Kerfunken Jig

Irish Jig in D Major
Beginner > Module 1.4

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.

30-minute tune routine: Kerfunken Jig

 

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

Kerfunken Jig – pdf

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).

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25 responses to “Kerfunken Jig”

  4. 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) 🙂

  5. 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!

  6. 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!

  8. 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.

    1. 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!

  9. 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.

  10. 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…

      1. 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.

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