Tune Req: Spell on the Fiddler? / Spellan...

Subject: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Áine
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 02:55 PM

Happy New Year, fellow mando-idiots and mandolinquents!!

I found a .gif file of this tune on this site -- and I really did try to tab it myself. But, I'm having a hard time making out some of the higher notes (especially in measure no. 13).

Does anyone have this tune written out in TAB, or know where I can find it? The bits I did get tabbed sound very interesting, and I'd really like to have the whole tune written down.

Here's hoping your tremelo is tremeling and you're comping madly away with that silly grin that only a mandolin player can wear! ;-)

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Áine
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 07:30 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 12:16 PM

Try going into google and look up the mandoline cafe. Thy have good tab selections and you can submit things to be tabbed. They also have a chat forum.
   Good luck!!

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 02:38 PM

Aine, ref: mando tab, are the numbers the fret or finger? I'll give it a shot, but I have never written tab.......

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Áine
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 03:03 PM

Sorcha - the numbers represent the fret -- the strings are represented by the lines, with the lowest string, the 'G', being the bottom line, and the highest string, the 'E', being the top line.

Dear SB'sp - I did check out the Mandolin Cafe before I asked for help here on the 'Cat; but, no one seems to have tabbed this tune yet, or it's under another title (which could well be the case). However, I don't see anywhere on that site where you can 'submit things to be tabbed'. Where is it?

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: banjomad (inactive)
Date: 08 Jan 03 - 06:57 PM

I think the tune is actually called Spellan the Fidler.
Dave

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 09 Jan 03 - 07:28 AM

Áine, a chara ...

I've found abc for the tune and tabbed it from there. I'm not familiar with it, so I'll play it through when I get home from work just to check that it works out. There's a high c in there, so it's going to be a challenge to play!

The version I've tabbed is from O'Neill's 1850 and goes by the name Spellan The Fiddler. However it occurs to me that you might have come across this as an old-time/bluegrass tune. Often the names of tunes from the Irish tradition were altered slightly during their migration and so it wouldn't surprise me if "Spellan" became "Spell On" in transit ... particularly since Spell On The Fiddler has a great ring to it!

I'll contact you direct tonight and I'll ask Scott to post the tab to the mandolin cafe at the same time.

Cheers ... Aidan

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Áine
Date: 09 Jan 03 - 09:40 AM

A Aidan a chara chóir,

I used Dave's (banjomad) title of 'Spellan the Fiddler' in a Google search, and lo and behold, up popped a bunch of 'hits' (but alas, no tablature) -- Thanks, Dave! -- If you'll check out the site I noted in my first post, 'Spell on the Fiddler' was the English title given there, so that's what I went with.

And you're right about probably knowing this as an old-time or bluegrass tune. The bit that I tabbed myself sure sounded familiar, like a bluegrass tune I'd heard before, and that's what made me want to hear the whole tune. Though I have to admit, I'd thought I'd tabbed it all wrong, since it did sound so familiar *BG*

Go raibh míile maith agat as an 'tab' agus do chairdeas, a stór!

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Áine
Date: 09 Jan 03 - 08:27 PM

Alrightey then -- Aidan has tabbed this tune; but, he forgot to bring home his floppy from work, he says (I told him that they have drugs for that now, ya know) . . . so, I've attempted to complete my TAB of this tune -- now, THIS ought to be a hoot and a half *BG*

You can see it here -- but, be forewarned that it's probably a right SNAFU from beginning to end ;-) It was fun trying to do it, anyway, and I'd be interested in what some of you fellow mando-idiots think of my poor TAB writing . . . no, really . . . I would like to know if it's playable at all, and if it reminds anyone of a bluegrass tune (especially the first six measures or so).

Here's hoping that Aidan takes his pill tomorrow and brings home 'the good stuff' so we can all see what this tune sounds like.

Looking forward to it, Áine

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 04:19 PM

It's up on The Mandolin Cafe now ...

follow this link

Spellan The Fiddler - A Hornpipe in G

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Áine
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 11:21 AM

Brilliant! Thanks again, Aidan. Your version is MUCH more playable than mine . . . big surprise there *BG*

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 11:42 AM

Thank you, Aidan. Now I don't have to mess with it.

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 06:03 PM

I just listened to it at JC's and I don't recognize it at all.

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: GUEST,davetnova
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 06:29 AM

Áine, if thats you're first attempt at tab good on you. The tunes recognisable from it and mostly playable. If you want critisism I'd say keep to the first position fingerings where possible, as Aidan has, to help playability. But now you can do it get the tunes out here!

Subject: RE: TAB Req: Mandolin - Spell On The Fiddler
From: Áine
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 09:08 AM

Thanks for the constructive critiism, dave! Once I saw Aidan's tab, I realized what I'd done wrong with the fingering positions. Now that I have Aidan's tab, I can go on to the challenge of learning how to play this tune, which is NOT for the faint of heart . . . but then, you all know how much I love a Challenge! *BG*

Thanks to everyone for your help. I don't care what anyone else says; the Mudcat is the best!

All the best, Áine