The Star above the Garter

 This tune has been sitting in my head for some time now, although I didn't quite put it in my fingers until recently after listening to the recording, The Star above the Garter, Fiddle music from Kerry, played by Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford.  Here, you will hear two gorgeous fiddles, a brother and sister team playing tunes synonymous with the Kerry/ Cork tradition. 
     Slides are not to be mistaken as hornpipes, single jigs, polkas, or double jigs.  As you will hear from the video, I slowed down the tune for your learning pleasure, but keep in mind that this tune is to be played quickly, at about 150bpm for set dancing.

Off She Goes

This tune, “Off She Goes” was popular throughout the British Isles and North America. One unnamed source gives that in the days of sail it was a tradition for the fiddle player to sit on the deck of the ship playing “Off She Goes” as the ship departed harbor.  It is played at Irish sessions and Contra dances here in the States.    (source: The Session)   If you are looking for the notes for the tune, here they are: 

The Blackthorn Stick

So, here is a video of the tune, The Blackthorn Stick. This is another one of those "staple" tunes that is widely played in most sessions.  You can practice "rolling" the first second octave G after you have the notes of the tune memorized first.  Credit: John Dallaire


Here is the manuscript for the tune:  The Blackthorn Stick