Galway Bay Hornpipe
Here’s an intermediate lesson on how to play this haunting Irish hornpipe. I learned it from a Martin Hayes recording called “Under The Moon”.
This tune is recommended for students in Module 2.6 or higher. It’s a good way to practice the G Aeolian scale, Low Fourth Finger and the swing feel.
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Learning chunks
I’ve made some “Learning Chunks” to help you learn more easily. These focused exercises contain sheet music, tabs and mp3 snippets to guide you on your fiddle journey.
Preparation
Review and practice these lessons:
B Flat Major Scale (Upper Octave) Exercises
Play D3 with a G drone. Allow your breath, body, and mind to relax. Listen to the blend of your fiddle with the drone, and enjoy the sound.
G drone
Then practice the G aeolian scale:
G Aeolian: D3-A0-L1-L2-3-L4-EL1-L2 | E3-L4
A part, first quarter
(D3-A0)-L1-0-L1-L2-3-L2-3-EL1 | L2-L1-L2-3-L2-3-L4-L2
A part, second quarter
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A part, third quarter
This Learning Chunk™ (tab, sheet music and mp3 snippets) is available to All-access users. Subscribe here. And thanks for your support. 🙏
A part, fourth quarter
This Learning Chunk™ (tab, sheet music and mp3 snippets) is available to All-access users. Subscribe here. And thanks for your support. 🙏
B part, first quarter
This Learning Chunk™ (tab, sheet music and mp3 snippets) is available to All-access users. Subscribe here. And thanks for your support. 🙏
B part, second quarter
This Learning Chunk™ (tab, sheet music and mp3 snippets) is available to All-access users. Subscribe here. And thanks for your support. 🙏
B part, third quarter
This Learning Chunk™ (tab, sheet music and mp3 snippets) is available to All-access users. Subscribe here. And thanks for your support. 🙏
B part, fourth quarter
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Other Versions
Martin Hayes versions
Here’s the recording that I based this lesson on.
Here’s a lesson from Martin on the tune…
Full Tabs, Audio & Sheet Music
A part
first quarter: (D3-A0)-L1-0-L1-L2-3-L2-3-EL1 | L2-L1-L2-3-L2-3-L4-L2
second quarter: EL1-A3-EL4-L2-1-A3-L2-3 | L1-0-D3-L2-3-L2-0-L2
third quarter: D3-A0-L1-D3 | L2-3-A0-D3-L2-0
fourth quarter: D3-A0-L1-L2-3-L2-0-L2-L1-D3-3
B part
first quarter: EL2-L1-A3-EL1-L2-3-L4-3-L2-L1-A3-L4-3-L1-D3-A0
second quarter: AL1-L2-3-E0-L1-AL2-3-L1-0-D3-L2-A0
third quarter: AL1-DL2-A3-L1-0-DL2-AL2-0-AL1-DL2-A3-L1-0-DL2-AL4-L2
fourth quarter: A3-EL1-L2-3-L4-3-L2-L1-A3-EL2-L2
Galway Bay Hornpipe_learning
After you’ve learned and memorized the melody, use the “performance version” to figure out bowing and practice note-reading (there are no fingerings notated in this version).
Galway Bay Hornpipe_performance
Sheet music video
Those of you who are learning to read sheet music can follow long with this video. It’s a way to intuitively learn this. Learn more here: Intuitive Note-Reading.
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Whoah! This is a hard tune to learn! But it’s “Desirable Difficulty” – and (for me anyway) is a great example of how repeating each tricky phrase over and over and over again before stitching them together REALLY works.
The next challenge is to try and remember it . . .
Yes, Nigel! Thanks for bringing us into your method and perspective 👍🏾