[NSP] BBC Antiques Roadshow
Next week's issue of 'Radio Times' lists 'Antiques Roadshow' this coming Sunday - the 20th - as coming from Delaval Hall. Julia took some pipes along which generated interest, although there are no guarantees that they will appear. BBC1, 8pm, Sunday 20th - possibly worth a look, Richard To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] NPS Concert reminder
Hi All, Forgive the plug, but this is a reminder that the NPS Annual Concert takes place in St Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead on Saturday 8th October at 7:30pm. For those within reach of Gateshead, this will be a super evening of fine piping and traditional music. The artists appearing are: Pauline Cato, who needs no further introduction on this list!, The Bottle Bank Band - brilliant fiddling from four top rank fiddlers including two BBC Young Folk Musician of the Year winners, Jarlath Henderson - a remarkable uilleann piper and also winner of BBC Young Folk Musician of the Year, Paul Martin - a border piper from Horseplay and Wulfengrimm whosr dexterity is amazing, Tristan Selden - one of the finest young NSP players of a new generation. Tickets are only £10, and can be reserved by contacting Susan Craven on 01 six 70 7 six 1872 or by email on su...@northumbriansandpipers.com A concert not to be missed! Thanks for reading this, and we hope to see you there! Richard To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Harvest tunes
Hi Richard, I think Cut and Dry Dolly is named for the celebration of the last cut of corn/grain/hay, whatever it was. Here's an abc of the tune as given in Bruce and Stokoe's Northumbrian Minstrelsy: X:1 T:Cut and Dry Dolly M:2/4 L:1/8 R:Reel S:Bruce Stokoe - Northumbrian Minstrelsy (1882) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:G g|d/B/A/G/ B2|d/B/A/G/ g/f/e/f/|gG B2|Gddg| d/B/A/G/ B2|d/B/A/G/ g/f/e/f/|gA c2|Aee:| |:f|gefd|ecdB|gG B2|Bd de/f/| gefd|ecdB|gA c2|Aee:|| There are also variations for it the NPS Repertoire of Variation Sets book - copies are still available from the NPS. Cheers, Richard Original Message From: rich...@lizards.force9.co.uk Date: 01/09/2011 12:44 To: NSP groupnsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Harvest tunes Our band is playing for a Harvest Festival in a church in MK later this month, partly to accompany their hymns, and partly to play a few seasonally relevant tunes at some point. Other than the obvious Harvest Home h'pipe and one or two others, I'm not finding many good tune titles yet, and would welcome suggestions. Useful ones would be good, though I suspect the usual suspects will think of others too... Not necessarily nsp repertoire, just anything you know of, please. (Playford and John Offord both seem to have very little to offer, surprisingly, I was expecting loads of trad titles to leap out at me, as they do for some other times of the year.) With thanks, Richard, -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Info: BBC Prom tonight
Hi, Just information - there is a late night BBC Prom to be broadcast tonight (Tuesday 2nd August 2011) at 22:15 BST, lasting until 23:45. Its theme is music collected and arranged by Percy Grainger and it is performed by June Tabor (singer), the Wilson Family (Shanty singers), the Katrhyn Tickell Band (needs no introduction), the BBC Singers (men's voices) and the Northern Sinfonia. My impression is that the traditional musicians might be reverse engineering Grainger's work to revitalise it in a more modern 'folk' context. A very short feature on the BBC Breakfast programme this morning showed Kathryn playing a tune collected by Grainger in a way reflecting a traditional style of piping, as in the old tunes with their lilts and pauses and variations. Richard To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: [NPS-Discussion] KVR online
Hi Julia, Thanks for these links - what a super find! The links do work if you just copy the entire link (not just the blue part) and paste it into the URL address box of your browser. Cheers, Richard Original Message From: julia@nspipes.co.uk Date: 29/06/2011 17:24 To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NPS-Discussion] KVR online Kohler's Violin Repository, a hard to find but much used source of tunes for fiddlers in this area in the C19. It was sold in weekly or monthly instalments and then copies were passed from hand to hand. http://imslp.org/imglnks/usimg/d/db/IMSLP106889-PMLP217734- koehlersviolinrepository_1.pdf http://imslp.org/imglnks/usimg/9/96/IMSLP106890-PMLP217734- koehlersviolinrepository_2.pdf http://imslp.org/imglnks/usimg/0/02/IMSLP106891-PMLP217734- koehlersviolinrepository_3.pdf The editor possibly knew James Hill, certainly he lived in N. Shields for many years. Disclaimer - not original research on my part - I found the URL on a folk forum I occasionally frequent (mudcat.org) Hope it's of interest to someone, anyway. Julia ___ Discussion mailing list discuss...@northumbrianpipers.org.uk http://northumbrianpipers.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/discussion_northumbrianpipers.org.uk To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: abc visualizer
Hi Dave, Thabks for posting info about this. It looks most useful - a super find. Just for general info it downloaded painlessly and installed rapidly and cleanly - my OS on this conmputer is Vista. Richard Original Message From: david...@pt.lu Date: 28/05/2011 15:30 To: Dartmouth nsp list N.P.S. sitensp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] abc visualizer Hi all, For ABC fans I came across this FREE player from Myriad -- it will load midis abc and other types of music files -- and give the notation from the abc or midi -- and play them back - can handle multiple staves http://www.myriad-online.com/en/products/melodyplayer.htm It will handle fairly large abc's -- excellent for practise as it has a metronome Try it out -- enjoy Dave S To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Thomas Saunders
Hello All, There's a super tune called Thomas Saunders, and for a project with Alnwick Pipers I need to know who wrote it - I'm assuming that it was not Mr. Trad. I've found nothing by digging around on the web, and I've also asked a number of individuals I thought might know. It remains a mystery. Can anyone help, please? Thanks, Richard To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Thomas Sander !
Hello All I'd like to thank all the people who replied to my question. I've gleaned some of the recent history of the tune, and rediscovered a couple of websites I've not visited for a while. Especial thanks to Ian Lawther, though, whose very specific reply has solved my problem - I'm really grateful, Richard To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Sharing Thomas Sander
Thanks to Ian I knew what to look for, and found this YouTube recording of the Tunes of Glory pipe band playing a medley that starts with Thomas Sander: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxwiA7wTKHc I'm afraid I can't write abc, so I can't post a transcription of it. It's a 4/4 march in D. Richard To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Kathryn Tickell award
Hi All, A quick note. The Newcastle Journal (local morning newspaper) today carries the news that they have honoured Kathryn Tickell in their Journal Culture Awards for 2010. She has been given their Award for Special Contribution to Arts and Culture. She is featured in a large front page photo and there is a full page spread about her in the 'Culture Awards' supplement. As far as I can see they haven't yet put this on their website. Congratulations to Kathryn! Richard To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Fame
Hi N713PNL and NSP1, Excellent ideas, both! Sorry I've just found this - I've only logged on for the first time today. I've just been reminded that tomorrow is Chantry night - will N731PNL and his co-driver be going? I bet NSP1 is jealous as he's just got London Pipers to look forward to, even if Inky-Adrian turns up Cheers WV04KCZ Original Message From: oatenp...@googlemail.com Date: 28/02/2010 13:51 To: tim rolls BTtim.ro...@btconnect.com Cc: Dartmouth NPSnsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Re: Fame Or the more expensive option . . . change both to NSP1 Francis On 28 Feb 2010, at 13:24, tim rolls BT wrote: Money saving tip. Rather than spending hundreds, or even thousands, on a personalised number plate for your car, simply change your name by deed poll to the registration you already have. N713PNL To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Is this spam?
Hi Wayne, Hi All, I think that this post is some sort of 'spam' which seems to have been posted to the NSP/Dartmouth list address - and presumably not by a bona fide subscriber to the list. Clicking the link brings up an advertisement and I don't want adverts. I'm not sure if I can block and report this without thereby blocking my access to 'Dartmouth' itself. Is it possible that Wayne or anyone else could advise on how best to deal with it, please? Thanks, Richard Original Message From: edit...@hotmail.com Date: 31/01/2010 12:05 To: bmontcombr...@gmail.com, croco.dun...@msa.hinet.net, d. ge...@gmail.com, d...@irishflutestore.com, kwh...@monarch.net, nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu, irishflutest...@gmail.com, p...@wave.co.nz, qim...@snet.net, toadh...@mts.net Subj: http://sites.google.com/site/yyt56et4tw/ammt8k _ Say Happy New Year with Messenger for Mobile. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9706117 To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: reporting spam
Hi Wayne, Thanks for sorting this out ... and for maintaining the list, as well, Richard Original Message From: wst...@cs.dartmouth.edu Date: 31/01/2010 16:09 To: richard.hea...@tiscali.co.ukrichard.hea...@tiscali.co.uk Cc: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] reporting spam Hi Richard and everyone - It is best to send any complaints about unwanted messages directly to me for several reasons .. - I don't read the nsp list in real time so I may not see anything posted to the list for a day or two, especially when I am busy. - When you copy the offending message to the list you are effectively sending out spam yourself! You may find that future posts you make may be blocked to some people because of that. - I will eventually see the offending message anyways. And once it hits the list robot I have only a few minutes to stop it, and the chance of seeing at in that time window is not good. It is not possible for me to remove it once it has been put on your mail server. This message was sent by an apparently valid list member. Perhaps his computer has been taken over by a virus. One of the best defenses I have against this sort of message is blocking messages from people who aren't members of the nsp list, but this fellow, unfortunately, was a member. I am sorry that you all have to see this message, and I would advise against clicking on any links that you are suspicious of, no matter what their origin. Wayne On Jan 31, 2010, at 7:56 AM, richard.hea...@tiscali.co.uk wrote: Hi Wayne, I posted this query on the list, but someone then suggested I post it directly to you and that you could deal with it. Sorry to bother you with it Richard Hi Wayne, Hi All, I think that this post is some sort of 'spam' which seems to have To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Concert at Alnwick - a PS
When I posted this information yesterday I forgot to include a contact number - sorry! Tickets are available from Alnwick Playhouse, Telephone: 01665 510785 Website at http://www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk I've also amended the information (below) so that it is accurate in case you want to send it to anyone else. This is to let you know about the traditional music concert on February 5th hosted by Alnwick Pipers' Society at the Alnwick Playhouse. The concert features the Alnwick Pipers' Society Band, Bob Bolam, Peter Athey, Malcolm Bennet, Avril Huntley, the Monkseaton Morris Men, Adrian Ions, and Fiddlezonely. It's compered by Alex Swailes. It offers a good Northumbrian evening of music and humour. Proceeds were to go to the APS Young Musician Fund, but it has been decided instead to give them to the Haiti earthquake emergency fund. Tickets cost £8 (Adult), £7 (Children/Concession). Alnwick Playhouse Telephone: 01665 510785 Website at http://www. alnwickplayhouse.co.uk I hope you might be able to get there - it's always good fun. Richard To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Concert at Alnwick
Hello All, but especially those of you within reach of Alnwick, This is to let you know about the traditional music concert on February 5th hosted by Alnwick Pipers' Society at the Alnwick Playhouse. The concert features the Alnwick Pipers' Society Band, Bob Bolam, Peter Athey, Malcolm Bennet, Avril Huntley, the Monkseaton Morris Men, Adrian Ions, and Fiddlezonely. It's compered by Alex Swailes. It offers a good Northumbrian evening of music and humour. Proceeds were to go to the APS Young Musician Fund, but it has been decided instead to give them to the Haiti earthquake emergency fund. Tickets cost £8 (Adult), £7 (Children/Concession). Alnwick Playhouse 7: 30pm. I hope you might be able to get there - it's always good fun. Richard To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Changes at recent NPS meeting
Hi All, If Julia's link does not work, then try adding .htm immediately after the word 'news' - it worked for me, Richard Original Message From: julia@nspipes.co.uk Date: 17/01/2010 21:07 To: nSP groupnsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Changes at recent NPS meeting These may be found at: www.northumbrianpipers.org.uk/news Anyone wishing to discuss it should please do so on the NPS list (details available from me - offlist), not this one, so that non-members are not inconvenienced. Julia To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html 2009: A year in review - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/2009
[NSP] Re: Tyne Electrical Engineers
Hello Jim, Thanks for your response to my question in the Newsletter about the TEE pipers' badge. I'm afraid I don't have any information as to the size or date of the badge - I only know the information the auctioneers' website gave. I've also had some very interesting information from Alan Bailey, who was a member of the TEE squadron of the 72 RE when it was based at Gateshead. At the moment it seems as if the TEE at that time (and probably throughout its various incarnations) never used Northumbrian small pipes and that their pipers used GHB exclusively. If the final collation of information seems worth it, I'll write a summary, but if there is no connection with NSP then I'll simply state that alone. Thanks again, Richard Heard Original Message From: jim43r...@hotmail.com Date: 03/12/2009 15:31 To: Newsletter newslet...@northumbrianpipers.org.uk, n...@cs. dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Tyne Electrical Engineers The illustration on page 13 of N/letter appears to be the bonnet badge (what size is it ?) of the former pipe-band of the Engineers, at one time in Gateshead. [I think they're in Walker now.] For the former history of the unit I would suggest that you consult the history tome [probably in Officers Mess] This looks like a 're-strike, as the original badge [and/or brooch] would have been pierced. The T.E.E. originally had one [or maybe two] highland pipers, wearing Ferguson Tartan [this being the Squadran Commanders name.] Jim Richmond Border Pipes, SSP, NSP, GHP Get the best of the web - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/search To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Cut and Dry Dolly
Hello, Heslop’s “Northumberland Words” (1892 and 1893-4), a glossary of words used in Northumberland and on Tyneside, has several references to the word “dolly”. I give these below. Claydolly – the woman worker in a brickfield, who carries the brick from the moulder’s table to the open field where it is to be dried Cloot-dolly – a doll made of cloth Dolly – a clothes washing stick, made with feet but otherwise like a poss-stick Dolly – a contrivance attached to a chainmaker’s anvil for pressing the link after it is welded. A machine for punching iron Dolly – a woman’s name (given by Heslop in three references) Kairn-dolly – the kairn baby Kirn-dolly – the last handful of corn cut, dressed up to resemble a female figure Pot-dolly – an earthenware of porcelain doll Speaking purely personally, and without further evidence at this stage, the definition that most appeals to me is that relating to a “kirn-dolly” – the last corn to be cut which is then dressed as a female. This event appears to be a suitable cause for celebration and just the sort of event to name a tune after; further the “cut and dried” part of the name appears consistent with the cutting and drying of corn (or other cereals, perhaps). The test application of good old Occam’s Razor may support this straightforward explanation. Richard Protect your PC with 50% off Norton Security - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/securepc ___ To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: [NPS-Discussion] Robert Bewick tune
Hi Matt, Thanks for producing the 'abc' of the tune. That's really helpful. In web searches I've so far found transcriptions in D and in C but both appear to me to go back to Oswald. In regard to what you said about where this search might go, I've not yet found any local variant, not any other tune under the same or a very similar name (having said that, I've been busy over the last few days, so I haven't looked very thoroughly). Thanks again, Richard Original Message From: theborderpi...@googlemail.com Date: 04/08/2009 10:43 To: Dartmouth NPSnsp@cs.dartmouth.edu, NPS Discussion discuss...@northumbrianpipers.org.uk Subj: [NSP] Re: [NPS-Discussion] Robert Bewick tune This thread seems to have been split between the dartmouth and NPS groups so I'm resending this bit to both. I've since checked SMM and found that the link ([1]www.gleeman.org) provided by Richard gives an inaccurate transcription and midi of SMM, which is actually closer to Oswald than it appears. I will post a corrected version later. Is anyone still interested in this tune? --- As promised, Oswald's version. I'd be interested in people's preferences between this and the Burns/SMM, and also which key sits better. Any other versions known? X: 1 T:What shou'd a Lassie do wi an auld Man Z:Matt Seattle R:Song or Jig B:Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion vol. 6 M:6/8 L:1/8 N:Brisk K:Em B|efe gab|abg ~fed|efe gab|dBB B2:|] [|:d|(BG)G (BA)A|(dB)B B(e/f/g)|(BG)G (BA)A|(dB)B e2d| (BG)G (BA)A|(dB)B g2a|(ba)g (fba)|(ge)e e2:|] -- References 1. http://www.gleeman.org/ To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html How safe is your data? Find out more about the issues at Tiscali Security Centre - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security ___
[NSP] Re: Robert Bewick tune
Hi Francis, Thanks for this further information - you are clearly more efficient at web-searches than I was. This is fascinating. Delving into the details given on the 'gleeman' website reveals the following source for this tune: Transcribed by: J T Hallel, 2005. (www.gleeman.org) Source: Johnson, James, The Scots Musical Museum, (Edinburgh: James Johnson, 1787-1803), No. 316; vol , p327. Notes: Original by Burns. I don't have access to Johnson's collection, but if he published it before 1799 then it could have been current when Robert Bewick learn it. According to the website 'Burns Country' this poem/song was written in 1791. Burns died in 1796. It is interesting to speculate (and at the moment it is just speculation) that IF this is the song that Bewick knew, then there can't have been many tunes written for it or adapted to it between its creation in 1791 and Bewick knowing it by 1799. I agree about Robert probably playing a keyless chanter at that time, but do you think some variation of this tune have been played on one? Brilliant bit of devilling here - well done! Richard Original Message From: oatenp...@googlemail.com Date: 25/07/2009 18:28 To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Cc: richard.hea...@tiscali.co.uk Subj: Robert Bewick tune Richard wrote: In his letter Robert writes, ... I have got some nice new tunes from Jemmy Maffin my father likes the one called What would a Lassie de we an auld Man the best of any of them and I have jingled them up since I came home. (sic) I have two points on which I seek help. Can anyone identify this tune? I can’t help with the tune, though a bit of Googling provided a text by Robert Burns and a fine melody that fits. http://gleeman.org/songs/collection/young_lassie_auld_man_01.html So is this the tune that young Robert got off Jemmy Maffin? It seems unlikely. My tentative guess is that at 11, Robert was still playing a keyless chanter. That thought is based on what I can make out from the portrait by John Bell reproduced on the cover of the NPS Magazine 1982. That issue contains Iain Bain’s excellent article: Thomas and Robert Bewick and their Connection with Northumbrian Piping. In it, Bain includes some speculation on when Robert may have acquired a keyed chanter. I have scanned the article and I hope he will not mind my sharing it here: http://www.mediafire.com/? sharekey=09ff1cf99500a89441446e35a78dc463e04e75f6e8ebb871 This doesn’t get us much further with an answer to your question, Richard. But as is often with these things the journey is just as interesting as the destination. Francis Stay safe online with Tiscali Security Centre - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security __ To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP]
Hi Wayne, Can you block this character for spamming, please?: Inman Damien [...@cs.dartmouth.edu] Richard Get 50% off Norton Security 2009 - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Halsway playaround
Hi Alan, I also thought the Sunday session was a high point, but I would certainly not like to see tuition time reduced. I value highly the tuition time and, although it requires sutained concentration and is cumulatively tiring, it is a time when a combination of enormous expertise is available, together with time to consolidate learning. The tuition (quality and quantity) is one of my primary reasons for going to Halsway. I do rather like Geoffrey's suggestion of an additional informal session on the Saturday afternoon, though. It was a great weekend - thanks again. Richard Original Message From: a...@bcorkett.freeserve.co.uk Date: 13/03/2009 7:47 To: Mike and Enid Waltonmikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Cc: NSP LISTnsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Halsway playaround HALSWAY SUNDAY PLAYAROUND So many have commented on the Sunday evening being a successful element of the piping weekend, that I wonder if we ought to reduce some of the tuition session and introduce another informal play period. Any comments? Alan Corkett -Original Message- From: Mike and Enid Walton [mailto:mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk] Sent: 12 March 2009 05:16 To: Dartmouth NSP Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas I suppose it's a problem you face whenever playing music not from your own tradition. It took a melodeon workshop in Ireland to make me realise that I had a local style of box playing, and that I want to keep it ! If it's an Irish reel or jig, it normally goes on the whistle now. Some polkas fit well on the box though. With the pipes, it's a question of whether we stick to the style for the area where the pipes came from, or just use them for our own local music, in our own local style. I play lots of Northumbrian tunes, but also nationally common tunes (including Jimmy sorry Jamie sorry Jimmy Allen) and I played Dorset Four Hand Reel on Sunday. I'm trying to learn the Worcestershire Hornpipe. Yes, I really enjoyed Halsway, especially the informal session / play-a-round on Sunday. I was struggling at times during the tutorials though. I wish my sight-reading was better ! Mike - Original Message - From: Paul Rhodes oxpi...@hotmail.com To: Dartmouth NSP nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:08 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas Hi Mike, This is a forum for the Northumbrian Pipes and the traditional music of the north east, and as such is often very interesting and informative. It helps us all to work on playing the pipes well and to figure out how we can improve our playing in the Northumbrian tradition. But please don't ask the northerners how we should play tunes in our own area! We can be proud of our own tradition here, which is rich and thriving even if we don't shout quite so loud. Let the northerners do the ranting, we can enjoy playing them however we like. Wasn't Halsway great as always? All the best, Paul Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:23:19 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas So we've had a long discussion about rants, reels, polkas. I'm sure that those resident in the North-East should continue to play these tunes with a good traditional rant rhythm. What about those pipers like me, resident in the far south ? Some of the tunes we play on the pipes (Salmontails, Winster Gallop for instance) are common across the whole country, and are played as polkas hereabouts. When I introduce some other North Eastern tunes, even if I had the ability to ensure they started as rants, the other mujsicians around me would probably turn them into polkas. Yet tunes have always historically drifted across the country, into Ireland and Scotland and back, etc such than you often can't tell where they started ! It also begs the question as to whether, as a southerner, I should be trying to play them as rants at all ! Mike To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html __ Beyond Hotmail see what else you can do with Windows Live. [1] Find out more! -- References 1. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665375/direct/01/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.10/1996 - Release Date: 03/11/09 20:42:00 Fancy a job? - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/jobs/ __
[NSP] Spelling of names
Hi, With reference to the variable spelling of names, there is a (possibly relevant) example of this in Roxby's Lay of the Redewater Minstrel published in 1809 at Newcastle. In a footnote on p.26 in relation to Elishaw he writes: Here was the rendezvous of the vagrant train of faa's, tinklers, c. The celebrated Wull Allen frequently sojourned here, in the progress of his fishing and otter-hunting expeditions; and here often resounded the drones of his no less celebrated son, Jamie Allan, the Northumberland piper. It is believed that Roxby was a frequent visitor to Elishaw and personally knew the people of whom he wrote. It is interesting to see, in the same footnote, the different spelling of the surname of father and son. It is also possible, perhaps, that the use of the name 'Wull' reflects a phonetic spelling of the actual pronunciation used by man himself. Richard Original Message From: phi...@gruar.clara.net Date: 12/03/2009 19:30 To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Re: J Allen (and Rants) Irrespective of the origin and age of the tune, surely - as anyone who has done any research into family history knows - the spelling of names in the 18th and early 19th century was subject to almost infinite variation (and how many spellings are there for Shakespeare??) so - when James, Jem, Jemy, Jemmy, Jamie, Jim, Jimmy, Jimmie, Allen, Allan, Alan gave his name orally to someone who then wrote it down, the clerk may have (aurally?) heard the name correctly and used any number of spellings to write it down. I suppose the question hangs on what spelling Allen himself used when (and if) he wrote it. A couple of generations before him, his family certainly wouldn't have been literate, and would neither know nor care about the spelling. The way it is spelt in the published Life is probably just a snapshot of one time in the name's life. More relevant may be how Allen's family said it - what accent, and did they use a more or less Scottish pronunciation? Does it matter, or is it a question of rival nationalisms either side the Border? Just a thought from Philip (often mispelled Phillip - preferably not Phil, and certainly not Pip if you don't mind) Gruar - whose not very distant ancestor, a tenant farmer on the Highland Line at the time J. Allen was around, was spelt at different times Gruar, Gruer, Grewar and Growar. Now - Rants. I can theorise endlessly about the precise relative length of paired quavers in baroque music, but I'm not a particularly good piper, and don't live in the centre of The Tradition. For the benefit of those reading this who live completely outside it, could experts please confirm if I'm right that in Rant playing the quavers are very *slightly* uneven, but not as dotted as in a hornpipe, and giving a heavier feel than in a reel, because in a reel you feel two minim (half-note) beats in a bar - each beat made of four equal quavers (quarter-notes). In Rants and Hornpipes it's definitely four crotchet (quarter note) beats to the bar, each beat normally consisting of two uneven quavers, but in a hornpipe the first quaver is strongly accented and lengthened, and the second one is very light and short. The rant gives much more equal weight to the two quavers. Is this easier to understand than tomato soup and gobstoppers, or am I talking through my hat? Oh, and welcome to the list Anthony, it's great to have your contributions. Philip To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html Fancy a job? - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/jobs/ __
[NSP] Confused!
Hi All, Do we mean oral/orally or aural/aurally ... or perhaps both? Richard Fancy a job? - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/jobs/ __ To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Confused!
.. on second thoughts, and in light of the number of Oirish tunes we seem to play in our Northumbrian repertoire, perhaps it should be O'Reilly, Richard Original Message From: malcra...@aol.com Date: 09/03/2009 22:46 To: richard.hea...@tiscali.co.uk, nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Re: Confused! Or really? Malcolm -Original Message- From: richard.hea...@tiscali.co.uk richard.hea...@tiscali.co.uk To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:36 pm Subject: [NSP] Confused! Hi All, Do we mean oral/orally or aural/aurally ... or perhaps both? Richard Fancy a job? - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/jobs/ __ To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html Fancy a job? - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/jobs/ __
[NSP] Archive programmes about Northumberland and Newcastle
Hi All, Local ITV are celebrating 50 years by showing some of their old programmes each month on their website. There are two interesting programmes up at present. One is about the redevelopment of Scotswood, but perhaps the more interesting to pipers is the programme about the North Tyne valley before the Keilder reservoir was built. There's a fair bit of lovely (?) piping in the soundtrack and some shots of an unidentified piper in a concert with a harper called Jean Clough, and also shots of a piper at the Belliongham show. I don't know who it is. Here's the URL: http://info.itvlocal.com/Archive.shtml Worth a look. Richard Only Tiscali gives you up to 50% off an online download of Norton Security 2009 - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security ___ To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Archive programmes about Northumberland and Newcastle (2)
Hi All, Regarding the piper at Bellingham, Malcoln Craven has identified him as Tommy Breckons. Thanks Malcolm! Richard Only Tiscali gives you up to 50% off an online download of Norton Security 2009 - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security ___ To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Piper print
Hi Honor, I'm no expert, but I think quite a lot of bagpipe iconography depicts the bag under the right arm. I have no idea whether or not that is due to the artist (obviously it is in the case of original paintings) or the printmaker reversing things. You'll see another example in David Allan's painting A Highland Dance at http://www.nationalgalleries.org/collection/online_az/4: 322/result/0/21917?initial=AartistId=4483artistName=David% 20Allansubmit=1 Here is shown two Scottish bagpipers playing for dancing, both having the bag under their right arm. It was painted c.1780. There are also examples in Hugh Cheape's recent book about bagpipes. Richard 50% off Norton Security 2009 - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Piper print
Hi Barry, I find it interesting, as well, that in other David Allan pictures (e. g. the famous 'Highland Wedding at Blair Atholl' that is believed to show Neil Gow) the other instrumentalists are depicted playing in the normal way. In that particular picture the bagpiper in the background is holding his bag under the right arm, but he's also shown to be drinking, so it doesn't necessarily depict him in playing position. Hmmm! Richard Original Message From: barr...@nspipes.co.uk Date: 14/01/2009 10:09 To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Re: Piper print On 14 Jan 2009 at 9:43, tim rolls BT wrote: Hi Richard, I haven't got my physics head on this morning, but would this be anything to do with the fact that many painters used a sort of camera obscura device to project the model onto a canvas, then did a quick sketch round the projected image, I can never get my head round whether the image just inverts vertically or swaps L-R as well. Tim - Original Message - Hi All, I had the same thought, but I came to the conclusion that image swaps top to bottom and left to right leaving the image unchanged. If it hadn't, all the paintings would have looked 'wrong' and clock faces etc would have given the game away. -- For those who have been taught symmetry operations. A mirror causes a mirror transformation (obvious). A pinhole is a centre of inversion. Thes are technical terms and I refuse to start a discussion on Symmetry and Group theory on this list. It would beo off-topic. -- Barry To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html 50% off Norton Security 2009 - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security
[NSP] Reel of Tullochgorum
Hi All, There's a print in the collection of National Museums Scotland that may be of interest: http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-579-620-C Richard 50% off Norton Security 2009 - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
