27 of the tunes are in 4/4, 13 are in 6/8, 6 are in 3/4 and one is in 5/4 because of a
thrush.
Most are in the major keys of C, D and F although 8 are in minor keys.
Most of the tunes, especially the earlier ones are made up of two eight bar sections.
The first section repeats before moving on to the second section which also repeats. The
sequence of four parts is then repeated. This gives a total of 64 bars which is the norm
for Scottish Country dances and sessions in pubs.
Composition Process
Most tunes derive from an 'event' which prompted a 'mood' and thus an inclination (urge)
to capture the tune.
Sometimes a melody line would appear first and sometimes a rhythm pattern. Some arrived
while I was walking down the street others while doodling on the keyboard.
My ability to write the manuscript versions improved during the composition period and
was greatly aided by the computer programme 'Music Time' which would write the tunes for
me so long as I played the keyboard in strict measure with the metronome.
The earlier tunes comprise a single melody line and the backing heard on the midi files
is made up of elementary chord rhythms and bass lines built around the chord blocks
The later tunes often have two or more melody lines running against each other. I was
inspired from hearing classical riffs on the radio.
Midi Programmes
Midi input device = Yamaha PSR-300 (touch response but no wheels)
Midi Sequencing (recording) = Trax (tm) Version 2.5 (c) 1989-92 Passport Designs Inc - I
invested in fancier programmes but did not find the time to master them - Trax does the
basic business.
Midi Sequencing (effects and panning) = MIDI Orchestrator Plus (tm) Version 2.11.24 (c)
1990-96 Voyetra Technologies - the virtual mixing desk is joyfully simple to use.
