T:Sios a Bealach Mor, Suas a Bealach Cathairnach
M:C|
L:1/8
Q:140
S:Vincent Campbell, Na Cruacha Gorma, Co. Donegal, 1982
R:Highland
K:G
O:Donegal
A:Croaghs / South West
B:An Ceol -- Donegal Fiddle Tutor, Vol. 3, no. 9, pp. 7
N:The Tempo or speed (Q:) setting for this tune is at 140 which is close enough to that which
N:Vincent plays in normal performance. When learning the tune, I suggest you change this
N:setting to a slower (lower) number, say maybe 70, so that you can play comfortably along
N:with the melody. As you practise the tune and become more comfortable with it, gradually
N:increase the speed until you can play along at the 140. Do not play the tune much quicker
N:than that. In terms of bowing the tune, SINGLE bow the tune throughout. In other words,
N:change your bow stroke direction with each note. Use LONG strokes of the bow with a
N:LOOSE WRIST!! Aim to get as clean and rich a tone as possible. By single bowing this
N:tune, there are only two possible bow patterns you can use. You can either start on a down
N:bow (which is what most people would naturally try -- in order to get the first (accented) note
N:after the two lead in notes on a strong down bow), or start on an up bow. I, and most other
N:Donegal fiddlers seem to start this on an up bow however. I don't know any particular
N:reason for this. It is just what we seem to do though. It is important to practise the tune with
N:both bowings. You should be able to comfortably bow it both ways.
N:When you have practised the tune a good bit and feel you are RELATIVELY happy with it,
N:try taping yourself playing it at a slow speed and a "normal" speed. Listen to the slow
N:speed performance to hear if you are playing the notes in tune (you might also ask a
N:sympathetic friend to have a listen). If not, identify those notes and practise getting them
N:bang on in tune. If you are satisfied that you are playing in tune, listen to the normal speed
N:performance and see if you are happy with the steadiness and pace of the tune. Make sure
N:there are no speed surges etc. and there is a decent amount of "dance swing" in the tune.
N:If you don't know what I mean by that, listen to the playing of highlands on recordings by
N:people like Altan, James Byrne etc. or any of the recordings listed on Larry's discography
N:page.
N:If you get really happy and comfortable with the tune, teach it to a friend. In the meantime,
N:learn it playing an ocatve lower. Then play it together in octaves which is a common
N:Donegal tradition.
H:This tune is a common highland in the Croaghs district and South West Donegal and was
H:widely played in house dances. This version here is the Croaghs version. There is a more
H:melodically elaborate version from the South West of the county and can be heard in the
H:playing of James Byrne
W:The title of the tune simply translates as "Down the main road and
W:up the road by town" and was sung to the first to bars of the tune.
W:The remainder of the words have been lost.
Z:Transcribed from Vincent Campbell taken from a performance in his
Z:father's house in the Croaghs in 1982.
Bd | dBGA B2 B2 | dBGA BAAB|
dBGA B2 B2 | dedB AGGB|
dBGA B2 B2 | dBGA BAAB|
dBGA B2 B2 | dedB AGGe||
g2 ge a2 ae | g2 ge dBBe|
g2 ge a2 ae | gedB AGGe|
g2 ge a2 ae | gage e2 ga|
bfaf gfed | egfa g2 ge||
(
geocities.com/athens)