Calliope House
About the Tune
'Calliope House' is a lively, enjoyable tune written by Dave Richardson, a member of the traditional Irish band 'The Boys of the Lough.' The band recorded and popularized the tune.
The tune is dedicated to George Balderose, a friend of Cathal McConnell (another member of The Boys of the Lough) and a master bagpiper. Balderose owns a Victorian mansion in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which has hosted many traditional music events. This house, dubbed 'Calliope House,' is home to a folk arts organization, 'Calliope: the Pittsburgh Folk Music Society,' which supports folk music concerts and a folk music school.
Dave Richardson wrote the tune on a mandolin while sitting in his garden in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The tune is typically played in the key of E, although some musicians find D major more suitable for certain instruments. Sessions sometimes begin with the second part of the tune rather than the first.
It is often played in pairs with other tunes, like "The Cowboy" or "Out on the Ocean."
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Feadóg Original Irish Tin whistle
This is the Tin Whistle I have and it has never done me wrong. I even got one for my Son and he absolutely loves it. It comes with a book to really help any beginner along in their journey of playing Trad. But it's also a great Tin Whistle for any musician, whatever your experience.
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Disclaimer: Much of this tune background is hard to trace, and some details remain speculative. These summaries draw on trad community discussion and other available sources, and will be updated as better verified information emerges. If you spot an error or have confirmed information to add, please get in touch and I'll update the site.