What is the key of 'Hp'?

Subject: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Marion
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 10:37 AM

Hello. In searching for fiddle tunes on the internet, I've come across some where the key is marked Hp. What does that mean?

An example is the reel High Road to Linton, which I would have called A major.

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Snuffy
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 12:10 PM

Marion,

Hp is used in ABC notation and stands for "Highland Pipes", and is meant for bagpipers, who have fewer notes at their disposal than other instruments, and always play in the same key. I guess you may have to transcribe or transpose to play it on the fiddle.

I don't know offhand what the tuning is but you can find out at the ABC homepage.

Wassail! V

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Bert
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 12:12 PM

They key to 'HP' is to hit the bottom of the bottle very hard.

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 12:55 PM

I was thinking maybe HypoPhrygian? but I don't know if there even is a HypoPhrygian.......Bruce, help!

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Snuffy
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 12:58 PM

If you look in the ABC guide you'll see that there's Hp and HP.

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 01:34 PM

I've heard that the germans used to use the letter H to represent the note A up the octave... A B C D E F G then H...

But I have no solid details to offer... sorry...

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 01:46 PM

Hewlett-Packard

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: MichaelM
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 06:54 PM

There was a note H which (if I remember from "Godel, Escher and Bach") Bach used to spell out his name in his last composition. (Ooooh, spooky!)

MichaelM

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Den
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 07:00 PM

Guy walks into a shop and asks for a bottle of sauce. The shop man says "would you like HP," and the guy says,"no I'll pay for it now." Ba Boom. Marion I'm glad your question was answered. I just couldn't resist, sorry Den

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: sophocleese
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 07:03 PM

The way I heard it told (Mr. Bach comes to Call) H meant the B natural and B was the Bb. Snuffy seems to have answered your question right off though.

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Noreen
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 07:07 PM

Since this thread has crept....... Clinton and Michael, the note H is the same as B flat, and is still used in Germany to mean that.

Noreen

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: GUEST,Luther
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 07:14 PM

H in German is B in English, Bb in English is B in German.

All this confusion could be avoided if everyone would just speak American, dammit!!

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 07:42 PM

Neat.. ta' fer stting me straight on that...

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 08:47 PM

The H and B are also the origins of the sharp, flat and natural signs - it dates back to Gregorian Chant, and the 'Diabolo Musica' which was the name given to the rather awkward interval between F natural and B natural.

Maybe a new thread is called for?

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: sophocleese
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 09:14 PM

Actually, Bernard, we could probably tie things back to the beginning by calling Hp (Highland Pipes) Diabolo Musica: being that awkward interval between someone picking them up to play them and the same someone putting them down after playing them...

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 09:24 PM

Or, to literally translate, 'The Music Devil'!!!

Then there's the other awkward interval - between someone picking them up and someone else inserting them in an uncomfortable orifice...

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: WyoWoman
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 11:00 PM

I thought it was the key of "Help!" which is the one I find myself in most often...

ww

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: rabbitrunning
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 11:54 PM

Found a discussion of the difference between bagpipe and fiddle tuning here which might be helpful.

Subject: RE: What is the key of 'Hp'?
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 Sep 00 - 04:34 AM

HP=Hire purchase. Which we do not have any more.

We just have credit cards..........