I'd heard Natalie MacMaster do "Danny Boy" with some fantastic ornaments (Cape Breton style I imagine). I've tried to put in some of the more standard ornaments from ITM but didn't get far. Anybody out there have done this or know of version of Danny Boy w/ Irish Trad type ornaments?
Well, others may well disagree with me on this (including yourself), but I find this tune works best played fairly straight.
I'll give it the odd finger twiddle, and a few double stops here and there, but mostly I just concentrate on making each note sound like a wail from a tortured soul who has been dispossessed of his ancestral lands by Cromwell's boys and has been gifted the tune by the Sidhe to give a release to the
anguish, that he might not just throw himself off a cliff or some other act of unmitigated grief.
Bear in mind that it was originally a harp tune and not intended to be played in the, ummmmmm, modern traditional style.
Of course "Danny Boy" is early 20th century American.
You're correct of course. The English author of the lyrics learned of the *tune* from an American (go figure) and fitted it to the lyrics he had already written..
I'm really off my feed today. For my next magical trick I'm going to set myself on fire.
It is a wonderful air, unfortunately played a little too much. I agree with KFG, don't clutter it up, play it fairly straight, and let it unfold at its own pace.
And I would ask of all musicians, even if you are tired of Danny Boy, please don't put it down or insult the person who requested it. It is requested because people love it, and many have had it played/sung over the grave of departed loved ones, so be gentle with them.
AL Brown
I heard three women sing it as a three part harmony at the Tir na nog in Wandsworth, it was incredibly beautiful - the first time in years that I'd actually enjoyed hearing it. I can't see anything wrong with ornamenting it - think of it as a fresh approach to an overfamiliar tune.
Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
I'd heard Natalie MacMaster do "Danny Boy" with some fantastic ornaments (Cape Breton style I imagine). I've tried to put in some of the more standard ornaments from ITM but didn't get far. Anybody out there have done this or know of version of Danny Boy w/ Irish Trad type ornaments?
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by Evi
Re: Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
Well, others may well disagree with me on this (including yourself), but I find this tune works best played fairly straight.
I'll give it the odd finger twiddle, and a few double stops here and there, but mostly I just concentrate on making each note sound like a wail from a tortured soul who has been dispossessed of his ancestral lands by Cromwell's boys and has been gifted the tune by the Sidhe to give a release to the
anguish, that he might not just throw himself off a cliff or some other act of unmitigated grief.
Bear in mind that it was originally a harp tune and not intended to be played in the, ummmmmm, modern traditional style.
Of course "Danny Boy" is early 20th century American.
KFG
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by KFG
Re: Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
Actually, its Early 20th Cent. Emglish... ;)
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by Pádraig
Re: Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
And that should be English
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by Pádraig
Re: Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
You're correct of course. The English author of the lyrics learned of the *tune* from an American (go figure) and fitted it to the lyrics he had already written..
I'm really off my feed today. For my next magical trick I'm going to set myself on fire.
KFG
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by KFG
Re: Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
George Handel is rumoured to have said, upon hearing the Derry Air, that he would die content if only he had written such a melody.
# Posted on January 29th 2005 by s1m0n
Re: Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
What did he say when he sniffed the Derry Air? Oh...that's another thread from a few weeks back.. Sorry.
# Posted on January 29th 2005 by GaryAMartin
Re: Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
Hey Gary...Thanks
I'm inspired
Ah! The lads from Doire are sniffing up a storm,
The world at last has seen the light, and we all agree to conform.
To play it straight and not create; do honor among the fair.
Blessed is he who gives his heart, ands minds his own Doire-aire.
MTC's WB
# Posted on January 29th 2005 by wvwhistler
Re: Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
It is a wonderful air, unfortunately played a little too much. I agree with KFG, don't clutter it up, play it fairly straight, and let it unfold at its own pace.
And I would ask of all musicians, even if you are tired of Danny Boy, please don't put it down or insult the person who requested it. It is requested because people love it, and many have had it played/sung over the grave of departed loved ones, so be gentle with them.
AL Brown
# Posted on January 31st 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Danny Boy w/ Ornaments
I heard three women sing it as a three part harmony at the Tir na nog in Wandsworth, it was incredibly beautiful - the first time in years that I'd actually enjoyed hearing it. I can't see anything wrong with ornamenting it - think of it as a fresh approach to an overfamiliar tune.
# Posted on February 1st 2005 by Cath