X: 1
T: Rosbeg
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Gmaj
G2{c} GF DG FD | (3EFG AB ED E.B- | B.A2 G- {c}GF DF | ~G3F DG FD |
! (3EFG AB cE DF- | F.G2A- AB AG :|: AB cE- EA G{A}B- | BG cd c{d}e 2G- |
! GG2A BA Bd- |1 dG DA- AF de | fd2A BD2E :|2 dG DA- AF ED | DD-D6 ||
Rosbeg
This great tune, written by Brian Finnegan, was recorded in Bb: played on an F whistle
with G "fingers." I was not allowed to choose "air" and so labelled it as a reel to get the
4/4 time signature. It's definitely a reel. The rhythm to the B-part is uneven and yet
the note lengths fit into a 4/4 form. I didn't try to write it down with varying time signtures.
I'd love for someone to work out the alto-flute harmony part.
There's a few nice variations:
from 2nd measure in A part: | (3EFG AB ED E.B | dAB G- {c}GF dF |
in B part, 1st ending: |1 dG DA- AF de | fd2g f{d}e2d :|
# Posted on December 26th 2003 by jdicarlo
Errata
the 3rd line above should read: "it's definitely NOT a reel."
# Posted on December 26th 2003 by jdicarlo
Key ?
Great tune but it doesn't feel as if it's written in G. What's the name of the record this is on?
I just transposed the melody to the alto clef for Viola / Mandola but haven't attempted the harmony for it yet. And you're right, definately not a reel.
# Posted on December 26th 2003 by 2situla
Type of tune
This tune isn't a reel, or a slow air, or any other classification of standard Irish dance tune - it's simply a love song, and one of my faves to play and hear, too! Thanks for putting it up! It also wasn't meant to be played in G on a D flute or whistle, although it can be done so. The key of Bb is, IMHO, an essential part of what this tune is - if one takes the time to explore the different keys & tonalities in which we play on our diatonic flutes, whistles and uilleann pipes, one may find that each key becomes its own 'instrument', in a way. I'm sure Brian had this in mind when writing the tune in Bb.
# Posted on December 28th 2003 by jamminben
True indeed. On virtually every instrument each note has its own special tone colour, provided by the harmonics, and the key you decide on for a tune will determine to a large extent the harmonics and how they interact. Even more so with the stringed instruments because of its natural reverberations.
Trevor
# Posted on December 28th 2003 by lazyhound
I understand the comments about the "special tone color" of each note and how on a
particular instrument the key of G is much different from the key of Bb. In this case however
the tune is played on an instrument designed to play F as the tonic. The harmonic structure
of the overtones would be such that an F on an F whistle has the same pattern as a D on a
D whistle (if my physics is up to snuff). In addition, the nature of diatonic instruments, like
whistles, cause the gymnastics involved in fingering a tune in some weird key to completely
ruin the experience of playing the tune, not to mention ornamenting it "properly". That's why
I set the ABC's in G, because those are the notes that I play - the instrument transposed the
tune for me. If you play any other instrument than the F whistle I wholeheartedly recommend
transposing this tune to the key it was written in, Bb.
# Posted on February 1st 2004 by jdicarlo
I love this tune! It can be a bit tricky with the rythm at times - my advice; forget the notes to this one and just play along Mr. Finnegan. I play it on a keyless D flute in G - and although it doesn't sound quite like Flook
it still sounds ok. What guitar chords would you guys put on it (in G)?
# Posted on December 23rd 2006 by bayswater
Rosbeg Key Bb
X:1
T: Rosbeg
C:
L:1/8
Q:1/4=140
M:4/4
K:Bb
|: B2 BA FB AF | (3GAB cd GF Gd | dc2B BA FA |
B3A FB AF | (3GAB cd eG FA | AB2c cd cB :||
|: cd eG Gc Bd | dB ef eg B2 | BB2c dc df |1
fB Fc cA fg | af2c dF2G :|2 fB Fc cA GF | FF F6 |]
Cheers
# Posted on May 25th 2007 by Michael Heytman