For the current Tune of the Week, I thought I'd give yet another tuning a try, and this one seems to be able to hit the notes without jumping around octaves and doing finger gymnastics (it's at least doable, anyway, not necessarily easy).

Polly Put the Kettle On isn't usually in a modal key, but this week's Tune of the Week appears to be in Gm. If I knew more, I could confirm the scale is G aeolian. To play it the most easily I used cello banjo and brought the notes down four steps, so that's even more complex. I suppose this is all a good cognitive exercise to keep my brain a bit spry, which it needs.

A fairly modern (1980) Shetland Islands tune for TOTW. The composer lived at a ranch with this name and it turns out that a few players actually do know it. Our presenter, Andy Taylor, often gives us an exotic tune, but always a delightful one.

A tune of the week to challenge us! Blackberry Blossom is certainly a favorite. Garfield's Blackberry Blossom is related, but another challenge. After having had a lesson on Ed Haley's version from Adam Hurt several years ago, here's my attempt to arrange one myself.

A clawhammer arrangement of Ralph Stanley's classic 3-finger style, played in modal sawmill tuning.

Chords are added to an older recording in the first time through for John Riley the Shepherd,

From the fiddling of West Virginia Melvin Wine, Eadle Alley remains a mystery as far as a real place. Playing his tunes is always an experience with a squared off, traditional fiddle tune that make good square and contra dance music.