Swallowtail Jig – Variation
Here is a lesson on how to add variation to Swallowtail Jig.
This tune is in the key of E Dorian so we can practice it with a E drone: Start by playing the E Dorian scale with some fun variations.
A Part:
First quarter: D3-{1-1}-1-A1-{1-1}-1-D3-{1-1}-1-A1-0-D3
Replace D1 with a sixteenth note duplet. Now, let’s loop on this a bit. {cut to play-along track}
Second quarter: D2-{0-0}-0-A0-{D0-0}-0-{roll A3-4-3-2}-3-0-D3-2
Replace D0 with a sixteenth note duplet. Add a roll to A3.
Third quarter: D3-{1-1}-1-A1-{1-1}-1-D3-{1-1}-1-A1-2
Fourth quarter: {roll A3-4-3-2}-3-0-D3-2-3-1-L1-1
Roll on A3. Replace a D1 with DL1 at the end. Slide down to and back up from that note.
B Part
First quarter: A1-2-3-E0-{1-3-1}-0-{1-3-1}-0-A3-1
ReplaceE1 with a sixteenth note triplet E1-3-1.
Second quarter: A1-2-3-E0-1-0-A3-1-{rollA3-4-3-2}-3
Add roll to A3.
Third quarter: A1-2-3-E0-{1-3-1}-0-{1-3-1}-0-A3-1
Fourth quarter: {roll A3-4-3-2}-3-0-D3-2-3-1-L1-1
Full Content
Alternate variations
A part first quarter: D3-1-3-A1-D3-1-D1-3-1-A1-0-D3
A part second quarter: D2-0-2-A0-D2-A0-3-4-3-0-D1-2
B part first quarter: A1-2-3-E0-L2-0-0-3-0-A3-1-0
B part second quarter: A1-2-3-E0-L2-0-0-A3-1-3-1-0
A & B part fourth quarter: A3-2-3-1-3-1-0-D2-0-1
Full play-along track
Full tabs
A Part:
First quarter: D3-{1-1}-1-A1-{1-1}-1-D3-{1-1}-1-A1-0-D3
Second quarter: D2-{0-0}-0-A0-{D0-0}-0-{roll A3-4-3-2}-3-0-D3-2
Third quarter: D3-{1-1}-1-A1-{1-1}-1-D3-{1-1}-1-A1-2
Fourth quarter: {roll A3-4-3-2}-3-0-D3-2-3-1-L1-1
B Part
First quarter: A1-2-3-E0-{1-3-1}-0-{1-3-1}-0-A3-1
Second quarter: A1-2-3-E0-1-0-A3-1-{rollA3-4-3-2}-3
Third quarter: A1-2-3-E0-{1-3-1}-0-{1-3-1}-0-A3-1
Fourth quarter: {roll A3-4-3-2}-3-0-D3-2-3-1-L1-1
Sheet music
Supplemental lesson
In this alternate variation, I use melodic variation. You can practice this independently with the following exercises:
Melodic variation exercises III
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