Traditional jig · A Dorian
The Swallowtail
Also known as The Custom House, The Dancing Master, The Dancingmaster, Drioball Na Fáinleoige, From The New Country, From The New World.
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ABC notation
X:1 T:The Swallowtail R:jig M:6/8 L:1/8 K:Ador |:cBA eAA|cBA edc|BGG dGG|gfe dcB| cBA eAA|cBA e2f|gfe dcB|cBA A2d:| efg a2b|a2b age|efg a2b|age g2d| efg a2b|a2b age|gfe dcB|cBA A2d:|
Copy this into any ABC tool, or open the setting on The Session (transcribed by Jeremy). The Session lists 25 settings of this tune and 2 recordings.
Playing it on a wind instrument
Traditional jigs are dance music — lift and rhythm matter more than speed. Learn the tune slowly by ear first, then add ornaments (cuts, taps, rolls). Clarinet and sax players: use the transposition menu above so the part matches the fiddle and flute players.