One of the first questions every new trad player asks is: what tunes should I learn? The repertoire is vast — there are tens of thousands of tunes in the tradition — and the prospect of choosing where to start can be paralysing.
The answer is simpler than you think: learn the tunes that everyone knows. The tunes listed here are common session standards — tunes you’ll hear at sessions everywhere, that most musicians can join in on, and that are melodically accessible without being simplistic. Learn a handful of these and you’ll have a passport to your first session.
All of these tunes appear regularly on Radio Siamsa. Listening to how they sound before you try to play them is the most important step. Get the melody in your ear first. Then pick up your instrument.
Reels
Reels are the most common tune type in sessions. Start with these:
1. The Maid Behind the Bar
One of the most popular session reels in the world. The melody is strong and memorable, with a shape that makes it easy to follow. It’s in the key of D, which suits most instruments. You’ll hear this at virtually every session you attend.
2. Drowsy Maggie
A classic reel in E minor. The melody is catchy and the tune has a distinctive, slightly melancholy character that sets it apart. It’s a great tune for building confidence with minor keys.
3. The Bucks of Oranmore
A standard D reel with a melody that flows naturally under the fingers. It’s one of those tunes that seems to play itself once you’ve learned it. A perennial session favourite.
4. The Silver Spear
Another D reel, slightly more challenging than the previous three but still very accessible. The B part has a lovely lift to it. Learning this one gives you a tune that transitions well into sets with the reels above.
Jigs
Jigs are the second most common tune type. Their bouncing 6/8 rhythm is one of the most distinctive sounds in Irish music.
5. The Kesh Jig
Possibly the first tune every trad musician learns. Simple, catchy, instantly recognisable. It’s in G major and sits comfortably on every instrument. If you know one jig, make it this one.
6. The Connachtman’s Rambles
A beautiful jig in G that’s slightly more melodically interesting than The Kesh. The tune has a gentle, rolling quality that captures the jig rhythm perfectly.
7. Out on the Ocean
A D major jig with a buoyant, optimistic melody. It’s been recorded by everyone from The Chieftains to Lúnasa. A session staple.
8. Morrison’s Jig
In E minor, Morrison’s has a more complex melody than the jigs above, but it’s hugely popular at sessions and well worth the effort. It’s often played as the opening tune in a set of jigs.
Polkas
Polkas are simpler melodically than reels or jigs, which makes them excellent for beginners. They’re particularly popular in Kerry and Cork.
9. John Ryan’s Polka
You might recognise this from the film Titanic (the dance scene below decks) or from the children’s show Bluey. It’s a universally known polka that’s easy to play and impossible not to enjoy. A perfect first polka.
10. The Britches Full of Stitches
Another popular beginner polka with a catchy, rhythmic melody. Pair it with John Ryan’s for your first polka set.
11. Denis Murphy’s Polka
Named for the great Sliabh Luachra fiddler. A slightly more interesting melody than the two above, but still very accessible.
Slip Jigs and Hornpipes
Once you have a few reels, jigs and polkas under your belt, try these:
12. The Butterfly (Slip Jig)
The most famous slip jig in the tradition. Its 9/8 time signature gives it a graceful, flowing quality that’s different from the bounce of a regular jig. The melody is beautiful and not too difficult. It’s a tune that makes you feel like a musician.
13. The Boys of Bluehill (Hornpipe)
A classic hornpipe with a swinging rhythm and a memorable melody. Hornpipes are played slower than reels, which gives you more time to think — but the dotted rhythm takes some getting used to.
Slow Airs
14. The Lark in the Morning
A well-known slow air (though it also exists as a jig) with a gentle, flowing melody. Playing slow airs is a different skill from playing dance tunes — it’s about expression, breath and taking your time. This is a good one to start with.
15. Táimse im’ Chodladh
A haunting slow air whose title means “I Am Asleep.” More challenging than The Lark, but deeply rewarding. If you can play this with feeling, you’re a musician.
Tips for Learning Tunes
- Listen first, play second. Hear the tune on Radio Siamsa or a recording before you try to learn it. Get it in your ear.
- Learn by ear if you can. Notation is a useful crutch, but the tradition is oral. The more you learn by ear, the better your musical memory becomes.
- Play slowly. Speed comes with time. A tune played slowly and evenly sounds better than a tune played fast and choppy.
- Learn in pairs. Session tunes are played in sets (usually two or three tunes of the same type). Learning two reels that go well together is more useful than learning two random tunes.
- Go to TheSession.org. The world’s largest Irish tune database. You can find notation, recordings and discussion for every tune on this list.
- Don’t worry about ornamentation yet. Get the basic melody solid first. Decoration comes later.
Read our guide to learning Irish traditional music
Read our guide to types of Irish tunes.
Listen to these tunes on Radio Siamsa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest Irish tune to learn?
The Kesh Jig is often cited as the very first tune most trad musicians learn. John Ryan’s Polka is another excellent starting point.
How many tunes do I need to join a session?
A handful — five or six is enough to start. You won’t play on every set, but knowing a few common tunes gives you enough to contribute. Your repertoire will grow naturally from there.
Should I learn from notation or by ear?
Ideally, by ear — listening to recordings and working out the melody on your instrument. Notation is a useful aid but it can become a crutch. The tradition is oral; the more you learn by ear, the deeper your musical understanding.
Notes
- Pillar 5 cluster. Target keywords: beginner trad tunes, easy Irish tunes, first session tunes, learn Irish music, Irish tunes for beginners.
- Word count: approximately 2,200 words.
1. The Maid Behind the Bar
2. Drowsy Maggie
3. The Bucks of Oranmore
4. The Silver Spear
5. The Kesh Jig
6. The Connachtman’s Rambles
7. Out on the Ocean
8. Morrison’s Jig
9. John Ryan’s Polka
10. The Britches Full of Stitches
11. Denis Murphy’s Polka
12. The Butterfly (Slip Jig)
13. The Boys of Bluehill (Hornpipe)
14. The Lark in the Morning
15. Táimse im’ Chodladh
Read our guide to types of Irish tunes
Listen to these tunes on Radio Siamsa
What is the easiest Irish tune to learn?
How many tunes do I need to join a session?
Should I learn from notation or by ear?
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