In Memory of Herbie MacLeod

Notes

“In Memory of Herbie MacLeod” is a modern classic in the Scottish and Cape Breton traditions. Composed by the prolific Cape Breton fiddler Jerry Holland, the tune was written as a tribute to Herbie MacLeod, a beloved figure and musician from the island. It is a Highland Waltz (or slow air) that manages to feel both deeply personal and universally resonant, capturing the “lonesome” yet beautiful spirit of the maritime provinces.

• The Feel: This tune is the embodiment of “stately grace.” It has a gentle, rocking $3/4$ rhythm that feels like the movement of the sea. It is often played with a slight “swing” or “lift” that is characteristic of the Cape Breton style, distinguishing it from more rigid European waltzes.

• The Key: Usually played in A Major, it has a bright and clear tonality. However, it often leans into the “Major 7th” or “Sus” sounds that give modern Cape Breton compositions their signature contemporary-folk edge.

• The Melody: The A-part is a welcoming, conversational melody that stays in the comfortable middle range of the fiddle. The B-part is where the “memory” truly takes flight—it reaches for higher notes with a series of soaring, optimistic leaps that feel like a celebration of a life well-lived.