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.
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
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).
Here is a quick way for you to access the essential practice tools you need. Under each tab you'll find play-along tracks, tabs and condensed teachings to help you as you practice. This is an evolving idea, so let me know in a comment below if it could be better.
Here's a newer version of the Notefinder which is based on sheet music. If you're interested in learning to read, this will be an invaluable reference. I'll be posting lessons on this in 2020.
Note: the brackets indicate notes that are the same pitch but spelled differently. For example, AH3 (D#) sounds the same as AL4 (Eb). Without going into too much teory detail here, this will be determined by the key of the tune or piece you are playing.
Notefinder table
Here's he original table version of the Notefinder. Sometimes people learn in different ways...
Sawmill tuning Notefinder
This is used to find notes in Sawmill tuning (when the G string is tuned up to A and the D string is tuned up to E). If you're a beginner...best to ignore this! Learn more about sawmill tuning in the Appalachian Fiddle course.
Here are some common scales used in fiddle tunes. Each runs through a series of variations: two bows legato, two bows staccato, four bows, tucka (4 shorts, two longs), hoedown (1 long, two shorts), throwaway bow, triplets, tremolo.
D Major
G Major, starting on D3
A Major
D Dorian
A Dorian
Practice a tune with its scale (Kerry Polka is in G major, so practice a G major scale). Practice scales before, during and after practicing tunes.
Always return to a good sound, even if it means playing quarter notes on the D string. You can do this! You just have to remember to pause on practicing the challenging thing and just get a good sound on single notes.
Why do this? Because it will bring you deep joy. And it will build your confidence which will inspire further practice.
Here are a few technical reminders to remember as you practice.
Posture reminders
Curve left-hand and right-hand fingers.
Bend right thumb.
Bend right arm and wrist.
Use minimal energy.
Left-hand fingers land on tips, not pads. This makes for more precise playing.
Bowing tips
Take time to focus on bowing during each practice session.
Get the best possible sound on single notes using long bows, throwaway bow, rhythms. Even just a few minutes of this will drastically improve your sound.
Use less bow.
This is a rule of thumb for fiddle tunes, especially for when things are difficult.
Continue to practice long bows. This will improve your overall sound.
Play in the middle of the bow. This is the sweet spot.
Use no extra energy or force for double stops.
It's more a matter of getting the bow perfectly balanced between the two strings.
Again, playing with less bow will help with this.
Left-hand fingering tips
Keep fingers down when possible.
For example, if you are rapidly playing D1-2, it is easier if you keep D1 down while fingering D2.
Practice this on scales.
Practice Little Lift
Don't lift left-hand fingers too high. Let them just hover above the string.
This allows you to play faster, better in tune and with more ease.
If you notice you are tense and not breathing evenly, simply pause on what you're currently practicing and play a single note. Make it sound nice. See if your body is more relaxed now.
If you can play a single note with a relaxed body, then try more complex things: 2-note intervals, scales, simple tune phrases, whole tunes.
Keep returning to single notes as a way to center yourself, relax and enjoy the process.
Little pauses
If you find that sound is sloppy, try adding a little pause in between the notes. This gives your fingers time to find the next note. This is especially helpful with string crossing.
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…
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
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!
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!
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) 🙂
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
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.
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!
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…
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 ?
Love it!!! Grandma in Maine!
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!
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!
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) 🙂