Susie’s Page
Next lesson is on Tuesday 6th October 2026 but time is an issue – can you make 12.30 pm? Will text.
New Tune in the meantime : Maple Sugar (mp3)
Back Row Band Busk Book – you have the book & next workshop is at 11 am at Lucy Sanderson Hall. Galashiels on 25.10.26
Notes for Kerry Dancers set (clearer?)
Work on tunes in the new book as we plan to record the group doing them.
Hundred Pipers – notes as in book
Link to Back Row Band session tunes is here – busking plans for mid August.
Tunes Session on 23rd August at 2 pm at Lucy Sanderson Hall.
Banks of Kale Water with a slower recording here
Carter Bar & Faudenside on one sheet
Hamnataing (Bk 1:18)-recording
The Big Yin with recording as in Beauly and a slower recording here for learning. There is an easier accompaniment here and,wait for it, an arrangement with a basic music software recording of it here to give you a rough idea. The Big Yin’s – you can hear Bruce MacGregor playing it here and this version goes to the higher strings in the key of D.
Believe me if all these Endearing Charms Set (mp3) Bk 1:44
Rannie MacLellan (mp3) – the Cape Breton tune we looked at
Malcolm Finlay (mp3) Cape Breton tune in E with lots of fourth fingers. Look on it as a scales exercise.
Link to Grades page with pictures of fingering – just keep to the relevant scales as detailed below
Link to Back Row band session tunes is here . We meet on 19th October 2025.
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Grade 2 – Scales are in table below but here are some of the tune recordings.
Book 2 -recording here of Leezy Lindsay.
Here is Callum’s Road recording – use the Riddell Fiddles’ version of the music here (1st tune – also in Riddell Fiddles’ book
Slockit Light (mp3) – a beautiful slow tune. Work on that bar in the second half with the close G and the stretchy G (2nd fingers on E).
Try the scale of A minor starting on open A and also A major starting on first on G and going right up to 3rd on E (top A)
| Scale & Arpeggio | MP3 (Software) | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A major – 2 octaves |  |  | F#,C#,G# Stretchy thirds on G and D! |
| D major – 1 octave | | | F#,C# |
| G major – 2 octaves | | | F# |
| E minor – 1 octave | | | F# |
| A minor – 1 octave | | | No sharps or flats Remember 1st on E is pulled back |
| G minor – 2 octaves | | | B flat,E flat Pulled back firsts! |
Work on list of tunes below and ‘leaving Loughrea’ – Irish jig
Tune list is here
By next lesson try and be able to play this set without music. Rowan Tree set (mp3) Bk1: 8
Ye Banks and Braes in G (mp3) / Aran Boat Song in Em (mp3) /Leaving Lismore in D (mp3 – music software) – the set
Last train from Loughrea – listen and work on this.You are playing it very well.
Have a listen to this tune – you do not need to learn it. Jenna Reid plays it so beautifully.Hector the Hero (mp3)
African Lullaby (mp3) Then try starting it on G (3rd on D) or open A (remember stretchy third on D when you get there)
Scotland the Brave in G with slower recording and faster recording
Annie Laurie (mp3) Taladh Chriosda (mp3) Bk 1: 46 Chi mi muile (mp3) Bk 1:46
Rowan Tree set (mp3) Bk1: 8
1. Da Boannie Polka 2.Seven Step Polka 3. Sister Jean – individual recordings of Da Boannie Polka set
| TITLE | PDF LINK | MP3 LINK |
|---|---|---|
| Calum's Road/Hut on Staffin island Bk 1:19 | | |
| Catfish Nailed to a Tree/Hoy Tune Bk 1:12 | | |
| Da Boannie Polka/Seven Step Polka/Sister Jean Bk 1:11 | | |
| Egan's Polka/John Ryan's Polka Bk 1:13 | | |
| Island of Woods, The Bk 1:49 | | |
| L'Air Mignonne Bk 1:25 | | |
| McKechnie's Farewell Bk 1:49 | | |
| Pride of Erin Set Believe me if all those Endearing Young Charms/Gentle Maiden/Dancing in Kyle Bk 1:44 | | |
22/23 Session Tunes (still relevant)
Use our Starters Music & Resources page to access tunes and blast them out.
Tunes from book : Island of Woods (mp3) Callum’s Road (mp3) Hut on Staffin island (mp3)
Have a shot at a tango. Here are the notes. The slower recording here covers only the first page. If you are really brave then use the notes on the 2nd page(cl = close and s = stretchy) and play along to the faster recording. This tune is called El Choclo.Here is what you should be playing (I have made one mistake!)
Warm up – Autumn (Vivaldi). You have the music. Watch your tuning.
Last train to Loughrea – Kevin Burke – practice in bits. Listen to recording. This is coming on well.
Catfish Nailed to a Tree /Hoy Tune (mp3) – page 12 (book 1). Try to bow down up on the sets of four quavers and keep fingers down when you can.
Kerry Dancers (Bk 1:60) with a slower recording here and a faster recording here. Practice the scale and arpeggio of A in a jig rhythm (3 notes in middle of bow). It is a jig (raspberry/strawberry rhythm – 1,2,3 2,2,3 – make 1st note more prominent)
Egan’s Polka (mp3). John Ryan’s Polka (mp3) It is in book 1 on page 13. Listen and play along.
The Wren (Bk 1: 3) and on sheet I gave you. – group playing it.Guitar intro.Fiddle plucking intro (you have the music) and then tune x 2+
Bowing exercise – open D,open A, 1st on D (E),open A,2nd on D (F#),open A,3rd on D (G) open A and back down. Start on a down bow. The A note is always an up bow
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Previous Sets
1.Bonnie Lass of Fyvie Set – Bonnie Lass of Fyvie/Loch Lomond (D) and Marie’s Wedding (A) with a rough recording here. It is in book one at the start (page 1)
2.Bolloles Schottis – Book 1 (page 2) with (mp3)
3. Ye Banks and Braes in G (mp3) / Aran Boat Song in Em (mp3) /Leaving Lismore in D (mp3 – music software) – the set
4. The set (Rowan Tree/Reel of Tullochgorum/Stronsay Wedding) with mp3 of Tullochgorum here and
The Rowan Tree (mp3) in D and Stronsay Wedding (mp3)
5. Sound of Mull (mp3) (Bk 1: 60)
6. Leaving Lismore notes and the recording(mp3 – musical software) Practice the scale and arpeggio of D. It is a waltz (three beats in a bar). Use a metronome – 125 bpm at first