Annotation:Mr. James Trotter

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 MR. JAMES TROTTER. Scottish, Reel. A Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB'. Composition credited to James Macintosh by Kerr. Another title composed for the family is “Miss Trotter,” by the same composer. James Macintosh (1791-1879) was, according to J. Murray Neil (The Scots Fiddle, 1991), a member of a musical family that produced six skilled fiddlers in three generations. James’ father was a contemporary, friend and neighbour of the famous Scots fiddler Niel Gow’s in Dunkeld, Perthshire, and played in the latter’s band. James and his brother Charles took lessons from Niel and remained close to the family. James attempted a career as a joiner, explains J. Murray Neil, but, when invited to Edinburgh by the Gow sons to play in their band (the ‘Reel players of Scotland’, a celebrated string band of up to 20 skilled musicians), he at once departed for the city. In addition to his professional playing, Macintosh established a reputation as a music teacher in Edinburgh and had several compositions printed by Joseph Lowe (1840) and later by James Kerr.  Source for notated version:  Printed sources: Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 2; No. 40, p. 7.  Recorded sources:

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