The Oban Times, December 13, 1924
Piobaireachd
65 Harrison Road, Edinburgh, 7th December, 1924
Sir,–Your correspondent “Crunluath” was already familiar with the tune “Prince’s Salute,” and as he had the published version, there was no necessity for great technical accuracy in the copy sent him, as it was merely intended to show the difference in a note here, or a group of notes there, and, as a matter of fact, was much more accurate generally than is considered necessary between players, even in a new piece.
It had the virtue of showing the melody in clear and unmistakable terms, and this, I take it, is the essential thing, for it matters little how the music score adheres to formula if it fails to give a true record of the composer’s song.
I attach little importance to piffling technicalities where piobaireachd is concerned, as in this connection, an ounce of instinctive knowledge is worth a ton of the dotted crotchet variety. –I am, etc.,
George MacKay
