Hector The Hero - Tony Mcmanus

DADGAD (capoII). Hector the Hero a composition of the great James Scott-Skinner, the Strathspey King, from Banchory in Aberdeenshire. Scott-Skinner is one of the most significant figures, both as performer and composer, in the history of Scots fiddle music. He died in 1927 at the age of 86, having toured the United States the previous year! The tune was written to commemorate a soldier from Dingwall, Rosshire in the North East of Scotland. Hector seemingly rose through the ranks at such a rate as to rouse the jealousy of some of his colleagues. He died in mysterious circumstances in Paris. His statue is a prominent landmark in Dingwall. I play the tune in the key of E major, which would have met with derision from Scott-Skinner- the proper key being A. The first pass through the tune is entirely in false harmonics. These are accomplished by gently stopping the string twelve frets above where the right hand frets the same string. Classical players achieve this by stopping the string with the index finger and plucking with the middle, leaving the thumb free to pluck bass notes. This, I find impossible! So, I pluck with the thumb and stop with the index. The bass notes are played with the LEFT hand either by plucking the open string with the middle finger or by hammering on. The second pass through the tune is more straightforward! The reel is a composition of Phil Cunningham- written whilst recovering from a car accident in which his right arm was badly damaged. So it started out as a finger exercise and grew more complex as his arm recovered. The opening phrase has a burst of four triplets- the first one involves just the thumb. It seems unheard of in steel string acoustic playing to use the thumb on the upstroke but I couldn't see any other way of playing this. It has now become a feature of my playing.

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[Mandolin1944]

The opening performance is certainly of the one of the best I have heard for this tune on a plucked instrument. I think it is hard to capture that the drawn out sounds of a bow?  My opinion.

Not as keen on the uptempo part as the tune is a started as the lament it is intended. But the fast part would make a great tune as a stand alone. This is a great video!

Outstanding musicianship that's for sure.

[whitefalcon113]

@Mandolin1944 Definitely! This is an amazing piece of music, and the harmonic intro is beautiful!

[celticpicker]

Very melodic..then very lively...nice combination of tunes!!

Tom

Wills Addiction

[christhescot0201]

certainly one of my favourite tunes and the history behind the tune makes it all the more valued. I love it as a pipe tune as well.

[1234549084]

AGreat Musician

[BongoMudflap]

Lovely, You've captured the spirit!