12 trad tunes (elementary) arr. Catriona McKay

Hi folks! Here's another bundle, this time for elementary level. There's a description of each arrangement so you can check if they are suitable for you. Each arrangement allows a full performance of the tune. I hope you enjoy! Best wishes, Catriona

Oran na maighdinn mhara, The Mermaid’s Song

Beautiful, hypnotic, resonant, slow, Gaelic song melody

Description of technical requirements - 

elementary level

LH RH independent lines

RH mostly placings with lifts between

LH - maximum stretch of octave, can be adapted to singe note for small hands.

full dynamic markings


Bi Éoghainn, Euan’s Boat

Puirt a beul, Gaelic mouth music as harp piece

beginner/elementary level

good for beginners group

RH mostly placings with lifts between

LH simple single note bass part

can be played at various tempos

full dynamic markings


Crodh Chailein, Colin’s Cattle

trad. Gaelic song air, slow

Description of technical requirements - 

elementary level

RH mostly placings with lifts between

LH - maximum stretch of 6th interval

melody with LH chord accompaniment, triads and inversions

can be played at various tempos

full dynamic markings


Fac’ Thu Na Feidh, Did you see the Deer?

Port-a-beul, jig

Description of technical requirements - 

elementary level

RH mostly placings with lifts between

introduces 3,2 trad. harp rhythmic technique 

LH - maximum stretch of octave interval (can be altered to single bass note for small hands)

melody with LH chord accompaniment, groove intro and outro.

can be played at various tempos

full dynamic markings


Greenland Man’s Tune

trad. Shetland, slower tempo jig

Description of technical requirements - 

elementary level

LH RH independent lines

RH mostly placings with lifts between

LH - maximum stretch of octave jump (does not need to be placed, can jump between for small hands)

can be played at various tempos

full dynamic markings

2 pages


Laoidh An lasgair, Fisherman’s Hymn

Beautiful, resonant, slow, in tempo, Gaelic song melody

Description of technical requirements - 

elementary level

LH RH independent lines

RH mostly placings with lifts between

LH - maximum stretch of octave, can be adapted to singe note for small hands.

full dynamic markings


Seven Step Polka

trad. Shetland

Description of technical requirements - 

beginner/elementary level

good for beginners group

LH - maximum stretch of octave interval

LH étouffés position

dampening technique

LH easy descending bass line

RH melody includes some chords

octave scale in RH - but can be also be played as a gliss!


Sìne bhàn, Fair Jean 

Gentle, beautiful Gaelic song melody

Description of technical requirements - 

elementary level

RH melody with LH accompaniment using simple chord patterns

RH mostly placings with lifts between

LH - maximum stretch of octave

full dynamic markings

2 pages


Thig am Bata, The Boat will Come (2 simple versions)

Description of technical requirements - 

beginner/elementary level

2 versions - 2nd version introduces glissandos

good for beginners group

LH RH independent lines

RH and LH placings with lifts between

RH and LH - maximum stretch of 4th

can be played at various tempos

full dynamic markings


Thoir an nall Ailean ugam  - Bring Alan Across to me

A rhythmic 'Puirt a Beul' - a traditional Gaelic 'mouth music' melody.

Description of technical requirements - 

beginner/elementary level

good for beginners group

RH melody with LH simple bass note or basic chord shape

LH maximum stretch of 7th

groove section

can be played at various tempos

full dynamic markings

Bingsjö Lilla Långdans 

(3 versions - Beginners, Elementary, tune&chords)

A beautiful warm Swedish tune played by Fiddlers’ Bid on their album ‘All Dressed in Yellow’ 2010


Description of technical requirements - 

beginners version

Tune divided between RH & LH using 2nd finger only

separate simple bass part LH using 2nd finger only


Description of technical requirements - 

elementary version

RH melody with LH chord accompaniment

LH uses basic chord shapes, 3,2,1 scale pattern

LH - maximum stretch of octave interval

simple, short phrases

intro & outro


tune & chords version to facilitate joining in by other melody / chord instruments

Minnie O Shirva's Cradle Song

Traditional Shetland Lullaby

Description of technical requirements - 

elementary

RH melody with LH chord accompaniment

LH uses basic chord shapes, or simple depending scale or echo of melody

LH - maximum interval for placing 5th (the octave interval does not need to be placed)

short phrases

4 variations and coda