So, I was sitting around in a post-Christmas torpor, watching the Louisiana Tech-Illinois bowl game (cry for me, this is what I'm reduced to), and I decided to Google around for some more fiddle tunes to learn on mandolin. I was lucky to find an excellent songbook of 25 Irish Fiddle Tunes scored and tabbed by Michael Pilgim over at Mandolin Cafe. I've heard some of the tunes before, but not all of them, and I wanted to collect links to YouTube performances of them for later reference. So, here goes! (Note: Not all of the performances are on the mandolin, I was more interested in melodies that were easy to pick out of the mix.))

For my own reference, Trying to explain the difference between a jig, reel and hornpipe. One performer on YouTube noted that jigs are hard to play with the right spirit on the mandolin, and she proposed that it's got to do with the right hand. I don't know about that, but I know that a lot of the jigs I listened to sounded off somehow. I'm not saying I'm better than anyone, I'm just agreeing with the proposition that jigs take a special touch, and it might be better to start with some reels.

Thanks to Michael for sharing the PDF with the community, and for all the people who shared their skills on YouTube. It sure makes it easier to learn when there are so many resources available on the Internet!

John B. Cole's Blog What's on my mind...

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