The Fiddler’s Companion
© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz
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Notation
Note: The tunes below are recorded in what
is called “abc notation.” They
can easily be converted to standard musical notation via highlighting with
your cursor starting at “X:1” through to the end of the abc’s, then
“cutting-and-pasting” the highlighted notation into one of the many abc
conversion programs available, or at concertina.net’s incredibly handy “ABC
Convert-A-Matic” at http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html **Please note that the abc’s in the Fiddler’s Companion
work fine in most abc conversion programs. For example, I use abc2win and
abcNavigator 2 with no problems whatsoever with direct cut-and-pasting.
However, due to an anomaly of the html, pasting the abc’s into the
concertina.net converter results in double-spacing. For concertina.net’s
conversion program to work you must remove the spaces between all the lines
of abc notation after pasting, so that they are single-spaced, with no
intervening blank lines. This being done, the F/C abc’s
will convert to standard notation nicely. Or, get a copy of abcNavigator 2 –
its well worth it. [AK] |
J. B. FUSILIER'S SONG. Cajun, Waltz.
J. B. MILNE. Scottish, March (2/4 time). A Major. Standard tuning. One part.
Composed by Adam Rennie. Martin (Ceol na
Fidhle), vol. 4, 1991; pg. 29.
J. B. MILNE REEL. Scottish; Reel, Polka and/or Country Dance Tune (4/4 time). A Major.
Standard tuning. AB (Carlin): AA'BB' (Page). The melody is a 20th
century composition by Angus Fitchet, already ensconced in traditional
repertoire. Fitchet was born in
J. B. REEL, THE. Scottish, Reel. Composed in 1932 by
J. C. MACISAAC’S
STRATHSPEY. Canadian, Strathspey.
J.D. BURGESS. Scottish, Pipe March. Topic TSCD 669, Willy
Taylor (et al) – “Ranting and Reeling: Dance Music of the north of
J. F. DICKIE. See “James F. Dickie.”
J. F. DICKIE'S DELIGHT. See “James F. Dickie’s
Delight.”
J. F. MACKENZIE (ESQ. OF GARRYNAHINE). Scottish, Pipe Strathspey. A Major.
Standard. AB. Composed by Pipe Major William Ross (1879-1966). Martin (Ceol na Fidhle, vol. 3), 1988; pg. 1.
Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling),
2002; pg. 16.
X:1
T:J.F. MacKenzie.
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:A Major
a|"A" A<Ac>B
c<ee>f| "A" a>fe>c "D" f>ef<a|
"A" A<Ac>B
"A" c<ef>e| "E"(3fga e>c "A" A2 Aa|!
"A" A<Ac>B
c<ee>f| "A" a>fe>c "D" f>ef<a|
"A" c2 e>c
"D" B>cf>e| "E" (3fga e>c "A" A2 A|!
B|"A" A<aa>e
"D"f<af>e| "A"c<ef>e "D"f<af>e|
"A"A<aa>e
"D"f<af>e| (3fga e>c "A"A2 A>B|!
"A" A<aa>e
"D"f<af>e| "A" c<ef>e f<af>e|
"A" c2 e>c
B>cf>e| "E"(3fga e>c"A"A2 A||
J. H. ALEXANDER. Scottish, Reel. E Flat Major. Standard. AAB. A 20th century composition
by Hector MacAndrew. Paul Cranford (1997) thinks Alexander Walker’s “Loch Builg” makes a good medley piece with
this tune. Source for notated version: Winston Fitzgerald (1914-1987,
J. J. GARDINERS. AKA and see “Gardiner’s
Favourite [1].” Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard. AABB. The tune is similar
in contour to McNulty’s “Gardiner’s Reel.”
Source for notated version: Brendan Mulvihill (
J. MURDOCH
J. O. ALBERT LAMADELEINE. French-Canadian, Reel. A Major (‘A” part)
& D Major (‘B’ part). Standard. AA’B. A ‘crooked’ tune. Source for notated
version: a 78 recording by Albert LaMadeleine, who recorded in the 1930's
[Remon & Bouchard]. Remon & Bouchard (25 Crooked Tunes, Vol. 1: Québec Fiddle Tunes), 1996; No. 16.
J. O. FORBES OF CORSE. Scottish, Slow Strathspey ("Pastoral Air"). E Major.
Standard. AB. Composed by self‑taught fiddler Peter
Milne (1824-1908), one of J. Scott Skinner's teachers, who earned a living
playing in theaters until his opium addiction (he had become dependent while
taking laudanum for a ailment while living in London) reduced him to busking on
ferry‑boats running across the Firth. Skinner (1904) writes: “Peter Milne
was the founder of the present style of Strathspey playing, and the best all
round player and composer of his day. His left hand was as unerring and
accurate as a machine.” In his manuscript copy of the melody Skinner wrote that
the melody was Milne’s own favourite strathspey composition. Indeed, it is
considered by those today to be one of his best pieces. Skinner also noted the
tune could be played as a ‘solo strathspey’ (for listening) or to accompany a
schottische. Source for notated version: Winston Fitzgerald (1914-1987,
|
See also listing at: Alan Snyder’s Cape Breton Fiddle Recording
Index |
X:1
T:J.O. Forbes, Esq. of Corse
M:C
L:1/8
R:”Solo Strathspey or Schottische”
C:Peter Milne
S:Skinner – Harp and Claymore (1904)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:E
A | (G>B) (E>G) (A>c)
(F>A) | (G<B) (c>d) e2 e>d | c>eB>e A>eG>e |
F<ff>e .d/.e/.d/.c/ .B/.c/.B/.A/ |
G<B ~E>G A<c ~F>A |
(G<B) g>f e2 e>d | c>eB>e A>eG>e | G>E({E}F>)D E2E
|| a |
(g/a/b/a/ g<).e (c<e) a>c’
| (B<e) g>b (B<d) (f>a) | (g/a/b/a/ g<.e) (c<e) a>c’ |
(b<B) g>f e2 e>a |
(g/a/b/a/ g<).e .c<.e
.a<.c’ | B<e g<b ~B<d f>a | (3gfe (3def (3eBA (3GAB | (3cde
(3def g<e e2 ||
J. P. CORMIER’S JIG. Canadian, Jig.
J. SCOTT SKINNER (THE STRATHSPEY KING). Scottish, Reel. A Major. Standard.
AABB. Composed by Aberdeenshire fiddler and composer J. Murdoch Henderson
(1902-1972) in 1933. Source for notated version: Winston Fitzgerald (1914-1987,
X:1
T:J Scott Skinner
C:J Murdoch Henderson
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:A
e|c>A A/A/A EGAE|CEAc eaec|d>B
B/B/B GABc|dBba gbed|c>A A/A/A EGAE|
CEAc eaec|fdcd eaga|fdBG A3||B|Aaga
caga|ecea fedc|
Bb^ab egb=a|gfe^d defg|aAAa
gebg|fdda ecce|fdcd eaga|fdBG A3|]
JA SAM SIROTA (I Am an Orphan Boy). One of the best-known tunes
among the ethnic Slovak and Croation population of northern
JABE MEADOW. American, Hornpipe. B Flat Major. Standard. AABB. The hornpipe has been
popular with
X:1
T:Jabe Meadow
M:2/4
L:1/8
R:Hornpipe
S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:B_
F/E/ | D/B,/D/F/ B/E/G/B/ | A/F/A/c/
B/A/B/c/ | d/B/g/f/ e/d/c/B/ | (3.c/.c/.c/(c/B/) G/B/F/E/ |
D/B,/D/F/ B/E/G/B/ | A/F/A/c/
B/A/B/c/ | d/B/b/g/ f/d/B/d/ | c/B/G/A/ B :|
|: f | g/f/=e/f/ d/f/B/c/ | d/B/A/B/
G/B/F/E/ | D/F/B/c/ d/B/A/B/ | g/f/f/d/ .cd/f/ |
g/f/=e/f/ d/f/B/c/ | d/B/A/B/
G/B/F/E/ | D/F/B/d/ c/e/A/c/ | d/c/G/A/ B :|
JACK A LENT. AKA and see "Lord
of Carnavon's Jig." English, Country Dance Tune (2/2 time); Scottish, Hornpipe.
G Major. Standard tuning. AB (Sharp): AABB (Barnes, Carlin, Fleming-Williams,
Raven). Jack-a-Lent is a half-starved, sheepish booby, and also refers
to a stuffed figure (similar to a scare-crow), representing Judas, thrown at
during Lent. Shakespeare says: "You little Jack-a-lent,
have you been true to us?" (Merry
Wives of
***
There was a jovial tinker
which was a good ale drinker,
He never was a
shrinker believe me this is true,
And he came from the
Weald of
Which made him look like a Jack-a-Lent, and Joan's Ale is new!
***
The melody
was first published by John Playford in his collection The English Dancing Master (1651). Source for notated version:
concertina player Alf Edwards (
X:1
T:Jack A Lent
M:2/2
L:1/8
S:Sharp – Country Dance Tunes (1909)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
|: (d4 d2 cB | AGAB c2) (BA | G2)
.G2 .G2 g2 | (f4 e4) |
(d4 d2 cB | AGAB c2) (BA | G2) .G2
.G2 .g2 | (f4 e4) ||
(B3c d2 cB | AGAB ABcd | BcBA G2)
(ga | fefg e4) |
(B3c d2 cB | AGAB ABcd | BcBA G2)
(ga | fefg e4) ||
JACK A (O) TAR. AKA and see "Jacky Tar,"
"Jack and His Trousers (On),"
"Cuckoo's Nest." Scottish,
Hornpipe. E Minor. Standard tuning. AB (Athole, Skye): AABB (Honeyman). The
tune is clearly "The Cuckoo's Nest."
***
Jack Tar. Attributed to figurehead carver Jeremiah
Dodge of
***
Honeyman (Strathspey, Reel and Hornpipe Tutor), 1898; pg. 48. MacDonald (The Skye Collection), 1887; pg. 173. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection),
1884; pg. 296.
X:1
T:Jack A’ Tar
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Hornpipe
B:Stewart-Robertson – The Athole Collection (1884)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
B2|e2 e2 efge|d2 (B2 B2) dB|ABde faef|d2 A2 A2 z2|e2 ef g2 fe|
dBGB d2 BA|GFGE DEFA|G2 E2 E2||GA|BGEG BGEG|BAGF E2 FG|
AFDF AFDF|AGFE D2 EF|GFGE g2 fe|dBGB d2 BA|GFGE DEFA|G2 E2 E2||
JACK AND HIS TROUSERS
(ON). AKA and see "Cuckoo's Nest," "Cuckoo's
Hornpipe," "Jacky Tar,"
"Jack A Tar," "Come
in Jolly Tar with your Trousers On." Scottish. The melody appears in
the Gillespie Manuscript of Perth
(1768).
JACK AND JILL (Seán is Sinéad). AKA and see "Seán sa Ceo/Cheo."
Irish, Reel. A Dorian. Standard tuning. ABC. A minorish setting of “Seán sa Ceko/Cheo.”
Breathnach (1976) says the reel is from the repertoire of piper John Gorman and
is a version os “Seán sa Cheo.” Source for notated version: fiddler Johnny
Henry and flute player Michael J. Ryan (Ballymote, Co.
JACK ARE YOU THEIR. English.
JACK AT THE HELM. AKA and see "Niel Gow’s
Strathspey.” Shetland, Whalsay.
JACK BROKE DOWN THE
PRISON DOOR. Shetland, Shetland Reel. Shetland,
Whalsay. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB (most versions): AA’BB’ (Martin &
Hughes). G.M. Nelson (in Anderson & Georgeson, 1970) relates the story
behind the tune which was written by one John Gaudie, born in Levenwick,
Shetland, in the 19th century. John was a young man of uncommon strength and a
good fiddler who worked in the Sandwick copper mines until he met with an
unfortunate accident. It seems he was ascending the mine shaft after his shift
one night when a man above him (some say it was John's rival for the affections
of a young woman) dropped a proving hammer which struck John on the head. He
survived the resulting severe concussion but was ever after plagued with
serious neurological problems which manifested generally as "spasms of
violent madness," but which, luckily, left his musical abilities intact.
In fact, though he could find little employment due to his disability, he had
plenty of time to spend with his fiddle and, still a young man, he was
acknowledged to be the best fiddler in Shetland at that particular time.
Unfortunately, his disability hampered him to the extent that when he visited
town he sometimes became belligerent. On
one occasion when he visited Lerwick he committed a breach of the peace and was
seized upon by special constables and local citizenry, to be placed in
"Nicol's Hotel," or the local jail, run by an old soldier named
Sergeant Nicol.
***
When Johnnie realised where he was his fury increased still further
and, during the evening, with hand and foot, for there is no record
of his possessing any other implement, he broke down the door and,
once outside, set course for Clickimin and thence for home as hast
as he could go. Everybody was glad to see him go and no attempt
was made to restrain him. Johnnie, however, when he got home attributed
his escape not only to his strength but to his subtle diplomacy in
avoiding
the authorities after he had broken goal. This amused him greatly, and
as
he enjoyed it to the full he took down his fiddle and composed that
lively
Shetland reel entitled "Johnnie Brood da Prison Door," or
"Jack Brook
da Prison." (Nelson)
***
The melody is in repertory of
Shetland Fiddle Band, and therefore is now widely known in the islands. Similar in parts to the Irish “Roving
Bachelor.” Sources for notated versions: Aly Bain (Shetland) [Brody,
Miller & Perron], Willer Hunter (Shetland) [Cooke]. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 141.
Cooke (The Fiddle Tradition of the
Shetland Isles), 1986; Ex. 41, pg. 99. Martin & Hughes (Ho-ro-gheallaidh), 1990; pg. 31. Miller
& Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle
Music), 1977; Vol. 2, No. 23. Philo 2019, Tom
Anderson and Aly Bain‑ "The Silver Bow." Leader LER 2022,
"Aly Bain & Mike Whellans."
X:1
T:Jack Broke Da Prison Door
M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=220
C:Trad Shetland
R:reel
K:G
"G"G2 BG
"(Em)"BdBG|"(Am)"cBAB "D"dBAB|"G"G2 BG
"(Em)"BdBG|[1"D(Am)"ABAG
E2
DE/2F/2:|[2"D"ABAG E2 DG||!
"G"g2 gd edBG|"G"g2 gd
"D"eaaf|"G"g2 gd "(Em)"edBG|[1"(Am)"ABAG
"(D)"E2
DG:|[2"(Am)"ABAG
"(D)"E2 D2||!
JACK CAMERON. Canadian, Reel. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Messer (Way Down East), 1948; No. 17. Messer (Anthology of Favorite Fiddle Tunes),
1980; No. 37, pg. 29.
X: 1
T:Jack
Cameron
M:2/4
L:1/16
Z:Transcribed
by Bruce Osborne
K:A
AB|cAce
dcBA|cAce fgaf|e^def ecAB|c2B2 B2AB|
cAce
dcBA|cAce fgaf|e^def ecAB|c2A2 A2:|
|:ce|agab
agfe|dcde fagf|ecaf ecAB|c2B2 B2e2|
agab agfe|dcde fagf|ecaf ecAB|c2A2
A2:|
JACK CLUMB UP THE PLUM
TREE. AKA and see "The Cat Clumb Up the Plum Tree Schottische," "Rochester Shottishe [2],"
"The Sparrow in the Treetop,"
"What the Devil Ails You
[2]."
JACK COEN’S JIG. Irish, Jig. Learned by
JACK COEN’S REEL. AKA and see “Jim Conroy’s Reel,” “John Naughton’s Favorite.”
Irish, Reel.
JACK, COM KISS ME (sic). English, Country Dance Tune (cut
time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The melody is contained in the Joseph
Kershaw manuscript. Kershaw was a fiddler who lived in Slackcote,
JACK CONNELL’S. Irish, Polka. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The tune comes from Jack
Connell in The Lighthouse in Ballydesmond,
..............
JACK COUGHLAN’S (REEL).
AKA - "Jack Coughlan's Fancy," "Kevin Crawford's." Irish, Reel.
G Major. Standard tuning. AB. Jack Coughlan, who composed the tune, was a flute
player from Ballinakill, the same part of
X:1
T: Jack Coughlan's
S: Mike Rafferty
Z: transcribed by B.Black
Q: 350
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: G
B | cABA G3 B | AE E2 GEDB | cABA G3 A | BdAc BGGB |
cABA G3 B | AE E2 GEDB | cABA G3 A | BdAc BGGE ||
DBDE GFGA | BA (3Bcd ed B2 | dBde g3 e | dBAc BGGE |
DBDE
GFGA | BA (3Bcd ed B2 | dBde g3 e | dBAc BGGB ||
JACK DANIEL'S REEL. Canadian, Reel.
JACK DANIELSON'S REEL. Old‑Time, Breakdown.
JACK DELAD. French-Canadian, Reel. A Major.
AEae. AA’BB’. The ‘B’ part is twice the length (16 measures) than the first. Related to the “Four Hand Reel.”
The title, “Jack(‘s) the Lad” in English, is unrelated to the tune that usually
is known by that name. Source for notated version: fiddler André Alain (1931-2000) of
St-Basile-de-Portneuf, near
JACK DOLAN ("Sean ua Dublain" or "Seagan ua
Dunlaing").
Irish, Reel. E Minor/G Major. Standard. AAB. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 125.
O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1358, pg. 253.
O'Neill (Dance Music of
X:1
T:Jack Dolan
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Reel
S:O’Neill –
Dance Music of
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:E Minor
e3 d Bddg|edBc dBGB|efed Bddg|edgd
BA (3Bcd:|
g2 eg fdef|gfgb agef|g2 eg fded|BAGA
(3Bcd ef|g2 bg fdef|
gfgb a2 ga|bgaf gfed|BA (3Bcd eaag||
JACK DOYLE’S. Irish, Polka.
JACK DOYLE'S FAVOURITE. Irish, Reel. A Dorian. Standard. AABB. Jack Doyle is an accordion
player who lived for a long while in
JACK HALL’S JIG. Canadian, Jig.
JACK I'LL TICKLE THEE. English, Jig.
JACK-IN-THE-BOX. Irish, Reel.
X:1
T:Jack‑in‑the‑Box
M:4/4
L:1/8
S:learned from David Kidd
R:reel
D:Joe McKenna
Z:Lorna LaVerne
K:D
|: dcBA F3E | D2FE DF(3FFF | ABcd
F3E | DEFA BE(3EEE :|
dcBc d3B | cded cA(3AAA | ABcd e^def
| gefe d3B |
ABcd e3d | cded cA(3AAA | ABcd e^def
| gefe d3 |
JACK IN THE FOG. AKA and see "Sean sa Ceo," "Chancy Cheory." Irish.
Identified as an "older" tune often known by its Gaelic title
"Sean sa Ceo" or as "Chancy Cheory." Front Hall 018, How to Change a Flat Tire ‑
"Traditional Music of
JACK IN THE GARRET. Irish, Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. AABBCC. O’Farrell (Pocket Companion, vol. II), c. 1806; pg. 89.
X:1
T:Jack in the Garret
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
S:O’Farrell – Pocket Companion, vol. II (c. 1806)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:D
d/B/ | AFD DED | GFE FGA | B3 AGF | GFG EdB | AFD DED |
GFE FGA | Bcd ABG | FGF D2 :: A | dcd efg | fed edc | dcd efg |
fdB B2A | dcd efg | fed edc | Bcd ABG | FGE D2 :: f/g/ | afd ded |
gfe fga | b3 agf | gfg efg | afd ded | gfe fga | Bcd efg | fge d2 :|
JACK IN THE GREEN. See “Jack
on the Green.”
JACK IN THE WEST. AKA and see “Camstronnan’s Rant,” “Card and Spin,” “Mr. McPhaden’s Favorite.”
JACK IS YET ALIVE. Scottish, Shetland; Reel. Shetland, Mainland district. G Major.
Standard tuning. One part. Hunter (Fiddle Music of
JACK LAMSON’S HORNPIPE.
American, Hornpipe. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Howe (1000
Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; pg. 51.
X:1
T:Jack
Lamson’s Hornpipe
M:4/4
L:1/8
R:Hornpipe
S:Howe – 1000 Jigs and Reels (c. 1867)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:F
c2 | fefg afdB | cdef gabg | babg agaf | ecfd cdec | fefg afdB | cAdf efed |
cABd cAGB | A2F2F2 :: c2 | FEFD EFGA | BAGA Bcdf | gfed cdec |