Irish Flute Tunes

The Connachtman's Rambles (slow)

Here's a simple and slowed down version of a popular jig.

Con Cassidy's / The Humours of Whiskey

The first tune is Con Cassidy's Jig (another tune from the Teelin fiddle player) and the second is a slip jig which goes by several names. The Leitrim flute player Packie Duignan called this tune "Dever the Dancer" or "Devro the Dancer".

The Shoemaker's Daughter

Here's a reel with a few F naturals. The flute still hasn't forgiven me for attacking its cork with a kitchen knive. Flutilation.

The Old Bush / The Galway Rambler

2 Reels. Having flute trouble. Just cut the cork in half with a kitchen knife. I'll replace both cork and tunes when I get things sorted.

The Lark on the Strand / Tobin's ?

Two common jigs. I know the name of the first one but wouldn't bet on the second one really being Tobin's, although I wouldn't rule that out either.

Maud Millar's / Preston's / Ríl Gan Ainm

Same two tunes as before but a bit quicker - don't know where the third one came out of.

Maud Millar's / Preston's (slowed down)

Two Common Reels played slowly.

Sailor on the Rock / Sally Gdns. (quicker)

Here are the same tunes again, a bit quicker.

The Sailor on the Rock / The Sally Gardens (slow)

Here are 2 popular tunes. I've slowed them down here to make them easier to pick up.

Julia Delaney's / Gorman's Reel

Here's the last tune alomg with one in D to save metal fatigue in the F natural key.

Julia Delaney's Reel (slowed down)

This is a version of Juila Delaney's reel. I never really played this on the flute, apart from in sessions with fiddle players. There are a few holes in this version but I hope you'll find that you can play along with more stringy people in a session with this setting.

John McKenna's Polkas

Here are 2 polkas which John McKenna recorded, as did lots of other people. I've used a bit of helium with these ones.

Paddy's Trip to Scotland / Reel in A minor

The first is based on a vague memory of a tape I have somewhere of the fiddle played Mickey Doherty. The second is a reel recorded by one or more of Coleman / Morrison / Killoran (Michael / James / Paddy) in G minor. I can't remember it's name; only that I don't like playing it in G minor on the flute.

Con Cassidy's / James Byrne's (normal speed)

Same tunes. "normal" speed.

Con Cassidy's / James Byrne's (slowed down)

Here are a jig and a slip jig from the fiddle players Con Cassidy (Teelin, Co. Donegal) and James Byrne (Meenacross, Co. Donegal). I've slowed them down a bit here in case that helps people pick them up. The first one is usually fairly leisurely anyway.

Amhrán an Tae / Denis Murphy's (jigs)

The first one is Amhrán an Tae (The Tea Song) and I've called the second one "Denis Murphy's". Considering the number of tunes the last Mr. Murphy knew, this title is usually a safe bet when you don't know the actual name.

The House on the Hill / The Ashplant (reels)

The first tune is the House on the Hill. I think I've heard it called Miss Thornton's as well. I Think I first got it from a recording of Packie Duignan from Roscommon. My mis-spent late youth has probably corrupted my version of it since then. The second tune is called the Ashplant (I think). I know very little about this tune apart from approximately haw it goes (or how to spell "how" it would appear.

Paddy Carty's / The Midsummer Night

The first one is an E minor version of a tune Paddy Carty played in D minor. The second one might be called by the name I've given it. On the other hand ...

Quinn's Reel / The Fox on the Town

For Quinn's reel see RTÉ CD of Pádraig O'Keefe and also Ceol Rince na hÉireann 2, number 171.

The Humours og Drinagh / The Castlebar Jig

Humours of Drinagh (slowed down)

Here's the jig The Humours of Drinagh, slowed down to make it easier to learn.

The Mountain Top (normal speed)

Here's the Mountain Top reel again, this time at normal speed.

The Mountain Top (slow version)

Here's the Mountain Top Reel. I've slowed it down in case this helps people learn it.

Contentment is wealth / Tom Billy's Jig

Here are 2 jigs - Contentment is wealth and Tom Billy's. The second part of the first one often varies. I've taken a sort of average.

The Liffey Banks / The Shaskeen

The Liffey Banks and the Shaskeen (not sure whether the first one is usually played double or single - perhaps I should get out more and I might know - In fact I'll go out right now.)

The Standing Abbey / Tomorrow Morning

The Standing Abbey / Tomorrow Morning (hornpipes). Shaky start - best learn them without the shakes.

The Blackhaired Lass / Trim the Velvet

The Blackhaired Lass (name a bit unsure - aren't they all?) / Trim the Velvet

An Rógaire Dubh / The Maho Snaps

An Rógaire Dubh (The Black Rogue) and The Maho Snaps

Kenndy's Favourite / The Woman of The House

Here's Kennedy's Favourite and the Woman of the House. Best listen to a recording of Denis Murphy or Padraig O'Keefe at these to get them right. They're easy enough extracted from a flute.

Three more Reels

These are Corney is Coming / The Humours of Scarriff (in G - more humane for flute players' hands) and the Cocktail Reel (a relation of the Dublin Reel but further north west)