Whistle and flute duet for Catholic Mass

Flamman · Post by **Flamman** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 8:25 am

I play guitar in my church music group; my daughter plays flute. My music director knows I play whistle, and he's asked us to think about a duet. Problem: It has to be sacred, not secular. At Christmas, this would be easy. In August, not so. Any thoughts on a piece?

lddulcimer · Post by **lddulcimer** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:06 am

How about some of the more traditional hymns, such as 'Sweet Hour of Prayer' or 'Holy, Holy, Holy'. 'Amazing Grace' would also work. These types of hymns have a lot of music out there that could give you harmony lines, or you could write them yourself. Many of the traditional hymns have also been around long enough to cross denominational barriers.

Another song might be 'The Ash Grove' - it is trad but is also known as 'Let All Things Now Living' and is in many hymnals. There are several others that come out of the trad music too, such as 'Be Thou My Vision' and 'Morning Has Broken'.

TigerLSU · Post by **TigerLSU** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:08 am

One song that would work is called "Canticle of the Turning". All it is is "Star of the County Down" with Christian/Catholic Lyrics. I played it this summer at a friend's wedding: it went over great. There are always the classics like Amazing Grace which works really great on whistle. St. Patrick's Breatplate might be a good choice (if you can find the music to go with it.) The Christ-Child's Lullaby could work. I wish I could be more help, but my mind is going blank on all the music that I've played for mass. And if you want something Marian, I heard a group (I think Great Big Sea) perform a song called the 7 joys of Mary (it has something to do with the joy Mary received from the life of her Son, Christ)

I hope this helps.

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:32 am

"Morning Has Broken" is found in Protestant hymnbooks, claiming Celtic origin. Pretty sweet tune but hard to get Cat Stevens' version out of yer head whilst playing.

markv · Post by **markv** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:38 am

The Weekenders wrote:"Morning Has Broken" is found in Protestant hymnbooks, claiming Celtic origin. Pretty sweet tune but hard to get Cat Stevens' version out of yer head whilst playing.

I have the same problem!

Mark V.

TonyHiggins · Post by **TonyHiggins** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:44 am

Lament of the Three Mary's (presumably suitable for Easter) and Have You Been To Carrick? There are lyrics in Irish. Never heard the English versions. Both beautiful tunes. They're in 100 Best Irish Slow Airs by Mel Bay, which is a great workbook w/ cd's.
Tony

Roger O'Keeffe · Post by **Roger O'Keeffe** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:03 am

A version of St Patrick's Breastplate is often sung by the entire congregation at Mass in Ireland to the tune which Cat Stevens popularised as "Morning has broken", so you're on safe ground. I have read that it is indeed a traditional Irish air (slips on flameproof pants).

Even people who aren't familiar with the "breastplate" words would hardly take offence at the Cat Stevens association - I don't know all the words but the theme seems to be reasonably in tune with religious sentiments.

Flamman · Post by **Flamman** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:29 am

I was thinking about Morning Has Broken. It's in C in our Mass book, but I have a Susato C, so no problem. My only issue is finding music that allows us to harmonize, not just play the same melody.

And thanks, too, for the tip on the Irish Airs book. I bought mine a month ago in Ballyvaughan, County Clare, at <a href="http://www.fiddlersirishmusic.com/">Fiddler's Traditional Irish Music Shop</a>. I think I need another book. Or maybe another bodhran or whistle. Perhaps I should go back.

lddulcimer · Post by **lddulcimer** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:38 am

Hey Tony - you don't have the ISBN number for '100 Best Irish Slow Airs by Mel Bay', do ya? I can seem to find it on Mel Bay or amazon.

Thanks!

selkie · Post by **selkie** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 11:44 am

My daughter plays flute and I often play recorder or whistle duets with her. Morning has broken. Amazing grace. Nearer My God to Thee. One which I personally love is The Kingdom of God. (Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. This has a lovely harmony and melody though not sure if it is Catholic. Don't some of the Kyrie Eleison Chants have parts as well? Hope you can find something.

thurlowe · Post by **thurlowe** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 11:56 am

If you want to buy sheet music, here's the book that will help a lot:

http://sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_det ... et%20Music

"Favorite Celtic Melodies for 2 flutes." The settings are plain, they include "Morning Has Broken" and "Ash Grove." I've played them as whistle/flute duets with my duet partner.

All the best,

Cara

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 12:46 pm

I am not sure about the book in question, but The Whistle Shop has a TON of music and method books for sale!

TomB · Post by **TomB** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 12:59 pm

NorCalMusician wrote:I am not sure about the book in question, but The Whistle Shop has a TON of music and method books for sale!

Including, I believe, one called 110 Best Slow Irish Airs- or something close to that.

All the Best, Tom

lddulcimer · Post by **lddulcimer** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 1:06 pm

Found it.....Thanks!

rebl_rn · Post by **rebl_rn** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 4:50 pm

Great suggestions so far. Another tune I really like on whistle, and I imagine a flute/whistle duet would be even prettier is "I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say", it's in the "Word and Song" Catholic missalette. (And I'm sure many other places). It's a tune of English origin, I believe. We do it at church (whistle and guitar) in E minor, but it could easily be transposed.

Michael Card's "Starkindler: a Celtic Conversation With God" has some great old hymns as well as newer pieces done in Celtic arrangements. It's a beautiful CD, although a bit too short.

Beth

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Whistle and flute duet for Catholic Mass

Whistle and flute duet for Catholic Mass

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Thanks all