THIS IS A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION OF THE MUSIC BOOK.
This digital PDF music book contains 15 Irish airs arranged as fiddle duets and trios from melodies composed by Turlough O'Carolan. Carolan was a blind Irish poet, composer, and traveling harper who lived from 1670 - 1738.
You will receive two different paper size format organized in two different folders with this digital download - US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches), and A4 (210 x 297 millimeters). The United States and Canada use US letter paper, and the rest of the world usually uses A4 paper. If you decide to print the music book, please make sure to print the formatted version that has been designed for the paper your printer uses.
All parts are written in treble clef.
Book Contents:
Introduction:
- A Summary of Irish History that Influenced Carolan and His Music
- A Brief Biography of Turlough O'Carolan
Sheet Music:
- Captain O'Kane
- Fanny Power
- Carolan's Welcome
- Carolan's Receipt - Dr. John Stafford
- Colonel John Irwin
- Morgan Megan
- Eleanor Plunkett
- Carolan's Quarrel with the Landlady
- Sir Charles Coote
- Si Bheag Si Mhor
- George Brabazon's 2nd Air
- Princess Royal - Miss MacDermott
- Planxty Hewlett
- Denis O'Conor
- Carolan's Concerto
Each song has a melody and two melodic harmonies to choose from. The songs can be played as duets repeated using the different harmonies, or all parts can be played at the same time to form a violin trio.
The tunes are airs, and are therefore played at a slower tempo than a lot of traditional Irish fiddle music. All of these arrangements can be played in 1st position, making it an approachable book for beginner and intermediate violin players. The difficulty level varies for the different pieces.
This book is great for musicians performing with a friend or small group. The arrangements are appropriate for weddings and acoustic performances. The harmonies can even be used by a soloist with a looper pedal. It is also helpful for teachers who want to accompany their students. Those who study classical violin repertoire, and are interested in Irish folk music, may notice some of these songs have a "Baroque" spirit to them.
This book promotes listening closely to other players while performing a part, and learning how melodic harmonies can fit with a melody line.
Happy Fiddling!
Demonstration Video:
FAQ / discussion Video:
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