Box and Fiddle
Year 20 No 02
October 1996
Price 70p
12 pages
7 month subscription £8.00
Editor – Ron Ramsay, 48 Hospitalfield Road, Arbroath, Angus, DD11 2LS
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 2NL
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
In the last Edition I mentioned that an article on the lack of coverage by the media would be forthcoming. Unfortunately, this has been delayed but your thoughts on the matter are still sought.
Last month I was on holiday in Blackpool for a few days. I learned that the Wyre Accordion Club was holding a meeting and went along. The guest artiste was none other than Wayne Robertson. Wayne put on a terrific show and was complimented by Tom Duncan, the organizer. I must admit I felt proud and privileged to have been there. Another surprise was in store – Wayne and I were both made honorary members of the Club.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Gina Brannelli, L.L.C.M., L.R.C.M., who has been nominated for an international award, but more about this next month.
Have you ever found yourself travelling south on a motorway when you should be going north? Yes, it happened to me when I left Blackpool.
Articles about well-known musicians are always in demand and would be welcomed for publication along with photographs.
Some articles and reviews have been held over until the next issue.
Ron Ramsay
Some Notes on Bow Hair
by Kevin McCann
The hair used in bows of the violin family comes from the tail of a horse. 160 to 250 hairs are used in the average violin bow.
This bunch of hairs is called a ‘hank’. Most violin bow hair is white in colour although sometimes you will see dark brown or black hair used. Most likely this is horse hair that has not been bleached and if good quality hair it will serve as well as white hair. Sometimes darker hair will be represented as being more coarse and as such is more commonly seen on cello or bass bows. If someone tells you that dark hair is always coarser and should not be used in violin bows, it is advice that can probably be ignored.
Under the microscope, dark hair and white hair of good quality are very similar in appearance. Except for colour, they are often the same diameter and the small plates on the outside of the hair are what make your fiddle string vibrate. These plates, or scales, have rough, uneven edges and in a group look like a furry fingerprint.
These plates are arranged on the hair in an overlapping or shingles-like design. These little ‘shingles’ overlap in a downward direction. That is, they start from the follicle in the root of the horses tail and overlap each other to the end of the hair. If you have a well developed sense of touch or your fingers are not all bunched up and calloused from changing tyres, you can feel these small shingles by running the horsehair between your fingers. More resistance can be felt as you move from the end towards the root as you are rubbing against the way these little shingles are laid down. When they are partially filled with rosin, they grab hold of the string as they are dragged across the motion, like you would get with a guitar, you have a whole bunch of little plucking or grabbing motions. This sets up a constant vibration of the strings on the fiddle.
Most horse hair hanks will have all the hair running the same way, as it came from the horse. This can have the effect of a more forceful bite to the strings. The downward bow movement of the root end of the hank of hair is put in the tip of the bow. This increased bite is very hard to detect although I have encountered experts who swear by it and demand that half the hank should run the other way when the bow is rehaired. They claim that this will produce a more even grab on the strings.
Identifying good hair from bad hair is largely a matter of experience with the supplier. If the hair you buy from Joe Hair supplier is durable and plays well, keep buying it from the same guy. There are a few things you should look for that can help. Brittle hair that breaks when bent and hair that appears to be of different thicknesses should be avoided. Most amateur repairers buy their hair wrapped up on a small fiddle string like package. This should be avoided, which translates into – ‘don’t buy hair through the mail’. Go to a violin repair man who buys his hair in large, fist sized hanks and buy it there.
This hair will be hung straight and it is less likely to have been lying around a warehouse for a number of years. A healthy size of hank of high quality hair for a violin bow should cost you about £10 - £15. Even if you play vigorously every day, this should last you at least a year. When does the hair wear out? Most of the time, when it breaks, it’s worn out. Wear will eventually strip off sections of the cuticle or outside layers of the hair. Once the hair is weakened like this it usually breaks.
Sooner or later enough hairs break and you are playing half a hank. At this point it is past time for a repair job. Rehairing can cost between £15 - £20. There are two alternatives. Quit fiddling or, as one local fiddler down to his last three hairs commented, “after hearing what a rehair would cost, feck I’ll just wait till these break and find another bow”.
Another complaint with bow hair is, “it won’t take rosin anymore”. This is because the hair in the bow has become so coated with rosin that the small shingles on the hair are completely full creating a smooth surface. If you have ever played with synthetic horse hair, the effect on the tone and playability of the fiddle is very similar to a gunked up horsehair bow, If this happens to you, the best thing to do in most cases is to get the bow rehaired. If you are not a vigorous player, use rosin heavily, still have a good hank of hair in your bow and encounter the rosin soaked bow, you may have another alternative. Back in the old days, and we are talking about 500 years ago, there are accounts of folk washing their bow hair. This can be done by taking the bow screw out of the frog and keeping the hair well away from the bow, begin scrubbing the hair with a tooth brush in soap and water. For industrial strength gunk on the bow, drinking alcohol can be sacrificed using it full strength for those especially tough spots or mixed with water for varying degrees of strength. Do not drink this used cleaning solution as rosin was sometimes described as a violent purgative in the days before ex-lax. This cleaning process is only for the diehard, do it yourself or destined to save some money. If you have any kind of valuable bow, do not try this. Some unscrupulous violin repair men are aware of this process and with some old bow hair, clean it and install it in bows that are less like full size. If a repair man offers to do this, and it is cheaper than a hank of new hair, it is a probably a good idea for cheaper, less than full sized bows. However, be alert when getting the smaller bow haired and paying for fresh hair.
John Laidlaw - Obituary
‘The Border Reiver’
It is with sadness that we note the passing of ‘The Border Reiver’, John Laidlaw at the age of only 40. He was born in Berwickshire where music was part of the family scene, as both his father and uncle played the accordion.
His initiation to the accordion occurred at a dance at Yarrowford where he was listening to Ian Wilkie’s Band. Ian gave young John a ‘shot’ of his box and he immediately proceeded to pick out ‘The Dashing White Sergeant’. Soon after that incident his father bought him a 48 bass Pietro for £10 and John never looked back from that moment on.
In November of last year, following a bout of measles, he was diagnosed as having leukemia, possibly triggered by the measles, and he was immediately admitted to the Borders General Hospital.
During his sojourn in hospital, another misfortune befell him. He contracted chickenpox and also developed an allergy to one of the drugs in his medication. Consequently, he was obliged to suffer a spell in an isolation ward, which in his own words was ‘gie wee’ and, of course, communication had to be by intercom.
Another result of his stay in hospital was a considerable collection of get-well card, which he kept in a polythene bag, all 439 of them, including one from Runrig which he greatly treasured.
At Easter the Reiver remarried. His new bride was Vicky Sproule. Vicky was a Highland and Country dancer. Their reception was held in the Osbourne Hotel in Edinburgh, then a second reception occurred in their chalet in Tobermory during the Mull Festival.
Vicky and both families have been completely supportive during John’s illness as have been the band and his many friends. John adopted a philosophical attitude towards his illness and was very cognisant of the fact that he had a fight on his hands. He succumbed to his illness on Wednesday, 28th August, 1996.
Are Young Bands Playing Too Fast?
by Dr Sandy Tulloch
I have frequently become involved in conversations regarding the tempos of the younger bands and during one of these conversations I thought I would try and analyse the playing at random and in depth.
I have a (very) large collection of Scottish dance music recorded from the early 50’s onwards and using a stopwatch and beats per minute as a yardstick, set about analysing younger bands against older bands.
I know that younger bands are criticised for being too fast but is this criticism justified? I well remember the late Bobby Brown of Adam Rennie’s Band asking me if I had a recording of one of their reel sets to complete his collection. I taped it and sent it off to get the reply – “Thanks very much but your recorder id faulty” – we never played at that speed. However, the pitch of the recording was exact and there was no doubt whatsoever of the original tempo.
So, stopwatch and tuning fork at the ready and recordings of Jimmy shand 1956 or earlier and recordings of younger bands in beats/minute, here are the results :
Young Jimmy
Band Shand
1996 1956
Gay Gordons 30 29
Irish Jigs 68 66
Reels 64 62
Strathspeys 36 36
Waltz 56 54
Pipe Reel 60 60
Scots Jigs 66 64
2/4 C.B.D. 44 44
Two-Step 66 64
As I said on Robbie Shepherd’s programme some time ago, some reels have no spaces between the notes and sound faster than Scots measures. The latter are easier to play and in many cases ‘dancier’, but they do not sound as fast although the beats per minute are identical.
So, at the end of the day, young bands and players are certainly faster than the Shand era, but not by a vast amount.
I have to conclude that playing for R.S.C.D.S. has become statelier, and the so-called ceilidh scene approximates to the 40’s and 50’s.
I just wish the old fingers were as supple as they were 50 years ago.
Death of Dave Arnott
The death of Dave Arnott occurred on Thursday, 19th September 96 at the Black Bull Hotel, Wooler.
Dave was a staunch member of the Windygates Button Key Club and was with them at their visit to the Glendale Club when he died. He was surrounded by his musical friends during the opening stramash when the tragedy occurred.
A tribute to Dave Arnott will be in the next edition of the ‘B&F’.
Your Letters
Record Review
After the Chord – The Craigellachie SDB
Free Hand – Jim Lindsay and his Band – BYCD1
Book Review
The Furrow’s End – Gordon Pattullo – Deeay Music
Popular Ceilidh Dances – Deirdre Adamson – Deeay Music
Take the Floor – Saturdays at 6.30pm with Robbie Shepherd
5th Oct 96 – Bruce Peebles SDB
12th Oct 96 – Nicol McLaren & the Glencraig SDB (OB from Blairgowrie)
19th Oct 96 – Ian Anderson SDB (debut)
26th Oct 96 – Bruce Lindsay SDB
2nd Nov 96 – David Cunningham Jnr SDB
9th Nov 96 – Neil Barron SDB – OB from Leeds
16th Nov 96 – Maurice Duncan SDB
23rd Nov 96 – Ian Hutson SDB
30th Nov 96 – Debut of Scott Leslie SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 29th Oct 96 – Steven Carcary Duo
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Oct 96 – Colin Dewar SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 6th Oct 96 – Dennis Morrison SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 3rd Oct 96 – Jim MacLeod SDB
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 20th Oct 96 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Oct 96 – John Donald & Graham Sherrit
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 21st Oct 96 – Donald McLeod SDB
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 13th Oct 96 – Simon Howie SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th Oct 96 – David Cunningham Jnr
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 8th Oct 96 - tba
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th Oct 96 – Bruce Lindsay Jnr & Friends
Campsie (Glazert House Hotel) - 1st Oct 96 – Fintry Style
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) - 3rd Oct 96 – Archie Duncan
Castle Douglas (Ernespie House Hotel) – 15th Oct 96 – Lothian & Borders Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Oct 96 – Dick Black Band
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) 3rd Oct 96 – Colin Dewar
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd Oct 96 – Craigowl SDB
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 15th Oct 96 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Dundee (Dexters) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 8th Oct 96 – Pentland Ceilidh Band
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 3rd Oct 96 – Jim & Jean McConnachie & Friends
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) – 22nd Oct 96 - tba
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th Oct 96 – Jack Blyth Trio
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Brig Motel) – 9th Oct 96 – Gary Donaldson Trio
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) –
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 17th Oct 96 – Wayne Robertson
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 21st Oct 96 – Fraser McGlynn Duo
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 1st Oct 96 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Islay (White Hart Hotel) -
Isle of Skye -
Islesteps (Waterhole, Lochfoot) – 1st Oct 96 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 30th Oct 96 – Liam Howitt
Kinlochshiel (Islander Function Room) -
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 2nd Oct 96 – Forres Club
Lanark (Masonic Hall) - 11th Oct 96 – Bill Black SDB 31st Oct 96 – Mary Young
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 10th Oct 96 – Craigowl SDB
Livingston (Deans Community Centre) 15th Oct 96 – Willie Simpson 19th Oct – Fintan Stanley
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th Oct 96 – Ian Powrie Dup
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall)
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Oct 96 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Oct 96 – John Renton SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st Oct 96 – Paul Anderson
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) – 31st Oct 96 – David Cunningham Jnr Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 22nd Oct 96 – Judith Linton Trio
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Oct 96 – Colin Garvin SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) -
Shetland (venue?) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Thornhill (Dumfries-shire) - 9th Oct 96 – Donnie McGregor & Friends
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 31st Oct 96 – Strathmore Sound (Steven Carcary)
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 1st Oct 96 – Charlie Abel (Aberdeen)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Arbroath
2. Armadale
3. Banchory
4. Biggar
5. Button Key
6. Campsie
7. Carlisle
8. Castle Douglas
9. Dingwall
10. Dunfermline
11. Dunoon & Cowal
12. Forfar
13. Forres
14. Gretna
15. Highland
16. Islesteps
17. Kelso
18. Kintore
19. Lesmahagow
20. Montrose
21. North East
22. Perth
23. Thornhill
24. Thurso
25. Turriff
26. Tynedale
27. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1995
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started?
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
7. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
8. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
9. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
10. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
11. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
12. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
13. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
14. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
15. Bromley A&F Club
16. Button Key A&F Club (
17. Campbeltown A&F Club (
18. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
19. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
20. Coalburn A&F Club (
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
23. Derwentside A&F Club
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? -
27. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
28. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
32. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
33. Forfar A&F Club (
34. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
35. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
36. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
37. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
38. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
39. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
40. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
41. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Oct 1991 - present)
44. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
45. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
46. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
47. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
48. Kintore A&F Club (
49. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
50. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
51. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
52. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
53. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
54. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
55. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
56. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986? - present)
57. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
58. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
59. Mull A&F Club
60. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
61. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
62. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
63. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
64. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
65. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
66. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
67. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
68. Renfrew A&F Club (
69. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
72. Sutherland A&F Club (
73. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75. Tranent A&F Club
76. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
77. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
78. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Buchan A&F Club
83. Callander A&F Club (
84. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
85. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
86. Club Accord
87. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
88. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
89. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
90. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
91. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
92. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
93. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
94. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
95. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
96. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
97. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
98. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
99. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
100. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
101. Newcastleton Accordion Club
102. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
103. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
104. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
105. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
106. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
107. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
108. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
109. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates increased
Full Page - £94 to £113 from Sept 96
Half Page - £47 to £57
Quarter Page - £24 to £29
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 2NL
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
In the last Edition I mentioned that an article on the lack of coverage by the media would be forthcoming. Unfortunately, this has been delayed but your thoughts on the matter are still sought.
Last month I was on holiday in Blackpool for a few days. I learned that the Wyre Accordion Club was holding a meeting and went along. The guest artiste was none other than Wayne Robertson. Wayne put on a terrific show and was complimented by Tom Duncan, the organizer. I must admit I felt proud and privileged to have been there. Another surprise was in store – Wayne and I were both made honorary members of the Club.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Gina Brannelli, L.L.C.M., L.R.C.M., who has been nominated for an international award, but more about this next month.
Have you ever found yourself travelling south on a motorway when you should be going north? Yes, it happened to me when I left Blackpool.
Articles about well-known musicians are always in demand and would be welcomed for publication along with photographs.
Some articles and reviews have been held over until the next issue.
Ron Ramsay
Some Notes on Bow Hair
by Kevin McCann
The hair used in bows of the violin family comes from the tail of a horse. 160 to 250 hairs are used in the average violin bow.
This bunch of hairs is called a ‘hank’. Most violin bow hair is white in colour although sometimes you will see dark brown or black hair used. Most likely this is horse hair that has not been bleached and if good quality hair it will serve as well as white hair. Sometimes darker hair will be represented as being more coarse and as such is more commonly seen on cello or bass bows. If someone tells you that dark hair is always coarser and should not be used in violin bows, it is advice that can probably be ignored.
Under the microscope, dark hair and white hair of good quality are very similar in appearance. Except for colour, they are often the same diameter and the small plates on the outside of the hair are what make your fiddle string vibrate. These plates, or scales, have rough, uneven edges and in a group look like a furry fingerprint.
These plates are arranged on the hair in an overlapping or shingles-like design. These little ‘shingles’ overlap in a downward direction. That is, they start from the follicle in the root of the horses tail and overlap each other to the end of the hair. If you have a well developed sense of touch or your fingers are not all bunched up and calloused from changing tyres, you can feel these small shingles by running the horsehair between your fingers. More resistance can be felt as you move from the end towards the root as you are rubbing against the way these little shingles are laid down. When they are partially filled with rosin, they grab hold of the string as they are dragged across the motion, like you would get with a guitar, you have a whole bunch of little plucking or grabbing motions. This sets up a constant vibration of the strings on the fiddle.
Most horse hair hanks will have all the hair running the same way, as it came from the horse. This can have the effect of a more forceful bite to the strings. The downward bow movement of the root end of the hank of hair is put in the tip of the bow. This increased bite is very hard to detect although I have encountered experts who swear by it and demand that half the hank should run the other way when the bow is rehaired. They claim that this will produce a more even grab on the strings.
Identifying good hair from bad hair is largely a matter of experience with the supplier. If the hair you buy from Joe Hair supplier is durable and plays well, keep buying it from the same guy. There are a few things you should look for that can help. Brittle hair that breaks when bent and hair that appears to be of different thicknesses should be avoided. Most amateur repairers buy their hair wrapped up on a small fiddle string like package. This should be avoided, which translates into – ‘don’t buy hair through the mail’. Go to a violin repair man who buys his hair in large, fist sized hanks and buy it there.
This hair will be hung straight and it is less likely to have been lying around a warehouse for a number of years. A healthy size of hank of high quality hair for a violin bow should cost you about £10 - £15. Even if you play vigorously every day, this should last you at least a year. When does the hair wear out? Most of the time, when it breaks, it’s worn out. Wear will eventually strip off sections of the cuticle or outside layers of the hair. Once the hair is weakened like this it usually breaks.
Sooner or later enough hairs break and you are playing half a hank. At this point it is past time for a repair job. Rehairing can cost between £15 - £20. There are two alternatives. Quit fiddling or, as one local fiddler down to his last three hairs commented, “after hearing what a rehair would cost, feck I’ll just wait till these break and find another bow”.
Another complaint with bow hair is, “it won’t take rosin anymore”. This is because the hair in the bow has become so coated with rosin that the small shingles on the hair are completely full creating a smooth surface. If you have ever played with synthetic horse hair, the effect on the tone and playability of the fiddle is very similar to a gunked up horsehair bow, If this happens to you, the best thing to do in most cases is to get the bow rehaired. If you are not a vigorous player, use rosin heavily, still have a good hank of hair in your bow and encounter the rosin soaked bow, you may have another alternative. Back in the old days, and we are talking about 500 years ago, there are accounts of folk washing their bow hair. This can be done by taking the bow screw out of the frog and keeping the hair well away from the bow, begin scrubbing the hair with a tooth brush in soap and water. For industrial strength gunk on the bow, drinking alcohol can be sacrificed using it full strength for those especially tough spots or mixed with water for varying degrees of strength. Do not drink this used cleaning solution as rosin was sometimes described as a violent purgative in the days before ex-lax. This cleaning process is only for the diehard, do it yourself or destined to save some money. If you have any kind of valuable bow, do not try this. Some unscrupulous violin repair men are aware of this process and with some old bow hair, clean it and install it in bows that are less like full size. If a repair man offers to do this, and it is cheaper than a hank of new hair, it is a probably a good idea for cheaper, less than full sized bows. However, be alert when getting the smaller bow haired and paying for fresh hair.
John Laidlaw - Obituary
‘The Border Reiver’
It is with sadness that we note the passing of ‘The Border Reiver’, John Laidlaw at the age of only 40. He was born in Berwickshire where music was part of the family scene, as both his father and uncle played the accordion.
His initiation to the accordion occurred at a dance at Yarrowford where he was listening to Ian Wilkie’s Band. Ian gave young John a ‘shot’ of his box and he immediately proceeded to pick out ‘The Dashing White Sergeant’. Soon after that incident his father bought him a 48 bass Pietro for £10 and John never looked back from that moment on.
In November of last year, following a bout of measles, he was diagnosed as having leukemia, possibly triggered by the measles, and he was immediately admitted to the Borders General Hospital.
During his sojourn in hospital, another misfortune befell him. He contracted chickenpox and also developed an allergy to one of the drugs in his medication. Consequently, he was obliged to suffer a spell in an isolation ward, which in his own words was ‘gie wee’ and, of course, communication had to be by intercom.
Another result of his stay in hospital was a considerable collection of get-well card, which he kept in a polythene bag, all 439 of them, including one from Runrig which he greatly treasured.
At Easter the Reiver remarried. His new bride was Vicky Sproule. Vicky was a Highland and Country dancer. Their reception was held in the Osbourne Hotel in Edinburgh, then a second reception occurred in their chalet in Tobermory during the Mull Festival.
Vicky and both families have been completely supportive during John’s illness as have been the band and his many friends. John adopted a philosophical attitude towards his illness and was very cognisant of the fact that he had a fight on his hands. He succumbed to his illness on Wednesday, 28th August, 1996.
Are Young Bands Playing Too Fast?
by Dr Sandy Tulloch
I have frequently become involved in conversations regarding the tempos of the younger bands and during one of these conversations I thought I would try and analyse the playing at random and in depth.
I have a (very) large collection of Scottish dance music recorded from the early 50’s onwards and using a stopwatch and beats per minute as a yardstick, set about analysing younger bands against older bands.
I know that younger bands are criticised for being too fast but is this criticism justified? I well remember the late Bobby Brown of Adam Rennie’s Band asking me if I had a recording of one of their reel sets to complete his collection. I taped it and sent it off to get the reply – “Thanks very much but your recorder id faulty” – we never played at that speed. However, the pitch of the recording was exact and there was no doubt whatsoever of the original tempo.
So, stopwatch and tuning fork at the ready and recordings of Jimmy shand 1956 or earlier and recordings of younger bands in beats/minute, here are the results :
Young Jimmy
Band Shand
1996 1956
Gay Gordons 30 29
Irish Jigs 68 66
Reels 64 62
Strathspeys 36 36
Waltz 56 54
Pipe Reel 60 60
Scots Jigs 66 64
2/4 C.B.D. 44 44
Two-Step 66 64
As I said on Robbie Shepherd’s programme some time ago, some reels have no spaces between the notes and sound faster than Scots measures. The latter are easier to play and in many cases ‘dancier’, but they do not sound as fast although the beats per minute are identical.
So, at the end of the day, young bands and players are certainly faster than the Shand era, but not by a vast amount.
I have to conclude that playing for R.S.C.D.S. has become statelier, and the so-called ceilidh scene approximates to the 40’s and 50’s.
I just wish the old fingers were as supple as they were 50 years ago.
Death of Dave Arnott
The death of Dave Arnott occurred on Thursday, 19th September 96 at the Black Bull Hotel, Wooler.
Dave was a staunch member of the Windygates Button Key Club and was with them at their visit to the Glendale Club when he died. He was surrounded by his musical friends during the opening stramash when the tragedy occurred.
A tribute to Dave Arnott will be in the next edition of the ‘B&F’.
Your Letters
Record Review
After the Chord – The Craigellachie SDB
Free Hand – Jim Lindsay and his Band – BYCD1
Book Review
The Furrow’s End – Gordon Pattullo – Deeay Music
Popular Ceilidh Dances – Deirdre Adamson – Deeay Music
Take the Floor – Saturdays at 6.30pm with Robbie Shepherd
5th Oct 96 – Bruce Peebles SDB
12th Oct 96 – Nicol McLaren & the Glencraig SDB (OB from Blairgowrie)
19th Oct 96 – Ian Anderson SDB (debut)
26th Oct 96 – Bruce Lindsay SDB
2nd Nov 96 – David Cunningham Jnr SDB
9th Nov 96 – Neil Barron SDB – OB from Leeds
16th Nov 96 – Maurice Duncan SDB
23rd Nov 96 – Ian Hutson SDB
30th Nov 96 – Debut of Scott Leslie SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 29th Oct 96 – Steven Carcary Duo
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Oct 96 – Colin Dewar SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 6th Oct 96 – Dennis Morrison SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 3rd Oct 96 – Jim MacLeod SDB
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 20th Oct 96 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Oct 96 – John Donald & Graham Sherrit
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 21st Oct 96 – Donald McLeod SDB
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 13th Oct 96 – Simon Howie SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th Oct 96 – David Cunningham Jnr
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 8th Oct 96 - tba
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th Oct 96 – Bruce Lindsay Jnr & Friends
Campsie (Glazert House Hotel) - 1st Oct 96 – Fintry Style
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) - 3rd Oct 96 – Archie Duncan
Castle Douglas (Ernespie House Hotel) – 15th Oct 96 – Lothian & Borders Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Oct 96 – Dick Black Band
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) 3rd Oct 96 – Colin Dewar
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd Oct 96 – Craigowl SDB
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 15th Oct 96 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Dundee (Dexters) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 8th Oct 96 – Pentland Ceilidh Band
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 3rd Oct 96 – Jim & Jean McConnachie & Friends
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) – 22nd Oct 96 - tba
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th Oct 96 – Jack Blyth Trio
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Brig Motel) – 9th Oct 96 – Gary Donaldson Trio
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) –
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 17th Oct 96 – Wayne Robertson
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 21st Oct 96 – Fraser McGlynn Duo
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 1st Oct 96 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Islay (White Hart Hotel) -
Isle of Skye -
Islesteps (Waterhole, Lochfoot) – 1st Oct 96 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 30th Oct 96 – Liam Howitt
Kinlochshiel (Islander Function Room) -
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 2nd Oct 96 – Forres Club
Lanark (Masonic Hall) - 11th Oct 96 – Bill Black SDB 31st Oct 96 – Mary Young
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 10th Oct 96 – Craigowl SDB
Livingston (Deans Community Centre) 15th Oct 96 – Willie Simpson 19th Oct – Fintan Stanley
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th Oct 96 – Ian Powrie Dup
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall)
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Oct 96 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Oct 96 – John Renton SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st Oct 96 – Paul Anderson
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) – 31st Oct 96 – David Cunningham Jnr Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 22nd Oct 96 – Judith Linton Trio
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Oct 96 – Colin Garvin SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) -
Shetland (venue?) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Thornhill (Dumfries-shire) - 9th Oct 96 – Donnie McGregor & Friends
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 31st Oct 96 – Strathmore Sound (Steven Carcary)
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 1st Oct 96 – Charlie Abel (Aberdeen)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Arbroath
2. Armadale
3. Banchory
4. Biggar
5. Button Key
6. Campsie
7. Carlisle
8. Castle Douglas
9. Dingwall
10. Dunfermline
11. Dunoon & Cowal
12. Forfar
13. Forres
14. Gretna
15. Highland
16. Islesteps
17. Kelso
18. Kintore
19. Lesmahagow
20. Montrose
21. North East
22. Perth
23. Thornhill
24. Thurso
25. Turriff
26. Tynedale
27. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1995
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started?
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
7. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
8. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
9. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
10. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
11. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
12. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
13. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
14. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
15. Bromley A&F Club
16. Button Key A&F Club (
17. Campbeltown A&F Club (
18. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
19. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
20. Coalburn A&F Club (
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
23. Derwentside A&F Club
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? -
27. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
28. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
32. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
33. Forfar A&F Club (
34. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
35. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
36. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
37. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
38. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
39. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
40. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
41. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Oct 1991 - present)
44. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
45. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
46. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
47. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
48. Kintore A&F Club (
49. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
50. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
51. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
52. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
53. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
54. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
55. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
56. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986? - present)
57. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
58. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
59. Mull A&F Club
60. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
61. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
62. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
63. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
64. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
65. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
66. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
67. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
68. Renfrew A&F Club (
69. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
72. Sutherland A&F Club (
73. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75. Tranent A&F Club
76. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
77. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
78. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Buchan A&F Club
83. Callander A&F Club (
84. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
85. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
86. Club Accord
87. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
88. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
89. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
90. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
91. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
92. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
93. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
94. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
95. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
96. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
97. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
98. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
99. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
100. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
101. Newcastleton Accordion Club
102. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
103. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
104. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
105. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
106. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
107. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
108. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
109. Wellbank A&F Club
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