Right now I'm trying to get my hands around Colonel Fraser. Five parts to begin with, and the expectation of a /lot/ of ornamentation. It's one of the standard UP showoff tunes, and even <i>without</i> regulators it's a challenge!
I've never been able to get a handle on Sean Sa Cheo (a.k.a. John in the Fog, Sean is Sinead). It is a 3 part reel that spends a lot of time in the 2nd register. I now love the energy that the 2nd register gives out so I am looking for tunes that spend more time there. It has a fair number of triplets and rolls, and has a great swing. I am going to buy the Conal O'Grada (http://www.scoiltrad.com)lesson for that tune this July.
I've been working on a set with Tom Billy's jig and The Langstrom Pony for some time now. Not overly complex, just straight and fast with a great lilt or swing to it! I've also been picking away at Colonel Fraiser and The Bucks of Oranmore. Doubt I'll EVER get those two!
How long has that stinkin' pony tune been keeping you awake at nights wondering just how folks like Paddy and Mary B. are able to pull it off so perfectly?!
And Claudine...what's all this about me being brave?
Brian,
Langstrom's has remained unattempted so far, I only struggle along with it when we play it at sesiuns. After hammering away at it last nite, I think I'm ready to take the challenge!
Hmmm, I dunno why, but the tune I can't still get correctly is "Gravel Walk". There's that darn 4th or 5th part which goes from octave to octave and that kills me... Also, "O'Carolan's Concerto" gives me headaches
I guess the moral is that an advanced tune is the one that I just can't seem to get down. Some of the tunes mentioned I find flow easily for me while others I struggle with too... No, I don't think it's tunes that are advanced it's some of us who are slow.