Irish Flute Tunes

The Independent Hornpipe

This is one I was asked to play.  I don't know whether the version of the first part that goes up to a high 'C' is the normal one or whether the more land-based one rules the waves or waves at those who rule the land.  I think I heard this tune from a recording of Leo Rowsome who as Rí na bPíobairí ruled over something himself. If anyone listening is fussy about tune versions then this particular one will probably send them straight to www.vexed.com.  Hopefully most other people will either like or ignore as they prefer.

Mullingar Lea

As usual the playing here is a bit vague.  The tune just occurred to me so I thought I'd play it while the sausages were cooking.  They're done now - probably about as half-baked as this recording.

The Ivy Leaf (reel)

Here's a reel which I was asked to play. I'm not writing a disclaimer with the "Iwas asked to play" bit. It's just that I'm so glad to have been asked that I can't help but mention the asking in the posting. I used to think this was a new fangled sort of a tune but the likes of Willie Clancy played it and Francis O'Neill has it in his collection from 1907 (I missed the centenary balloons anuraidh). Here's my Friday evening go at it anyway. (The name makes me think of taking leaves intravenously. I've (y) more chance of taking leave of my ....).

Bunker Hill (reel)

I've been asked to play this.  Having tried to play it I think I know why it I never did before now (I think it might be awkward on the flute).  I couldn't even work out what the first note ought to be.  I don't think I have enough of a bunker mentality. Anyway, here's a sort of run at it.  I hope there are only 3 parts in the tune.  That's certainly all there are here. Maybe this rendition will offend someone out there into learning the tune properly.  I'm away out now to get wet and educated.

Langstrom's Pony

Here's another tune I was asked to post. Posting ponies; is that like Pony Express are are they just post ponies? Anyway, I'm never too sure of the first part but that wasn't the focus of the query to which I'm trying to respond here. I hope I haven't forgotten about any parts either. It's a good job that the latter bits (another equine apparatus related term) hadn't too many low notes as on finishing the tune I noticed that my foot joint (hoof?) had fallen off. I hope that the tune is OK, though, and promise that no animals were hurt in the recording of it.

The Mooncoin

Here's a fiddle tune.  The flute's only really a fiddle with more holes and fewer strings so it's probably acceptable to play fiddle tunes on it.  It even starts with the same letter. I vaguely remember being in a group once, many years ago, and "Mooncoin" was the polite one of the two names it had.  That's my only connection with Mooncoins.

The Eel in the Sink

I've just been asked to play this tune so here is an attempt at it. I'm about to go and do the washing up now and am feeling a bit uneasy about what may be lurking under last night's saucepans. A few wriggling elvers may actually be quite an effective dish dirt dislodger though.

The Merry Blacksmith

Here's a reel I was asked to play. My postings of late have been about as frequent as my blacksmith sightings, merry or otherwise, but being reminded of this tune at least stirred me into a brief flurry of activity. This particular tune is very suitable for the flute and provides ample opportunity for anvilesque hammering sounds on the D notes. On this occasion I seem to have let most of these opportunities slip by but at least it's nice to know that they will still be there the next time I try the tune.