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Come learn a trad tune every week, with others doing the same!

The Jolly Beggarman

1/27/2020

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Name: The Jolly Beggarman
Type: Hornpipe
Key: A mixolydian 
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Music: https://thesession.org/tunes/566
The version we're playing here is probably closest to the 2nd setting on The Session.
Tabs: click here
This week I'm teaching The Jolly Beggarman, which I learned as The Red Haired Boy. I probably learned it because it was called The Red Haired Boy. But I digress. It's a nice hornpipe whose A part is similar to its B part, making it easy to pick up pretty quickly. It's played in bluegrass jams probably as much as it is in Irish sessions.

--Dan

Let's give it a listen. I like this version played by Emmett Cooke, who also calls it Red Haired Boy.

​​​Slowed down for learning

Click below to download a file.
jolly_beggar_man_slow.mp3
File Size: 1483 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

​​At a moderate tempo

Click below to download a file.
jolly_beggar_man_at_tempo.mp3
File Size: 830 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

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The Honeymoon

1/20/2020

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Name: The Honeymoon
Type: Reel
Key: G Major
Level: Intermediate
Music: https://thesession.org/tunes/2064
GDAE tabs: click here
Diana Havlin, from the Washington, DC area of the United States, shares: 
This is a lovely little tune that I learned from a recording on the concertina player Edel Fox's solo CD, Chords and Beryls. The melody is simple but holds a lot of interest.

So let's give a listen to a performance of the reel, with the awesome percussive sound of a couple of step dancers thrown in for good measure:

​​Slowed down for learning

​Click below to download an audio version.
the_honeymoon_reel_-_slow.mp3
File Size: 1858 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

​​At tempo

Dina Havlin is a Washington, DC-based tenor banjo and concertina player. Known by the alias ‘Diana the Goddess,’ she can be found around the greater DC/Baltimore area promoting #concertinatakeover
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The Humours of Glendart

1/13/2020

2 Comments

 
Name: The Humours of Glendart
Type: Jig
Key: D Major
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Music: ​https://thesession.org/tunes/45
The second setting on The Session is closest to the version being taught here, but note that for some reason the A part is inadvertently listed twice on that site.
Tabs: click here
A couple of years ago I started a Spotify playlist called "Tunes to Learn," and this tune was one of the first to be added to the list. It's got an easy, accessible pattern to it, and it's just lovely to play. I hope you enjoy it, too.

I like this version by John Whelan on his album ​Celtic Roots (Spirit Of Dance).

​​Slowed down for learning

humours_of_glendart.mp3
File Size: 1383 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

​At tempo

2 Comments

Barney Bralligan's

1/6/2020

3 Comments

 
​Name: Barney Bralligan's
Type: Slip Jig
Key: D major
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Music: ​https://thesession.org/tunes/1429
Tabs: click here
Elise Kress, a trad musician in the Washington, DC, area of the United States, sent us this lovely slip jig. First, let's give a listen to her favorite version by the late, great Eugene O'Donnell. It's in a different key than we'll learn it in, but it's Eugene O'Donnell, folks.
Now here's a version in the key we'll be learning it in, played by Andy McGann and Paddy Reynolds, with Paul Brady on guitar:

​Slowed down for learning

Now let's learn the tune. As a reminder, the sheet music is available in the Session link at the top; the first setting is what's being taught here. But if you can learn it by ear without "the dots," give it a try!
barney_bralligan_learning_tempo.mp3
File Size: 1171 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

At tempo

barney_bralligans_at_tempo.mp3
File Size: 990 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

Find out more about Elise’s Irish music for weddings and events at www.celticweddingmusic.com
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