Some of you might be able to contribute to this Twitter page.
https://twitter.com/hashtag/covidceilidh...%5Ehashtag

Nigel's Online Music School



I have decided to try to offer some online tuition, and over the next couple of days I'll be asking for volunteers to help with test sessions. If you're interested, or if you wish more information about my online teaching activities, please let me know (email me).

Couple of questions on this one.

Does anyone have the sheet music with chords?

Have seen it played as a Scottish dance reel but other's say it's Irish any thoughts.


Alcluith

Parthenia



An old English tune which I got from Savourna Stevenson's LP Pickled Tink (1985). I've also heard Dave Swarbrick playing the tune (on his Flitting album).

• Standard Notation with chords
  
• Standard Notation with mandolin tablature
  
• MP3 Soundfile of me playing Parthenia on mandolin
  

The BMG Festival in Edinburgh on the 27th, 28th and 29th March 2020 has been cancelled due to the covid-19 virus. It was to be held at Merchiston Castle School, but they have pulled the plug. It seems fairly certain that the larger Harp Festival will suffer the same fate. Cor blimey.

I'm very disappointed, as I was doing two workshops, manning a stall for my books, judging contests and MC-ing the Saturday evening event. But what can you do?

Tune of the Week #98: Auld Reekie



This tune was taken from a recording of the smallpiper Hamish Moore, although he played it as a strathspey, while I've turned it into a reel.

• Standard Notation with chords
  
• Standard Notation with mandolin tablature
  
• MP3 soundfile of me playing Auld Reekie on mandolin
  

Tune of the Week #61: Willie MacGregor



"This tune was recorded by Jimmy Shand in 1942 as part of a march, strathspey and reel set (Willie MacGregor/Captain Campbell/The Drummer). I haven’t found the tune anywhere else, so I don’t know any story behind it. I have notated the way Shand played it, and as such there are some notes which could not be played by a bagpipe."

So I wrote back in February 2013. The tune is in Nigel Gatherer's Tune of the Week Volume 3. All four volumes can be downloaded for free from the following links:

• Tune of the Week Volume 1 [STD] [TAB]
  
• Tune of the Week Volume 2 [STD] [TAB]
  
• Tune of the Week Volume 3 [STD] [TAB]
  
• Tune of the Week Volume 4 [STD] [TAB]
  

I forgot to tell you that I met Annie McKelvie recently. She came along to a folk evening I was hosting with her husband, who sings, and told me the whole story! 

MEETING TUNE NAMES:

My friend was in a pub somewhere and someone pointed to a man sitting at the end of the bar. "That's Kenny Gillies of Portnalong!" she was told.

I was in the street in Crieff outside a session when someone spoke to me and said, "D'ye ken the tune "Andy Renwick's Ferret?" "Aye," says I. "Andy Renwick is ma brother!" came the reply.

What about you? Have you meant Short Coated Mary? Have you had a drink in The Famous Baravan? Have you passed out in Dornoch Links? Had a Trip to Pakistan?

Mixter Maxter 15

Mixter Maxter 15 is heading back to Carlops on the 21st of March 2020. A few people missed out on MM14, so I've decided to give them another opportunity. The theme this time is The Year of the Tree. so all the tunes and songs will be tree-related.



Booking is now open - see my website for further details.

Home with the Girls in the Morning



I've heard a few recordings of this tune, and some play it with the F# at the end of the 5th line, and others don't. Take your pick.

• Standard Notation with chords
  
• Standard Notation with mandolin tablature
  
• MP3 Soundfile