Tutorial 96! Devil In The Kitchen.
It’s about time for another strathspey, isn’t it?! This is definitely one of the most common ones of the whole bunch—“Devil in the Kitchen”! I always thought this was a traditional tune, but I’ve traced the writer to a Scottish feller by the name of William Ross, who composed it in the 19th century. Pretty…
Read MoreTutorial 93! Halfway Tree.
In honour of The East Pointers Tune & Song Book (which features sheet music, lyrics, and chords to every single tune & song we wrote since 2014), this month’s tune is from our song, “Halfway Tree” (the fiddle tune is called “Halfway Tree” as well, keep er easy)! If you haven’t heard this song, click…
Read MoreTutorial 91! The Connaughtman’s Rambles.
One of the most classic traditional Irish jigs, ‘Connaughtman’s Rambles’ is a go-to tune in any session across the globe! I debated whether to even teach it, as I’m sure many of you already know it, but it’s important to add to your repertoire if you haven’t yet. I recommend this tune for keen beginners…
Read MoreTutorial 90! Killiecrankie.
I’ve always loved this tune, and I finally learned it properly so I can teach it to you! Last weekend, at our Chaisson Family Reunion, we had lots of tunes… My cousin, JJ started playing this when I was sitting at the piano (I could not figure out the chords so I had a good…
Read MoreTutorial 88! Pat Dunphy’s Reel.
Happy July Friends! I hope you’re all settling into a chilled out summer (is that possible?! ;)), and soakin’ up the sun! I’ve got another Prince Edward Island tune that’s making its way around the session scene, written by ol man, Kevin Chaisson. It’s called “Pat Dunphy’s Reel” and it’s a corker in A major! …
Read MoreTutorial 87! Walk On The Moon.
I’ve got an ear-worm for you this month! My band was just performing at The Orkney Folk Festival (Orkney, Scotland) and we caught Dochas, a great Scottish band, playing this tune (I had to whip out my phone to record a bit so I wouldn’t forget to learn it)! It’s written by Addie Harper (Scotland),…
Read MoreTutorial 86! The Mortgage Burn.
It’s Fiddle Friday! Tutorial #86 is here, and it’s a corkin’ A major reel from Cape Breton Island, called “Mortgage Burn”. It was written by Gordon MacLean and it has spread like wildfire through the session scene, appearing on recordings all over the world too. It can be slightly tricky, but the more you listen…
Read MoreTutorial 85! Primrose Lasses.
Hey guys! It’s hard to find much history of this tune, other than that it’s trad-Irish and was adopted by Cape Breton many moons ago. The two versions are quite different – I first heard it on a Natalie & Buddy MacMaster recording, and later by Solas. I was jamming with my brother the other…
Read MoreTutorial 82! West Mabou Reel.
Heyo everyone! We’ve got the “West Mabou Reel” for ya, a classic Cape Breton tune 🙂 I’ve been hearing this tune forever because it’s been recorded many, many times and it’s a corker reel! It’s hard to have a jam or dance out here without hearing this tune, so I’m glad to have a tutorial…
Read MoreTutorial 81! Memories Of Herbie & Agnes Cheverie.
I remember hearing this for the first time in my Dad’s living room after he wrote it and I knew it was a special tune, because it gave me goosebumps! I also know how much Herbie and Agnes meant to Dad, so it makes the tune even more special (straight from the heart). This is…
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