The Friday Music Sessions at Teelin are for intermediate or advanced level musicians who are interested in sharing some traditional tunes together. Musicians who have not yet experienced other Irish music sessions are welcome, with the awareness that the sessions are not lessons. Maureen will lead the sessions, but she is not in a “teacher” role. Maureen plays accordion – all instruments are welcome!
There will be times when the group is learning a new tune, and one musician will act as leader while the other players are becoming familiar with the new melody. However, much of these one-hour sessions will be devoted to playing tunes that those musicians present have in common, and pushing the tempo of those tunes to play faster.
A good rule of thumb for musicians attending a Teelin music session is to come prepared with at least 4 tunes that can already be played up to speed. (It’s possible that not all of those tunes will be played, but Maureen will attempt to play at least one of those tunes at the session. Please speak up when asked which tunes you know!) When new or unfamiliar tunes are being played, musicians are encouraged to either attempt it as they are able, or to listen and then work on that tune independently before the next session. All participants are also encouraged to bring audio recording devices, in order to capture unfamiliar tunes. Even the most seasoned musicians make a practice of this. Playing by ear is highly encouraged, and is “the norm” in traditional Irish music.
SCHEDULE
There is no tuition or other fee charged for attending the Friday music sessions at Teelin. In general, music sessions are held every Friday that Maureen is teaching (i.e. – any dates that Friday dance classes are held), plus additional Fridays when possible. Please check the calendar below, and look specifically for “Irish Music Practice” listed in gray at 4pm on Fridays to see the scheduled sessions:
TUNE RESOURCES
For those who read music, sheet music is posted as a convenience. (Big THANK YOU to Whit H, Beth K and Sy Z for gathering the sheet music and sending resources to the webmistress for posting!) Note that the tunes listed here are not comprehensive.
Ornamentations vary, and playing by ear is encouraged. To research a tune, please visit www.thesession.org. The app TunePal is also a great resource to have on your phone at a session. (Android version also available.)
Use the arrows in this table’s header to sort tunes.
Tune | Name | Level | Sheet Music | Audio Sample |
---|---|---|---|---|
POLKA | Armagh Polka (also called John Ryan's) | Beg/Int | ||
POLKA | Bill Sullivan's Polka | Beg/Int | ||
JIG | Club Ceili Jig (also called the Old Favorite) | Beg/Int | ||
JIG | Saddle the Pony Jig | Beg/Int | ||
JIG | Kesh Jig | Beg/Int | ||
JIG | Jimmy Ward's | Beg/Int | ||
JIG | Sonny Brogan's | Beg/Int | audio | |
JIG | Kilmovee | Int/Adv | audio | |
JIG | Lark in the Morning | Int/Adv | ||
JIG | Blackthorn Stick (the jig, not the set dance) (also called "Mike Berry's Jig") | Int/Adv | audio | |
JIG | Dusty Windowsills | Int/Adv | ||
JIG | Second Victory | Int/Adv | audio | |
JIG | The Battering Ram | Int/Adv | audio | |
JIG | Maid on the Green | Int/Adv | audio* | |
JIG | Anthony Frawley's | Int/Adv | audio* | |
JIG | Blarney Pilgrim Jig | Int/Adv | audio | |
REEL | Miss McLeod's Reel (also spelled Miss McCloud's) | Beg/Int | ||
REEL | Humours of Tulla Reel | Beg/Int | ||
REEL | Last Night's Fun | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Plough and the Stars | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | George White's Favorite | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Gravel Walks | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Road to Ballymac | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Down the Broom | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Brenda Stubbert's | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Bag of Spuds | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Man of the House | Int/Adv | audio | |
REEL | Pigeon on the Gate | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Fox Hunter | Int/Adv | audio | |
REEL | Woman of the House | Int/Adv | audio | |
REEL | Maid Behind the Bar | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Cooley's | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Silver Spear | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Yellow Tinker | Int/Adv | audio | |
REEL | Collier's | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Wise Maid | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Father Kelly's | Int/Adv | audio | |
REEL | Sally Gardens | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Gallway Rambler | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | The Trip to Birmingham | Int/Adv | ||
REEL | Mountain Road | Int/Adv | audio | |
REEL | Nell Davy's | Int/Adv | audio | |
REEL | Smash the Windows | Int/Adv | ||
HORNPIPE | Off to California | Beg/Int | ||
HORNPIPE | Sherlock's | Beg/Int | audio | |
HORNPIPE | Harvest Home | Int/Adv | ||
HORNPIPE | Boys of Bluehill | Int/Adv | ||
HORNPIPE | Mountain Ranger | Int/Adv | audio | |
HORNPIPE | Windsor Terrace | Int/Adv | audio | |
HORNPIPE | Joe Cooley's Hornpipe | Int/Adv | ||
SLIP JIG | Snowy Path | Int/Adv | ||
SLIP JIG | The Butterfly | Int/Adv | ||
SLIP JIG | Fig for a Kiss | Int/Adv | ||
SLIP JIG | Kid on the Mountain | Int/Adv | ||
SLIP JIG | Soggy's | Int/Adv | ||
SLIP JIG | Fox Hunter's Slip Jig | Int/Adv | audio | |
WALTZ | Fanny Power | Beg/Int | ||
WALTZ | Jacqueline's Waltz | Int/Adv | ||
WALTZ | Margaret's Waltz | Int/Adv | ||
SET DANCE | Three Sea Captains (jig) | Int/Adv | audio | |
SET DANCE | Humours of Bandon (jig - 4-Hand ceili speed) | Int/Adv | audio | |
SET DANCE | Planxty Drury (jig) | Int/Adv | audio | |
SET DANCE | Madame Bonaparte (hornpipe) | Int/Adv | audio | |
SET DANCE | Downfall of Paris (hornpipe) | Int/Adv | audio |