The Snowy Path
Here’s a beginner lesson on how to play this upbeat slip jig by Mark Kelly of the band Altan. Slip jigs are similar to jigs, but they are nine beats per bar (9/8) instead of six (6/8).
There’s a lot of repetition, which you can see in the color-coded sheet music. I suggest you memorize and master the first bar before moving on. Also, warm up with the basic rhythm on a single note. If you do these two things, you set yourself up for success in the rest of the tune.
This tune is recommended for students in Module 1.6 or higher. It’s a good way to practice the D Major scale and the swing feel.
I made a supplemental video in which I’ll show you how to apply different slur patterns.
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Video loops 🔁
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A Part, 1st Quarter
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:
Fingering and String Crossing 1
Play a D note with a D drone. Allow your breath, body, and mind to relax. Listen to the blend of your fiddle with the drone, and enjoy the sound.
D drone
Next, warm up with the the scale and phrases from the tune (once you’ve learned it) using the drone above.
D Major scale: D0-1-2-3-A0-1-2-3 | E0-1-L2-3-4
A part, first quarter
A 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. 🙏
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
This Learning Chunk™ (tab, sheet music and mp3 snippets) is available to All-access users. Subscribe here. And thanks for your support. 🙏
Further learning and practice
Make sets
Here’s a set you can do with this tune.
Snowy Path / The Butterfly / Drops of Brandy
You can also pair this tune with standard jigs like Kesh Jig
Related Learning
If you want to get better at extracting the rhythm, then take this lesson: Extract The Rhythm
Bowing variation - supplemental lesson
Other versions
Full Content
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Practice tracking
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Love this tune, thank you!