Swallowtail Jig

Irish Jig in E Dorian (D Major)

Swallowtail Jig Tutorial

This is a traditional tutorial on the tune. If you want an extra challenge, learn the tune with the call-and-response lessons below. If you choose the traditional tutorial, you can always take the call-and-response lessons later (for further practice).

Swallowtail Jig Call-and-response Lessons

Learn the tune through old-school call-and-response. I’ll play something, then leave you a space to play ut back. Use these lessons to learn, improve or review the tune.


Learning Chunks

Preparation

Warm-up Exercises

Intervals

D1-1-3-3

D0-0-A3-3

E0-0-A3-3

A1-1-3-3

D3-1-A1-D1

D2-0-A0-0

A3-2-3-0-D3-2

E1-0-A3-1

Swallowtail Jig - A part, first quarter

Warm-ups:

D1-1-3-3

D1-1-A1-1

⬇️

D3-1-1-A1-D1-1-D3-1-1-A1-0-D3

A part, second quarter

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A part, third quarter

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A part, fourth quarter

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Interlude

Let’s pause for a moment and pay attention to how we practice.

Creativity, Fun and Adventure

Always try to find creative ways to make practicing fun. How can you practice the same thing in different ways? Can you learn to enjoy the sound? Can you even learn to enjoy the struggle?

If you explore different options for playing the same thing, then you will be able to enjoy practicing that for a longer time. Remember, the brain gets bored easily, but the hands need lots and lots of time to learn things.

B part, first quarter

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B part, second quarter

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B part, third quarter

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B part, fourth quarter

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Further Practice

Practice the song at your own pace with this drone track.

Drone in E – No Beat

Other Versions

@fiddl3hed Swallowtail jig with @mgilvryallen. He plays the main melody, i play the harmony (starting on A1). #duet #fiddletok #violintok #foryou ♬ original sound – M’Gilvry Allen

 

Full Tabs, Audio & Sheet Music

A part

First quarter: D3-1-1-A1-D1-1-D3-1-1-A1-0-D3

Second quarter: D2-0-0-A0-D0-0-A3-2-3-0-D3-2

Third quarter: D3-1-1-A1-D1-1-D3-1-1-A1-2

Fourth quarter: A3-2-3-0-D3-2-3-1-1-1

B part

First quarter: A1-2-3-E0-1-0-1-0-A3-1

Second quarter: A1-2-3-E0-1-0-A3-1-3

Third quarter: A1-2-3-E0-1-0-1-0-A3-1

Fourth quarter: A3-2-3-0-D3-2-3-1-1-1

55 bpm

65 bpm

75 bpm

85 bpm

95 bpm

Jam mixes

These alternate between the melody and fiddle chords (without vocal). Use the chord sections to practice the basic melody, vocals, chords, variations or improv.

60 bpm

Multi-tempo

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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.

Is it still be hard to combine bowing and fingering on this tune? If so, I encourage you to continue to separate your hands. This practice is a surefire way to reduce the frustration you may feel as you  integrate bowing and fingering.

  • Continue to just practice bowing on open strings.
  • Continue to practice left-hand fingering with plucking.
  • Then put them together.

If you want to go deeper into this process with Swallowtail Jig, then take this lesson: Separate Your Hands. 

Continue on to Going From Bowing to Plucking >>

Return to top of Module 1.9 >>

Leave a Reply

11 responses to “Swallowtail Jig”

  3. hi there,a great site.ive played bluegrass banjo for near 15 yrs,just 2 eeeks ago i pick a violin up and im addicted to it.i only read tab so its a great site for me.2 weeks and just got swollowtail jig down at 75bpm. Fiddle is so much fun….. do you think The road to lisdoorvarna, better or Kesh jig to go with Swollowtail jig….? 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    1. Hi @artie! Thanks for sharing your enjoyment and experience with how your fiddle journey’s going.
      I’d say any combination of those 3 songs can go nicely together. I’ve experienced all 3 of those tunes played together at a contra dance.
      As for skill level, it seems Road to Lis may could an easier tune to learn than Kesh. Happy Fiddling to you 🎻