Some tunes are more suited to the box or pipes for example but do you know any that crossover to banjo maybe or fiddle, just wondrin'. A couple of my favourites are Humours of Ballyloughlin and Banish Misfortune. Of course they're great tunes anyway and would sound good on a triangle!
Usually but not always. The banjo is a tricky one as I tend to find a tune needs to be quite "busy" for them to work on the banjo - no long notes or at least not too many. Polkas and slides can sound awful on banjo if they are played too slow.
One I heard recently that I can't get out of my head is the Humours of Swanlinbar which to my mind would work on anything.
I play flute, and I find it very hard to play every note on Dinkie's. Well, that's Donegal tune isn't it? No wonder that my mate that plays fiddle says it's very easy to play Dinkie's on fiddle. But I find it very very hard on flute.
I've yet to find a tune that's transferable to the bodhran. Does that mean all tunes are crap?
Bile, I don't know a lot about the flute or whistle. I've not persevered with the latter. However, many tunes which have a G#(It alternates with G nat in the second part) seem to trouble whistle and flute players, although they are easy on the fiddle and mandolin.
Conan's thoughtless remark above will probably set back the cause of Irish music at least two centuries. How many poor young (and maybe not-so-young) potential triangle players will simply not bother now, ashamed to be pinging a PVC triangle. I would challenge anyone to tell the difference between a well played PVC* triangle, and one made from the more traditional Blackwood, Gropane or Australian Red Prancewood. In fact, many people don't realise that HDPESPC triangles featured in almost all seminal recordings of Irish music, from Dan Sullivan's Shamrock band, via the Early Chieftains, right through to the post-modern stylings of Lunasa. The reason, of course, not being cost, but the robustness of the plastic material in the frequently fraught and violent studio environment. Who indeed would not be wary of a casually lobbed grand piano landing on his precious Blackwood Triangle?
So come on Conan, don't take it so seriously ....
*actually high density polyethylandstanapropolene or HDPESPC - as used extensively in pantyhose, which certainly should not be a cause of embarrassment simply because of a few fatuous comments from those who should know better.
You're being disingeuous there, Conan. Granted the original "Auld Diangle" had only 2 sides, but the addition of the spacer to allow insertion and rattling of the little stick effectively redered the beast triangular. It was only a matter of time before it became socially acceptable to hit the third side as well (obviously not at Conhaltas events), and in effect the 'traditional triangle' became as much part of the scene as the banjolin and sackbutt.
Look, Mark, I'm not going to argufy with ye, but your grasp of trigonometry leaves a lot to be desired, and any fule know that the banjolin is only played in Ballylongford, and even then very rarely, e.g. state visits or the return of an Olympic champion.
And it's wannabe trad muso's who are the worst. Like My Colefield for example. Not content with the standard tubular bell, he bent it into a triangle just to look traditional
Sorry Michael, but that was definitely a Boehm System triangle, it had the give-away metallic sheen, even if the keys were not visible.
And My Colefield was no more an Irish Traditional Composer (ITC) than that charletan Jean 'Micho' Jarre, in my well balanced opinion.
All of this discussion of PVC triangles is beside the point. The main thing here is - stay away from the Pakistani or Chinese manufactured varieties so abundant on eBay these days. You can't tune 'em proper and they don't hold up more than a month.
I wondered if anyone had tried the new 'crystal' triangles ...?
They are made from pyrex, so can be used for cooking, and come painted with the sweetest flower or celtic symbols, some with 2carat gold-style hand applicated transfers.
I was initially very pleased, until that penultimate bar in The Bucks where all the triangles traditionally do their solo, and my crystal triangle shattered into thousands of shards, which showered into my Guinness. I had to strain my drink through my t-shirt, which hardly fitted into my mouth, to avoid shredding my innards.
Needless to say, I am going back to the good old traditional PVC as soon as I am allowed back in the pub.
I have it on good authority that the Irish triangle we know and love was actually developed from the English rhombus by a sixteenth century Irish peasant who ran out of stainless steel before he could make the fourth side. None of his mates could count past three, so no one noticed the innovation.
You think you're joking Mark. When I was last in Hobgobbler in Manchester there was a glass flute, which, on closer inquiry, turns out to be made of pyrex.
Well, what a lot of witty quills out there!!!!!!! I wish I had written that they'd sound good anyway although it could've been worse I could have suggested the hammer dulcimer; and since I met Conan at Frankie last Dec this has confirmed he does no work whatsoever...great!!
If I had a penny for every time I'd heard that hoary old chestnut, I'd have one and thruppence ha'penny by now.
I really can't fathom why Divilthebit brought up the triangle in the first place! He hijacked his own thread before the end of the first post, which must be a record of sorts.
But to answer his original query as to which tunes might sound good on the geometric instrument, might I suggest:
The Three Points of Roguery,
and
The Banshee's Wail over the Triangle Pit
Oh my goodness...I'm laughing too hard to go get ready for work...This thread has weakened me. Guess I'll just stay home and admire the purple papier mache triangle that my son made for me in school yesterday. It has neither tones nor overtones when struck with a lead pencil (provided), but I didn't want to damage his self esteem by calling his attention to that little problem. Children are so delicate...)
I am going to wrap my flute in black eletrical tape so you guys will let me play. maybe that would work for the 2 sided ceramic gold decorated triangle.
ASDA do a great starter kit for budding triangulists. You get 6 in a pack. I believe they are produced by a company called Dairylea. Forgive me if that has gone allready.
Now everyone, get back on track!
We are discussing crossOVER tunes, not crossDRESSING tunes!
And regarding triangles, they are best left to people who live in Louisiana, who use button accordions as backing instruments.
Crossover tunes
Crossover tunes
What about yiz?
Some tunes are more suited to the box or pipes for example but do you know any that crossover to banjo maybe or fiddle, just wondrin'. A couple of my favourites are Humours of Ballyloughlin and Banish Misfortune. Of course they're great tunes anyway and would sound good on a triangle!
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by divilthebit
Re: Crossover tunes
Sometimes you do find tunes which are best suited to one particular instrument. These are usually crap tunes. All the best ones are transferable
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: Crossover tunes
Usually but not always. The banjo is a tricky one as I tend to find a tune needs to be quite "busy" for them to work on the banjo - no long notes or at least not too many. Polkas and slides can sound awful on banjo if they are played too slow.
One I heard recently that I can't get out of my head is the Humours of Swanlinbar which to my mind would work on anything.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Crossover tunes
I play flute, and I find it very hard to play every note on Dinkie's. Well, that's Donegal tune isn't it? No wonder that my mate that plays fiddle says it's very easy to play Dinkie's on fiddle. But I find it very very hard on flute.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Bile
Re: Crossover tunes
"they're great tunes anyway and would sound good on a triangle!"
Have you ever heard Banish Misfortune played on a triangle?
I have.
A lady used to come along to our session and play ( !!! ) triangle.
It was awful.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by showaddydadito
Re: Crossover tunes
It was probably one of those el cheapo PVC triangles.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Crossover tunes
I've yet to find a tune that's transferable to the bodhran. Does that mean all tunes are crap?
Bile, I don't know a lot about the flute or whistle. I've not persevered with the latter. However, many tunes which have a G#(It alternates with G nat in the second part) seem to trouble whistle and flute players, although they are easy on the fiddle and mandolin.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Johannes J
Re: Crossover tunes
Conan's thoughtless remark above will probably set back the cause of Irish music at least two centuries. How many poor young (and maybe not-so-young) potential triangle players will simply not bother now, ashamed to be pinging a PVC triangle. I would challenge anyone to tell the difference between a well played PVC* triangle, and one made from the more traditional Blackwood, Gropane or Australian Red Prancewood. In fact, many people don't realise that HDPESPC triangles featured in almost all seminal recordings of Irish music, from Dan Sullivan's Shamrock band, via the Early Chieftains, right through to the post-modern stylings of Lunasa. The reason, of course, not being cost, but the robustness of the plastic material in the frequently fraught and violent studio environment. Who indeed would not be wary of a casually lobbed grand piano landing on his precious Blackwood Triangle?
So come on Conan, don't take it so seriously ....
*actually high density polyethylandstanapropolene or HDPESPC - as used extensively in pantyhose, which certainly should not be a cause of embarrassment simply because of a few fatuous comments from those who should know better.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
Them's not tradish-nil inster-ments anyhar. The orij-nil tradish-nil Irish triangle only had two sides.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Crossover tunes
Pentangle had a triangle, but they're squares.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Crossover tunes
You're being disingeuous there, Conan. Granted the original "Auld Diangle" had only 2 sides, but the addition of the spacer to allow insertion and rattling of the little stick effectively redered the beast triangular. It was only a matter of time before it became socially acceptable to hit the third side as well (obviously not at Conhaltas events), and in effect the 'traditional triangle' became as much part of the scene as the banjolin and sackbutt.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
Look, Mark, I'm not going to argufy with ye, but your grasp of trigonometry leaves a lot to be desired, and any fule know that the banjolin is only played in Ballylongford, and even then very rarely, e.g. state visits or the return of an Olympic champion.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Crossover tunes
And it's wannabe trad muso's who are the worst. Like My Colefield for example. Not content with the standard tubular bell, he bent it into a triangle just to look traditional
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: Crossover tunes
Hey Conán, your language skills have improved since the last time I talked to you.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by blas
Re: Crossover tunes
Sorry Michael, but that was definitely a Boehm System triangle, it had the give-away metallic sheen, even if the keys were not visible.
And My Colefield was no more an Irish Traditional Composer (ITC) than that charletan Jean 'Micho' Jarre, in my well balanced opinion.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
shouldn't that be Mike O'Ldfield?
Banjolin and Sackbutt?
That's a well known firm of solicitors in Basingstoke.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by showaddydadito
Re: Crossover tunes
The best synthetic material for the triangle and bodhran is polybutaketlon.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: Crossover tunes
All of this discussion of PVC triangles is beside the point. The main thing here is - stay away from the Pakistani or Chinese manufactured varieties so abundant on eBay these days. You can't tune 'em proper and they don't hold up more than a month.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by pbassnote
Re: Crossover tunes
And, for god's sake, don't clean them with alchohol. They'll fall to bits.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: Crossover tunes
I wondered if anyone had tried the new 'crystal' triangles ...?
They are made from pyrex, so can be used for cooking, and come painted with the sweetest flower or celtic symbols, some with 2carat gold-style hand applicated transfers.
I was initially very pleased, until that penultimate bar in The Bucks where all the triangles traditionally do their solo, and my crystal triangle shattered into thousands of shards, which showered into my Guinness. I had to strain my drink through my t-shirt, which hardly fitted into my mouth, to avoid shredding my innards.
Needless to say, I am going back to the good old traditional PVC as soon as I am allowed back in the pub.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
I have it on good authority that the Irish triangle we know and love was actually developed from the English rhombus by a sixteenth century Irish peasant who ran out of stainless steel before he could make the fourth side. None of his mates could count past three, so no one noticed the innovation.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Bob himself
Re: Crossover tunes
At least you can say you played some sharps, normally very difficult on a PVC yoke.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Crossover tunes
Nah, they deconstructed a Star of David from North Belfast.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Crossover tunes
thnaks Blass, I apperciate the mumpliment!
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Crossover tunes
You think you're joking Mark. When I was last in Hobgobbler in Manchester there was a glass flute, which, on closer inquiry, turns out to be made of pyrex.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by showaddydadito
Re: Crossover tunes
year bhelcum
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by blas
Re: Crossover tunes
Well, what a lot of witty quills out there!!!!!!! I wish I had written that they'd sound good anyway although it could've been worse I could have suggested the hammer dulcimer; and since I met Conan at Frankie last Dec this has confirmed he does no work whatsoever...great!!
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by divilthebit
Re: Crossover tunes
If I had a penny for every time I'd heard that hoary old chestnut, I'd have one and thruppence ha'penny by now.
I really can't fathom why Divilthebit brought up the triangle in the first place! He hijacked his own thread before the end of the first post, which must be a record of sorts.
But to answer his original query as to which tunes might sound good on the geometric instrument, might I suggest:
The Three Points of Roguery,
and
The Banshee's Wail over the Triangle Pit
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
Or how about making people play the bodhran in the Bermuda triangle?
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: Crossover tunes
Could the application of a hot iron turn the pantyhose mentioned way above into a triangle, would it have the same beautiful overtones?
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by full measure
Re: Crossover tunes
I dunno, but take them off before applying the iron, or you might be supplying the overtones yourself...
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
but could be an interesting experiment, don't you think?
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: Crossover tunes
Definitely worth a go ....
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
You hold him down .....
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
where's that tipper thingy?
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: Crossover tunes
Yuk - I think it might be best just to buy a new one.
Unless you WANT to try and get it out ....
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
euuuggghhhh....
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: Crossover tunes
Aw well, er, Div! At least I'm up front about it; you just pretend to work. :¬)
I did also try to give you a serious-ish answer but that's the way it goes - throw someone a bone and they'll run with it.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Crossover tunes
Oh my goodness...I'm laughing too hard to go get ready for work...This thread has weakened me. Guess I'll just stay home and admire the purple papier mache triangle that my son made for me in school yesterday. It has neither tones nor overtones when struck with a lead pencil (provided), but I didn't want to damage his self esteem by calling his attention to that little problem. Children are so delicate...)
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by thier1754
Re: Crossover tunes
I am going to wrap my flute in black eletrical tape so you guys will let me play. maybe that would work for the 2 sided ceramic gold decorated triangle.
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by jehanna
Re: Crossover tunes
"*actually high density polyethylandstanapropolene or HDPESPC - as used extensively in pantyhose"
Oooooooo, I've never tried making a pantyhose triangle. I'll have to have a go at that.
KFG
# Posted on January 26th 2006 by KFG
Re: Crossover tunes
compare and contrast: pantyhose : sackbutt
sorry.
# Posted on January 27th 2006 by full measure
Re: Crossover tunes
menage a twa ? with panty hose? hmmm
# Posted on January 27th 2006 by jehanna
Re: Crossover tunes
Depends on who is playing the triangle.
# Posted on January 27th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: Crossover tunes
I knew a lady who used to refer to a certain part of the female anatomy as the Be-Ruder Triangle.
# Posted on January 27th 2006 by showaddydadito
Re: Crossover tunes
Oh, the Mapatasi ?
# Posted on January 27th 2006 by Ottery
Re: Crossover tunes
ASDA do a great starter kit for budding triangulists. You get 6 in a pack. I believe they are produced by a company called Dairylea. Forgive me if that has gone allready.
# Posted on January 27th 2006 by Newty
Re: Crossover tunes
Now everyone, get back on track!
We are discussing crossOVER tunes, not crossDRESSING tunes!
And regarding triangles, they are best left to people who live in Louisiana, who use button accordions as backing instruments.
# Posted on January 27th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Crossover tunes
Hey conan what has the triangle done to you man.
Or more to the point what has the triangle done for anyone ?
# Posted on January 28th 2006 by Ripthecalico