Tunes

This is where we keep:

nÓg Session tunes and medleys

This list includes tunes that we have learned (indicated by *) combined into medleys with some locally well-known session tunes. Medleys are always subject to change.

Open the list of the session tunes and medleys in Rich Text Format if you want to print it. Or, open the ABC file if you want to see some really incompetent ABC source code.

Tune(s) of the week

The Humours of Ballingarry jig (1/04/2008)

I don't remember where I learned this jig, but it's one of my favorites. Thanks to Ted for teaching it today!

Check out the link to the great video I found at the Comhaltas site of this tune—fiddles, flutes, concertinas—and some nice variations that you can incorporate into your playing.

Here are a few ways to explore this tune:

Rolling in the Rye Grass Reel and Feeding the Birds reels (12/14/2008)

(12/18) I just threw together this version of Rolling in the Rye Grass quickly so you'd have it. I'll put out a better version one of these days. This is taken from Elizabeth Crotty's setting of this tune. What I want to do is write all her variations as best as I can understand them. However, this version represents a hodgepodge of her variations just for your consideration. This is not the basic tune, in other words. So, just play around with it and I'll come out with a full transcription later.

I also quickly taught Feeding the Birds, a Mike Rafferty tune. I got this setting from Jacqueline McCarthy (concertina) and her husband Tommy Keane (pipes) from their wonderful recording, The wind in the rushes. That's where I first heard it. Eventually, I'll put out Mike's setting (since he wrote it) from The Dangerous Reel recording. By the way, the setting here is not exactly the setting I taught, but it's a nice one, so let's go with it for now.

Note: Tommy Keane and Jacqueline McCarthy play this AB, Mike plays it AABB, and I and most players I play with play it ABB. So, I took the liberty of adding the repeat to the B part because if you ever play it with me, that's how it's going to come out! Technically, the A is a single reel part, and the B is a double reel part, so that's why it feels natural to some of us to play it that way.

Here's a PDF for the tune:

Sliabh Aughty March (12/07/2008)

You're either going to love this or hate it! I love it. It's easy and fun to play. It's a nice change from all those jigs and reels. You might think it's kind of corny. I think our session group will sound great playing it as the opening (or closing) tune when we perform at the pub. It's rousing! I don't know anything about it because I loaned out my copy of the CD, Tracin', by Gearoid O hallmhurain and Patrick Ourceau. But, I assume it's an old-fashioned march (the kind you can march to). I might have transposed it to G; many of the tunes on the CD are in "different" keys, which could be due to flat-pitched concertinas—I just don't know for sure with this one. Anyway, it's playable in G.

I've enjoyed this CD for years and like so many of the tunes; you might consider buying it for your collection. Here's the Web site for Tracin': http://www.celticcrossings.com/store/cd2.html. I plan to teach more tunes at our session from this CD. In fact, you can download two tracks from the CD that contain tunes that I plan to teach in the future. Just vist their site and give a listen.

Here's the PDF for the tune:

The Green Fields of America (11/16/2008)

This is the jig version of the reel by the same name. The jig has other names, but I don't know them—one might by "The Maid in the Meadow". I've written the dots from various sources, but some variations come from the CD Tracin' by Gearoid O hallmhurain and Patrick Ourceau, one of my favorite CDs.

Here's the PDF for the tune:

The Ghosts of Erin (10/26/2008)

Vicky Montague will teach her spooky, Halloween-inspired jig written for our old band, The Ghosts of Erin. There's a story that goes with this tune. One night at a band rehearsal at Dan Leonard's house, there was a big thunderstorm going on, and in the middle of playing the The Ghosts of Erin and The Hag set, the electricity went out (following a flash of lightening and a huge thunder crack). We kept playing in total darkness until the last of us broke into uncontrollable laughter.

We usually play The Hag at the Churn with it. I don't have The Ghosts of Erin's dots, but I found a version of The Hag at the Churn in Henrik Norbeck's collection. I added the PDF to our collection.

This PDF contains the history behind The Hag at the Churn:

The Repeal of the Union (10/19/2008)

I learned this from Tommy Keane and Jacqueline McCarthy's great CD The wind among the reeds (with Alec Finn). I've played it for years on both fiddle and concertina. I may have put the track on one of the learning CDs.

Here are two options for investigating this tune:

Con Cassidy's (10/12/2008)

NOTE (10/24/08): There was one wrong note in the PDF music. I corrected it, so you might want to download it again.

I learned this jig from The Red Crow (Altan). I think it's very pretty and you might be familiar with it if you have the recording. I can't say I've heard it anywhere else and don't know what I'd put with it yet.

Here is one option for investigating this tune:

The Frieze Breeches (10/05/2008)

I taught this odd slide. The only recording I remember hearing is Paddy Glackin, with a harpsichord! Everyone seemed to like it. Now we have to find a set for it...

Here is one option for investigating this tune:

Planxty Hewlett (O'Carolan)

Lee Raymond taught this O'Carolan tune. I'll put the dots out one of these days...

The Cricket's March Over the Saltbox (8/24/2008)

Lee Raymond will teach this march (in jig rhythm) this week! Lee learned it from Larry Nugent, a flute player in Chicago (originally from Co. Fermanagh). Lee, let me know if I got the notes right for the transcription.

Here are two options for investigating this tune:

Walter Sammon's Grandmother (8/17/2008)

Allen Baker and I learned this tune yesterday off a Patrick Street album. The whole set is made up of very simple reels, all worth learning. This one is probably the most multi-instrument-friendly, for teaching purposes.

What's really exciting is that you can hear the very set we got it from on the internet, at the site linked below. Allen says the B part is note-for-note the same as a song...I'll have to get the name of the song later.

Here are two options for investigating this tune:

The Chattering Magpie reel (7/27/2008)

This is a common session tune that I've heard a million times but could never keep the details of the B part in my head. I taught it from Thomas' ABC notes (sort of), so I apologize if I led anyone astray (we'll just call them "variations"). Actually, Thomas' version was a little easier, but it would clash badly with the common version, so you're better off learning the common version.

The version I'm putting out here is from the YouTube video that I found (see link below). From what I can tell, this video is from a CD launch party for the Paddy Murphy CD that Gearoid OhAllmhurain helped to produce this year. All you concertina players should have this CD! Even if you don't play the concertina.

I like that first reel on the video, and it's easy, so maybe I'll teach it in the near future. After a little research, I believe it's The Maid of Feakle (it's on the Tracin' CD, which I can't find). The third reel is traditionally played after The Chattering Magpie: The Flax in Bloom, and it's not easy.

Here are two options for investigating this tune:

The Leitrim Fancy jig (6/08/2008)

The first time I heard this jig was on a Bothy Band album. I learned a simple version and then found a few examples of it on the internet today. I cobbled together a version from what I heard.

Luckily, this flute guy had it on his site. He plays it slowly and then up to speed. Who is this guy? I just don't see where it says his (her?) name anywhere, but the site is a great resource for listening to tunes, so I'll keep using it.

Here are two options for investigating this tune:

The Rambling Pitchfork jig (6/01/2008)

A common jig that we all should know and that I never tire of. One of my favorite recordings is Andrew MacNamara playing it on his CD The Dawn. Also, Tommy Peoples plays a gorgeous version on a CD with Matt Malloy. Andrew plays it followed by Morrison's, and I think Tommy plays it with The Trip to Athlone.

Anyway, I taught a common session version, but I transcribed Andrew MacNamara's version (more or less—he changes it every time through) in the PDF file here. The MP3 is closer to the common session version that I taught.

By the way, this tune is on the 2nd nOg Listening "Rhythm" CD dated 5/25/08. Come to the session to get a copy. (I handed out a few on the 18th that don't have this track, so be sure to get the "official" copy from me, plus the playlist).

Here are two options for investigating this tune:

Thady Casey's reel aka The Star of Kilkenny (5/25/2008)

Once when Dan Leonard visited our session I asked him what goes well after Cregg's Pipes, and he said he always plays Thady Casey's. So, here it is. The PDF is the two tunes in a medley.

I usually build the MIDI file from concertina.net, but it's putting absurdly awful chords behind the tune, so I didn't produce one for this tune. However, I found an MP3 file of an (unknown?) flute player playing the tune on a Web site I've never heard of: irishflute.podbean.com.

Here are two options for investigating this tune:

The New Copperplate reel (4/20/2008)

This is one everyone should know, but I don't think most of us do (including me). So, let's learn it together. Anyone going to the Catskills will hear it there, for sure.

I found a YouTube video of Seamus Tansey playing The New Copperplate on the flute (see link below). His version is quite different from the "common" version we often hear today (which is what I'll be teaching). Check it out for some very cool variations.

Here are three options for investigating this tune:

The Green Fields of Woodford jig (4/13/2008)

This is a sweet jig on Kevin Burke and Cal Scott's CD Across the Black River. They play it in F...we're going to learn it in G!!! 

Here are two options for investigating this tune:

Maud Miller reel (4/06/2008)

This is the last tune in a set of reels on Kevin Burke and Cal Scott's CD Across the Black River. I've been playing it for years on the concertina, and it's a favorite of mine. I hope you'll enjoy playing it, too.

Here are two options for investigating this tune:

Dusty Miller slipjig (3/30/2008)

We might learn this tune, which I got from Altan's The Red Crow. They play it in a different key. I put another common slipjig with it, but I can't think of its name. Let me know if you know its name.

Or, maybe I can get Ted to teach another nice slipjig that he plays but I don't know...We should learn The Whinney Hills of Leitrim to go with Elizabeth Kelly's Delight, although it's kind of hard--but it's a great tune. So, I think we'll take a vote on what you'd like to learn this week.

Here are two options for investigating this set:

Cape Breton jig (3/02/2008)

Ted and I learned this jig from the Josephine Marsh (accordion) solo recording. We think it's gorgeous but don't know how well-known it is. I transcribed it from how I currently play it but will update the dots after I find the CD. Ted will teach it as he plays it, which might not match exactly the version you find here. Ted learned all of Josephine's variations. Ted and I highly recommend Josephine Marsh's recording, by the way.

Here are three options for investigating this tune:

The Humours of Ballinahinch reel (2/17/2008)

Here's a sweet reel in D that I don't hear often enough. I got it from the playing of flute player Jack Coen on the classic CD Warming Up (with Séamus Connolly, Martin Mulhaire, and Felix Dolan). Warming Up is one of my favorite CDs of all time.

Here are three options for investigating this tune:

Elizabeth Kelly's Delight slipjig (2/24/2008)

I got this medley from Snug in the Blanket, the CD by Paddy O'Brien, Jamie Gans, and Daithi Sproule.

Here are three options for investigating this tune:

The Humours of Ballinahinch reel (2/17/2008)

Here's a sweet reel in D that I don't hear often enough. I got it from the playing of flute player Jack Coen on the classic CD Warming Up (with Séamus Connolly, Martin Mulhaire, and Felix Dolan). Warming Up is one of my favorite CDs of all time.

Here are three options for investigating this tune:

Cronin's hornpipe (2/10/2008)

This is a well-known hornpipe and I know a common session version. But, I got this setting from (concertina player) Chris Droney's recording Down from Bell Harbour. It's a little different and prettier. So, let's learn it together.

I don't know Chris' age, but the liner notes say he'd been playing music for 73 years at the time he made the recording. I got to hear him play two years ago in the Catskills (about when the recording came out). I love the CD because his playing is so strong and it has many great tunes.

Here are three options for investigating this tune:

The Hare in the Corn jig (2/3/2008)

Because Séamus Connolly's name came up at last week's session, I decided to choose a tune from his (and Laurel Martin's) wonderful tune/teaching book Forget Me Not. I've always been intrigued by the name of this jig and it's in D! I tend to choose tunes in G because they're often more playable on button boxes, but I think this one will be comfortable for everyone. And, it's a bright, happy tune.

I've transcribed the tune from Séamus' simple version (the book includes two versions of each tune).

Here are three options for investigating this tune:

Cregg's Pipes reel (1/27/2008)

This is a reel that every player should know. I found it challenging when I first learned it about 10 years ago. It might be tricky to teach, but well worth the effort because it seems to get played during every session.

I transcribed the version played at the Comhaltas link below (more or less). I play it a little differently but we can all learn this one together.

Here are three options for investigating this tune:

Julie's Polka Set #2 (1/20/2008)

This is a medley I put together a few years ago. I taught it to Ted, so he'll teach it while I'm away. I suggested he teach Bill O'Malley's polka and Top of Maol, but it's up to him and you all.

You have three options for investigating this medley:

The Burren reel (1/13/2008)

This is a tune I heard played in the Catskills a lot. I transcribed the tune from how I've heard it played, but there are many ways of varying it, especially if the rolls or the F-sharps and C-sharps are troublesome on your instrument. So, I included in the transcription several ways to play the passage that repeats frequently throughout the tune. It doesn't mean you would play this tune just as I've written it.

You have three options for investigating this tune:

The Teetotaller, aka The Temperance Reel (1/6/2008)

The perfect tune for the first session after New Year's Eve. This is a common tune that's fun to play, even though it's a bit "notey".

About five years ago, I went to a session at McGrath's pub during the Catskills Irish Arts Week where one of the locals, who had a regular weekly gig that evening, would break into song unexpectedly. The musicians respectfully listened to his ballads and rebel songs, accompanied dramatically on his green guitar. He appeared to become increasingly enebriated as the evening wore on. After one such outburst, Fr. Charlie Coen, the wonderful concertina-playing priest, started The Temperance Reel. Fr. Charlie later claimed to mean nothing by it, but those who knew the title of the tune were amused.

You have three options for investigating this tune: