The Sidlaw Collection

[Matt Butcher]

I have this book of original Scottish tunes called the Sidlaw Colleection, published by Deirdre Adamson. I've learnt two tunes from it as a medley, Fosden Lodge by Bill Hendry and Margaret Wilson by George Stiratt. I've learnt them in the sense that I can play them, not in the sense that I can play them as I'd like. I hope I have the details right, I don't have the book to hand. So: does anyone know any background to the collection, or the composers, or the tunes? I've checked out the usual Internet sources, not found anything.

And, if anyone does know the tunes (4/4), a slightly embarrassing question this, any comments on the suitable tempo. I think I know...

 

[Buttons]

Hi. The book is still around for about £7. If you Google it comes up with .............42 great fiddle & box tunes by 20 of Scotland's leading players & composers: Freeland Barbour, Bobby Crowe, David Cunningham, Gordon Pattullo, etc.. . Melody & chords. A4 Paperback.

Try " The Sidlaw Connection" + Scottish music. The Sidlaws are the hills North East of Perth, though I thinlk that is just a title. Sorry but cannot help any further or familiar with the tunes. It does sound interesting. Thanks. Best wishes.

 

[Matt Butcher]

Thanks, at least I understand the title! It is a really good book, I would recommend it, I know there are plenty of traditional Scottish tunes that I can't play yet, but there are some good new ones in here and I can play some of them so they can't be too hard.

 

[Buttons]

Deirdre Adamson appears to have quite high profile with a lot of books, 'records', and band shows. She comes from the town of Forfar so close to the Sidlaws.....and she is still young! Best wishes and may buy the book although she has quite a number with various titles. Keep playing.

 

[Soulsaver]

Margaret Wilson was a Scottish martyr in the 17th century - drowned at age 18 for not denouncing her Catholic (think) faith, and refusing to swear an oath stating James 11 head of the church.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Wilson_(Scottish_martyr )

Maybe it should be played slowly?

 

[Matt Butcher]

Now I've got home again and had a look in the book, it says that the Margaret Wilson in question is a dancing teacher, which is a little bit more straightforward in terms of how to play the tune. (The other Margaret Wilson was a Presbyterian rather than a Catholic, it's an interesting and quite horrible story.). I met Deirdre Adamson once, not that she would remember. I like her playing, it's got a lot of drive.

 

[Soulsaver]

The martyr sounds more deserving of a song, tho' than a dancing teacher...

 

[Buttons]

Glad that's been clarified. I was going to suggest caution whilst practising that one slowly; lock the front door, close the windows, and keep the curtains drawn. You never know who is out there. PAs don't like dunking. Keep practising.

 

[Matt Butcher]

:lol:

What I'll do, when I'm next next to a scanner, is scan in a few bars of each and then someone can tell me what type of thing it is and the tempo. I would scan the whole page but I would be scared that Ms Adamson might find out...

 

[Matt Butcher]

Here are photos of parts of the notes, if anyone can tell me type of tune or tempo, that would be very helpful (I've already decided what I think they are, but I could be wrong...). Thanks very much, Matt.

 

[Matt Butcher]

Well I played these out tonight at Shirley Accordion Club in a medley, Ms Wilson second, so if they're not strathspeys with swung quavers at around 110 bpm then I played them wrong. but it's also possible that I have got no idea what a strathspey should sound like. I also played Metsakukkia, Agnes and Da Slockit Light which will give people a strong clue abut which forum I'm on. But I think people have heard my Agnes and DSL enough times for now. Anyway, if I'm doing these two tunes all wrong then please stop me!

 

[BobM]

Here are photos of parts of the notes, if anyone can tell me type of tune or tempo, that would be very helpful (Ive already decided what I think they are, but I could be wrong...). Thanks very much, Matt.

Hi Matt,

It’s odd to me that in the folk/trad area, that music is often published with no clear tempo markings and with contrary time signatures, even quavers when they mean 6/8, or dotted quavers and semiquavers etc etc.
But, if the publisher doesn’t include good information, this pretty much gives you carte blanche to do as you will. And maybe thats the whole point, one of the first tunes that I learnt was “Speed the Plough”, with no chord symbols on the music. Er, my chords sound a little different from the norm..

BobM

 

[Bill V]

I have this book,would consider these tunes to be reels,thats how I play them.Margaret Wilson could be turned into a Hornpipe or march whatever takes your fancy fairly easily.Being written for a dancing teacher would make the reel a good choice,choose a speed you are comfortable with, about 120bpm[plus or minus] seems suitable.George Stirrat appears on youtube I will have a look.Celtic music he is found on.

 

[Matt Butcher]

Thanks very much Bill, it's very useful to get input from someone with a lot of experience of this music. I have always felt intimidated from tackling reels for some reason, I think it's fear of my fingers running away with themselves, so this would be a good excuse to try. The speed you suggest should be doable. Great stuff. There's something I like about this book, I just picked it up from a stall.

(And Bob, your comments are also helpful, people seemed to enjoy the tunes, so in that sense, it was OK.)