Reel (single reel), D, attributed to Michael Gorman (1895 – 1970)
TrailJams Tune of the Week for January 2, 2022
This tune is attributed to Sligo fiddler Michael Gorman, who performed it with as many as 6 parts. Only the first two parts of the tune are usually played in sessions.
Recordings
- Video – Michael Gorman: The Mountain Road from the album The Sligo Champion. In this recording the tuning is about 35 cents sharp (above standard tuning).
- Video – Mikela Valenzuela: The Mountain Road (Irish reel) – slow medium fast
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.
Play from the Dots
Sets
Examples of sets that include this tune.
- The Sally Gardens (G) / The Mountain Road (D) / Miss McLeod’s Reel (G)
Jump to Mountain Road Reel Set - The Mountain Road / Christmas Eve
- The Mountain Road / The Galway Rambler / The Congress Reel
- Castle Kelly / The Mountain Road / The Pigeon On The Gate
References and Resources
For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.
- Web page – Cranford Publications: The Mountain Road. Sheet music for the six part tune composed by Michael Gorman.
- Video – Shannon Heaton: Learning Irish Flute – Tune of the Month with Shannon Heaton – Mountain Road [Reel]
- Video – Shane Farrell: The Mountain Road Reel – played on Irish tenor banjo
- Audio – Stephen Ducke: The Mountain Road Reel – played on tin whistle. From the book Irish Music 400 Traditional Tunes, by Stephen Ducke
- Video – Kevin Burke, The Mountain Road (Reel): Trad Irish Fiddle Lesson. Taught as a two-part and three-part tune.
- Lessons – Online Academy of Irish Music has lessons for playing the tune and its backing rhythm on Bouzouki, and provides play-along tracks with the melody and rhythm parts.
- Book – 100 Essential Irish Session Tunes, by Dave Mallinson (Mally Productions), with accompanying audio tracks.
- Book – Irish Music 400 Traditional Tunes, by Stephen Ducke with accompanying audio tracks.