Fiddle Grade 1

Home , Fethaland, Jig, Scottish fiddling, Waltz

FIDDLE

GRADE 1

1. PERFORMANCE: you have a maximum of 4 ½ minutes to play:

One air:

Title Composer Time- Type Source Sig A1 Am Falbh Thu Leam, a Ribhinn Òg? (Tiree Traditional 3/4 Waltz Ref 2 Bridal Song) A2 Ye Banks and Braes Traditional 3/4 Waltz Ref 2 A3 Maighdeanan na h-àiridh (The Shieling Traditional 3/4 Air Ref 9 Maids) A4 The Nameless Lassie Alex. 4/4 Air Ref 9 MacKenzie A5 The Green Hills of Islay Traditional 3/4 Waltz Ref 2 A6 The Rowan Tree Lady Nairne 4/4 Air Ref 2 (Traditional)

One dance tune:

Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source B1 The Bonnie Lass o’ Fyvie Traditional 4/4 March Ref 1 B2 Angus MacLeod Andrew 2/4 March Ref 2 Rankine B3 The Cock o’ the North Traditional 6/8 Jig Ref 1 B4 John McAlpin Traditional 4/4 Strathspey Ref 5 B5 Reel of Tullochgorum Traditional 4/4 Reel Ref 2 B6 Da Mirrie Boys of Greenland Traditional 4/4 Reel Ref 1

One recently-composed tune:

Title Composer Time- Type Source Sig C1 Fethaland Tom 3/4 Waltz Ref 22 Anderson C2 Ness Bothan Fergie 6/8 Jig Ref 9 MacDonald C3 The Hopeful Lover Bobby 4/4 Reel Ref 5 MacLeod C4 The Osprey in the Bay Adrian 4/4 Reel Ref 14 Ledingham C5 Mosstodloch Memories J. Alexander 3/4 Waltz Ref 19

2. TECHNICAL WORK: played from memory from among the following keys and ranges:

A, D, G majors (one octave)

Any standard fingering is acceptable.

Scales: ascending and descending, with separate bows or two quavers slurred to a bow, as in:

The examiner will request only as many of the above items as needed to form a firm opinion of your ability.

3. QUICK STUDY: Perform EITHER at sight or by ear, at your choice, a short passage in air or waltz time. For example:

The piece will be in one of the keys covered by the scale requirements at this grade.

GRADE 2

1. PERFORMANCE: you have a maximum of 6 minutes to play two stand-alone tunes and one set of two tunes chosen from the following categories. At least one tune from each category must be played.

Airs:

Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source A1 The Duchess Tree J Scott Skinner 4/4 Air Ref 2

A2 The Cradle Song J Scott Skinner 3/4 Air Ref 7 A3 Sìne Bhàn Traditional 3/4 Air Ref 6 A4 Fear a’ Bhàta (The Boatman) Traditional 3/4 Air Ref 7 A5 Eilean Beag Donn a’ Chuain (The Little Donald 6/8 Air Ref 20 Brown Sea Isle) Morrison A6 The Hills of Lorne C Hunter 4/4 Air Ref 1

Dance tunes:

Title Composer Time- Type Source Sig B1 The Barren Rocks of Aden Traditional 2/4 March Ref 7 B2 Caledonian March Traditional 4/4 March Ref 4 B3 Lady Madelina Sinclair Wm 4/4 Strathspey Ref 1 Marshall B4 ‘S ann an Ile (In Islay) Traditional 2/4 Strathspey Ref 3 B5 Loudon’s Bonnie Woods and Braes Traditional 4/4 Strathspey Ref 6 B6 Da Ferry Reel Traditional 4/4 Reel Ref 12 B7 Skye Dance Traditional 4/4 Reel Ref 9 B8 Mrs MacLeod of Raasay Angus 4/4 Reel Ref 1 MacKay B9 Lamb Skinnet Traditional 6/8 Jig Ref 1 B10 The Hundred Pipers Traditional 6/8 Jig Ref 3

Recently –composed tunes:

Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source C1 Da Slockit Light Tom Anderson 4/4 Air Ref 5 C2 The Dark Island Iain 3/4 Waltz Ref 6 McLaughlin C3 Peter’s Peerie Boat Tom Anderson 6/8 Jig Ref 1 C4 Walking on the Moon Addie Harper 4/4 Reel Ref 8 C5 Flett from Flotta Donald 4/4 March Ref 8 MacLeod C6 Margaret’s Waltz Pat Shuldham 3/4 Waltz Ref 8 Shaw

2. TECHNICAL WORK: played from memory from among the following keys and ranges:

A, G majors (two octaves) D major; A, E minors (one octave)

Any standard fingering is acceptable.

Scales: ascending and descending, with separate bows or two quavers slurred to a bow, as in:

Arpeggios: ascending and descending, with separate bows or three notes slurred to a bow (in the case of two octaves), as in:

Scales and/or arpeggios in a minor key may be played in the natural, melodic or harmonic minor, at the candidate’s choice.

The examiner will request only as many of the above items as needed to form a firm opinion of your ability.

3. QUICK STUDY: Perform EITHER at sight or by ear, at your choice, a short passage in air, waltz or march time. For example:

The piece will be in one of the keys covered by the scale requirements up to and including this grade.

4. PRACTICAL AND AURAL MUSICIANSHIP FOR THE GRADE

GRADE 3

1. PERFORMANCE: you have a maximum of 6 minutes to play two stand-alone tunes and one set of two tunes chosen from the following categories. At least one tune from each category must be played.

Airs:

Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source A1 The Music o’ Spey J Scott 4/4 Air Ref 1 Skinner A2 Niel Gow’s Farewell to Whisky Neil Gow 4/4 Air Ref 1 A3 The Arran Boat Song Traditional 6/8 Air Ref 6 A4 Chì Mi na Mór-Bheanna (The Mist-Covered Traditional 3/4 Air Ref 6 Mountains) A5 The Flower of the Quern J Scott 4/4 Air Ref 1 Skinner A6 Mrs Jamieson’s Favourite C Grant 6/8 Air Ref 1 A7 Miss Rowan Davies Phil 3/4 Air Ref 4 Cunningham A8 The Auld Noost Ronald 4/4 Air Ref 23 Jamieson

Dance tunes:

Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source B1 Dr Morison’s Seven Thistles J Scott 4/4 March Ref 9 Skinner B2 The Duke of Gordon’s Birthday Wm 4/4 Strathspey Ref 1 Marshall B3 Belladrum House Traditional 4/4 Strathspey Ref 1 B4 Hurlock’s Reel Tom 4/4 Reel Ref 13 Anderson B5 Flowers of Edinburgh Traditional 2/4 Reel Ref 1 B6 Willafjord Traditional 4/4 Reel Ref 11 B7 Drummond Castle Traditional 6/8 Jig Ref 1 B8 The Muckin’ of Geordie’s Byre Traditional 6/8 Jig Ref 6 B9 Banks of the Allan Traditional 6/8 Jig Ref 12 B10 Harvest Home Traditional 2/4 Hornpipe Ref 1

Recently-composed tunes:

Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source C1 The Hut on Staffin Island Phil 4/4 March Ref 4 Cunningham C2 The Headlands Ronnie 2/4 March Ref 7 Cooper C3 The Barrowburn Reel Addie Harper 4/4 Reel Ref 9 C4 Da Auld Restin’ Chair Tom 4/4 Air Ref 13 Anderson C5 Scarce o’ Tatties Norman 6/8 March Ref 11 MacLean C6 Stewart and Kathleen Walker Jim Johnstone 4/4 Strathspey Ref 15 C7 Davie’s Brae Jim Johnstone 6/8 Jig Ref 15 C8 Marni Swanson of the Grey Coast Andy 6/4 Air Ref 14 Thorburn

A, D, G majors; A minor (two octaves) C, F majors; B, D minors (one octave)

Any standard fingering is acceptable.

Scales: ascending and descending, with separate bows or two quavers slurred to a bow, as in Grade 2.

Arpeggios: ascending and descending, with separate bows or three notes slurred to a bow ( in the case of two octaves), as in Grade 2.

Scales and/or arpeggios in a minor key may be played in the natural, melodic or harmonic minor, at the candidate’s choice.

The examiner will request only as many of the above items as needed to form a firm opinion of your ability.

3. QUICK STUDY: Perform EITHER at sight or by ear, at your choice, a short passage in waltz, march or jig time. For example:

The piece will be in one of the keys covered by the scale requirements up to and including this grade.

GRADE 4

1. PERFORMANCE: you have a maximum of 9 minutes to play two stand-alone tunes and one set of three tunes chosen from the following categories. At least one tune from each category must be played.

Airs:

Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source A1 Niel Gow’s Lament for James Moray of Niel Gow 4/4 Air Ref 1 Abercairney A2 Farewell to Nigg Duncan 6/4 Air Ref 20 Johnstone A3 Ròs Fhiadhaich nam Beann (The Wild Rose of John Mason 6/8 Air Ref 6 the Mountain) A4 Coilsfield House Nath. Gow 4/4 Air Ref 1 A5 Rose Acre J Scott Skinner 4/4 Air Ref 1 A6 Margaret Ann Robertson Frank Jamieson 3/4 Air Ref 1 A7 Marquis of Huntly’s Snuff Mill Wm Marshall 4/4 Air Ref 1 A8 MacCrimmon’s Lament Traditional 6/8 Air Ref 18

Dance tunes:

Title Composer Time- Type Source Sig B1 Father John MacMillan of Barra Norman 2/4 March Ref 6 MacDonald B2 Da Guisers March G Stove 4/4 March Ref 1 B3 Scott Skinner’s Compliments to Dr J Scott Skinner 4/4 March Ref 1 MacDonald B4 The Iron Man J Scott Skinner 4/4 Strathspey Ref 9 B5 Stirling Castle C Bannatyne 4/4 Strathspey Ref 1 B6 Banks of the Spey Wm Marshall 4/4 Strathspey Ref 4 B7 Marquis of Tullibardine John Crerar 4/4 Reel Ref 1 B8 Donald MacLeod’s Reel Traditional 4/4 Reel Ref 9 B9 The Brolum C Bannatyne 4/4 Reel Ref 17 B10 Rory MacLeod D MacLeod 6/8 Jig Ref 17 B11 Jig of Slurs GS MacLennan 6/8 Jig Ref 17 B12 Crossing the Minch D MacLeod 4/4 Hornpipe Ref 6

Recently-composed tunes:

Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source C1 Leaving Stoer Ivan Drever 4/4 Air Ref 17 C2 Bert MacKenzie’s 70th Birthday Waltz Louise 3/4 Waltz Ref 17 MacKenzie C3 Calum Donaldson Ronnie Cooper 4/4 Reel Ref 11 C4 Miss Susan Cooper Ronnie Cooper 4/4 Reel Ref 11 C5 The Spoot o’ Skerry Samual IR Burns 4/4 Reel Ref 12 C6 John Roy Lyall E. Edmond 4/4 Air Ref 6 C7 In Memory of Angus Shaw BEM Judi Nicolson 4/4 Air Ref 21 C8 The Jig Runrig Fergie 6/8 Jig Ref 14 MacDonald

2. TECHNICAL WORK: played from memory from among the following keys and ranges, subject to the capabilities of the candidate’s instrument:

A, C, D, G majors; A, B, D minors (two octaves) Bb, E, Eb majors; C, G minors (one octave)

Any standard fingering is acceptable.

Scales: ascending and descending, with separate bows or two beats slurred to a bow, as in:

Arpeggios: ascending and descending, with separate bows or three notes slurred to a bow (in the case of two octaves), as in Grade 2.

Scales and/or arpeggios in a minor key may be played in the natural, melodic or harmonic minor, at the candidate’s choice.

The examiner will request only as many of the above items as needed to form a firm opinion of your ability.

3. QUICK STUDY: Perform EITHER at sight or by ear, at your choice, a short passage in march, jig or strathspey time. For example:

The piece will be in one of the keys covered by the scale requirements up to and including this grade.

GRADE 5

1. PERFORMANCE: you have a maximum of 9 minutes to play two stand-alone tunes and one set of three tunes chosen from the following categories. At least one tune from each category must be played.

Airs:

Tune Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source A1 Niel Gow’s Lament for the Death of his Neil Gow 6/8 Air Ref 1 Second Wife A2 Bovaglies Plaid J Scott Skinner 4/4 Air Ref 1 A3 Lament for Sir Harry Lumsden, Bart of Wm Marshall 6/8 Air Ref 1 Auchindoir A4 Miss Graham of Inchbrakie Nath. Gow 4/4 Air Ref 1 A5 The Emigrant’s Farewell (Ho Chan Eil Traditional 4/4 Air (slow Ref 1 Mulad Oirnn) strathspey) A6 Roslin Castle Traditional Air Ref 1 A7 Auld Robin Gray W. Leeves 4/4 Air Ref 1 A8 Miss Campbell of Saddell Robert Air Ref 1 Mackintosh

Dance tunes:

Tune Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source B1 Ben Gullion R Fleming 6/8 March Ref 10 B2 Heights of Cassino D. MacRae 6/8 March Ref 8 B3 Millbank Cottage W. Dumbreck 2/4 March Ref 7 B4 The Laird o’ Thrums J Scott 4/4 Strathspey Ref 9 Skinner B5 John Stephen of Chance Inn Angus Fitchet 4/4 Strathspey Ref 8 B6 The Warlocks Traditional 4/4 Strathspey Ref 10 B7 Lady Charlotte Campbell (Slow Robert 4/4 Strathspey Ref 1 Strathspey) Mackintosh B8 Marquis of Huntly’s Reel P Milne 4/4 Reel Ref 1 B9 Pottinger’s Reel T Anderson 4/4 Reel Ref 1 B10 Lady Montgomerie Traditional 4/4 Reel Ref 12 B11 Miss Shepherd J Scott 4/4 Reel Ref 1 Skinner B12 Donald I. Rankine Andrew 6/8 Jig Ref 8 Rankine B13 The Glasgow City Police Pipers Donald 6/8 Jig Ref 9 MacLeod B14 Train Journey North Tom 2/4 Hornpipe Ref 8 Anderson

Recently-composed tunes:

Tune Title Composer Time-Sig Type Source C1 Levenwick Beach Judi Nicolson 4/4 Air Ref 21 C2 The Dean Strathspey Jim Johnstone 4/4 Strathspey Ref 15 C3 Debbie Ann’s Reel Ronnie Jamieson 4/4 Reel Ref 14 C4 St Gilbert’s Hornpipe Eric Allan 4/4 Hornpipe Ref 14 C5 The Quiet Man Jim Sutherland 4/4 Strathspey Ref 14 C6 Pipe Major Jim Christie of Wick Addie Harper 2/4 March Ref 8 C7 The Skyeman’s Jig Duncan Johnston 6/8 Jig Ref 6 C8 Calliope House Dave Richardson 6/8 Jig Ref 10 C9 Billy Craib’s Reel Jim Johnstone 4/4 Reel Ref 15 C10 The Brumley Brae Willie 4/4 Reel Ref 16 © 2007 RSAMD

MacPherson

2. TECHNICAL WORK: played from memory from among the following keys and ranges, subject to the capabilities of the candidate’s instrument:

A, Bb, C, D, E, Eb, G majors; A, B, C, D, E, G minors (two octaves) G mixolydian (one octave)

Any standard fingering is acceptable.

Scales: ascending and descending, with separate bows or two beats slurred to a bow, as in Grade 4.

Arpeggios: ascending and descending, with separate bows or six notes slurred to a bow, as in:

Scales and/or arpeggios in a minor key may be played in the natural, melodic or harmonic minor, at the candidate’s choice.

The examiner will request only as many of the above items as needed to form a firm opinion of your ability.

3. QUICK STUDY: Perform EITHER at sight or by ear, at your choice, a short passage in jig, strathspey or reel time. For example:

The piece will be in one of the keys covered by the scale requirements up to and including this grade.

4. PRACTICAL AND AURAL MUSICIANSHIP FOR THE GRADE

References for tunes listed in the fiddle syllabus

Reference Title Publisher/Edition/Year Ref 1 Fiddle Music of Scotland Hardie Press: 1988 Ref 2 Scottish Ceilidh Collection for Fiddlers, Book 1 Harpstring House: 1993 Ref 3 Scottish Ceilidh Collection for Fiddlers, Book 2 Harpstring House: 1990 Ref 4 Scottish Ceilidh Collection for Fiddlers, Book 3 Harpstring House: 1993 Ref 5 Scottish Ceilidh Collection for Fiddlers, Book 4 Harpstring House: 1998 Ref 6 Ceòl na Fìdhle: Highland Tunes for the Fiddle, Book 1 Harpstring House: 1985/1988 Ref 7 Ceòl na Fìdhle: Highland Tunes for the Fiddle, Book 2 Harpstring House: 1988/1993 Ref 8 Ceòl na Fìdhle: Highland Tunes for the Fiddle, Book 3 Harpstring House: 1988/1995 Ref 9 Ceòl na Fìdhle: Highland Tunes for the Fiddle, Book 4 Harpstring House: 1991 Ref 10 Ceòl na Fìdhle: Highland Tunes for the Fiddle, Volumes Harpstring House: 2000 5 & 6 Ref 11 Ho-ro-gheallaidh: Session Tunes for Scottish Fiddlers, Harpstring House: 1999 Book 1 Ref 12 Ho-ro-gheallaidh: Session Tunes for Scottish Fiddlers, Harpstring House: 1999 Book 2 Ref 13 Cruinn Còmhla: The Well-Travelled Fiddler's Session Harpstring House: 1995 Collection Ref 14 The Nineties Collection: New Scottish Tunes in Saltire Music: 1995 Traditional Style Ref 15 The Jim Johnstone Collection of Original Compositions Deeay Music: 1996 for Accordion and Fiddle Ref 16 The Scots Fiddle vol 1 Lochar Publishing: 1991 Ref 17 Ceòl nam Fèis, Book 2 Fèisean nan Gàidheal: 2000 Ref 18 Traditional Scottish Fiddling Harpstring House Ref 19 Available to order from Taigh na Teud; please see N/a www.scotlandsmusic.com. Ref 20 Ceol nam Feis Book 1 Feisean nan Gaidheal: 1996 Ref 21 The Waves of Sound Deeay Music: 2002 Ref 22 The Tom Anderson Collection Vol 1 by Tom Anderson Hardie Press: 1995 Ref 23 The Scots Fiddle vol 3: Tunes, Tales and Traditions of NWP: 2004 the Western Highlands, Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland