Tim Whistles!

Whisky in the Jar

2011-11-14T03:01:00.001Z

My next to learn. Mally inspired, gratefully.

The Old Woman from Wexford

2011-11-08T02:06:00.000Z

Where I'm up to on my Mally list.

High Barbary

2011-10-14T04:30:00.000+01:00

A next tune to learn. A couple of tricky notes to fathom..

Re: Fathom the Bowl

2011-10-03T02:11:00.003+01:00

I'm feeling it!

Re: Re: Re: All for me Grog

2011-09-20T19:10:00.002+01:00

Another tune down by ear!

Re: Widecombe Fair

2011-09-11T04:53:00.000+01:00

I decided to post this under "Widecombe Fair" but I could easily of done so under "The Miller of Dee". They're both sweetly played here by flutingspirit:

And on a homemade whistle to boot!

Breath Sculpture

Re: Re: The Nightingale

2011-09-07T03:49:00.000+01:00

I reckon I've just about got this tune down! I mean by ear. I've been able to play it by music for sometime, but it's only when I've got a tune in my head, I really feel I'm getting to know it.

Journey Over

2011-09-02T05:32:00.001+01:00

For now, at least. I've reached the end of the whistle-playable tunes notated in Folk Songs of the British Isles compiled by Andrew Gant. Not sure where I'll go from here in the blog - except for looking to buy a semi-decent video camera!

Ye Banks and Braes

2011-09-02T05:17:00.000+01:00

Back to Scotland. The words are Robert Burns, the tune in my book is the traditional Scottish melody The Caledonian Hunt's Delight.

Not sure of the tune, but the words are right! Lovely vocals by Holly Tomas.

Widecombe Fair

2011-09-02T04:28:00.002+01:00

A well-known song from my youth. Not sure why? But it's one I look forward to trying to play!

That's most probably why!

Jon Pertwee Bless him!

When the Fancy-stirring Bowl

2011-09-02T03:51:00.001+01:00

Another 'Tune for Inspiration' that might well not turn out to be. I've yet not tried playing it, and I can't find out anything else about it except from what my book says: "Text and melody: Madden Collection of Ballads, Cambridge."

Western Wind

2011-09-02T02:03:00.003+01:00

This tune might well date from the times of Henry VIII. Here it's given the 1970's psychedelic touch:

I couldn't find out anything about the group, but it's great stuff!

It's Wikipedia page (Cheers to Toppish from 'The Session'!):

Westron Wynde

The Willow Song

2011-09-02T01:05:00.001+01:00

Another 'Tune for Inspiration' from my 'Folk Songs' book. I've not yet been able to find a version on YT that I like enough to post. So it's so far for reference only. Apparently it pre-dates Shakespeare's use of it in Othello.

The Unquiet Grave

2011-08-29T02:39:00.004+01:00

Was there another I could post?

Re: The Murder of Maria Martin

2011-08-28T23:25:00.002+01:00

I promise to keep reposting the best when needs be:

The Miller of Dee

2011-08-28T21:57:00.008+01:00

Back to Ol'England. The Miller of Dee dates from the 17th century. Here it's played on fiddle by KirbyFiddler:

Miller of Dee Wiki page.

The Meeting of the Waters

2011-08-28T17:50:00.006+01:00

Next up on my 'Folk Songs' journey. You won't get more traditional Irish than this:

The words are by Thomas Moore. Not sure who's the flautist.

Re: Re: The Trees They Do Grow High

2011-08-27T02:24:00.008+01:00

It's still around!

For how much longer, who knows? Pass it on!

The Flowers in the Valley

2011-08-26T23:43:00.006+01:00

Not to be confused with a Scottish tune of a similar name. This version comes close to the one in my book:

What a great tune! Listen out for the off-camera whistle. It's old Cornish.

The Cuckoo

2011-08-21T00:47:00.003+01:00

Another must in my ever-increasing 'Tunes to Learn' list. The Cuckoo's a song I used to 'play' on guitar in my younger days. Here's a great version by 'The Grove':

Re: Re: Re: The Raggle-Taggle Gypsies

2011-08-20T23:32:00.005+01:00

I've just about got this tune down. Nowhere near this tempo though:

The Chieftains feat. Nickel Creek from the album 'Further Down The Old Plank Road'.

The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington

2011-08-17T04:34:00.014+01:00

Really pleased to come across this. A real gem from Jon Rennard:

Sadly, Jon's own story didn't have a similar happy ending. He died, aged 24, in a car accident in 1971. His legacy lives forever.

The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington

Strawberry Fair

2011-08-15T06:43:00.006+01:00

A fun abstraction from the 'official' lyrics by Anthony Newly (It reminds me of Bowie's early stuff):

The song was collected by S. Baring-Gould in 1905 and was credited as traditional Devon. It dates from earlier:

Strawberry Fair (Song)

Pastime with Good Company

2011-08-15T02:22:00.006+01:00

Another great find on my folk songs journey. Blackmore's Night with 'Past time':

Okay, it's attributed Henry VIII, but still it's great:

Pastime with Good Company

Oh, No, John!

2011-08-14T22:49:00.004+01:00

Another tune from 'Folk Songs of the British Isles' compiled by Andrew Gant. Apparently, it dates from the 17th Century and comes under many guises, many bawdy, as can be imagined. This version was collected by Cecil Sharp in 1907:

Another of Raymond Crooke's renditions. Good job, still I'm kinda relieved she said no! :)

Oft in the Stilly Night

2011-08-13T08:26:00.006+01:00

A great find this:

It's an old Irish tune played soulfully here by Gordon Tuley Hochstetler.

O Waly, Waly

2011-08-13T06:41:00.006+01:00

Next from my 'Folk Songs of the British Isles' book. This version of 'O Waly' is traditional Somerset:

Benjamin Britten (piano) and Peter Pears (tenor). Others must surely follow.

Hush, My Dear, Lie Still

2011-08-13T03:56:00.008+01:00

I'm pretty sure this is the same tune as my book:

Short, but so very sweet by Scarlet Carson.

Helston Furry Dance

2011-08-13T03:13:00.005+01:00

Best known these days, maybe, as The Floral Dance. This traditional Cornish song dates from well before 1838. Here it's played by not-so-bad BadWhistle:

Diverus and Lazarus

2011-08-09T03:35:00.011+01:00

Next up on my 'Folk Songs of' journey (See Labels below). This was the only YT one I found. A great solo-vocal version by Alan Rosevear:

It's based on one of the parables of Jesus:

Rich man and Lazarus

Dance To Your Daddy

2011-08-09T02:41:00.007+01:00

Okay, misguided nationalism asides, this is a great tune allied to a great movie (One of my all time favourites - based on better books). It's sung by Nancy Kerr and James Fagan:

Traditional Tyneside.

Comin' Through the Rye

2011-08-09T01:29:00.004+01:00

It took me a great deal of trawling to get to this (Robert Burns will be turning!) A great job though from Onishikozo:

A traditional Scottish melody:

Comin' Through the Rye

Come To My Window

2011-08-09T00:20:00.007+01:00

Truly, a folk/rock anthem:

Tim Hart was a founder member of Steeleye Span. Not much I can say about the original tune, only according to my my book (See labels) the text and melody comes from S. Baring-Gould's Songs of the West.

Sadly, Tim died in 2009:

Tim Hart

Come, Live With Me, And Be My Love

2011-08-07T02:21:00.008+01:00

Wow! Another 'must post!'

Sadly, the source is yet unknown. It's a tune credited to Christopher Marlowe and is next on my 'Folk Songs' list.

COME, LIVE WITH ME, AND BE MY LOVE
Text and melody: W. Chappell, Popular Music of the Olden Time (1859). This song was very popular at the turn of the 17th century. It is quoted by both Shakespeare and Marlowe, and several contemporary sources claim Marlowe as the author. The tune was discovered by Sir John Hawkins 'in a manuscript as old as Shakespeare's time' and it appears in Corkine's Second Book of Ayres (1612).

From the book compiled by Andrew Gant.

Cockles and Muscles

2011-08-07T01:14:00.010+01:00

Back to Ireland. And one I really should already be able to play. Though not right now.. The definitive version by The Dubliners:

Here's the link to it's Wiki page:

Molly Malone

Ah, The Sighs That Come From My Heart

2011-08-06T21:50:00.010+01:00

Ah, this will need some explaining. In my thirst to learn tunes (Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself?) I'm going through a book I've had sometime (Folk Songs of the British Isles compiled by Andrew Gant. 1997) to find all those I could possibly learn to play (Honestly, simply those whose scores don't go below the low D. I know it's possible to 'rearrange' those that don't, but that's currently beyond me/my patience).

I couldn't find anything else out about this tune (Even on Google) so here's what my book says:

AH, THE SIGHS THAT COME FROM MY HEART
Text and melody: W Chappell, Popular Music of the Olden Time (1859). Ascribed to a manuscript dating from the time of Henry VIII.

It'll be interesting to see what I can make of it when I come to try.

Goodnight, Ladies

2011-08-05T01:13:00.006+01:00

That's it, my journey so far! Goodnight, Ladies (I couldn't use the comma in the label) is a song attributed to the Edwin Pearce Christy and dates from 1867. Here it's played on banjo by Nick Coss:

Click here for it's Wiki page:

Goodnight, Ladies

Skye Boat Song

2011-08-05T00:38:00.006+01:00

Almost up to date with all the tunes I can so far play (Basically, for the most part - I'm only just now beginning to learn simple ornamentation). Here's Paul Robeson singing this wonderfully Scottish tune:

It was first written down by Annie MacLeod in the 1870's and was based on an old Gaelic rowing song. Here's a link to it's Wiki page:

The Skye Boat Song

Daisy, Daisy

2011-08-02T00:54:00.008+01:00

And yet another I learnt from the Liggins book. 'Daisy, Daisy' was written by Harry Dacre in 1892. I thought this was interesting:

New World

2011-08-01T23:47:00.008+01:00

Another curve-ball? Well, it was inspired by a visit to New York (Keeping with the American theme). Antonin Dvorak's melody from his 'New World' Symphony.

Paul Robeson's take on 'Going Home' based on Dvorak's tune:

Camptown Races

2011-08-01T22:59:00.007+01:00

Keeping in the Stephen Foster vein and adding to my 'Tunes I play' list. Another I learnt from the ocarina book. 'Nough said:

Find a better version here:

Making Music Fun

Hard Times

2011-08-01T21:57:00.004+01:00

Looking up Stephen Foster I discover he wrote 'Hard Times'. I know this beautiful tune from Bob Dylan's covers album 'Good as I Been to You'.

From 1993:

Oh! Susanna

2011-08-01T21:13:00.008+01:00

One I learned to play a while back through 'Play your Ocarina - Book 1' by David and Christa Liggins. Not on ocarina, but whistle. Great old American tune this by Stephen Foster. Here it's played by Johnny Cash and James Taylor:

Re: The Nightingale

2011-07-31T07:03:00.003+01:00

A second from Jackie Oates. Something's telling me it's just a start!

Re: Brigg Fair

2011-07-31T06:36:00.006+01:00

Very possibly the most beautiful thing I've heard on YT. A must watch!

Jackie Oates. I'm in love!

Brigg Fair

2011-07-31T06:11:00.005+01:00

Some posts come natural. This was one:

From the text and melody collected by P.Grainger in 1911, methinks.

Re: Re: Blow the Man Down

2011-07-31T05:35:00.003+01:00

Stick with this. He grew on me!

http://dailyfrail.com/

Re: Blow the Man Down

2011-07-31T04:46:00.003+01:00

A fun karaoke version:

Okay, I'm drunk again when posting :)

Blow the Man Down

2011-07-31T04:29:00.007+01:00

Next up on my search for tunes, another old English sea shanty. Here it's sung by the irreplaceable Harry H. Corbett:

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Barbara Allen

2011-07-31T01:59:00.004+01:00

For reference purposes only:

From the Gaslight Cafe 1962.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Barbara Allen

2011-07-31T01:43:00.004+01:00

A truly beautiful voice:

No, you really shouldn't compare.

Re: Blow Away the Morning Dew

2011-07-31T01:27:00.006+01:00

I really shouldn't like this, but in some ways I do:

You have to fast forward to 55 minutes in to get the song.

Blow Away the Morning Dew

2011-07-31T00:56:00.009+01:00

They're not the words of my book (Folk Songs of the British Isles compiled by Andrew Gant) but they're near enough:

A traditional Somerset tune, according.

All Through the Night

2011-07-30T20:09:00.012+01:00

I'm surprised I've not yet posted a song sung by Paul Robeson. He's a big favourite of mine:

Looking it up, it's an old Welsh tune Ar hyd y nos.

The Paul Robeson Foundation

Re: The Trees They Do Grow High

2011-07-27T19:49:00.003+01:00

Just how long it will survive YT's purge of all things Dylan is unknown. Well worth catching whilst you can!

The Trees They Do Grow High

2011-07-27T19:14:00.003+01:00

Competition was strong as to whose version I would post first. Pentangle won it:

An old song this. It first appeared in print in 1792 but may well be older still. Here's a link to it's Wiki page:

The Trees They Grow So High (folk song)

Re: Re: Re: Bobby Shaftoe

2011-07-24T08:25:00.005+01:00

Great! I've worked out how to embed video again!

Here's a really fun version of 'Michael Finnegan' (The Irish take of the 'Shaftoe' tune. Cheers to Free Reed from The Session for putting me on to this):

Here's the link to Randy's website:

http://www.randykaplan.com/

Well worth a visit!

Re: Re: Re: Barbara Allen

2011-07-23T11:48:00.000+01:00

As both Dylan's Barbara Allens have been taken off YT (Boo to them!) I thought to look for a comparable version. Pete Seeger's comes close:

Re: Re: Bobby Shaftoe

2011-07-23T04:00:00.003+01:00

A great choral version:

Love that whistle! :)

Re: Bobby Shaftoe

2011-07-23T01:15:00.004+01:00

Being eclectic again. Here's a 1950's jazz version by Chris Barber:

Looking 'Bobby Shaftoe' up on Wikipedia, it turns out he may well of been an 18th-century Conservative politition, though there's some debate. Breaking hearts again, typical Tory, eh?

Re: Re: All for me Grog

2011-07-23T00:39:00.004+01:00

A solo guitar version by Raymond Crooke:

Glad to see that he credits this with being an English tune!

Re: All for me Grog

2011-07-23T00:01:00.006+01:00

Check out this performance by Woodwind & Steel!

A great version with great complimentary whistle!

Re: Re: Re: Donkey Riding

2011-07-22T06:34:00.006+01:00

Doing some research I've discovered that 'Donkey Riding' is said to be based upon an ancient Scottish folk tune 'If thou'lt play me fair play'. It also gives it melody to the popular military marching tune 'Highland Laddie'.

Here's a gem! Pete Seeger toning down 'Donkey Riding' with 'Highland Laddie':

Love this man!

Re: Re: Donkey Riding

2011-07-22T05:39:00.004+01:00

No whistle here (I think it misses one) but a great job nonetheless:

'World of Stone.' Definitely a group to watch!

Re: Donkey Riding

2011-07-22T05:28:00.003+01:00

Another rendition by BadWhiste:

Again, not so bad. I'd say he's got the tune down better than I presently could.

All for me Grog

2011-07-21T02:18:00.006+01:00

Next on my Mally list, and next to learn.

Played here by apetrosh:

Looking forward to learning!

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Leaving of Liverpool. Leaving Mally

2011-07-19T07:09:00.010+01:00

Only for this tune. I've recently been trying to relearn this following Mally Production's 'Instant Tin Whistle - Folk' version. I've decided that it's not a good idea and have reverted to keeping to the music I first learnt - an internet find. Whether it's the most 'truest' version - who knows, that's folk music!

I'm going on the notion that you'll allowed to review up to 10% of a book for reference purposes. Apologies to the original publisher if this isn't the case. Let me know and I'll remove it.

The Trumpet Hornpipe

2011-07-19T04:22:00.008+01:00

Getting way out of order with my Mally list! My dad enjoys playing piano and has challenged me to learn this great tune. Best remembered maybe as the theme of 'Captain Pugwash,' that equally great cartoon series of my youth. Definitely an 'intermediate' level piece, and one that's going to be on my 'learning' list for a long time to come!

Here it's played on piano:

I challenge my dad to play it this well!

Fathom the Bowl

2011-07-19T03:50:00.005+01:00

Great tune this!

Here played by Blackbeard's Tea Party:

One I enjoy playing immensely, though I can't yet get the first line to sound quite right.

South Australia

2011-07-18T05:10:00.007+01:00

My most favourite tune so far - okay, I've said that before..

No, I love this guy! I'll try to follow where he treds.

Reuben Ranzo

2011-07-18T04:49:00.010+01:00

Okay, this tune must be annoying my neighbours - learning grace notes!

This guy is annoying me. He's following my book! :)

The Nightingale

2011-07-18T04:18:00.011+01:00

My most favourite tune so far in my Mally/YouTube journey:

His whistle beats mine!

Sam Hill

2011-07-18T04:00:00.007+01:00

Next up on my Mally list:

I'd say BadWhistles rendition here is currently about equal to mine.

Black Velvet Band

2011-07-18T03:18:00.008+01:00

Next (cough) on my Mally list:

I play it on my 'D' whistle. Joe plays it better..

Donkey Riding

2011-07-18T02:50:00.007+01:00

Great sea song this. Best played here by Great Big Sea:

I promise to relearn how to embed video by the time I take them!

Bobby Shaftoe

2011-07-18T01:56:00.013+01:00

Back to basics, again. Recently I've brought "Instant Tin Whistle - Folk" by Mally. A great beginners series, I think, though I'm finding it's tab system something beguiling for someone who's tried without.

The pipe's here way, way beyond how I play it!

Back Ontune!

2011-07-17T21:26:00.000+01:00

I've decided it's about time I got this blog going again. Unfortunately, I've not yet got myself a camera that can take decent video, but it's high on my list - by the new year for sure! :) I've said that before!

The good news is that I've kept up the practice! Sometimes I've drifted out of it for a couple of weeks or more, and sometimes (most times, if I'm honest) it's only been for around 20 minutes every other day, but all-in-all I can still say I'm in love with this instrument! Coming somewhat late to learning music, I've long accepted that good beginner/intermediate level is my ultimate goal. But, hey, even simple playing is a joy and one I would recommend anyone!

Looking forward to learning more tunes!

Tim

Re: Re: Barbara Allen

2010-02-10T23:39:00.007Z

A truly great performance by his Bobness from 1989:

On Hold..

2009-12-17T22:25:00.021Z

Sadly, my old dog, 'Huggy, born Shaggy' has developed epilepsy. For his sake (He really doesn't care for my 'tootling' - and I don't blame him!) I've decided to lay down my whistle until he's in a better place (Unfortunately, for him, we live in a very small house) :(

Re: Oh City Ground!

2009-12-06T22:05:00.003Z

Oh happy days - long may they last! Arise King Billy!!

Practice List 06/12/09

2009-12-06T20:23:00.004Z

Simple Gifts
Leaving Of Liverpool
The Raggle-Taggle Gypsies
High Germany
Be Thou My Vision
Barbara Allen

Re: Be Thou My Vision

2009-12-05T03:39:00.005Z

Another to keep my mum happy :)

Corpus Christi Carol

2009-11-28T01:12:00.007Z

The folk tradition always throws me up surprises (one of the reasons I love it!). Jeff Buckley's sublime take on this ancient tune:

Link to score-sheet: http://www.kstez.de/Corpus_Christi_Carol__Engl__25.gif Please let me know if it's defunct!

Be Thou My Vision

2009-11-25T22:26:00.003Z

I find it sad that it took me so long to find a decent version of this wonderful old hymn. My patience was rewarded though with this great keyboard solo by Carlton Forrester:

Re: Summer is Icumen In

2009-11-21T01:53:00.008Z

Surreally.. good:

Sadly occasions overshadowed.

Summer is Icumen In

2009-11-21T00:54:00.007Z

This one's dedicated to Edward Woodward. My only real memory of him is from "The Wicker Man". A truly great performance. May he burn in peace :) Yet again, I've no idea if this tune will work on whistle:

"Sumer Is Icumen In" is easily my oldest tune so far referenced. Said to be composed by John of Fornsete, and dated to around 1260. I hope it works!

Re: High Germany

2009-11-16T20:38:00.004Z

A magical version by Pentangle:

High Germany

2009-11-16T17:48:00.003Z

Another great vocal from Luke Kelly:

"High Germany" dates from the Thirty years' war which began in 1618 and involved most of the European states of the time. Looking at the score I found on the Folksong Collection, I'm thinking it's one that I should be able to come to grips to.

Practice List 16/11/09

2009-11-16T17:27:00.008Z

Simple Gifts
Down By The Salley Gardens
Leaving Of Liverpool
The Raggle-Taggle Gypsies
High Germany
The Dawning of the Day

Re: Greensleeves

2009-11-15T20:10:00.005Z

Right, my feet are firmly back down on the ground. I've decided I first need to come to grips with the pennywhistle before considering other instruments, and to stop buying things on eBay! (For the time being at least). "Greensleeves" on whistle, it is!

Re: Re: Re: Re: Leaving Of Liverpool

2009-11-15T16:58:00.005Z

Every whistler's nightmare, a bum note at the end of an opening solo! He, and the rest of The Rakish Rogues, make up for it in the end though:

Re: Re: Re: Leaving Of Liverpool

2009-11-15T16:38:00.004Z

Tommy Makem did the song great justice:

Two New!

2009-11-14T20:44:00.002Z

Yes, I know, shares in eBay have rocketed in recent weeks. This time it's two secondhand Generation nickel tin whistles (£6.50 the pair, inc. P&P). The larger one's a 'C' and smaller's a 'G' (My fingers just about fit!). Photos to follow.

Greensleeves

2009-11-11T21:10:00.010Z

I've decided to be predictable and try and learn "Greensleeves" as my first on tenor recorder . Though I don't expect I'll ever to get to play it as good as this guy (Cinderbutte) does:

Boy, it's big!

2009-11-11T20:16:00.002Z

My new eBay purchase arrived today (I'm currently hooked on bidding for secondhand whistles and recorders). It's an Aulos tenor recorder, and it's massive! It's a good job I have reasonably large hands - I think given time my fingers will just about stretch. I've fallen in love with the sound of this instrument from viewing YouTube videos, though my main desire is still to learn to play the low D whistle (Unfortunately they cost a fair bit). Today's recorder cost me £20.51 (Inc. P&P).

Re: Re: The Raggle-Taggle Gypsies

2009-11-09T01:06:00.006Z

Proving I'm nothing but inclusive. Andreas Scholl's masterful double take:

Re: Not a whistle?

2009-11-08T23:50:00.010Z

Well wouldn't you believe it? The very next day my dad gives to me the recorder I remember sneakily blowing through as a child (I remember it sitting on the top of my nanny's (my grandma's) old piano). It's an Aulos, and it must be getting on for 30 years old, at least!

Re: The Raggle-Taggle Gypsies

2009-11-08T23:17:00.008Z

One of Dylan's best latter-day covers of a trad:

It's unfortunate, maybe, that he got the words mixed up towards the end. Still, it shows he don't use an autocue!

The Raggle-Taggle Gypsies

2009-11-08T21:27:00.003Z

One to aspire to in the long, long distance. A great, rollicking version by Mad Dog Mcrea.

I've been faithful to the original and listed the tune under it's Scottish title dating from around 1720. I know it better in it's English version as "Black Jack Davy".

The Murder of Maria Martin

2009-11-07T09:03:00.007Z

Folk rock at it's best by Shirley Collins and The Albion Country Band:

"The Murder of Maria Martin" is said to have been written by the accused man himself, a certain William Corder, who was hung for his crime in 1828. The full story of the Red Barn Murder makes interesting reading. Maybe he shouldn't have been?