Reel, D, Traditional Irish
Also know as The Tulla Reel
The Humours of Tulla is a very simple tune, but its simplicity invites you to be inventive with variations as you play it. For example, and inspiration, listen to the variations that Martin Hayes (fiddle) and Enda Scahill (tenor banjo) put into the tune. The town of Tulla, which gives this tune its name, is in County Clare, Ireland.
For tin whistle players, Grey Larsen suggests playing this tune on a low A whistle rather than a high D whistle. (See his book, Grey Larsen: 150 Gems of Irish Music for Tin Whistle.)
Recordings
- Video – Martin Hayes: The Humours of Tulla/Last Night’s Fun – Martin Hayes from the album Songs for Shelter
- Audio – Comhaltas: Tulla Reel – from the album Foinn Seisiún Volume 1
- Video – Dulahan Ireland: The Humours Of Tulla Reel – played on tenor banjo by Joe Greene of the duo Dulahan.
Dots (Music Notation)
As always for traditional tunes, the musical notation and chords do not indicate the “right” way to play the tune, but are a useful reference. This simplified version of the tune leaves out the triplets and other ornamentation that are typically played in the tune.
Play from the Dots
Sets
Examples of sets that include this tune.
- Tulla Reel Set: Rolling in the Ryegrass / Humors of Tulla
- The Humours of Tulla / Last Night’s Fun
- The Mason’s Apron / The Humours of Tulla / The Reconciliation Reel
- Sally Gardens / Drowsy Maggie / Humours of Tulla (The Tulla Reel )
References and Resources
For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.
- More Recordings
- Video – Online Academy of Irish Music: Sally Gardens | Drowsie Maggie | The Tulla Reel – played on fiddle and tenor banjo with guitar backup. Moderate tempo of 85bpm, played with a lot of swing. Played by Cillian Ó’Dálaigh, Sean Ó’Dálaigh and Denis McAuliffe.
- Video – The Tulla Ceili Band: The Humours Of Tulla (Reels) – from the album The Tulla Ceili Band, 60th Anniversary Celebration
- Video – Enda Scahill: The Humours of Tulla – Irish Tenor Banjo – demonstrating variations on the tune.
- Video – Mikela Valenzuela: The Humors of Tulla reel – fiddle, slow, medium, fast – demonstrating playing the tune on fiddle, with slow tempos for learning
- Books
- Book – Grey Larsen: 150 Gems of Irish Music for Tin Whistle – with audio tracks of the tunes played on tin whistle
- Book – Foinn Seisiún, Volume 1 — Published by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
- Book – 100 Essential Irish Session Tunes, by Dave Mallinson (Mally Productions)
- Book – Enda Scahill’s Irish Banjo Tutor, Volume 1
- Lessons
- Lessons – Online Academy of Irish Music, The Tulla Reel – lessons for playing the tune on on tin whistle and button-box accordion; session-style play-along videos; sheet music. (Requires subscription.)