From the author of The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle, comes 300 Gems of Irish Music for All Instruments. These 300 tunes, selected from among the author's favorites, are notated in a style that makes them accessible to players of fiddle, flute, whistle, accordion, concertina, harp, keyboard, guitar, mandolin, banjo, uilleann pipes - to all melody players. Here you will find some of the most beautiful tunes in the storehouse of Irish music - session standards and rare treasures alike - tunes that will help both the performer and the Irish session participant build a vibrant and varied repertoire. Many of the transcriptions pay homage to recordings by famous Irish musicians and groups such as Matt Molloy (of the Chieftains), Martin Hayes, Sharon Shannon, Mary Bergin, Kevin Burke, James Kelly, Willie Clancy, Altan, the Bothy Band and the Mulcahy Family, as well as to early 20th century recordings from revered Irish masters Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran, Dennis Murphy, Bobby Casey, Paddy Canny and others.

Table of Contents

 

Important Note ................................................................................................................................................3

List of Tunes by Tune Type ............................................................................................................................4

Acknowledgements, Credits and Dedication...................................................................................................6

Before You Start

Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………..……..7

Modes and Mode Signatures……………………………………………………………………………….11

A Closer Look at Quarter Notes, Dotted Quarter Notes and Bracketed Eighth Notes …………………….13

The Music

Jigs……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…21

Reels ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….51

Hornpipes ………………………………………………………………………………………………….89

Other Tune Types

Slip Jigs…………………………………………………………………………………………………..101

Hop Jigs…………………………………………………………………………………………………..103

Polkas …………………………………………………………………………………………………...104

Slides ……………………………………………………………………………………………………106

Set Dances ……………………………………………………………………………………………….108

Marches………………………………………………………………………………………………….110

Harp Tunes……………………………………………………………………………………………….111

Other………………………………………………………………………………………………………113

Index of Tune Sources...................................................................................................................................116

Index of Tunes by Title .................................................................................................................................118

About the Author .........................................................................................................................................120

Books and Recordings by Grey Larsen .........................................................................................................120