Jigs
The links below provide three formats of the jigs we may explore in class.
Recordings of the tunes were made at a tempo of 80 beats per minute in a time signature of 6|8 counted as two beats per measure. That means each beat will hold THREE eighth notes. The pulse of a jig is felt a two sets of three eighth notes in every measure. If you have trouble understand this concept of pulse, simply pick any two, three-syllable words and say them aloud. For example: say pineapple apricot. These two words demonstrate the pulse of a jig. Put the accent on the first syllable of each word and you've go the vibe of a jib.
Each tune will begin with FOUR measures of clicks in this order STRONG BEAT - weak beat. The tune will begin on the FIFTH strong beat or on the pick to that beat. To time your start, count four strong beats and begin playing on the next strong beat. OR count three strong beats and play the pick up note(s) to the tune.
All recordings were done on the Irish Tenor Banjo. The click track drops out after the four introductory, count-in measures.
The tunes were played without any ornamentation and without any swing. I played them as close to the metronome as possible. The intent was to convey the melody. All of the tunes need some swing and ornamentation to bring them alive. This page also has performances of three individual tunes grouped as sets. You can also visit the SETS link to download the lead sheets in standard notation and hear how the tunes are played in performance.
If you download the mp3 you can use one of the many free players available online to adjust the tempo of the music to fit your needs without changing the pitch of the music.
- lead sheet in standard notation
- mp3 audio file for listening and an mp3 for download
- lead sheet in ABC notation
Recordings of the tunes were made at a tempo of 80 beats per minute in a time signature of 6|8 counted as two beats per measure. That means each beat will hold THREE eighth notes. The pulse of a jig is felt a two sets of three eighth notes in every measure. If you have trouble understand this concept of pulse, simply pick any two, three-syllable words and say them aloud. For example: say pineapple apricot. These two words demonstrate the pulse of a jig. Put the accent on the first syllable of each word and you've go the vibe of a jib.
Each tune will begin with FOUR measures of clicks in this order STRONG BEAT - weak beat. The tune will begin on the FIFTH strong beat or on the pick to that beat. To time your start, count four strong beats and begin playing on the next strong beat. OR count three strong beats and play the pick up note(s) to the tune.
All recordings were done on the Irish Tenor Banjo. The click track drops out after the four introductory, count-in measures.
The tunes were played without any ornamentation and without any swing. I played them as close to the metronome as possible. The intent was to convey the melody. All of the tunes need some swing and ornamentation to bring them alive. This page also has performances of three individual tunes grouped as sets. You can also visit the SETS link to download the lead sheets in standard notation and hear how the tunes are played in performance.
If you download the mp3 you can use one of the many free players available online to adjust the tempo of the music to fit your needs without changing the pitch of the music.
Sets of Three Tunes
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Individual Tunes
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The Rolling Waves aka The Humors of Trim
Some commentators have called this tune "weird and wonderful". It's the right description. This tune is a favorite of many because of the way it flows. Played at a slow to medium tempo it is truly hypnotic. Listen to MANY versions of the tune. Stylistic interpretations vary widely. You can always tell a great tune because it works is so many different ways. This is a excellent tune for studying phrasing.
Some commentators have called this tune "weird and wonderful". It's the right description. This tune is a favorite of many because of the way it flows. Played at a slow to medium tempo it is truly hypnotic. Listen to MANY versions of the tune. Stylistic interpretations vary widely. You can always tell a great tune because it works is so many different ways. This is a excellent tune for studying phrasing.
| rolling_waves.pdf |
| rolling_waves_-_humours_of_trim.txt |
The Flying Wheelchair
This wonderful tune can be played as a jig in dance time. But, it may work even better when played as an air. Listen to the Donncha O'Brien's performance in the link below. As the honoree of the tune, he gets the vibe of the melody just about perfectly.
Notes by Paraic McNeela regarding this tune:
The Flying Wheelchair was composed by Leitrim pianist and fiddler Charlie Lennon in honour of Donncha Ó Briain (1960-1990, brother of John O'Brien maker of Setanta Whistles), a Dublin whistle player with the CCE Clontarf branch. O'Brien was confined to a wheelchair by muscular dystrophy for much of his life but despite this restriction he won All-Ireland titles, recorded a solo album, and taught Irish music until his early death in 1990.
Charlie Lennon
https://blog.mcneelamusic.com/2021/11/17/top-ten-charlie-lennon-tunes/?vgo_ee=Ss%2FhfVK24d9C%2FBBTGylua735hO7C%2FF3J%2FgQB9Uu3XAY%3D
Donncha O’Brien Plays The Flying Wheelchair on Whistle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIJnafX5ubw
Aoife Ni Bhriain Plays The Flying Wheelchair on Fiddle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wp3un9K9gc
This wonderful tune can be played as a jig in dance time. But, it may work even better when played as an air. Listen to the Donncha O'Brien's performance in the link below. As the honoree of the tune, he gets the vibe of the melody just about perfectly.
Notes by Paraic McNeela regarding this tune:
The Flying Wheelchair was composed by Leitrim pianist and fiddler Charlie Lennon in honour of Donncha Ó Briain (1960-1990, brother of John O'Brien maker of Setanta Whistles), a Dublin whistle player with the CCE Clontarf branch. O'Brien was confined to a wheelchair by muscular dystrophy for much of his life but despite this restriction he won All-Ireland titles, recorded a solo album, and taught Irish music until his early death in 1990.
Charlie Lennon
https://blog.mcneelamusic.com/2021/11/17/top-ten-charlie-lennon-tunes/?vgo_ee=Ss%2FhfVK24d9C%2FBBTGylua735hO7C%2FF3J%2FgQB9Uu3XAY%3D
Donncha O’Brien Plays The Flying Wheelchair on Whistle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIJnafX5ubw
Aoife Ni Bhriain Plays The Flying Wheelchair on Fiddle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wp3un9K9gc
| flying_wheelchair.pdf |
| flying_wheelchair.txt |