When I used to play the flute semi-regularly I found that I couldn't get the tone and feel of any tune right until I had played John Anderson My Jo, and another one, I think it was Ca' the Yowes, both on the same page of this little old ratty-tatty book I've had since school. I could get the embrouchure (correct placement and muscle position of the mouth) just right and I could get into the feel of the tunes within the first bar or two. Funny, that.

The first tune on the harp tends to be Fanny Power/Poer by O'Carolan. And Si Beg Si Mor comes a close second.

Great thread idea.

Helen