Beginning Irish Mandolin: Two Hornpipes

The promised polka will have to wait until the next issue because we'd like to fulfill a request for some hornpipes. It took a while to find a couple that are easy enough for beginning players but which are not so well-known. You'll have to decide whether the search was successful or not. I found this pair on a very beautiful cd titled "Traditional Music from East Clare" by concertina player Mary MacNamara. If you've practiced your G scales as I recommended in our last issue, then you'll have an easy time with these. Hornpipes are sometimes (but not always) used in set dancing for the very last figure. Their pace is much more relaxed than the polkas, slides, reels and jigs. They are usually played with plenty of bounce. Try to resist the temptation to speed up as you become more comfortable with them. I've played these hornpipes on the accompanying mp3 at a moderate tempo, only slightly slower than Mary plays them on the cd. There are several other tasty tunes on this cd - perhaps we'll have a chance to feature some others in the future.

There are a few potential trouble spots in the second part of the first tune, the Humours of Tullycrine. Several times you have to make the stretch up to the seventh fret with your fourth (pinky) finger in order to reach the high b-note. At first, this may be a problem. But stick with it and you'll soon find it easier. This is an essential technique that every mandolin player needs to master. Spend some time concentrating on it.

I have indicated only the downstroke pick directions in the tablature because the standard alternating pattern (down-up down-up) works well in both tunes. All the unmarked notes should be picked with an upstroke. If you have any questions, please ask. Any other comments or requests are always welcome. As usual, I can be reached at michael.gregory@und.nodak.edu.