traditional
Da New Rigged Ship A Minor, composed by Traditional
Jack Broke Da Prison Door G Major, composed by Traditional
Sleep Sound In Da Mornin E Minor, composed by Traditional
Donald Blue D Major, composed by Traditional
The Spoot O' Skerry G Major, composed by Samuel Ian Rothmar Burns
Willafjord D Major, composed by Traditional
The Shetland Fiddler D Major, composed by Traditional
Da Ferry Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
Da Mirrie Boys O Greenland D Major, composed by Traditional
Bonnie Isle O' Whalsay A Major, composed by Traditional
Da Forfeit O Da Ship D Major, composed by Traditional
Lay Dee At Dee D Major, composed by Traditional
St. Anne's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
The Sally Gardens G Major, composed by Traditional
The Maid Behind The Bar D Major, composed by Traditional
Jackie Coleman's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
Drowsy Maggie E Minor, composed by Traditional
The High Reel A Major, composed by Traditional
Pretty Peg D Major, composed by Traditional
Gravel Walk G Major, composed by Traditional
Jenny's Chickens A Major, composed by Traditional
The Merry Blacksmith D Major, composed by Traditional
The Reconciliation A Major, composed by Traditional
Return To Milltown D Minor, composed by Traditional
The Humours Of Tulla D Major, composed by Traditional
The Boys Of Malin A Major, composed by Traditional
Dinkies A Major, composed by Francis Byrne
The Congress Reel A Minor, composed by Traditional
The Silver Spire D Major, composed by Traditional
The Cup Of Tea A Major, composed by Traditional
Dowd's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
The Teetotaller G Major, composed by Traditional
Sligo Maid G Major, composed by Traditional
MacFadden's Reel A Major, composed by Traditional
Branohm A Minor, composed by Maire Breatnach
The Earl's Chair B Minor, composed by Traditional
Dick Gossip's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
Paddy's Trip To Scotland D Major, composed by Traditional
King Of The Fairies E Minor, composed by Traditional
The Rights Of Man E Minor, composed by Traditional
Chief O'Neill's Favourite D Major, composed by Traditional
The Firefly A Major, composed by Traditional
The High Level Hornpipe Bb Major, composed by James Hill
Saratoga Hornpipe F Major, composed by Traditional
Garfield's Hornpipe Bb Major, composed by Traditional
Robbie Murdoch D Major, composed by David A. Gordon
The Quarrelsome Piper G Major, composed by Traditional
The Gypsies E Minor, composed by Traditional
Fisher's Hornpipe D Major, composed by Traditional
The Hawk E Major, composed by James Hill
The Golden Eagle G Major, composed by Pat McNulty
The Poppy Leaf Hornpipe G Major, composed by Traditional
The Acrobat Hornpipe Bb Major, composed by Traditional
Lark In The Morning D Major, composed by Traditional
The Kid On The Mountain E Minor, composed by Traditional
The Foxhunter's Jig D Major, composed by Traditional
Morrison's Jig E Minor, composed by Traditional
Out On The Ocean G Major, composed by Traditional
The Tenpenny Bit A Minor, composed by Traditional
Humours Of Glendart D Major, composed by Traditional
The Blarney Pilgrim G Major, composed by Traditional
Trip To Sligo E Minor, composed by Traditional
The Eavesdropper A Major, composed by Traditional
Traditional Jig D Major, composed by Traditional
Snug In A Blanket D Major, composed by Traditional
The Boys Of Ballymote D Major, composed by Traditional
The Kesh Jig G Major, composed by Traditional
The Rocky Road To Dublin G Major, composed by Traditional
The Butterfly D Major, composed by Traditional
Caitlin Ni Aodha A Major, composed by Traditional
The Song Of The Chanter D Minor, composed by Traditional
Kennedy Street March A Major, composed by Dan Hughie MacEachern
Calliope House E Major, composed by Dave Richardson
Andy Dejarlis Jig D Major, composed by Traditional
The Clumsy Lover A Major, composed by Neil Dickie
Louis' Waltz D Major, composed by Traditional
Brenda Stubbert's Reel A Minor, composed by Jerry Holland
The Braes Of Dunvegan D Major, composed by Traditional
Memories Of Father Angus MacDonnell G Major, composed by Mike MacDougall
Thunderhead Or Jig Brest St. Marc D Major, composed by Grey Larson
The Lemonville Jig D Major, composed by Jack C. Hayes
The Sweetness Of Mary A Major, composed by Joan MacDonald Boes
Hughie Jim Paul A Major, composed by Joan MacDonald Boes
Ashokan Farewell D Major, composed by Jay Ungar
The Newly Wed's Reel G Major, composed by Traditional
Old French D Major, composed by Traditional
Mitton's Breakdown Bb Major, composed by Earl Mitton
The Dismissal G Major, composed by Sandy MacLean
Trip To Windsor A Major, composed by Dan R. MacDonald
'Se Mo Chas Chrubach Or The Trippers G Major, composed by Traditional
The Dusty Windowsill A Minor, composed by Traditional
The Long Water A Minor, composed by Sandy Brechin
Rory MacLeod A Major, composed by Donald MacLeod
The Seagull A Major, composed by Donald MacLeod
The Jig Run Rig D Major, composed by Fergie MacDonald
The Price Of A Pig A Minor, composed by Traditional
The Kitchen Maid A Major, composed by Traditional
Miss Sarah MacFadyen A Major, composed by Jennifer Wrigley
Ally Bally E Minor, composed by Farquhar MacDonald
The Banks Of Allan D Major, composed by Traditional
Miss Campbell Of Sheerness E Minor, composed by Traditional
Jim Anderson's Delight A Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Scarce O'Tatties A Minor, composed by Norman MacLean
I can play most of these, mind you. and Jean's reel in "F" as well.
The Well Travelled Fiddler and some of the other Taigh Na teud publications are quite good too.
I can assure you that in the Ho Ro books Jean's Reel is in F, 'cos I learnt it from there. And it's a bugger on the fiddle too - for me it's still a tune to practice on and not to play in public... (although I've occasionally forgotten myself, and made an embarrassing mess!)
Those books have such a great selection of tunes. I always recommend them to anyone looking for a good collection. "The Well Travelled Fiddler" is the other excellent book in the same series.
I can play Jean's reel quite well on my own too but never quite seem to get the right rhythm or "groove" going when someone else starts it. They might be wrong, of course. I'll just have to keep practising with my Bobby MacLeod records.
My problem is getting the intonation right in that bitch of a third part. Juggling between 2nd and 3rd positions means I tend to wander slowly away from the correct pitch, only to be brought back to earth with a jar on the 4th part. I think it would probably be easier playing it with some accompaniment, as then at least I'd have something to home in on...
One of these years it'll start to feel easy (he wishes), and then I'll know I've improved!
I've known The Apple Tree for some time, someone gave it to me at Clonmel last year. If it's the same tune I didn't realise it's Scottish. I think I'll submit the one I have.
Trevor
What an awesomely useful list - thanks! One thing that stands out is the composer of "The Golden Eagle". Just out of interest, where does that info come from?
Many thanks to Bren. That's what I've been looking for. But I can't find some of my favourite Scottish tunes such as "The Sound of Sleat," "Islay Rant," and "The Milltimber Jig." Aren't they the standard session tunes in Scotland?
Slainte - "The Sound of Sleat," "Islay Rant," and "The Milltimber Jig." - yes they are.
Bren - Nice one, with the list and all that - I've got those books. I don't hear too many of those on your list played at Scottish sessions, though. Too many Irish ones take up the evening.
Bri, yes of course. I'd forgotten the Highroad to Linton (and I submitted it in the first place!). The complete version might go well preceded by The Apple Tree (possible transposed down to G so as to highlight Linton in A).
Trevor
Actually Bren I meant "which 19th century manuscript does the info (originally) come from?", so that I can sort out something I've been wondering about. But that's really geeky and sad, so just ignore me
Dunno Dow, I thought it was a James Hill tune. Who is Pat McNulty (apart from the gardener of that name who used to do jobs in our street)?
All I did was cut & paste from the internet, it's not in any sort of useful order but has triggered some discussion as intended. I thought it made interesting browsing.
BTW, I've lost my copy of "well-travelled fiddler" so if one of you's got it hope you're enjoying it.
Sound of Sleat etc are in other books by the same authors, the Ceilidh Collection vols 1 -? or Ceil na fidhle.vols 1-6 (concentrates more on West Highland and pipe tunes for fiddle)
I should add that as Jim Dorans pointed out, you'll probably hear more Irish tunes at some Scottish sessions. But these are a hint of the sort of "different" tunes you might get.
For a biography of Pat McNulty, see: http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/inart724.htm
A web search with "Pat McNulty" and "piper" brings up over 70 hits. He's credited with two books:
The Dance Music of Ireland (1965)
Piper's Dream (1990)
Okay well in that case, Pat McNulty can't possibly have written "The Golden Eagle", since it appears in "Ryan's Mammoth Collection" (1883). If he did, he'd have to be a damn sight older than his 70s. Perhaps if he eats a lot of raw fish and started composing hornpipes shortly after being born
And how could a piper have written such a good mandolin tune? (several ironic smiley faces follow)
Dow, why don't you look up Chritine Martin and Anne Hughes and send them an email? I'm not sure how they go about attributing tunes, but I would have thought that where there's a copyright, they will make sure any publishing monies go to the copyright holder, even if that wasn't the actual author.
Well, according to the book "Vol 2 of Scottish Session tunes", the tune is taken from "Pat McNulty's "Collection of Irish Dance Music" published in 1965. He is also credited with the copyright in the notes. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that he composed the tune and this hasn't been made clear.
Yes, Bren. I agree that it's a great tune on the mandolin(and fiddle). Fergie McDonald composes a lot of great mandolin tunes as well.
Well, I don't actually mind, if a tune's author is genuinely unknown or long gone, that the one who does the work of compiling and publishing, in some cases reviving,the tune, gets a little something for it.
Cos, let's face it, "a little" is all it's ever gonna be.
I've got Pat McNulty's "Collection of Irish Dance Music", and the tunes composed by him are clearly marked with his name. All the others (including Golden Eagle) are not.
They were composed by Mr and Mrs Traditional and their sons and daughters. And the sons and daughters and nephews and nieces of their sons and daughters and things, over the years.
It's in Ho-Ro-Gaellidh's "Scottish Fiddler's Session Tune Book" (vols 1 & 2). I'm still trying to figure out what it's doing in a Scottish session book...
I'm reviving this to include the list of tunes on the re-issued companion volume "Cruinn Còmhla" - "The Well Travelled Fiddler":
Always Welcome,
Andy Renwick's Ferret,
Anne Fraser MacKenzie,
Archie Brown,
As a Thoiseach,
Bass Reel,
The Bird's Nest,
The Braes of Tullymet,
The Bridge of Inver,
Brose and Butter,
The Burning of the Piper's Hut,
Cailleach an Dùdain,
Captain MacBean's Reel,
Colonel L. Stewart's Reel,
Cuir 'sa Chiste Mhòr Mi,
Da Auld Resting Chair,
Da Brig, Da Rodd Ta Houll,
Da Shaalds o Foula,
Dawn Reel,
Dolina MacKay,
Dòmhnall na Gealaich,
Don't be Teasing,
Donald Stewart the Piper,
The Donegal Reel,
The Dougal Creature,
The Drover's Lads,
The Duke of Gordon's Birthday,
The Expert Dancer,
Far Frae Hame,
The Fiddler,
Fingal's Cave,
Fingal's Weeping,
Garster's Dream,
Gillean an Drbhair,
The Green Meadow,
Gul Fhin,
The Hag with the Money,
The Haggis,
The Highlander's Jig,
Hurlock's Reel ,
Jack Daniel's Reel,
James Gardiner's Lilt,
Jewel of a Hundred Years,
John Keith Laing,
Johnnie Finlay,
Keep It Up,
Kilfenora Jig,
King George IV's Strathspey,
The King's Reel,
The Kitchen Piper,
Lady Charlotte Campbell,
Lady Louden's Strathspey,
Leveneep Head,
Loch Earn,
Lord Gordon's Reel,
The Macfarlane's Rant,
Maid in a Box,
Major Molle,
The Man in the Moon,
The Miller,
Miss Cruickshank's Reel,
Miss MacLeod of Rosses,
Miss Scott of Usan,
Miss Spence's Reel,
Molly Rankine's Reel,
Mrs Forbes, Leith,
Mrs Muir MacKenzie,
Music for a Found Harmonium,
Neil Gow's Wife,
New Christmas Reel,
The Old King's Reel,
The Old Reel,
Oot by Esta Vong,
Paddy be sEasy,
Peter's Peerie Boat,
The Pigeon on the Gate,
The Pumpkin's Fancy,
Put Me in the Big Chest,
The Randy Wives of Greenlaw,
Sandyburn Reel,
The Sailor's Wife,
The Sands of Kuwait,
The Sands of Murness,
Sandy McGaff ,
Scott Skinner's Welcome to Inverness,
Seann Triubhais Uilleachain,
'Se an Righ a th'againn is fhèarr leinn,
Seud nan Ceud Bliadhna,
Shandon Bells,
Sheehan's Reel,
The Shetland Fiddlers' Society,
The Swallow's Tail,
Taigeis agus Dealg Innte,
Tarbolton Lodge,
Thrum's Cairn,
Timour the Tartar,
The Tongadale Reel,
Wha'll be King but Charlie,
Willie's Auld Trews,
The Wind on the Heath,
The Yetts of Muckart.
Scottish session tune list
Scottish session tune list
Alright,
1.nobody asked for this,
2.it's possibly been done already,
3.I know jeremy intended this site to be about "ITM" and
4.all I've done is crib the contents list off Christine Martin and Anne Hughes' excellent Ho-Ro-Geallaidh Books of session tunes 1 & 2, but ...
it's a fairly good representation of tunes you might hear at a Scottish session, including some of the oft-played Irish tunes. I haven't edited it to remove "composed by traditional" or listed it by tune type or alphabetically, so it's not great for reference but it may make interesting browsing. The order is from the contents of the books' pages which are roughly arranged in suggested sets:
Jean's Reel G Major, composed by Bobby MacLeod
The Spey In Spate D Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Bungalow A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
Fairy Dance D Major, composed by Traditional
Sleepy Maggie B Minor, composed by Traditional
Ships Are Sailing E Minor, composed by Traditional
Moving Cloud G Major, composed by Traditional
Lady Montgomerie Bb Major, composed by Traditional
Archie Menzies F Major, composed by Traditional
The New High Level G Major, composed by Andrew Rankine
The Hamilton Rant Or Dr. Bob Smith D Major, composed by J. Stanley Hamilton
Birkhall D Major, composed by J. Robertson
The Duke And Duchess Of Edinburgh G Major, composed by J. Robertson
Sir David Davidson Of Cantray D Major, composed by Traditional
The Bobers Of Brechin G Minor, composed by W. Marshall
Sheep Shanks A Major, composed by Traditional
The Wind That Shakes The Barley D Major, composed by Traditional
Inver Lasses A Major, composed by Traditional
Loch Leven Castle A Minor, composed by Traditional
The Apple Tree A Major, composed by Traditional
The Tongadale Reel A Minor, composed by Farquhar MacDonald
Glen Ogle D Major, composed by Traditional
Cran Hill D Major, composed by C.F. Sherritt
Lynne's Reel D Major, composed by Roger Crook
Jenny Dang The Weaver D Major, composed by Traditional
The Old Grey Cat E Minor, composed by Traditional
Lord MacDonald G Major, composed by Traditional
Miss Lyall A Minor, composed by Traditional
Miss Lyall II A Minor, composed by Traditional
Ruileadh Chailleach A Major, composed by Traditional
Rona Morgana E Minor, composed by Ronan Martin
Mrs. Charles Stewart, Pettyvaich F Major, composed by William Marshall
James F. Dickie A Major, composed by J. Murdoch Henderson
Prince Charlie E Minor, composed by Traditional
Gillian's Reel A Major, composed by P. Milne
Knockdhu Reel A Minor, composed by Ian Hardie
The Easy Club Reel A Major, composed by Jim Sutherland
Daldownys A Major, composed by Traditional
Mrs. Dundas Of Arniston Or The Highland Reel C Major, composed by Will Gow
Captain Campbell A Minor, composed by Traditional
Davy Work A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
Carnie's Canter F Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Left Handed Fiddler A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Laird O' Drumblair A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
Angus Campbell A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Forth Brig D Major, composed by W. Blyth
The Forth Brig Reel D Major, composed by W. Blyth
Nine Pint Coggie E Minor, composed by Traditional
The Spirit Of Pultney E Minor, composed by Traditional
MacLaine Of Lochbuie's Reel A Minor, composed by Traditional
Tom McKerron's Reel A Major, composed by Charlie McKerron
The North Shore D Major, composed by Traditional
I Wish You Would Marry Me Now A Minor, composed by Bremner Coll
Miss Georgina Campbell G Major, composed by Traditional
Kissing Is The Best Of A' G Major, composed by Traditional
The Hurdle Race A Major, composed by Traditional
Captain D. Stewart's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
Miss Shepherd A Minor, composed by J. Scott Skinner
Gladstone A Major, composed by J. Scott Skinner
The Mullindhu B Minor, composed by Traditional
Itchy Fingers A Major, composed by Traditional
The High Drive D Major, composed by Gordon Duncan
The Concertina A Major, composed by Traditional
Calum Donaldson A Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Mickie Ainsworth D Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
The Tushkar A Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Miss Susan Cooper D Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Millbrae A Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Gordon's Favourite G Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Aandowin At Da Bow G Major, composed by Traditional
Lasses Trust In Providence D Major, composed by Traditional
John Spence Of Uyeasound A Major, composed by Traditional
Da Full Rigged Ship A Minor, composed by Traditional
Da New Rigged Ship A Minor, composed by Traditional
Jack Broke Da Prison Door G Major, composed by Traditional
Sleep Sound In Da Mornin E Minor, composed by Traditional
Donald Blue D Major, composed by Traditional
The Spoot O' Skerry G Major, composed by Samuel Ian Rothmar Burns
Willafjord D Major, composed by Traditional
The Shetland Fiddler D Major, composed by Traditional
Da Ferry Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
Da Mirrie Boys O Greenland D Major, composed by Traditional
Bonnie Isle O' Whalsay A Major, composed by Traditional
Da Forfeit O Da Ship D Major, composed by Traditional
Lay Dee At Dee D Major, composed by Traditional
St. Anne's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
The Sally Gardens G Major, composed by Traditional
The Maid Behind The Bar D Major, composed by Traditional
Jackie Coleman's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
Drowsy Maggie E Minor, composed by Traditional
The High Reel A Major, composed by Traditional
Pretty Peg D Major, composed by Traditional
Gravel Walk G Major, composed by Traditional
Jenny's Chickens A Major, composed by Traditional
The Merry Blacksmith D Major, composed by Traditional
The Reconciliation A Major, composed by Traditional
Return To Milltown D Minor, composed by Traditional
The Humours Of Tulla D Major, composed by Traditional
The Boys Of Malin A Major, composed by Traditional
Dinkies A Major, composed by Francis Byrne
The Congress Reel A Minor, composed by Traditional
The Silver Spire D Major, composed by Traditional
The Cup Of Tea A Major, composed by Traditional
Dowd's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
The Teetotaller G Major, composed by Traditional
Sligo Maid G Major, composed by Traditional
MacFadden's Reel A Major, composed by Traditional
Branohm A Minor, composed by Maire Breatnach
The Earl's Chair B Minor, composed by Traditional
Dick Gossip's Reel D Major, composed by Traditional
Paddy's Trip To Scotland D Major, composed by Traditional
King Of The Fairies E Minor, composed by Traditional
The Rights Of Man E Minor, composed by Traditional
Chief O'Neill's Favourite D Major, composed by Traditional
The Firefly A Major, composed by Traditional
The High Level Hornpipe Bb Major, composed by James Hill
Saratoga Hornpipe F Major, composed by Traditional
Garfield's Hornpipe Bb Major, composed by Traditional
Robbie Murdoch D Major, composed by David A. Gordon
The Quarrelsome Piper G Major, composed by Traditional
The Gypsies E Minor, composed by Traditional
Fisher's Hornpipe D Major, composed by Traditional
The Hawk E Major, composed by James Hill
The Golden Eagle G Major, composed by Pat McNulty
The Poppy Leaf Hornpipe G Major, composed by Traditional
The Acrobat Hornpipe Bb Major, composed by Traditional
Lark In The Morning D Major, composed by Traditional
The Kid On The Mountain E Minor, composed by Traditional
The Foxhunter's Jig D Major, composed by Traditional
Morrison's Jig E Minor, composed by Traditional
Out On The Ocean G Major, composed by Traditional
The Tenpenny Bit A Minor, composed by Traditional
Humours Of Glendart D Major, composed by Traditional
The Blarney Pilgrim G Major, composed by Traditional
Trip To Sligo E Minor, composed by Traditional
The Eavesdropper A Major, composed by Traditional
Traditional Jig D Major, composed by Traditional
Snug In A Blanket D Major, composed by Traditional
The Boys Of Ballymote D Major, composed by Traditional
The Kesh Jig G Major, composed by Traditional
The Rocky Road To Dublin G Major, composed by Traditional
The Butterfly D Major, composed by Traditional
Caitlin Ni Aodha A Major, composed by Traditional
The Song Of The Chanter D Minor, composed by Traditional
Kennedy Street March A Major, composed by Dan Hughie MacEachern
Calliope House E Major, composed by Dave Richardson
Andy Dejarlis Jig D Major, composed by Traditional
The Clumsy Lover A Major, composed by Neil Dickie
Louis' Waltz D Major, composed by Traditional
Brenda Stubbert's Reel A Minor, composed by Jerry Holland
The Braes Of Dunvegan D Major, composed by Traditional
Memories Of Father Angus MacDonnell G Major, composed by Mike MacDougall
Thunderhead Or Jig Brest St. Marc D Major, composed by Grey Larson
The Lemonville Jig D Major, composed by Jack C. Hayes
The Sweetness Of Mary A Major, composed by Joan MacDonald Boes
Hughie Jim Paul A Major, composed by Joan MacDonald Boes
Ashokan Farewell D Major, composed by Jay Ungar
The Newly Wed's Reel G Major, composed by Traditional
Old French D Major, composed by Traditional
Mitton's Breakdown Bb Major, composed by Earl Mitton
The Dismissal G Major, composed by Sandy MacLean
Trip To Windsor A Major, composed by Dan R. MacDonald
'Se Mo Chas Chrubach Or The Trippers G Major, composed by Traditional
The Dusty Windowsill A Minor, composed by Traditional
The Long Water A Minor, composed by Sandy Brechin
Rory MacLeod A Major, composed by Donald MacLeod
The Seagull A Major, composed by Donald MacLeod
The Jig Run Rig D Major, composed by Fergie MacDonald
The Price Of A Pig A Minor, composed by Traditional
The Kitchen Maid A Major, composed by Traditional
Miss Sarah MacFadyen A Major, composed by Jennifer Wrigley
Ally Bally E Minor, composed by Farquhar MacDonald
The Banks Of Allan D Major, composed by Traditional
Miss Campbell Of Sheerness E Minor, composed by Traditional
Jim Anderson's Delight A Major, composed by Ronnie Cooper
Scarce O'Tatties A Minor, composed by Norman MacLean
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by Bren
Re: Scottish session tune list
How long did that take you?
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by jimbob
Re: Scottish session tune list
Jean's Reel in "G"? Ooooh, you cheat!
I can play most of these, mind you. and Jean's reel in "F" as well.
The Well Travelled Fiddler and some of the other Taigh Na teud publications are quite good too.
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by Johannes J
Re: Scottish session tune list
I can assure you that in the Ho Ro books Jean's Reel is in F, 'cos I learnt it from there. And it's a bugger on the fiddle too - for me it's still a tune to practice on and not to play in public... (although I've occasionally forgotten myself, and made an embarrassing mess!)
Those books have such a great selection of tunes. I always recommend them to anyone looking for a good collection. "The Well Travelled Fiddler" is the other excellent book in the same series.
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by rog
Re: Scottish session tune list
oops, didn't notice you'd already mentioned the well travelled fiddler, john...
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by rog
Re: Scottish session tune list
I can play Jean's reel quite well on my own too but never quite seem to get the right rhythm or "groove" going when someone else starts it. They might be wrong, of course. I'll just have to keep practising with my Bobby MacLeod records.
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by Johannes J
Re: Scottish session tune list
My problem is getting the intonation right in that bitch of a third part. Juggling between 2nd and 3rd positions means I tend to wander slowly away from the correct pitch, only to be brought back to earth with a jar on the 4th part. I think it would probably be easier playing it with some accompaniment, as then at least I'd have something to home in on...
One of these years it'll start to feel easy (he wishes), and then I'll know I've improved!
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by rog
Re: Scottish session tune list
I've known The Apple Tree for some time, someone gave it to me at Clonmel last year. If it's the same tune I didn't realise it's Scottish. I think I'll submit the one I have.
Trevor
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by lazyhound
Re: Scottish session tune list
What an awesomely useful list - thanks! One thing that stands out is the composer of "The Golden Eagle". Just out of interest, where does that info come from?
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by Dow
Re: Scottish session tune list
I've submitted "The Apple Tree".
Trevor
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by lazyhound
Re: Scottish session tune list
Dow: from this book (as Bren mentioned): http://www.scotlandsmusic.com/session.htm
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by rog
Re: Scottish session tune list
Quite a list.
# Posted on August 11th 2004 by Unseen122
Re: Scottish session tune list
Many thanks to Bren. That's what I've been looking for. But I can't find some of my favourite Scottish tunes such as "The Sound of Sleat," "Islay Rant," and "The Milltimber Jig." Aren't they the standard session tunes in Scotland?
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by slainte
Re: Scottish session tune list
Slainte - "The Sound of Sleat," "Islay Rant," and "The Milltimber Jig." - yes they are.
Bren - Nice one, with the list and all that - I've got those books. I don't hear too many of those on your list played at Scottish sessions, though. Too many Irish ones take up the evening.
Jim
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Worldfiddler
Re: Scottish session tune list
Bri, yes of course. I'd forgotten the Highroad to Linton (and I submitted it in the first place!). The complete version might go well preceded by The Apple Tree (possible transposed down to G so as to highlight Linton in A).
Trevor
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by lazyhound
Re: Scottish session tune list
Actually Bren I meant "which 19th century manuscript does the info (originally) come from?", so that I can sort out something I've been wondering about. But that's really geeky and sad, so just ignore me
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Dow
Re: Scottish session tune list
Dunno Dow, I thought it was a James Hill tune. Who is Pat McNulty (apart from the gardener of that name who used to do jobs in our street)?
All I did was cut & paste from the internet, it's not in any sort of useful order but has triggered some discussion as intended. I thought it made interesting browsing.
BTW, I've lost my copy of "well-travelled fiddler" so if one of you's got it hope you're enjoying it.
Sound of Sleat etc are in other books by the same authors, the Ceilidh Collection vols 1 -? or Ceil na fidhle.vols 1-6 (concentrates more on West Highland and pipe tunes for fiddle)
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Bren
Re: Scottish session tune list
I should add that as Jim Dorans pointed out, you'll probably hear more Irish tunes at some Scottish sessions. But these are a hint of the sort of "different" tunes you might get.
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Bren
Re: Scottish session tune list
Thanks for the list Bren, this is very inspiring.
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Cath
Re: Scottish session tune list
And not a daggy tune amongst them, not even any Shand (e.g. his chart topping Blue Bell Polka), who I do rate as a composer.
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by geoffwright
Re: Scottish session tune list
Shand didn't write the Bluebell, he just recorded it, unless I've misunderstood what you just said...
Dammit Bren I was hoping you'd be able to tell me who Pat McNulty is. Someone out there must know, surely.
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Dow
Re: Scottish session tune list
Hello geoff,
How many of these do you know?
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by cameron1
Re: Scottish session tune list
Pat McNulty is an uillean piper and fiddle player who lives in Glasgow. He'd be in his 70s now, I would think.
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Kenny
Re: Scottish session tune list
For a biography of Pat McNulty, see: http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/inart724.htm
A web search with "Pat McNulty" and "piper" brings up over 70 hits. He's credited with two books:
The Dance Music of Ireland (1965)
Piper's Dream (1990)
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by GraemeO
Re: Scottish session tune list
Okay well in that case, Pat McNulty can't possibly have written "The Golden Eagle", since it appears in "Ryan's Mammoth Collection" (1883). If he did, he'd have to be a damn sight older than his 70s. Perhaps if he eats a lot of raw fish and started composing hornpipes shortly after being born
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Dow
Re: Scottish session tune list
And how could a piper have written such a good mandolin tune? (several ironic smiley faces follow)
Dow, why don't you look up Chritine Martin and Anne Hughes and send them an email? I'm not sure how they go about attributing tunes, but I would have thought that where there's a copyright, they will make sure any publishing monies go to the copyright holder, even if that wasn't the actual author.
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Bren
Re: Scottish session tune list
Well, according to the book "Vol 2 of Scottish Session tunes", the tune is taken from "Pat McNulty's "Collection of Irish Dance Music" published in 1965. He is also credited with the copyright in the notes. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that he composed the tune and this hasn't been made clear.
Yes, Bren. I agree that it's a great tune on the mandolin(and fiddle). Fergie McDonald composes a lot of great mandolin tunes as well.
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Johannes J
Re: Scottish session tune list
Well, I don't actually mind, if a tune's author is genuinely unknown or long gone, that the one who does the work of compiling and publishing, in some cases reviving,the tune, gets a little something for it.
Cos, let's face it, "a little" is all it's ever gonna be.
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Bren
Re: Scottish session tune list
I've got Pat McNulty's "Collection of Irish Dance Music", and the tunes composed by him are clearly marked with his name. All the others (including Golden Eagle) are not.
They were composed by Mr and Mrs Traditional and their sons and daughters. And the sons and daughters and nephews and nieces of their sons and daughters and things, over the years.
So there.
Jim
# Posted on August 12th 2004 by Worldfiddler
Re: Scottish session tune list
Does anyone know where I would find music for earl mitton's breakdown?
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by louise89
Re: Scottish session tune list
It's in Ho-Ro-Gaellidh's "Scottish Fiddler's Session Tune Book" (vols 1 & 2). I'm still trying to figure out what it's doing in a Scottish session book...
# Posted on February 3rd 2006 by francissmall
Re: Scottish session tune list
Because it's a tune which gets played at Scottish sessions. It doesn't have to be Scottish!!!
# Posted on February 3rd 2006 by Johannes J
Re: Scottish session tune list
That's some bloody list !!! but very helpful ... i've been frantically searching for composers of tunes for days ... Thanks.
iain.
# Posted on August 2nd 2006 by Iain Anderson
Re: Scottish session tune list
I'm reviving this to include the list of tunes on the re-issued companion volume "Cruinn Còmhla" - "The Well Travelled Fiddler":
Always Welcome,
Andy Renwick's Ferret,
Anne Fraser MacKenzie,
Archie Brown,
As a Thoiseach,
Bass Reel,
The Bird's Nest,
The Braes of Tullymet,
The Bridge of Inver,
Brose and Butter,
The Burning of the Piper's Hut,
Cailleach an Dùdain,
Captain MacBean's Reel,
Colonel L. Stewart's Reel,
Cuir 'sa Chiste Mhòr Mi,
Da Auld Resting Chair,
Da Brig, Da Rodd Ta Houll,
Da Shaalds o Foula,
Dawn Reel,
Dolina MacKay,
Dòmhnall na Gealaich,
Don't be Teasing,
Donald Stewart the Piper,
The Donegal Reel,
The Dougal Creature,
The Drover's Lads,
The Duke of Gordon's Birthday,
The Expert Dancer,
Far Frae Hame,
The Fiddler,
Fingal's Cave,
Fingal's Weeping,
Garster's Dream,
Gillean an Drbhair,
The Green Meadow,
Gul Fhin,
The Hag with the Money,
The Haggis,
The Highlander's Jig,
Hurlock's Reel ,
Jack Daniel's Reel,
James Gardiner's Lilt,
Jewel of a Hundred Years,
John Keith Laing,
Johnnie Finlay,
Keep It Up,
Kilfenora Jig,
King George IV's Strathspey,
The King's Reel,
The Kitchen Piper,
Lady Charlotte Campbell,
Lady Louden's Strathspey,
Leveneep Head,
Loch Earn,
Lord Gordon's Reel,
The Macfarlane's Rant,
Maid in a Box,
Major Molle,
The Man in the Moon,
The Miller,
Miss Cruickshank's Reel,
Miss MacLeod of Rosses,
Miss Scott of Usan,
Miss Spence's Reel,
Molly Rankine's Reel,
Mrs Forbes, Leith,
Mrs Muir MacKenzie,
Music for a Found Harmonium,
Neil Gow's Wife,
New Christmas Reel,
The Old King's Reel,
The Old Reel,
Oot by Esta Vong,
Paddy be sEasy,
Peter's Peerie Boat,
The Pigeon on the Gate,
The Pumpkin's Fancy,
Put Me in the Big Chest,
The Randy Wives of Greenlaw,
Sandyburn Reel,
The Sailor's Wife,
The Sands of Kuwait,
The Sands of Murness,
Sandy McGaff ,
Scott Skinner's Welcome to Inverness,
Seann Triubhais Uilleachain,
'Se an Righ a th'againn is fhèarr leinn,
Seud nan Ceud Bliadhna,
Shandon Bells,
Sheehan's Reel,
The Shetland Fiddlers' Society,
The Swallow's Tail,
Taigeis agus Dealg Innte,
Tarbolton Lodge,
Thrum's Cairn,
Timour the Tartar,
The Tongadale Reel,
Wha'll be King but Charlie,
Willie's Auld Trews,
The Wind on the Heath,
The Yetts of Muckart.
# Posted on June 3rd 2008 by Bren