Hello. This site contains recordings I have made as a source of tunes for people who play the flute, or other instruments for that matter. They are often just versions of tunes as I remember them. My memory isn’t the best so in some cases I cheat and find the dots online. In some cases the online versions and the dots inside my head aren't quite the same so there may be a sort of 'average' appearing. I usually play the tunes once through slowly to make them easier to learn, then I have a bit of a run at them to give another view of them. I hope this approach is OK. If anyone has any comments, or tune suggestions, please get in touch (iflute@googlemail.com).
Thanks, Michael Clarkson (Belfast, Luxembourg and on the Dublin-Belfast Aircoach).
Slowing Down Tunes
Just in case the tunes on this site aren’t dull enough, you can slow them down using recent versions of Windows Media Player (I’m sure there are plenty of other ways of doing this too).
In Windows Media player click Now Playing at the top of the screen then pick Enhancements and then Play Speed Settings. There is a nice range of speeds displayed but I can only get the half speed one to work. That’s probably enough to be getting on with in any case.
Hello. This site contains recordings I have made as a source of tunes for people who play the flute, or other instruments for that matter. They are often just versions of tunes as I remember them. My memory isn’t the best so in some cases I cheat and find the dots online. In some cases the online versions and the dots inside my head aren't quite the same so there may be a sort of 'average' appearing. I usually play the tunes once through slowly to make them easier to learn, then I have a bit of a run at them to give another view of them. I hope this approach is OK. If anyone has any comments, or tune suggestions, please get in touch (iflute@googlemail.com).
Thanks, Michael Clarkson (Belfast, Luxembourg and on the Dublin-Belfast Aircoach).
Slowing Down Tunes
Just in case the tunes on this site aren’t dull enough, you can slow them down using recent versions of Windows Media Player (I’m sure there are plenty of other ways of doing this too).
In Windows Media player click Now Playing at the top of the screen then pick Enhancements and then Play Speed Settings. There is a nice range of speeds displayed but I can only get the half speed one to work. That’s probably enough to be getting on with in any case.
I was just reminded yesterday of the existence of this Irish Flute Tunes site by getting my annual subscription receipt from Podbean. So, I thought I might as well put a tune on it to get my money's worth.
I played this one on a very reliable Rob Forbes flute which I got off eBay a little while ago. My wooden flutes are also reliable but my ability to find them is less so.
I'm in Belfast at the moment, on holiday from Luxembourg, so (another "so") I'm allowed to play the flute as it's not illegal here. I'll be back in Belfast FOREVER from 1st May. So ... I might go into work retirement and come out of flute retirement. So... À bientôt ...
I was just reminded yesterday of the existence of this Irish Flute Tunes site by getting my annual subscription receipt from Podbean. So, I thought I might as well put a tune on it to get my money's worth.
I played this one on a very reliable Rob Forbes flute which I got off eBay a little while ago. My wooden flutes are also reliable but my ability to find them is less so.
I'm in Belfast at the moment, on holiday from Luxembourg, so (another "so") I'm allowed to play the flute as it's not illegal here. I'll be back in Belfast FOREVER from 1st May. So ... I might go into work retirement and come out of flute retirement. So... À bientôt ...
Here's another tune from O'Neill's Dance Music of Ireland. I hadn't noticed it before, despite its being there since 1907. I don't remember ever seeing a wren either. Maybe because they're so small.
Here's another tune from O'Neill's Dance Music of Ireland. I hadn't noticed it before, despite its being there since 1907. I don't remember ever seeing a wren either. Maybe because they're so small.
Tune number 748 from O'Neill's Dance Music of Ireland - 1001 gems
There are 1000 tunes in this book with better names but only some of them are better tunes.
Tune number 748 from O'Neill's Dance Music of Ireland - 1001 gems
There are 1000 tunes in this book with better names but only some of them are better tunes.
O'Neill's Dance Music of Ireland tune number 129
I probably would have been better getting the cat to play it.
O'Neill's Dance Music of Ireland tune number 129
I probably would have been better getting the cat to play it.
I play this tune by direct debit.
I play this tune by direct debit.
Here's another tune from Francis O'Neill's 'Dance Music of Ireland - 1001 Gems'.
My understanding of 'gem' in today's context is a tune without syncopation and notes keeping close company with other notes they don't get on with.
Here's another tune from Francis O'Neill's 'Dance Music of Ireland - 1001 Gems'.
My understanding of 'gem' in today's context is a tune without syncopation and notes keeping close company with other notes they don't get on with.
Here's tune number 652 in O'Neill's Dance Music of Ireland.
It's the best tune between tunes 651 and 653.
Here's tune number 652 in O'Neill's Dance Music of Ireland.
It's the best tune between tunes 651 and 653.
As requested, here's an attempt at a flute version of a steadfastly fiddle tune.
X: 1 T:Jackson's Reel (sort of flute-friendly'ish) R: reel M: 4/4 L: 1/8 K: Dmaj |:F|D2FD EDFE| DEFD EAcE|GE ~E2 GABd| ceAc dBAF| D2FD EDFE| DEFD EFGE| ABce dBAG| F/2G/2F EG FDD:| |:g|fd d2 ~d3f| edef edcB|A2cA BAcB| ABcA Bcde| fd d2 ~d3f| edef edcB|ABde faea|1fd d2 ~d3:|2fddc d/2d/2c dB|| A3A B2AG| FAAF G/2F/2E F/2E/2D| ~E3F GFEG| Agec dBAF| D2FD EDFE| DEFD EG ~G2| ABce dBAG| FAEG FDAF||
Here's the uncut version: https://thesession.org/tunes/1665
As requested, here's an attempt at a flute version of a steadfastly fiddle tune.
X: 1 T:Jackson's Reel (sort of flute-friendly'ish) R: reel M: 4/4 L: 1/8 K: Dmaj |:F|D2FD EDFE| DEFD EAcE|GE ~E2 GABd| ceAc dBAF| D2FD EDFE| DEFD EFGE| ABce dBAG| F/2G/2F EG FDD:| |:g|fd d2 ~d3f| edef edcB|A2cA BAcB| ABcA Bcde| fd d2 ~d3f| edef edcB|ABde faea|1fd d2 ~d3:|2fddc d/2d/2c dB|| A3A B2AG| FAAF G/2F/2E F/2E/2D| ~E3F GFEG| Agec dBAF| D2FD EDFE| DEFD EG ~G2| ABce dBAG| FAEG FDAF||
Here's the uncut version: https://thesession.org/tunes/1665
Here's a tune high in vitamin C. Also called the 'Belfast March', named after a town low in every vitamin.
Here's a tune high in vitamin C. Also called the 'Belfast March', named after a town low in every vitamin.
Here's a tune I was asked to post here. It's a great tune but I can't play polkas, so I never play them, so I can't play them, so I never play them, so ...
The associated polka dots are here: https://thesession.org/tunes/1560
Here's a tune I was asked to post here. It's a great tune but I can't play polkas, so I never play them, so I can't play them, so I never play them, so ...
The associated polka dots are here: https://thesession.org/tunes/1560
Here's a tune which Tom Morrison recorded i 1928. London clogs are probably mainly fatbergs in the sewers these days.
Here it is played properly:
https://archive.org/details/TomMorrisonTheLondonClog
Here it is written out badly:
Here's a tune which Tom Morrison recorded i 1928. London clogs are probably mainly fatbergs in the sewers these days.
Here it is played properly:
https://archive.org/details/TomMorrisonTheLondonClog
Here it is written out badly:
This reel was made in space for the flute; sorry this effort isn't as out of this world as the title would suggest.
This reel was made in space for the flute; sorry this effort isn't as out of this world as the title would suggest.
Here's a tune written by Josie McDermott in honour of Peg McGrath who made one of the nicest flute noises I've ever heard.
Here's a tune written by Josie McDermott in honour of Peg McGrath who made one of the nicest flute noises I've ever heard.
A short tune to fill a spare minute. I don't know how much postmen/postwomen (or even postmodernists) whistle now under the burden of Amazon boxes.
A short tune to fill a spare minute. I don't know how much postmen/postwomen (or even postmodernists) whistle now under the burden of Amazon boxes.
Here's a tune I first heard from a recording of John McGuire - Seán's father. The guy in the photo was Jack Rowe - looks like he could blow a flute with the back of his neck. Some feat. Some neck.
Here's a tune I first heard from a recording of John McGuire - Seán's father. The guy in the photo was Jack Rowe - looks like he could blow a flute with the back of his neck. Some feat. Some neck.
Here's a reel which you can hear Denis Murphy playing at: Mount Collins Reel / Doon Reel. There are special wobbles in the second tune which, according to the info at archive.org, are due to a hole being 'punched slightly off-center'. I'd imagine that could cause a wobble or two right enough.
Here are some notes: https://thesession.org/tunes/4026
Here's a reel which you can hear Denis Murphy playing at: Mount Collins Reel / Doon Reel. There are special wobbles in the second tune which, according to the info at archive.org, are due to a hole being 'punched slightly off-center'. I'd imagine that could cause a wobble or two right enough.
Here are some notes: https://thesession.org/tunes/4026
I've been living in a teeny weeny flat in Luxembourg for the last three weeks and have been afraid to play in case the people in the teeny weeny flats above and beside me objected. I finally got playing last night in a pub at a session with 4 flutes - just like home only the drink was a lot dearer. This tune was mentioned (not by me) but nobody knew it well enough to play it. I've given myself a crash course in playing the tune today in my teeny weeny apartment in this nice little country. I think the first half of the term 'crash course' might be the most relevant here. I'll blame that on my fear of annoying the residents near my little Luxembourgish lodging.
I think Tommy Peoples made this tune up. Best to find a recording of him playing it, or any other tune for that matter.
I've been living in a teeny weeny flat in Luxembourg for the last three weeks and have been afraid to play in case the people in the teeny weeny flats above and beside me objected. I finally got playing last night in a pub at a session with 4 flutes - just like home only the drink was a lot dearer. This tune was mentioned (not by me) but nobody knew it well enough to play it. I've given myself a crash course in playing the tune today in my teeny weeny apartment in this nice little country. I think the first half of the term 'crash course' might be the most relevant here. I'll blame that on my fear of annoying the residents near my little Luxembourgish lodging.
I think Tommy Peoples made this tune up. Best to find a recording of him playing it, or any other tune for that matter.
I prefer mine in a sandwich. Here's a nice traditional sort of tune.
I prefer mine in a sandwich. Here's a nice traditional sort of tune.
Here's a reliable old reel. I'm not sure what kind of master it is whose return is being commemorated here but the outcome is fairly palatable in any case; not that I'm advocating that this tune should be eaten.
Here's a reliable old reel. I'm not sure what kind of master it is whose return is being commemorated here but the outcome is fairly palatable in any case; not that I'm advocating that this tune should be eaten.
Here's a popular reel called after a Banshee / Bean Sí / Bean Sidhe. I think it's in the key of heebee G bee.
Here's a popular reel called after a Banshee / Bean Sí / Bean Sidhe. I think it's in the key of heebee G bee.
Here's a great tune for learning. I hadn't played it for a while and had forgotten how good it was for relearning as well.
Here's a great tune for learning. I hadn't played it for a while and had forgotten how good it was for relearning as well.