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Tunes from 17th Century Scotland Arranged for Flatpicking Guitar

Neil Parker

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The music of 17th century Scotland is a rich and diverse tradition, with a wide range of tunes that have been passed down through the generations. These tunes were originally played on a variety of instruments, including the fiddle, bagpipes, and harp, but they have also been adapted for other instruments, such as the guitar. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular tunes from 17th century Scotland, and we will provide arrangements for flatpicking guitar.

The History of 17th Century Scottish Music

The 17th century was a time of great change in Scotland. The country was torn apart by religious and political conflict, and the music of the period reflects this turmoil. Many of the tunes from this period are lamentations for fallen heroes or expressions of longing for a lost homeland. However, there are also some more lighthearted tunes, such as dance tunes and love songs.

Tunes from 17th Century Scotland Arranged for Flatpicking Guitar

by Jerry Silverman

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Language	:	English
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The music of 17th century Scotland was often passed down orally, and it was not until the 18th century that it began to be written down. As a result, there are many different versions of the same tune, each with its own unique variations. This is part of what makes the music of this period so fascinating, as it allows us to hear the different ways that the same tune can be interpreted.

Arranging 17th Century Scottish Tunes for Flatpicking Guitar

Arranging 17th century Scottish tunes for flatpicking guitar can be a challenging but rewarding task. The first step is to find a good source for the tunes. There are a number of books and websites that provide transcriptions of traditional Scottish music, and you can also find many recordings of these tunes online. Once you have found a tune that you want to arrange, you need to decide how you want to approach it. You can choose to play the tune straight, or you can add your own variations. If you are new to arranging, it is a good idea to start with a simple tune and gradually work your way up to more complex arrangements.

When arranging a 17th century Scottish tune for flatpicking guitar, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the tunes are often modal, which means that they use a different scale than the major or minor scales that are common in modern music. Second, the tunes often have a strong rhythmic drive, with a lot of syncopation and cross-picking. Finally, the tunes often use a variety of different tunings, so you may need to experiment with different tunings to find one that works well for the tune you are arranging.

The music of 17th century Scotland is a rich and diverse tradition that has much to offer the modern musician. By arranging these tunes for flatpicking guitar, we can help to keep this tradition alive and share it with new audiences. We encourage you to explore the music of 17th century Scotland and to experiment with arranging your own tunes for flatpicking guitar.