Reel, G, Traditional Irish
This traditional Irish reel has the distinction of being the second tune in the famous Tarbolton set that was recorded in 1934 by Michael Coleman. Due in part to that recording, and in part because it’s a great tune, it is still a favorite among tune players.
Recordings
- Audio – Slowplayers: Reel, The Longford Collector
- Audio – Traonach: Ships Are Sailing/The Longford Collector/The Old Copperplate (reels)
- Video – Shane Farrell: The Longford Collector Reel Irish Tenor Banjo Music – played on tenor banjo
Sheet Music
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.
Play from the Dots
Sets
Examples of sets that include this tune.
- Ships are Sailing Reel Set: Ships are Sailing (E Dorian) / The Longford Collector (G) / Swinging on a Gate (G)
- Tarbolton / The Longford Collector / The Sailor’s Bonnet
- Ships Are Sailing / The Longford Collector / Swinging on a Gate
- Ships Are Sailing / The Longford Collector / The Old Copperplate
References and Resources
For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.
- More Recordings
- Video – Michael Coleman: Tarbolton / The Longford Collector / The Sailor’s Bonnet – from the album Ceoltóir Mórthionchair Na hAoise 1891-1945.
- Books
- Book – Foinn Seisiún, Volume 2 — Published by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
- Book – Susan Songer with Clyde Curley: The Portland Collection, Contra Dance Music in the Pacific Northwest, Volume 3
- Lessons
- Lesson – Kevin Burke (Fiddlevideo): The Longford Collector (Reel) – excerpt lesson on fiddle (full lesson requires a subscription to Fiddlevideo)
- Lessons – Marla Fibish (Peghead Nation) Irish Mandolin with Marla Fibish – The Tarbolton – mandolin lessons (requires subscription to Peghead Nation)
- Additional Resources
- Webpage – The Session: The Longford Collector – crowdsourced sheet music, comments, and other information