For me it’s Maid Behind the Bar, Foxhunter’s Jig, and Munster Buttermilk (aka Behind the Haystack), and the thoroughly green beer Look to the Rainbow.
I tried Song of the Selkies (I believe that’s the name…Jean Redpath does a dazzling version of it), but found that I wasn’t able to make the haunting refrain interesting enough, and even the verse got a bit predictable. If anyone has tackled this beautiful air, and has recorded it (preferrably without enhancing the sound with reverb, etc, so I can get a real sense of what it can sound like) please post it, or send it to me.
Ships are Sailing, Temperance Reel, Garret Barry’s (gorgeous recording on Kevin Burke/Jackie Daly: Eavesdropper, Kevin solo. But I can’t figure out what key he’s in. C#? Is that possible? Oh, well, wooden ears.)
Also a set of jigs from a Patrick Street CD: Walter Sammon’s Grandmother, Concertina Reel and Brendan McMahon’s.
I too have been working on a Patrick Street set: Brian O’Lynn/The Woods of Old Limerick. They play it on u. pipes, but it translates evry nicely to whistle. I’m trying to teach it to our session group out here.
I love this tune because it’s got a cool jump back and forth between Cnat and b at the begining. Sounds VERY cool to my ears anyway!
Hi, I’m working on a single reel called “Maude Miller”, another reel called “The Peeler’s Jacket”, and a hornpipe called “The Pleasures of Hope”. -brett
I don’t know how you guys do it! I generally pick one tune (currently Gravel Walk, last week, South Wind and Battle of Augrim, week before that Brian Boru’s March), and focus intently on it for 5-7 days. After that period, the tune’s generally ‘burned in’. Though far from perfect in execution, at this point I know the tune, know the appropriate fingerings, and am immediately aware of any mistakes, so I start working on the next one.
During that intense 5-7 day period, I work about 80% on the tune I’m learning, about 15% on the ‘newer and in need of improvement’ tunes I know, and about 5% on the ‘well worn’ tunes. Over time, (weeks to months, depending on the tune) ‘needs work’ tunes end up being ‘well worn’ tunes.
All for Me Grog
Whisky in the Jar
Johnny Jump Up
Danny Boy
Flower of Scotland
Scarborough Fair (S & G arrangement)
Puff the Magic Dragon
Rosemary Brown
The Waves of Kilkee
The Lumberjack Song
…
Some of these I play better than others, but none do I play so well that they don’t need work. So here’s what I’m working on.
St. Anne’s Reel,
The Star of Munster,
The Wind that Shakes the Barley,
The Banshee
Morrison’s Jig,
The Kesh Jig,
The Swallows Nest,
Road to Lisdoonvarna,
Red Haired Boy (Irish Beggerman)
Fanny Power
Airs:
Tabhair Dom do Lamh (Give Me Your Hand)
Amhran na Leabhar (the Song of the Books)
An Bonnan Bui (The Yellow Bittern)
Caitlin Tiall (Kitty Tyrell)
Eamonn a’ Chnoic (Ned of the Hills)
Coinnleach Glas an Fhomhair (Stubble Fields of Autumn)
The Fair Maid of Wicklow
Pe’n Eirinn I (Whoe’er in Ireland Is She)
The Black Cat (by Lothlorien)
Star of County Down.
Foggy Dew.
Scarboro Fair.
I seem to be working on many of the same jigs as Lee. Lee, you might want to work on the Swallowtail Jig, which seems fairly easy to me and is apparently often played in combination with Kesh & Morrison's (and Blackthorn Stick, which you don't mention).
Everything. I stink. I can’t even play the Swallowtail jig right. Hahahah! Oh well. Maybe if I practice more instead of doing my school work. (Whistles are more fun than english papers and calculus any day)
I’m learning my songs from the book “Step One: Teach Yourself Pennywhistle” and the song I’m currently working on is “Newcastle” which is one of my favorite songs so far. It has a trill in it and I think it is so pretty, it has quite an Irish sound to it. The next song I will soon be learning is “Eighth of January” which is also known as “Battle of New Orleans”. I’m thinking about skipping this song because it has a rather “country music” sound to it and I dislike country music. But I guess I need to learn it…
Peace,
Sara
Hmm, right now, I’m working on The Cuckoo’s Nest, The Merry Maids of Galway, and the Altan set featuring the Windmill. That last one’s probably getting the most attention from me right now, as it is one of those sets that just tangles my fingers like nobody’s business. Still, a darn good time;-)
The Skylark (thanks Peter!) and St Anne’s Reel, and The Convenience. The last is in the format of ABBC rather than AABB; the middle 8 has some lovely drop intervals which should improve my breath control immensely, and all should help improve my rolls on various notes.
But everything needs work constantly, as I probably don’t get it ground in deep enough to start with, and I’m still a beginner. Also I’m trying to learn tunes on Mandolin at the same time!
