Anyone know of a good Christmas arrangement? (Tune that is)

rodfish · Post by **rodfish** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 2:19 pm

My daughter an I have been asked to play in Church on Christmas Eve and we're looking for something appropriate but that has a distinct Irish or "whistle" flare to it. And hopefully something with at least a couple of parts so we can play harmony or she can accompany me on the piano.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would absolutely be thrilled!

Thanks;

Rod

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 2:20 pm

With a bit of Irish ornamentation, Greensleeves should be pretty.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel is stunning on a low whistle. For some reason, every time I pick up a low whistle, that tune comes to mind. What's weird is that I'm Jewish! Glorious tune in any event.

Wormdiet · Post by **Wormdiet** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 2:26 pm

Umm . . .Christmas Eve the reel??

I think just about any "real" Christmas carol would sound great. BY "real" I mean anything not written in the last 100 years. No Bing Crosby or Holly Jollies, please.

s1m0n · Post by **s1m0n** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 2:58 pm

God rest ye merry, Gentlemen (both tunes, but the one which is scalar is best) and the tune to which Good King Wenceslas was set are the best Christmas melodies, IMO, and both make crackling-good dance tunes.

In fact, that's what they were first. IMO that's the secret of the best christmas carols--'carol' originally meant a kind of dance, independant of the season.

It's the dancy-nature of the tunes which makes them most amenable to irish style playing.

sweet potato · Post by **sweet potato** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 3:33 pm

I have played Away in a Manger, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella, and Ding Dong Merrily On High for a nice Christmas set on the whistle for church. (The first two tunes have many variations - we have played the ones more familiar here in Scotland (and elsewhere) than the ones I grew up with in the US).

Laura

Jason Paul · Post by **Jason Paul** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 4:13 pm

I've only been playing for 2-3 weeks, but Christmas carols seem really easy. I've been able to pick out Greensleeves (What Child is This?), Little Drummer Boy, Good King Winceslas, We Three Kings, I Saw Three Ships, and even Angels We Have Heard On High. They're not real clean, but the melodies are there.

You can also go here for starters:

http://www.tinwhistler.com/songtype.asp?songtype=14

It seems to me that the whistle just lends itself easily to Christmas carols.

Jason

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 4:21 pm

Frankie Gavin released a recording some years back along the lines of "Frankie Gavin's Irish Christmas", which had some great playing on it.
Get that , if you can. The set-dance "The Piper In The Meadow Straying" is almost identical to a Christmas carol, but I don't recall which, at the moment. If you're stuck, contact me , and I'll send you a recording on tape or mini-disc.

jsluder · Post by **jsluder** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 4:45 pm

Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil is a very lovely Irish carol. It's been recorded by many, including the Chieftains. (It's also in Bill Ochs' tinwhistle tutor.)

cowtime · Post by **cowtime** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 8:24 pm

jsluder wrote:Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil is a very lovely Irish carol. It's been recorded by many, including the Chieftains. (It's also in Bill Ochs' tinwhistle tutor.)

I'll second the above suggestion if you want autheticity.

At our annual church Christmas revelry I always play a bunch of Christmas tunes on whistle. Most were played with the organ so if your daughter can do piano, that will sound great. Here's a few I've done that worked well-

The Boar's Head Carol- you can work out a nice descant to this one too.

Personet Hodie

Holly and the Ivy

Huron Carol (this one is very nice on low whistle

Gower Wassail

Glouchestershire Wassail

Deck the Hall

Of the Father's Love Begotten

Love Came Down at Christmas

Actually, most carols you might like can be done on whistle. Just think of some of your favorites and try them out. I bet you'll be plesantly suprised.

MacNeil · Post by **MacNeil** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:24 am

The Whistle and Squeak site has some nice settings, including a lovely one of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (which is arguably a Christmas piece).

tommyk · Post by **tommyk** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 7:37 am

The largest of the groups I play with has a Christmas CD with lots of fine arrangements (I can say this so boldly because I joined the band a few years after that disc was completed). Check out this link for the track listing and samples:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gladlyplaye

rodfish · Post by **rodfish** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 1:07 pm

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the great suggestions; I should be able to find something (more than one) there.

jsluder: "Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil" is a beautiful tune. I had not played it nor heard it before. Thanks!

tommyk: the samples from your web site are great. I may just have to order a CD!

Rod

gonzo914 · Post by **gonzo914** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:58 am

And a couple more I don't think I saw mentioned--

Wexford Carol

Christmas Day Ida Moarnin'

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:46 am

I Wander as I Wonder

I Saw Three Ships

Coventry Carol

Black Mage · Post by **Black Mage** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:05 am

I've been starting to practice christmas music in prep for the season. Mst recently I've been learning O, Holy Night, works wonderfully on whistle.

Chiff and Fipple Forums

Anyone know of a good Christmas arrangement? (Tune that is)

Anyone know of a good Christmas arrangement? (Tune that is)

Merry Christmas - already ??