Re: Key/Mode for Irish Sessions
Originally Posted by
Bren
I would say you are pretty much correct.
There are some variations - but that approach has stood me in pretty good stead around the world.
Some examples of outliers I know that are often played in different keys:
Calliope House - original E or D? You just have to listen and see. Learn it in both.
My Dungannon Sweetheart. Original C or D?
etc
Or people play both keys (e.g Flatwater Fran, G then A cos that's what Phil did on the record)
The general tendency, if there is one, is for tunes written in non "open string" keys is for some player to revert them to G or D, if there's any change at all.
There are also those mythical Eb sessions (tuned up a half step so that D tunes sound Eb, for extra zing) which is not very mandolin-friendly, but I've never encountered one. Sharon Shannon (for example) does it on record sometimes.
Bren,
I was looking through Graham Townsend tunes on YouTube to try to find him playing "My Dungannon Sweetheart," with no luck. However, for your interest, here's Patti Kusturok playing it. I would be very surprised if she didn't learn it off a Graham Townsend record, so you can figure out the original key from her. Also, his version is printed in a book called "Graham Townsend's Thirty Canadian Fiddle Tunes."
I understand that you were making a point and may not care what the original key was. Still, if you're curious...
By the way, I had the pleasure of taking fiddle lessons from Eleanor Townsend, Graham's Dungannon Sweetheart, and sitting in their kitchen with him, discussing music, fatherhood (we both had small children), and life.
book: (https://www.musicfromcanada.com/stor...MBF_552).html)
If the video links don't work search, google "My Dungannon Sweetheart - Patti Kusturok's 365 Days Of Fiddle Tunes".
https://www.musicfromcanada.com/stor...(MBF_552).html "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVI6...=PattiKusturok
Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
"I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.
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