I was wondering if anyone out there uses O’Neill’s 1001 as a source of session tunes. Are the settings/arrangements in this book useful? I know this is an important historical collection of tunes, but I’m wondering if it’s worth buying for practical reasons. Are most of the settings in flute range? Is the book worth $30–other than as a historical curiosity?
Thanks,
Paul
I believe there are actually three different editions of O’Neill’s book, all significantly different from each other. It may get you better info if you post the editor or arranger, or edition that you’re looking at.
I’ve used mine for source music on whistle and hammered dulcimer, but there are many tunes in keys I don’t play.
test
Yep, buy it.
It’s a great resource. Some of the settings in it are now defunct (unfortunately), and it’s hard to get at what O’Niell was trying to get across through the notation in a few places, but it’s still well worth having the original transcriptions (i.e. NOT Myles Crassen’s ‘revised’ fiddle editon).
30 bucks is a small sacrifice.
Regards, Harry.
On 2003-02-12 20:55, Harry wrote:
Yep, buy it.It’s a great resource. Some of the settings in it are now defunct (unfortunately), and it’s hard to get at what O’Niell was trying to get across through the notation in a few places, but it’s still well worth having the original transcriptions (i.e. NOT Myles Crassen’s ‘revised’ fiddle editon).
30 bucks is a small sacrifice.
Regards, Harry.
Ah, exactly what I was going to say, down to the Krassen warning. But it carries more weight coming from you! 
What you say is true, that some settings of certain tunes are quite nice, but no longer used, but I’ve always been amazed how many are still on the money, for notations made some 100 years ago.
For those interested, the versions you want are facsimile reproductions of the original O’Neill’s 1001 Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, etc., and/or O’Neill’s Music of Ireland. There’s some overlap of tunes, but both are fine to own. I got my copies through Mel Bay, here in the states, who had it from Walton’s publication in Ireland.
Again, watch out for the “revised” versions out there. Virtually unusable.
Ooopps, forgot to say (as I’m sure you know) as with any written source it’s not going to teach you a jot about the actual playing of ITM on it’s own, (style variation, punctuation, accent etc. etc… ) but to have it in conjunction with inspired recordings of the written tunes therein is about as good a reference point as there is to be had these days.
Listening to original recordings from O’Niells day (ie. the 78 records made in the 1920’s and 30’s of ITM in the US) may give you a further insight into where he was coming from musically as well. It’s not exactly easy listening to the western art music conditioned ear, but as with O’Niells book, those early recordings are a treasure trove of style and ornament if approached open mindedly and sensibly. They constitute the building blocks of modern style (and offer interesting avenues for new exploration!).
Good luck, H.
[ This Message was edited by: Harry on 2003-02-12 22:57 ]
Thank you all for your advice. I think I’ll spring the $30 for a reproduction of the original book (with the yellow cover).
Paul
I just ordered O’Neill’s Music of Ireland from Amazon.com (no interest of stock in the company) for 24.00 + SH.
Thanx for the info above from all inputs.
BillG