Six comments
The Penicuik Hornpipe
This is for ptarmigan.
I’ve based this transcription on the one on Paul Cranford’s site (which is taken from the playing of Howie MacDonald) rather than that given in Sandy MacIntyre’s book.
In both cases it is written straight (as in a reel). I have taken the liberty of transcribing it with the humpty-dumpty rhythm of a hornpipe. I’ll add the Sandy MacIntyre setting later (I’m on my way out to work).
The tune is attributed to one R. Baillie of Penicuik.
Straight eights version
This is ths version given in Sandy MacIntyre’s book:
X: 1
T: The Penicuik Hornpipe
C: R. Baillie
M: C|
L: 1/8
Q: ½=112
K: G
d2|g2 gf gdBg|ecAF GBDG|FGAB cedc|Bdag fadf|
gagf gdBg|ecAF GBDG|FGAB cFBA|G2 GF G2:|
d2|a2 ag fdfa|b2 ba gBef|gagf ed^ce|d2 d^c d4|
dcBd gBed|cBAc EAce|agfe dfaf|g2 b2 g2:|
That is the way they notate them, but I promise you, the general practice in Cape Breton is to do hornpipes and clogs with swing… ;-)
Well, to be fair, some also take hornpipes the old-time way, with little or no swing… That influence is there too. Others do it both ways, including the likes of Winston "Scotty" Fitzgerald. There are several influences going in the history of the island, Irish, Old-Time and Scots, as well as French, Mi’kmaq, etc… :-/
“The Penicuik Hornpipe” ~ by Sandy MacIntyre ~ built to swing
K: G Major
|: (3def |
g2 g>f g>dB>g | e>cA>F G>BD>G | F2 (3GAB c>ea>g | f>da>g (3fga d>f |
g>ba>f g>d (3Bcd | e>c (3AGF G2 D>G | F>GA>B (3cBA F>A | G2 D2 G2 :|
|: d>b |
(3aba a>g f>d (3fga | b2 b>a g>Be>f | (3gag (3agf ed^ce | (3ded ^ce d2 (3ABc |
d2 (3Bcd g2 B>d | c>BA>c E>Ac>e | a>gf>e d2 (3c’ba | g2 d2 G2 :|
or bring it to an end it more conservatively this way ~
~ | a2 (3gfe d2 (3cBA | G2 (3ggg G2 :|
Yeah, but Howie macDonald plays it straight. My experience is that if they call it a hornpipe they play it straight. If it’s a clog they swing it. Me, I would swing them all.
By the way, C, I like the high c. You’ve got class.