The Seagull jig

This is a very popular pipe jig in both Scottish and Irish music sessions in Scotland. Again, I’m surprised that nobody has posted it already.

It was composed by the great Donald MacLeod who has composed mnay fine tunes.

A mixolydian. All the “g”s are naturals.

You will be right, Kenny. However, the version I learned and most fiddlers etc play does have G sharps. I’ve also seen it written like this. I agree that this is probably incorrect and not the original pipe version.

It sounds good played either way, though. I’ll leave it as it is just now and allow the members to play it according to taste.

If you listen to Anam’s version, if memory serves me they play the first part in Amj and then the rest of the parts in Amix. It’s a great tune for messing with the modes.

Only the first part uses the 7th degree of the scale (G/G#), so the rest of the tune can be regarded as in either mode without making any changes to the notes. The mode can be prescribed by the choice harmony - presumably that is what you mean, Conan.

A chance conversation with an Orkney taxi driver today informed me that The Seagull was another tune written by Donald MacLeod for the Flett fae Flotta.

A thread about Flett here:
http://forums.bobdunsire.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-71311.html

Dmaj (flute) version

There’s absolutely no reason not to play the original, in Amix, on flute or whistle. Up to you, of course, but play it in “D” in Scotland and you’ll most likely be playing a solo - not really what you want in a session. Just saying.