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Found this Islay Rant - it's a Reel.
What the heck is a Rant?
Seems it's really about North East England (Northumbria)/Scotland, but I sure wouldn't have known that from hearing one!
According to this Newcastle University article about Folk music in NE England, by Simon McKerrell:
"The traditional music of the North East is heavily influenced by the music of Scotland and Ireland and jigs, slip jigs, reels, waltzes and airs also form a large part of the local repertoire."
"Another distinctive tune type in the North East is the rant. A rant is also in 4/4 time, but without the dotted rhythm of a hornpipe and the rant dance step is used often in local traditional dancing."
For more info and Sheet Music, here.
I'm thinking Rants can't be THAT distinct.
I've listened to some I swear could be Hornpipes (listed as Reels), and some are listed as Hornpipes, Reels, Strathspeys, Marches and even Jigs at thesession.org.
More reasons I'm always confused. 🤪
I like The Oyster Wife's Rant - it is also a Reel. Katy Adelson plays a version, also. Here's a video sheet music version (Alejandro de Higueras).
I enjoy other Northumbrian tunes, like Bonny at Morn & Three Ravens, maybe worth checking out more?
- Emily
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One of the tunes from my childhood was the Morpeth Rant; a favourite of my Border Scots' stepfather.
Peter
"It is vain to do with more that which can be done with less" - William of Ockham
"A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in" - Frederick the Great
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@ELCBK - Really liked the Islay Rant, maybe in a decade or two I'll be able to play it! lol
@peter - That Morpeth Rant is great! Another one I'll tackle in a decade or two!
The old curmudgeon!
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@JohnG -
You're too modest!
You are soooo far ahead of where I was when I started and you'll be AMAZING by the end of the year!
No reason you can't transcribe one of these in musescore and set the speed as slow as you need. You can look for motifs in the tune that reoccur & just practice those (like a riff). Or, just start by trying to nibble away at the 1st part.
Just keep listening - and start a "list", like the rest of us do (I have a few, now) - good luck in trying to decide which tune to try next!
@Peter -
Seems "The Morpeth Rant" is probably the most popular - have you played it?
- Emily
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@ELCBK - "You're too modest! ", Thanks, I don't always feel that way! And "good luck in trying to decide which tune to try next! ", I already know that! I just picked up Ashokan Farewell from The Sessions and added it to my practice today!
The old curmudgeon!
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ELCBK said
Seems "The Morpeth Rant" is probably the most popular - have you played it?
@ELCBK - Oddly enough, no. Like @JohnG , I'll be leaving it until I've more experience. Then again, no harm in trying.
Peter
"It is vain to do with more that which can be done with less" - William of Ockham
"A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in" - Frederick the Great
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A rant is a Scottish word meaning a noisy frolic or a lively tune, from the German ranzen which means to make a racket.
Andrew
Verified human - the ignominy!
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@Gordon Shumway -
Thank you!
You just described 99% of ALL Fiddle Tunes. 🤣
- Emily
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I've learned a little more about Rants in Scottish Music - they ARE couples' dance tunes. Like I said earlier; Rants are usually Reels & Strathspeys (in 4/4 time), but I've also seen Rants that are Jigs and Hornpipes!
One that I love (and believe is well known as a piper tune) is Struan Robertson's Rant - an 80 bar Strathspey for 4 couples in a 4-couple set.
BHS Borders Branch Collaborative Musician's Workshop - "The Robertson Rant" (Craigellachie).
What confuses me - why are some Rants for 3 couples in a 4-couple setting? 😳 ...why do 2 people do NOTHING?
The Hamilton Rant - a 48 bar Reel for 3 couples, in a 4 couple setting!
So, whether Jig, Reel or Strathspey - these Rants are HOPPIN'!
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Well, listening to this GREAT set of "Struan Robertson's Rant, Gorthleck's Highland Plaid, Highland Murray" - it's steered my interest from Northumbria to more Scottish Dance music, in general!
🤔... think I better find another Scottish music thread to continue, because I've just leaped down a Rabbit Labyrinth of Highlands, Barndances, Flings, Strathspeys & Schottisches!
...more like a can of worms. 🥴
A Peek at Scottish Fiddling History Thread
← by Claire Rollerson
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