Turlough O'Carolan - for the melodeon

[Try before you buy: by following the link to the author page - click the Tony Croft link above - you will find a video introduction to an earlier book that outlines the notation used, two sample pages and a sample video of a Bach Minuet. Further videos can be found on the associated YouTube channel: "Turlough O'Carolan for the melodeon". ]

Turlough O'Carolan worked as a composer and performer who travelled widely throughout Ireland in the early eighteenth century. He was an accomplished harper who made his living by composing tunes for wealthy patrons. Often a tune would be named after one of these generous benefactors.

Turlough O'Carolan for the melodeon has been written for D/G diatonic accordion players who want to diversify and extend their repertoire. For readers of music and non-readers alike, there are sixteen abridgements and arrangements. A standard sheet music arrangement of the melody is followed by three rows of notation indicating which buttons to press on the G and D rows, and which bass notes and chord combinations to play with the left hand. The arrangements are written for a standard two-row D/G melodeon for which the third button on the inside row (G row) of the right-hand side gives the note G when pushed.

The pieces range in difficulty from some relatively straightforward melodies to others requiring more skill and sensitivity. Some experience with a D/G melodeon is required and players should be familiar with techniques such as row-crossing and choosing appropriate fingering. Beyond this, the book is self-contained.

Clearly, the tunes of Turlough O'Carolan were not written for the melodeon! But for this book I have selected melodies that, I believe, transfer well to be played on a D/G melodeon and enable the melodeon player to expand his or her repertoire to encompass some wonderful and very beautiful tunes. There is a great deal of debate about the various transcriptions of Carolan's music. Timing in particular varies from source to source and especially between 3/4 and 6/8. Purists may take some exception to the choices I have made in this book, but these decisions were made because I think the results work well.As is normal when arranging for a melodeon, some compromise is always necessary to allow for the limitations of the instrument.

A brief section on relevant musical theory is included to help those who are unfamiliar get to grips with the musical notation.

YouTube videos are available showing the author playing each of the tunes.

Sample pages and videos are available by clicking the link to my author page (Tony Croft)

Contents
1. Blind Mary
2. Fanny Power
3. Planxty Irwin
4. Hewlett
5. Sheebeg and Sheemore
6. The O'Rourke's Feast
7. Lord Inchiquin
8. Eleanor Plunkett
9. Planxty Charles Coote
10. Miss Murphy
11.Planxty Brown
12. Morgan Magan
13. Lady Gethin
14. Planxty Denis O'Conor
15. Mrs Maxwell
16. The Fairy Queen