The O'FARRELL ABC PROJECT
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updated: 1/9/11

The four volumes of the tune collection known as "O'Farrell Pocket Companion for the Irish or Union Pipes", which date back to the late 18th and early 19th century, contain a wealth of music in traditional and baroque styles. Much of this music will be unfamiliar to musicians of the present day and seems deserving of greater exposure.

In an effort to address this situation, I have translated the written notation of the four volumes - consisting of some four hundred tunes - into ABC format.

The benefits of ABC to a project such as this are many:

• files are text-only (ascii - keyboard) - no music software needed to create / open / change / store
  
• cross-platform
• small file sizes
  
• multiple translation programs available either as stand-alone or via the Internet
• capability of producing both printed notation and sound files
  
• end-user capability to make changes to suit a particular need (e.g. playback speed can be reduced)
• files can be organized to suit user needs
  

Where editing of some of the incorrect or obscure 18th century notation has seemed necessary, I have taken the liberty of making the changes, based on nearly forty years of experience performing and composing traditional music.

Introduction to O'Farrell & his music

Master Index to all OFPC tunes

OFPC volume 1

OFPC volume 2

OFPC volume 3

OFPC volume 4

As always, comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Enjoy!


Bill Black
www.capeirish.com
bill@capeirish.com