I would like some solid suggestions on reels that fairly common to the average session (although I know it varies by region), but are on the lower end of the difficulty scale and good for a fledgling whistle player. Thank in advance for any suggestions.
"Bucks of Oranmore" - for a beginner !!! I don't think so.
"Silver Spear"
"Sally Gardens"
"Cup of Tea"
"Glass of Beer"
"Sligo Maid"
"Cooley's"
- those are all fairly universal, and cover a good range of keys/modes.
Reels that we've learned at our beginners session are
The Banshee
Rolling in the Ryegrass
Concertina Reel
Brenda Stubbert's
The Ash Plant
Star of Munster
Craig's Pipes
Many Reels can be easy if played with little ornamentation. I like all these listed so far, great choices, and none one of them do I find annoying. I found as a beginner and still to this day if I really like a tune it's a snap to learn, if I find it irritating or tiresome, it's harder to learn like anything. My first Reel was the Virginia Reel, I liked the Torn Jacket and it goes will with O Connells Trip to Parliament, the Earls Chair, and so on in that tune family. All easy finger placements, and occaisional rolls or drones.
Jimmy,
If you click on my name, my bio page comes up. If you click on the Boston's Original Slow Session link, you can see what we do here. It helped me when I first started.
Miss McLeod's Reel, played in G or A (the latter key is more difficult - stick to G at first!). It's relatively easy as it has a number of crotchets in it. Not the most exciting tune, but useful and universal.
I've heard that before, and yes, I am working on a couple of hornpipes. My primary interest in whistle is that I play mando now, and I find I struggle mightily with the picking speed necessary for reels. Jigs and hornpipes are no problem. The melody hand is not the problem, just my picking that is a constant bane. I play a little whistle but mostly slower tunes, but I figure I can handle getting the speed down. I'm practicing very hard and getting there, but nowhere near session-ready yet. My plan is to eventually move to flute.
My local session does play some hornpipes, however, so I will slowly introduce my whistle in that capacity much sooner than reels of course.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'm already working on the Concertina and Merry Blacksmith at about 85 on my metronome, with some hiccups, so, I'm making making progress.
Beginner Reel Suggestions
Beginner Reel Suggestions
I would like some solid suggestions on reels that fairly common to the average session (although I know it varies by region), but are on the lower end of the difficulty scale and good for a fledgling whistle player. Thank in advance for any suggestions.
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by Jimmy B
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
Concertina reel
Connie O'Connell's
High Reel
merry blacksmith
Bucks of Oranmore
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by Jimij
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
Have you heard 'The Golden Keyboard" ?
I like that one. Or 'Over the Moor to Maggie'
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by Ben Steen
~
"Cooley's"
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
"Bucks of Oranmore" - for a beginner !!! I don't think so.
"Silver Spear"
"Sally Gardens"
"Cup of Tea"
"Glass of Beer"
"Sligo Maid"
"Cooley's"
- those are all fairly universal, and cover a good range of keys/modes.
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by Kenny
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
Thanks so far. I've heard about 25% of all of those, and have heard the names of most. Keep 'em coming!
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by Jimmy B
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
Reels that we've learned at our beginners session are
The Banshee
Rolling in the Ryegrass
Concertina Reel
Brenda Stubbert's
The Ash Plant
Star of Munster
Craig's Pipes
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by All Moldy
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
Many Reels can be easy if played with little ornamentation. I like all these listed so far, great choices, and none one of them do I find annoying. I found as a beginner and still to this day if I really like a tune it's a snap to learn, if I find it irritating or tiresome, it's harder to learn like anything. My first Reel was the Virginia Reel, I liked the Torn Jacket and it goes will with O Connells Trip to Parliament, the Earls Chair, and so on in that tune family. All easy finger placements, and occaisional rolls or drones.
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by SandyBottoms
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
Boy in the gaf, Geehan's,Wind that Shakes the Barley, My Love is in America.
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by gam
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
Jimmy,
If you click on my name, my bio page comes up. If you click on the Boston's Original Slow Session link, you can see what we do here. It helped me when I first started.
# Posted on October 1st 2009 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
Miss McLeod's Reel, played in G or A (the latter key is more difficult - stick to G at first!). It's relatively easy as it has a number of crotchets in it. Not the most exciting tune, but useful and universal.
# Posted on October 2nd 2009 by nicholas
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/3237
# Posted on October 2nd 2009 by Henk Bos
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
personally, I would stick to hornpipes before wading into reels.
The speed that is expected for playing reels is counterproductive for new learners.
The hornpipes are a nice lead into reels and give you a chance to get some technique and rythym
# Posted on October 2nd 2009 by zippydw
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
I've heard that before, and yes, I am working on a couple of hornpipes. My primary interest in whistle is that I play mando now, and I find I struggle mightily with the picking speed necessary for reels. Jigs and hornpipes are no problem. The melody hand is not the problem, just my picking that is a constant bane. I play a little whistle but mostly slower tunes, but I figure I can handle getting the speed down. I'm practicing very hard and getting there, but nowhere near session-ready yet. My plan is to eventually move to flute.
My local session does play some hornpipes, however, so I will slowly introduce my whistle in that capacity much sooner than reels of course.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'm already working on the Concertina and Merry Blacksmith at about 85 on my metronome, with some hiccups, so, I'm making making progress.
# Posted on October 2nd 2009 by Jimmy B
Re: Beginner Reel Suggestions
Jimmy, sounds like you are doing fine, so I don't want to trip you up. But, keep an ear out for barndances. They're grand.
# Posted on October 2nd 2009 by Ben Steen