Songs with Strikes
The tunes on this page are particularly good for practicing the strike embellishment. Each tune features strikes in natural and musical positions that help you internalize when and how to use this ornament.
About Strikes in Tunes
Strikes most commonly appear on repeated Low A notes and on the note B when it is preceded or followed by Low A. They replace what would otherwise be an unbroken connection between two same-pitch notes, creating rhythmic definition.
Tunes to Practice
- Scotland the Brave — this classic 2/4 march contains clear, natural placements for strikes on Low A that are excellent for beginners.
- A Hundred Pipers — another march with good strike positions in both the A and B sections.
- Mairi's Wedding — a fast-moving reel where strikes add significant momentum.
Practice Approach
Identify every place in the tune where a strike occurs. Practice each strike in isolation (the note before, the strike, the note after) until it is clean. Then play the surrounding phrase with the strike included. Finally, play the whole tune at a slow tempo incorporating all the strikes.