TOW#16: A Yow Cam ta Wir Door Yarmin'

[nigelgatherer]

A Yow Cam Ta Wir Door Yarmin'



I've always been fond of this Shetland listening tune.

• PDF with Standard Notation and Chords
• PDF with Standard Notation and Mandolin Tablature
• MP3
• MP3 Clip of the Boys of the Lough playing "A Yow Cam..." in 1973
  

[John Kelly]

Nigel, an unusual wee tune this and one I had never heard before, so I decided to have a go on mandolin and octave. Here is the link to the SoundCloud site and the tune.
Thanks for posting the notes and the Boys of the Lough audio clip.

A Yow Cam Ta Wir Door Yarmin'.

It certainly has a great title for announcing to an audience.

[Jack Campin]

If I remember right, the version collected from source fiddlers in Shetland has the F a quartertone sharp.

What do you fretted guys do about that? Paperclip and bluetack?

[John Kelly]

(02-04-2011 05:50 PM)Jack Campin Wrote:  If I remember right, the version collected from source fiddlers in Shetland has the F a quartertone sharp.

What do you fretted guys do about that? Paperclip and bluetack?

Now there's a good idea,Jack - a bit like the sliding G capo on a five-string banjo! In fact quarter tones on fretted instruments are possible by simply playing the note then bending it by sideways pressure on the string. Easier on a longer scale instrument than on a mandolin with its shorter scale ( I build mine with a 375 mm scale) and double courses. This bending is found a great deal in blues playing and is just another device in the armoury like hammer-ons and pull-offs. Now you have me thinking about this, so off to have a go at it.
Mind you, I have played with fiddlers who consistently play a quarter tone sharp.

[Tosh Marshall]

Great version John, here's my take on it.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLKAVDqWhbc

[John Kelly]

(03-04-2011 09:20 AM)Tosh Marshall Wrote:  Great version John, here's my take on it.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLKAVDqWhbc

That 10-stringer has a great tone, Tosh. It is an interesting wee tune indeed, and the comment by Jack about the fiddlers playing a quarter tone sharp is an idea to pursue.
Hope Mr Hathway pays you a regular retainer for the product placement