your top 3 non-Celtic tunes you play on whistle

[Flexismart]

Happy Birthday...https://app.box.com/s/ovts2esian8l71u3fxlm

[Sirchronique]

1) Danse de l'ours, which we actually use to dance to as a chapelloise

This was one of the first tunes I learned on whistle a long time ago, and I was wondering where it originates. I've heard it called "Polka D'ours" at first, and was under the impression that it was french perhaps (?). Then I heard something extremely similar but called Der Bärentanz, or "The Bears' Dance", which I believe to be the same tune. Each version of it I hear has slightly different variances to the different parts, but is overall the same tune, or at very least quite closely related.

It seems to be a very widespread tune, and I've heard it attributed to quite a few different countries, so I assume it's an older tune due to the fact that it's so widespread and has such disputed origins. Do you have any information on it? It's a very fun tune. I've heard it said to be belgian, french , german, etc.


And thanks for sharing that stuff , PanCelticPiper.... I've been listening to bulgarian music for much of the evening just youtube surfing the recommendations I get from those links you shared. The first tune was very familiar to me, as it is on Sylvain Barou's album on the track titled simply "Horos", although he plays it on Irish Flute, rather than Kaval. It's nice to hear it played on one of the traditional instruments, by a person from the region of that tradition, though. The two versions are very similar, that being said. I don't think I have ever heard a Kaval before reading this thread.


I like this thread. Irish, Scottish, Breton, Swedish, Asturian/Galician, and Appalacian Old-Time music are my favourite types of music, but for the most part lately I primarily just play Irish and Scottish tunes on whistle, with occasionally a Breton tune thrown in here or there. So, I suppose I don't play many "non-celtic" musics on whistle, aside from the above mentioned tune and things I've made up. Irish Trad is my favourite music, but I do think it would be fun to branch out a bit and learn some other music on high and low whistles, as I do with my other instruments.

So... I look forward to reading more posts on this thread!

[MadmanWithaWhistle]

Learning to Fly by Tom Petty. The slide guitar breaks and fills, as well as the countermelody work really well on the whistle. Jazz standards like Summertime and Superstition also are fun.

[Lazy River]

1. Greenland Fisheries
2. Uncloudy Day
3. Will the Circle Be Unbroken

-- Al

[Mr Ed]

Simple Gifts, AKA Lord of the Dance

Summertime

I'll Fly Away

[Flavius]

and I was wondering where it originates. (...) Do you have any information on it?

Alas, nothing solid. Like yourself, I've found many different claims for country of origin (Germany, Netherlands, Flanders) and time (from late XVI century to the 1970's). Unfortunately, nothing on historical records. Lacking written documentation, perhaps some musicologist out there could (has already?) analyze its structure and propose an historical dance form where it could fit. But seeing as many modern compositions mimic older structures, and many folk tunes seem to hop and leap all over Europe (Branle de l'official, La Tua Danza Si Leggiera), I'd say odds are we'll be left in the dark.

[Ketil]

Flatbush waltz, no introduction needed
Visa från Rättvik, from Jan Johansson jazz på svenska.
The theme from Godfather

Since I sold my keyed flute I'll play them in different keys than original

[dspmusik]

what a great collection! so the next question is: have you ever tried one of these at a session?
i awkwardly tried a few celtic tunes at a bluegrass session (we had a tv monitor with the music scanned in for those that didn't have every tune memorized) and it kinda worked.
it's always funny when you are in a room of people that have been doing only one form of music for 80% of their life.

[pancelticpiper]

have you ever tried one of these at a session?

Most of the Irish sessions I've attended appear to have an unwritten rule that everything must be Irish session tunes.

I worked out a couple sets of Scottish jigs and reels with a fiddler and a guitarist I know, but we only play them if we're the only ones present.

Suddenly breaking into a Bulgarian tune, Classical piece, Jethro Tull tune, or what have you, wouldn't go over well at all.

[sfmans]

have you ever tried one of these at a session?

Most of the Irish sessions I've attended appear to have an unwritten rule that everything must be Irish session tunes.

I worked out a couple sets of Scottish jigs and reels with a fiddler and a guitarist I know, but we only play them if we're the only ones present.

Suddenly breaking into a Bulgarian tune, Classical piece, Jethro Tull tune, or what have you, wouldn't go over well at all.

And that's the joy of an English Music session - whilst they are predominantly English (in all that subject's variety, from the various Morris traditions to Northumbrian to Lancashire 3/2 hornpipes to Sussex polkas and step-dances etc etc), but the occasional a Bulgarian tune, Classical piece, Jethro Tull tune, or what have you is very unlikely to get you ejected.

The Wallace & Gromit theme can often be slotted into the middle of a set of polkas without too many people even realising what it is they're playing until it's too late ...

[benhall.1]

have you ever tried one of these at a session?

Most of the Irish sessions I've attended appear to have an unwritten rule that everything must be Irish session tunes.

I worked out a couple sets of Scottish jigs and reels with a fiddler and a guitarist I know, but we only play them if we're the only ones present.

Suddenly breaking into a Bulgarian tune, Classical piece, Jethro Tull tune, or what have you, wouldn't go over well at all.

And that's the joy of an English Music session - whilst they are predominantly English (in all that subject's variety, from the various Morris traditions to Northumbrian to Lancashire 3/2 hornpipes to Sussex polkas and step-dances etc etc), but the occasional a Bulgarian tune, Classical piece, Jethro Tull tune, or what have you is very unlikely to get you ejected.

The Wallace & Gromit theme can often be slotted into the middle of a set of polkas without too many people even realising what it is they're playing until it's too late ...

It's funny, but I've found the exact opposite to be the case. Irish sessions, if they're any good, in the UK, or just about any Irish trad session in Ireland, will tolerate more or less anything. It's the English sessions that I've found to be a bit exclusive ... not to say, excluding.

[sfmans]

It's funny, but I've found the exact opposite to be the case. Irish sessions, if they're any good, in the UK, or just about any Irish trad session in Ireland, will tolerate more or less anything. It's the English sessions that I've found to be a bit exclusive ... not to say, excluding.

That's a real shame - you've obviously been unfortunate in your choice of English sessions. Or I've been unfortunate in my choice of Irish sessions. Or, most likely, both ....

[benhall.1]

It's funny, but I've found the exact opposite to be the case. Irish sessions, if they're any good, in the UK, or just about any Irish trad session in Ireland, will tolerate more or less anything. It's the English sessions that I've found to be a bit exclusive ... not to say, excluding.

That's a real shame - you've obviously been unfortunate in your choice of English sessions. Or I've been unfortunate in my choice of Irish sessions. Or, most likely, both ....

It's happened a few times. The worst was the occasion when I was at a social gathering - not something billed as a session at all. At some point, instruments were produced, and I happened to have my fiddle with me so took the thing out and waited for the fun to begin. I should have known there was something up when, before anybody had played a note, a woman said "No, what shall we play - English or French?" I didn't think much of it though, and carried on. I played a few tunes with them and, because there was a really decent Irish whistle player in our number, I threw in a common Irish jig at the end of some 6/8-ey Morris things (probably also called 'jigs' ). The rest just ... stopped. Me and my whistle playing friend sort of stumbled to a halt, watching the tumbleweed roll by. At which point, the woman said "We don't play Irish music" and they just carried on where they'd left off. They looked more than satisfied when me and me whistlin' friend slunk off in a dejected sort of way.

That's the worst example. I'm afraid it's by no means the only one, in my experience. I'd love to come and experience a friendly English session, sfmans. It would be a refreshing change.

Anyway, I'm sure there are some 'Irish' sessions that are just as bad. I just haven't come across them.

[eskin]

1) Happy Birthday

2) If I Only Had a Brain

3) The theme from the original "Superman" movie

[crookedtune]

Funny you should say that. I'm suffering some mild tendonitis in my left hand, and have been messing with a Paddy-tuned harmonica of late, (since it doesn't aggravate anything except my family).

'If I Only Had a Brain' is high on my list of "Good Paddy-Harp Tunes".