Is Sawmill the most flexible tuning? To make up sets of tunes that changed key, to sound more interesting, I tabbed out some Shetland fiddle reels. Here's the list, with keys - bear in mind that the tunes are modal, and you could make out a case for some different key attributions.
Sleep Soond i'da Moarnin' - A. Lasses Trust in Providence - D. Boannie Isle o' Whalsay - A. Da Ferry Reel - D. If I Get a Bonnie Lass - G. Forefit o'da Ship - D. Da Scallowa' Lasses - A. Underhill - G. Up and Doon da Harbour - A. Da Mirrie Boys o' Greenland - D. Oliver Jack - G. Da Wattle o't - D. Oot and In da Harbour - A.
So, If you played the tunes in the order above, you would be changing key A-D-A-D-G-D-A-G-A-D-G-D-A. Just a group of 3 or so would be a normal length for a a set, though - you wouldn't play them all at one sitting! The point is that all of the tunes are tabbed in Sawmill - ADAEa - and I don't think any other single tuning could have coped so well. Perhaps it is because that tuning has similarities with Double D and with Open A: in a way, it is a cross between them; tunes in G are more challenging, but possible.
The tabs are attached. Any comments?: