Traditional jig · A Dorian
The Tenpenny Bit
Also known as 10 Penny Bit, Billy's Awake, The Little Drummers, Ten Penney Bit, The Ten Penny Bit, The Three Little Drummer Boys.
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ABC notation
X:1 T:The Tenpenny Bit R:jig M:6/8 L:1/8 K:Ador |:eAA eAA|BAB GBd|eAA eAA|def gfg| eAA eAA|BAB GAB|def ged|BAG A3:| eaa aga|bag ged|eaa aga|bag a3| eaa aga|bag ged|def ged|BAG A3:|
Copy this into any ABC tool, or open the setting on The Session (transcribed by Jeremy). The Session lists 11 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.