# Please help me chose some Irish tunes to play on my Tenor recorder **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 19, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105 "2004-10-19T20:41:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/1 "2004-10-19T20:41:36Z")
Greetings, dopers, I’ve recently taken up the tenor recorder, which has the cardinal virtue of having the same fingering as the soprano I learned in grade school (\*and swore at the time I would never touch again \* :D) , but a lovely melancolic tone, compared to its shriller smaller cousin. I found a book of sheet music of Irish melodies for the recorder. I really enjoy Celtic music, but I don’t know any of the tunes in this book. Does anyone recognise any tune that you may think is particularly lovely / haunting / moving from among the following list? Don’t worry if you think it may be a bit hoaky, I still get misty eyed from a decent rendition of Danny Boy. At my present skill level, learning a completely new piece represents a bit of an investment in time and effort, which is made easier if the music also plays the heartstrings. Know My Love Nora Planxty Irwin The Sally Gardens Anach Cuain Oft In The Stilly Night The Galway Shawl The Last Rose Of Summer Tabhair Dom Do Lamh Beir Me’ O’ Down By The Glenside The Spinning Wheel I Know Where I’m Going Love Is Teasin’ The Cliffs Of Doneen The Star Of The County Down Taimse Im Chodladh The Lark In The Clear Air The Minstrel Boy Oro’ Se’ Do Bheatha Bhaile Si Beag Si Mor The Rakes Of Mallow Arr The Coulin Arr Brian Boru’s March Carolan’s Draught The Connemara Cradle Song Cockles And Mussels The Dawning Of The Day The Curragh Of Kildare The Foggy Dew Thanks for your suggestions. \*(this is where I wish I knew a greeting, or how to say thanks, in Gaelic :o ) \* ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/2 "2004-10-20T00:42:20Z")
> [@trupa](#): > > Thanks for your suggestions. > \*(this is where I wish I knew a greeting, or how to say thanks, in Gaelic :o ) \* Can’t help you much with the songs, the only one I know of those is “Oro’ Se’ Do Bheatha Bhaile,” which we would listen to in my Irish language class (I do like that one though btw), but if I remember correctly “thank you” would be “go raibh maith agat.” Pronounced “go row my ag-at.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/3 "2004-10-20T04:06:43Z")
> [@Eyebrows 0f Doom](#): > > Can’t help you much with the songs, the only one I know of those is “Oro’ Se’ Do Bheatha Bhaile,” which we would listen to in my Irish language class (I do like that one though btw), but if I remember correctly “thank you” would be “go raibh maith agat.” Pronounced “go row my ag-at.” 🙂 Well then _go raibh maith agat_, **Eyebrows**! As the French Canadian proverb says, I won’t die today, since I have learned something new. PS. I hope you stick around. Not to many user names have made me chuckle out loud in spite of the baby sleeping next door. Eyebrows of Doom indeed! Makes me smile just thinking about it. At the risk of hijacking my own thread, what’s the story behind the name? ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/4 "2004-10-20T05:28:14Z")
> [@trupa](#): > > Well then _go raibh maith agat_, **Eyebrows**! > > As the French Canadian proverb says, I won’t die today, since I have learned something new. > > PS. I hope you stick around. Not to many user names have made me chuckle out loud in spite of the baby sleeping next door. Eyebrows of Doom indeed! Makes me smile just thinking about it. At the risk of hijacking my own thread, what’s the story behind the name? Thanks! My first day here and I’ve already made someone laugh. 😃 OK, the story behind this is that I really love “The Lord of the Rings” and Elrond in particular. Well, if you’ve seen Fellowship you remember the scene at the Council of Elrond where he turns around and just shoots this _look_ at Merry & Pippin? Well, one look at his eyebrows in this scene and, voila! the Eyebrows of Doom are born! 😃 (See [here](http://www.councilofelrond.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=My_eGallery&file=index&do=showpic&pid=1296&orderby=) for reference). ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/5 "2004-10-20T11:11:19Z")
I’ve never heard of most of these, apart from the Last Rose of Summer, which is beautiful. You may find that if the music is written for descant (soprano), you might have a difficult time getting the same range out of the tenor - it is difficult. A properly made descant need not be shrill - just avoid cheap crappy plastic ones! ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/6 "2004-10-20T12:40:10Z")
A number of the songs you’ve listed are credited to Irish harpist/composer Turlough O’Carolan; he’s definitely a legendary guy and his tunes so moved me that I’ve puchased several more CDs of Celtic tunes. _Planxty Irwin_ is O’Carolan, as is _SiBeag Si Mor_ (which is apparently about warring groups of fairies :)) and _Carolan’s Draught_. Pick up a CD or two of Celtic tunes - I’d recommend _Celtic Treasure II: The Living Legacy of Turlough O’Carolan_ (my personal favorite). Sometimes, though, the same tune can sound -completely- different; guess that depends on the performer’s interpretation. Enjoy playing the tunes on the recorder and hope this helps some. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/7 "2004-10-20T12:50:08Z")
My favourites from your list would be: The Sally Gardens The Cliffs Of Doneen The Star Of The County Down The Curragh Of Kildare The Foggy Dew If you want to widen your horizons, how about some Percy French tunes? They’re very Irish, but are Victorian era, rather than ancient tunes. They tend to have humourous lyrics, and are best when sung, but the tunes are catchy enough to be worth your while. Some titles to look for: The Mountains of Mourne Phil the Fluter’s Ball The Woods of Gortnamona (which is sad) Or you could try something more patriotic, like the Irish national anthem (Amhrán na bhFiann, pronounced “are on na feen”) or The Fields of Athenry. Then there are the old singalong favourites : The Wild Rover Arthur McBride Whisky in the Jar Black Velvet Band Whisky on a Sunday There is one particular song I’m very fond of, it’s sad, has lovely Lyrics and is quite well known. It’s about WW1 and the futility or war in general, called The Green Fields of France, which I think would be beautiful on a recorder. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/8 "2004-10-20T13:33:23Z")
_Anach Cuain_ would be my personal hands down favourite, though I’m not convinced you could carry it off without having ever heard it. This is because it is a slow air and those are notoriously hard to capture in written notation. In fact, all Irish music is impossible to play right without listening to it. However, if you just want to play the melodies that are in the book without worrying overly much about authenticity then I think _Star of the County Down_ is a nice tune, if a bit over familiar in the world of Irish traditional music. Since you don’t know it that shouldn’t bother you. Over all though my advice would be: 1. play (or get someone to play) quickly through the lot of them and play a tune or song _you_ like rather than one \*we \* like. 2. If you want to take it even the slightest bit seriously you really need to hear the music, so get yourself a CD and visit concerts and/or pub sessions (as audience to start of with- playing in them needs a fair amount of practice). Good luck and enjoy the music. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/9 "2004-10-20T13:54:15Z")
It would seem your local Irish session is [here](http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display.php/659). You might want to check,as I’ve got if off a message board so the info might be out of date, though it was posted relatively recently. ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/10 "2004-10-20T15:25:44Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > I’ve never heard of most of these, apart from the Last Rose of Summer, which is beautiful. > > You may find that if the music is written for descant (soprano), you might have a difficult time getting the same range out of the tenor - it is difficult. A properly made descant need not be shrill - just avoid cheap crappy plastic ones! Thank you, Angua, I will pay attention to your suggestion. Of course you’re right about the descant. It also helps to avoid having an 11 year old boy blow into it like he was trying to inflate an inflatable mattress, or pretending to be in the middle of a hot jazz saxophone solo. 😃 My ears still ring at the memory of listening to myself 25 years ago… The tenor actually has the same “range” as the soprano, except a couple of octaves down. It’s played right off the treble clef, same as the soprano, but with, imho, a much more mellow & rich tone. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/11 "2004-10-20T15:28:05Z")
> [@trupa](#): > > The tenor actually has the same “range” as the soprano, except a couple of octaves down. It’s played right off the treble clef, same as the soprano, but with, imho, a much more mellow & rich tone. This is true, but in my experience its a lot harder to get the higher notes on a tenor than on a descant, but YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/12 "2004-10-20T15:29:08Z")
Oh, and I should add, you _can_ play jazz on a recorder. And make it sound ‘sleazy’. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/13 "2004-10-20T16:10:19Z")
**Trupa** , I don’t really have anything to add to the excellent suggestions above, but being as you’re in Calgary (as am I), and I used to play a lot of this kind of thing on my recorder and flute, I may have some sheet music and some CDs that I’d be willing to loan you. There is also some great live Maritime/Irish music in Calgary. One place in particular is a favourite of mine, though the music can have a much wider range than you might think. (Ever hear Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” done Celtic-style?) Anyway, if you like, I might be able to point you in the direction of a place or two. ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/14 "2004-10-20T16:14:01Z")
> [@tarragon918](#): > > A number of the songs you’ve listed are credited to Irish harpist/composer Turlough O’Carolan; > {SNIP} > Pick up a CD or two of Celtic tunes - I’d recommend _Celtic Treasure II: The Living Legacy of Turlough O’Carolan_ (my personal favorite). . Good idean **Tarragon** , which \*\*PookahMacPhellimey \*\* has also echoed. I found & bought two Turlough O’Carolan CDs on Amazon, (although the one you suggested was unavailable) that featured a number of the pieces: [Celtic Harp 1: Music of Turlough O’Carolan](http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000007SD/ref=pd_huc_gp_rv_2/702-9708717-9876068?%5Fencoding=UTF8) and [Harper’s Reverie: Irish Music of Turlough O’Carolan](http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JLI3/qid=1098288306/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_0_3/702-9708717-9876068) Thanks folks. ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/15 "2004-10-20T16:27:32Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > My favourites from your list would be: > The Sally Gardens > The Cliffs Of Doneen > The Star Of The County Down > The Curragh Of Kildare > The Foggy Dew > > {SNIP} > > There is one particular song I’m very fond of, it’s sad, has lovely Lyrics and is quite well known. It’s about WW1 and the futility or war in general, called The Green Fields of France, which I think would be beautiful on a recorder. Thanks Irishgirl, and a trans-atlantic tip’o the hat to you. 🙂 I will look for the sheet music for the Green Fields of France. Paradoxically, although I am delighted with life at the moment, and lucky enough to appreciate this happiness while it’s here, there’s something about the the sound of the tenor recorder that makes me really want to play slow, melancolic tear-jerker tunes on it. This may seem like a long shot right now, but if I manage to find a copy of it, and feel my skills are up to doing it justice, I will send you a recording of it. ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/16 "2004-10-20T16:32:35Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > Oh, and I should add, you _can_ play jazz on a recorder. And make it sound ‘sleazy’. 😉 Oh? Do tell… 😃 I’ve managed to find a copy of “Black is the colour of my true love’s hair”, which was appropriate, in this case, for Mrs. Trupa. Learning it and dedicating it to her won me much romantic brownie points, especially as the recorder was her aniversary gift to me this year. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/17 "2004-10-20T16:41:57Z")
Thanks for your suggestions and advice, **PookahMacPhellimey** , I would not presume to claim any authentic interpretations. Truth be told, carrying off any tune to point where they are pleasant for any listener at the moment still represents a challenge for my skills. But playing music that I find beautifull and moving is a wonderful motivator to practice, and a challenge to learn something new is always a good thing in life… I will certainly bear your advice in mind. Anach Cuain & Star of the County Down go on the “to learn” list… ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/18 "2004-10-20T16:52:26Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > **Trupa** , I don’t really have anything to add to the excellent suggestions above, but being as you’re in Calgary (as am I), and I used to play a lot of this kind of thing on my recorder and flute, I may have some sheet music and some CDs that I’d be willing to loan you. > > There is also some great live Maritime/Irish music in Calgary. One place in particular is a favourite of mine, though the music can have a much wider range than you might think. (Ever hear Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” done Celtic-style?) Anyway, if you like, I might be able to point you in the direction of a place or two. Wow, **Spoons** , I’m quite touched. That’s awfull kind of you. Especially if you have sheet-music - CD combinations, which would be very useful for my novice ear, as \*\*PookahMacPhellimey \*\* and \*\*tarragon918 \*\* have suggested. I will PM/email you to work out the logistics. I must admit that our freedom to go listen to live music has been somewhat curtailed since the arrival of our two-year old, but that only makes these occasions more valued. I would appreciate your suggestions. Perhaps we can do lunch?(my treat) ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/19 "2004-10-20T17:05:12Z")
**Spoons** , the board won’t let me send you an email. You can contact me at [1trupa@gmail.com](mailto:1trupa@gmail.com) if you wish. PS. I can send you a gmail invite, if you would like one. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105/20 "2004-10-20T22:41:56Z")
I’m no kind of musician, so I tend to like songs based mostly on the lyrics that go with them. Some of the songs on your list aren’t particularly happy or sad until you’ve heard them sung. Unfortunately, I think it would be very challenging to sing while accompanying oneself on the recorder. 😉 The three I’ve seen mentioned here that make me feel sort of sad but patriotic (though patriotic to my ancestor’s country rather than my own) are _The Fields of Athenry_, _The Green Fields of France_ (also known as _Willy McBride \* or \* No Man’s Land_), and _The Minstral Boy._ _Follow Me Up to Carlow_ is pretty upbeat, but it’s a little sad when you know that it was a sort of recruiting song for a rebellion–but written a century or so after that rebellion had failed. It’s sort of the modern Irish _Chanson de Roland_, a celebration of a glorious failure. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-chose-some-irish-tunes-to-play-on-my-tenor-recorder/270105.md?page=2)