Fiddle
The Shapinsay Polka
Kristan kicks off her series of tunes from Orkney with this great polka from the island of Shapinsay written by John Sinclair. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Tunes from Orkney
Learn melodies from these islands in the north of Scotland with a teacher who knows the music inside out.
Tunes from Orkney is a series of lessons that covers music that originate from the islands or are written by composers who hail from Orkney.
Orkney has a unique feel and style to its music and so the series will look at different types of tunes from a range of composers.
Brief introductions to each tune will be given and downloadable music will be available for every lesson.
Lessons will be pitched at the intermediate to advanced player, although improving learners may find some of the tips and lessons attainable.
Course Intro
Your Tutor - Kristan Harvey
In 2011 Kristan entered the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition, and was delighted to be named the winner at Celtic Connections festival that year. Following the competition, she went on to perform at festivals across the UK such as BLAS, Orkney, Shetland, Celtic Connections, The Scots Fiddle Fest and many more as both a solo artist and alongside several bands, including her own lineup ‘The Sanna’. She was also invited to represent Scotland at a reception hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace for Young People in the Performing Arts, and performed with Rod Stewart at the opening of Glasgow’s Hydro venue in 2013. Perhaps Kristan’s most notable solo performances came during her year as winner of the Young Trad competition, when she appeared alongside the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at Proms in The Park, broadcast live on television from Caird Hall; and the following year, when she was invited to Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium to perform a beautiful arrangement of Willie Hunter’s ‘Leaving Lerwick Harbour’ with Violinist Nicola Benedetti.
Lessons in the Series
Click on a lesson to be taken to it (you must be a subscriber)
Fiddle
Lily’s March
Next up is a lovely march written by the well known performer, teacher and composer Douglas Montgomery for his daughter. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Fiddle
Netherbow
Kristan’s next lesson focuses on a strathspey written by the late Jim Craigie from the island of Rousay. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
Fiddle
The Westray Wedding Waltz
A lovely waltz is next up for Kristan, written by the incomparable Orcadian Andy Cant for the occasion of a wedding on the island of Westray. This Post is only available
Fiddle
The Holm Band Tune
Kristan teaches a great jig from the pen of Ronnie Aim from the parish of Holm (pronounced ‘Ham’) from the East Mainland. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
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The Rose of St Magnus
Kristan next teaches a slow air by Ivan Drever from Orkney, named after the stained glass window at the top of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. This Post is only available
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Magnus’ Polksa
A great polska is next up from the pen of Jennifer Wrigley, the fiddle playing member of The Wrigley Sisters from Orkney. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
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Brinkie’s Brae
A jaunty 4/4 march from Ally Windwick is next, named after the viewpoint on the west mainland of Orkney close to Stromness. This Post is only available to subscribed members. Login
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Kirkpatrick’s Hornpipe
This time Kristen teaches one of her own tunes that she wrote with fellow Fara band member Jeana Leslie, on a trip to the island of Fara. This Post is only
Fiddle
The Moul Head
Kristen finishes her series of lessons on tunes from Orkney with a reel named after a pretty precarious walk along the cliffs of Deerness! This Post is only available to subscribed
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