Kerfunken Jig
Here’s a sweet Irish jig for you to learn and enjoy. I learned it from a Martin Hays recording called The Lonesome Touch.
Notice in the first quarter how we go straight up the D major scale starting on the sixth note. That’s why we play scales! If you can see the connection between the scales and the tunes then it will make the scales a lot more interesting and fun. Eventually, you’ll be able to hear the scales in the tunes.
Preparation
Warm up with the D major scale and phrases from the tune (once you’ve learned it) using a D drone:
A part, first quarter
A part, first quarter: D2-2-2-1-0-2-3-A0-1-2-3
A part, second quarter
Intervals
D2-A0
↓
Bits
A0-0-1-0-D2
D1-1-1-0-1
↓
A part, second quarter: A0-0-1-0-D2-1-1-1-0-1
A part, third quarter
Third quarter: D2-2-2-1-0-2-3-A0-1-2-3
A part, fourth quarter
Fourth quarter: A0-0-1-0-D2-1-2-1-0
Interlude
Centering on sound?
Let’s pause for a moment and pay attention to how we practice.
- Just play an open D string.
- Put your full intention into relaxing your body, breath, and mind.
- Simply enjoy the sound.
- Next, return to the D major scale, keeping that same good sound and relaxed feel you had on the open D until the scale sounds just as good.
- Review the A part, keeping that same good sound and relaxed feel you had on D major scale until the tune sounds just as good.
- Cool, now that you’ve centered yourself, let’s continue to learn this awesome tune. ??
B part, first quarter
Intervals
A3-E0
A1-E1
↓
Bits
A3-3-3-E0-1
A1-1-1-1-0-1
↓
B part, first quarter: A3-3-3-E0-1-A1-1-1-1-0-1
B part, second quarter
Intervals
E0-A3
↓
Bits
A3-3-3-E0-1
E1-0-A3-E0-1
↓
B part, second quarter: A3-3-3-E0-1-1-0-A3-E0-1
B part, third quarter
Intervals
A1-3
↓
Bits
A3-3-3-E0-1
A1-1-1-3-1
↓
B part, third quarter: A3-3-3-E0-1-A1-1-1-3-1
B part, fourth quarter
Intervals
D2-A0
A0-3
↓
Bits
A0-D2-A0-3-0-D2
D1-2-1-0
↓
B part, fourth quarter: A0-D2-A0-3-0-D2-1-2-1-0
Lesson tracking
Lessons complete in Module 1.4:
Other versions on Youtube
Practice routine
Here’s a practice routine to help make a tune sound better. You will be guided through scales and warmups using text and a video trainer.
Full content
Play along tracks – full tune
55 bpm
65 bpm
75 bpm
85 bpm
95 bpm
Play along track – no fiddle
Full tabs
A part
First quarter: D2-2-2-1-0-2-3-A0-1-2-3
Second quarter: A0-0-1-0-D2-1-1-1-0-1
Third quarter: D2-2-2-1-0-2-3-A0-1-2-3
Fourth quarter: A0-0-1-0-D2-1-2-1-0
B part
First quarter: A3-3-3-E0-1-A1-1-1-1-0-1
Second quarter: A3-3-3-E0-1-1-0-A3-E0-1
Third quarter: A3-3-3-E0-1-A1-1-1-3-1
Fourth quarter: A0-D2-A0-3-0-D2-1-2-1-0
Full sheet music
Sheet music video
Learn to intuitively read sheet music with this animated video. If you’re an absolute beginner, then I suggest you don’t worry about fo it for the moment.
This is here for continuing students who want to learn about sheet music. It’s part of the Note-Reading For Fiddlers course.
Call-and-response with Kerfunken
This call-and-response uses bits from Kerfunken Jig. You can do it even if you have not yet learned the tune (but it might be more challenging).
Return To Top Of Module 1.4 >>
Return to top of Irish Fiddle module >>
23 responses to “Kerfunken Jig”
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Thanks for this tune, it is really beautiful!
A3-3-3-E0-1-A1-1-1-1-0-1 This is copied directly from “Full Tabs, B Part, First Quarter” of the Kerfunken Jig. Maybe this is a note test as that is where I concluded the correction (as well as listening to you playing it), but there are four “B” notes (A1) instead of three. Do I win a prize for that score. (pun intended) 🙂
Loving this tune and the various speeds we can choose to practice with it until we can get it right! Also love the variations we can view from others to get some ideas of where we are heading in the future.. much thanks for the great ways you break it down to learn easily and not get frustrated! Keep it up!
I love the play along tracks set at a particular speed because it allows for me to get into the rhythm and cadence of the song much more, and if I miss a note or stuff up the fingering I can join in again easier. I prefer to increase my speed gradually using the play alongs which are set at a BPM rather than use One track which has all the versions. Thanks for your awesome site. I’m sounding better and learning more everyday!
Love it!!! Grandma in Maine!
Hi Jason and Amber! Thanks so much for all of the brilliant material – I’ve found it all so helpful. I found this new style a bit awkward to begin with but now I’ve got the hang of it and its definitely an improvement – the interlude is a useful reminder to focus on the sound also. The sheet music bits don’t always load very quickly – actually only the fourth quarter of part A – all the others were fine.
Hi Suze,
We love your kind words! We’re sorry you’re having trouble downloading the sheet music, though sometimes it has do to with internet connection and /or the specific browser you are using to access the site.
If it is not too much trouble we would love to use your words for future testimonials to be featured on Fiddlehed.com! We appreciate all feedback, and would love to let others know how you feel about Fiddle Hed!
Thanks Suze ?
I like the pluses that you can open for more content, but I’d like them even better if the minus signs would close the content to shrink the volume of material on the page again. This is a great improvement idea. If you allow them to pop back into the minus sign, then I can see tab and play tracks with less mad dashing to scroll to the right place before the man on the track says. . . 1, 2, 3 FOUR
Maybe I should memorize before I use the track, so feel free to keep that a bit challenging. But yes, like. And yet, seems it should work both ways.
Hey Blucy,
Right now there is always exactly one tab open, no more no less. What I think you are saying is that you want to be able to close ALL tabs in the accordion table, right?
Thanks for the feedback…
I love your lessons and love learning from you, but I find this “accordion style” difficult to work with. A lot of stopping and starting and trying to find my way. But thanks for asking for our input, and for trying new ways of teaching! It could just be me…
We always appreciate input! So thank you!
Thanks Roserock. I appreciate the feedback. This format might be weird at first.
If you don’t mind, please keep playing with it. Then let me know if it’s still awkward.
Thanks much,
I have kept working with it and am getting used to it now! Thanks. Like things broken down on to little bits. Family hanging in there with my practice. Only the dog is completely honest. And he doesn’t always leave the room.
Hang in there with them! And give the dog more treats because they sound like a good dogo!
Transposing this *up* to G Major was a lot of fun (and let’s it flow into Kesh Jig nicely)
Variations are a blast to “fiddling” with ?
Good idea. Try adding Swallowtail jig to the set.
So I learned this song this AM ! My kids say I need a you tube site. Not bad I guess for a beginner. Thanks for all your help. Variations here I come
You can do anything you put your mind to! Thanks for fiddling with us!
Nice going.
Just curious, what do you need a YouTube for? Sharing videos of you playing? Who would you share with?
I ask because I am seeking easy ways for online students to share videos for feedback…
Thanks
Anyone can add video like Rstrukey. You just need to copy “embed code” from Youtube. Here is a tutorial on how to do it: https://wp.me/P8OLq8-7B9