Banjo Hangout Newest 100 Fiddle/Celtic/Irish Songs

Catharsis

GreatKingCody — Wed, 20 May 2026 17:03:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

T.a.L

mmuussiiccaall — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:31:00 CST

Lucy Farr's Barndance

Lucy Farr — Mon, 9 Mar 2026 04:44:00 CST

Lucy Farr's Barndance (with mistakes and maybe a missed part?) played in open G tuning on guitar. Not much of a barn dance feel :-).

Tralee Gaol

carolynf — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 07:55:00 CST

Celtic polka that fits well in an old time playlist.

No Name Tenor

bigsciota — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 18:23:00 CST

The Fermoy Lasses (TOTW)

JanetB — Sat, 6 Sep 2025 11:06:00 CST

This Tune of the Week is an old one that comes from Ireland. The town of Fermoy is in County Cork, a place where fine musicians have originated from, as well as gold rush immigrants who ended up in my native California.

Jig Runrig (key of G, normal speed)

BanjoFret12 — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 01:47:00 CST

Jig Runrig is a fun tune to learn and play. Dave Hum does a tremendous job playing this tune, which you can view and learn from on YouTube. I have also uploaded some tabs for this song, the way Dave played it.

Jig Runrig (key of A, normal speed)

BanjoFret12 — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 01:40:00 CST

I made this in the style of Dave Hum. He recorded Wee Todd together with Jig Runrig, but I wanted to just make a backing track for Jig Runrig.

Irish Medley The Traveler & Green Gates

chief3 — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 10:45:00 CST

The Cat Rambles to the Child's Saucepan

JanetB — Fri, 2 Aug 2024 15:07:00 CST

An Irish "traditional slide", meaning it's kind of like a jig, but it's not. I'm always learning something on the Tune of the Week. :)

The Merry Blacksmith (TOTW)

JanetB — Sat, 1 Jun 2024 11:51:00 CST

Arranged from the O'Neill's Music of Ireland source. My son is a farrier and does blacksmithing ALL the time. Sometimes he's merry!

Gaspe Reel (no guitar)

BanjoFret12 — Wed, 22 May 2024 10:56:00 CST

I recently paid Nico Backing Tracks $149 to make this backing track for me. I sent him Dave Hum's YouTube video and asked him to recreate a track for me. I am sharing it freely with everyone. You may do whatever you want with the track, no credit need be given. Enjoy!

Gaspe Reel (with guitar)

BanjoFret12 — Wed, 22 May 2024 10:55:00 CST

Whiskey Before Breakfast (slower speed - full intro)

BanjoFret12 — Tue, 21 May 2024 13:54:00 CST

I included the bass guitar for the entire song. On the other backing tracks I removed the bass for the first 2 bars, the way Dave Hum made his backing track. If anyone wants the track in a different key or tempo, just send me a message.

Whisky Before Breakfast (normal speed)

BanjoFret12 — Tue, 21 May 2024 12:24:00 CST

I love how Dave Hum plays this song in the Double C tuning, Key of D. I did my best to tab out the song the way Dave plays it, which you can find in the tab area of the forum. I didn't put a bass for the first 2 bars, the same way Dave made his backing track. It sounds nice when the bass kicks in. The bass lines were easy to play, but I had some difficulty with the guitar parts, particularly playing the Bm chord, which requires baring the 2nd fret quickly. Albeit, I think the track came it purdy good. Enjoy!

Gaspe Reel (woodshed speed)

BanjoFret12 — Tue, 21 May 2024 11:52:00 CST

Woodshed speed.

Gaspe Reel (slow)

BanjoFret12 — Tue, 21 May 2024 11:51:00 CST

Slow speed.

Gaspe Reel (slower speed)

BanjoFret12 — Tue, 21 May 2024 11:50:00 CST

Slower speed.

Gaspe Reel (normal speed)

BanjoFret12 — Tue, 21 May 2024 11:49:00 CST

Gaspe Reel, Double C tuning, Key of D (put a capo on the 2nd fret, and capo the 7th fret of the fifth string also). This is a fun song to play. I used Dave Hum's YouTube song as a template for this backing track. I used MixCraft Pro 10 software for MIDI percussion, and to record the song. I used a Gretsch G2220 bass for this song (going through a Fender Rumble amp), and a Cort acoustic guitar, both ran into a Scarlett USB interface box to my computer. I did my best to tab out the song as Dave Hum played it, which you can find in the tab section of the forum. Enjoy!

The Maid Behind The Bar (slow)

BanjoFret12 — Thu, 16 May 2024 19:36:00 CST

Slow speed. I tabbed the song the best I could as Dave Hum recorded it in Double C tuning, which is posted in the tabs section.

The Maid Behind The Bar (slower speed)

BanjoFret12 — Thu, 16 May 2024 19:34:00 CST

Slower speed. I tabbed the song the best I could as Dave Hum recorded it in Double C tuning, which is posted in the tabs section.

The Maid Behind The Bar (normal speed)

BanjoFret12 — Thu, 16 May 2024 19:26:00 CST

I humbly don't think there's a bigger Dave Hum fan than me. I love the man and his music! He did such a great job playing this peaceful song in Double C tuning. I tabbed it out as Dave played it the best I could. I used Dave's recording as a template to make my backing track. I used a Gretsch short-scale bass, MixCraft Pro 10 recording software (for MIDI percussion also), Scarlett USB interface, Cort acoustic guitar, and I play a Kandu shaker in part of the track. I hope you like it. I tabbed the song the best I could as Dave Hum recorded it in Double C tuning, which is posted in the tabs section.

Devil's Dream/Blackberry Blossom (woodshed speed)

BanjoFret12 — Sat, 11 May 2024 20:58:00 CST

These are two of my favorite songs to play on the banjo. Both songs are of unknown origin dating back to at least the 1800's. They are both popular fiddle songs. This backing track is done in the key of G. I used Dave Hum's recording as a template to make this backing track. This backing track is at woodshed speed to learn.

Devil's Dream/Blackberry Blossom (slower speed)

BanjoFret12 — Sat, 11 May 2024 20:53:00 CST

Slower

Devil's Dream/Blackberry Blossom (faster speed)

BanjoFret12 — Sat, 11 May 2024 20:52:00 CST

Faster

Devil's Dream/Blackberry Blossom (normal speed)

BanjoFret12 — Sat, 11 May 2024 20:50:00 CST

Normal speed

Peeler's Jacket (slower speed)

BanjoFret12 — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:33:00 CST

Slower speed

Peeler's Jacket (normal speed)

BanjoFret12 — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:32:00 CST

Normal speed

Peeler's Jacket (faster speed)

BanjoFret12 — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:31:00 CST

Faster speed

Swallow Tail Jig

JanetB — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 08:51:00 CST

It's rare to work on a jig with clawhammer. This is a sweet tune with a real Irish (to my ears) melody. Its minor tones make it a bit bittersweet.

Maple Sugar

mmuussiiccaall — Sat, 2 Mar 2024 23:14:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Unknown Tune

StPeteNick — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 18:33:00 CST

Cottage in the Grove

JanetB — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 11:14:00 CST

This old Celtic tune was recorded and tabbed by Art Rosenbaum in the 1970's based on banjo player Bob Lucas' rendition. As Tune of the Week, it's an interesting research project. Played in sawmill tuning, it might be a most enjoyable listen once familiar with it. Here I play rather slowly and am just trying to reproduce its many notes. The first half is based on a flutists' mp3. The second half is from Art's tab.

Richard Cusack / Lady Grethin medley

Turlough O'Carolan — Thu, 6 Jul 2023 14:18:00 CST

In my excitement in finding another great resource to learn Turlough O'Carolan tunes, I've begun with two from the book and CD compilation by Art Edelstein called Fair Melodies. Both tunes were written in honor of O'Carolan's "patrons", the people who supported him as he traveled through Ireland in the late 1600's and 1700's earning a living as a blind harper. Both tunes are played clawhammer style on a cello banjo.

Off To California

JLouis Thiry — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 06:56:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Celtic Jig

janolov — Thu, 5 Jan 2023 07:09:00 CST

The Rights Of Man

ronh2510 — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:49:00 CST

Here's another Irish Hornpipe to tickle your Banjo! In Em this time. Great tune with some nice triplets in this arrangement. An oldie but goodie.

The Stack Of Barley

ronh2510 — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:45:00 CST

Here's agreat Irish Hornpipe in G.

Braw Birks

wbalsam1 — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 13:54:00 CST

I composed this Celtic-sounding fiddle tune while camping deep in the forests of the Adirondack Mountains back in 1991. I wrote the melody out on a cardboard box so that when I got through camping I would remember the tune and be able to play it on my fiddle which was not with me on the camping trip. "Braw Birks" is Gaelic ( I think so) for "Beautiful Birches".

Rosebud Of Allenvale

James Scott Skinner — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 04:00:00 CST

TOTW 03/11/23: Waltz written by James Scott Skinner, also known as "The Rose Of Sharon Waltz" and "Rosebud Of Avonmore"

Red Haired Boy (two banjos)

banjoy — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 11:16:00 CST

Just my quick take on this cool old fiddle tune. This is two banjos, one serving as a drone bagpipe-like rhythm backup ... tons of fun to play.

Cunia

mmuussiiccaall — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 12:07:00 CST

Cunia

mmuussiiccaall — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 12:01:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Eleanor Plunkett

Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 02:45:00 CST

An easy little classical piece by Carolan. Key of G. gDGBD

Fischer's hornpipe

banjo24f — Mon, 8 Nov 2021 23:50:00 CST

La Belle Catherine (TOTW 5/11/21)

gentrixuk — Fri, 5 Nov 2021 03:28:00 CST

Quebecois fiddle tune from the playing of Louis Boudreault. Tune Of The Week 5/11/2021

Whiskey In The Jar

Bruce Peden — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 20:04:00 CST

Blackberry Blossom (Simonized)

Bruce Peden — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:28:00 CST

Donkey Reel

LzChase — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 10:18:00 CST

The Navvie On The Line

JLouis Thiry — Wed, 4 Aug 2021 04:16:00 CST

Not really a hornpipe, not the structure of a rag, maybe a rustic dance probably of Northumbrian origin. Good for Morris dancing, good for "dots and triplets" players… Download my <a href='https://www.banjohangout.org/tab/browse.asp?m=detail&v=24985'>tab here</a>.

DOT

mmuussiiccaall — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 21:09:00 CST

Whisky Before Breakfast

banjoy — Sun, 30 May 2021 05:50:00 CST

Another cut jamming with guitarist Tyler Leonard on April 19, 2021.

Peter Street (TOTW)

JanetB — Sat, 22 May 2021 13:39:00 CST

From the transcription in Francis O'Neill's Music of Ireland collection of 1903. He wrote that it was well towards the top of the list at the time, found in most American piano publications which included reels and hornpipes. Peter Street is a good dance tune, so they say.

Peter Street (TOTW 5/21/2021)

John D — Fri, 21 May 2021 05:53:00 CST

Trad reel in G played CH style.

#1 Devil's Dream Tubaphone

Ken LeVan — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 05:25:00 CST

sound comparison using a 1960s Vegaq Tubaphone

#1 Devil's Dream Granada

Ken LeVan — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 05:24:00 CST

Sound comparison using a 1927 Granada

Ladies Pantalettes (irish reel)

JLouis Thiry — Mon, 5 Apr 2021 09:39:00 CST

gDGBD

Kitty Magennis

Turlough O'Carolan — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 03:33:00 CST

Another one by Carolan. Banjo scordatura gDGCD

Captain O'Kane

Turlough O'Carolan — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 04:28:00 CST

A banjophonic vision of this haunting Carolan's planxty played with some arpeggiated clawhammer. Standard G-tuning.

The Humours of Whiskey

mmuussiiccaall — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 07:57:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Planxty Drew

O' Carolan — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 02:39:00 CST

Digging and digging this treasure mallet that is O'Neil's book

Far from Home (TOTW)

JanetB — Fri, 5 Feb 2021 17:35:00 CST

Interesting to get a Tune of the Week from the Shetland Islands, which is far from home even if you're from Scotland. Our TOTW presenter suggested a homesick sense in a couple of measures, but overall happiness in the rest of this dance tune.

Far From Home - 2010 Contra Dance, Louisville, KY

dbrooks — Fri, 5 Feb 2021 16:51:00 CST

This amateur recording is from a weekly contra dance in Louisville.

Far From Home (TOTW 2/5/2021)

John D — Fri, 5 Feb 2021 05:28:00 CST

TOTW for 2/5/2021. Played CH in G tuning on a Wildwood.

Morpeth Rant

WVDreamin — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:42:00 CST

The Derby Ram

mmuussiiccaall — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 18:53:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Dirty Old Town

mmuussiiccaall — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 16:44:00 CST

Rocky Road to Dublin

mmuussiiccaall — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 08:52:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Dubliners Style Chords from 2019

LzChase — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 11:06:00 CST

a fig for a kiss

banjo24f — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 05:34:00 CST

two slip jig from O'Neils's book; the first is called a fig for a kiss and the second hills of Ireland

The Soup Dragon

Gordon Duncan — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 15:57:00 CST

A lovely jig by <a href=https://www.gordonduncan.co.uk>Gordon Duncan</a>. In clawhammer style with some single string work, triplets and arpeggios. E minor flavoured but played in Bm. Enjoy! <a href=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Duncan>Wikipedia</a> <a href=https://open.spotify.com/track/5Rz6m1S1Qbb4Nj3GSYZhc7?si=f218e6db73c14220>Spotify</a>

Ballydesmond Polkas w/CB (TOTW)

JanetB — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 18:25:00 CST

After arranging the TOTW, I thought I'd search for the chords and transpose them for cello banjo accompaniment. Admittedly, it's just a first effort, but I achieved my goal of getting the deeper sound of the cello banjo to complement the regular banjo.

Ballydesmond Polkas (TOTW)

JanetB — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 14:50:00 CST

A 3-in-1 Tune of the Week, Ballydesmond Polkas are three Irish tunes played together as a medley. It being so long, I play through it all once, giving it a structure of AABBCCDDEEFF. It's said that the medley is played rapidly. I'm up to 90%.

Out On The Ocean

gentrixuk — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 07:27:00 CST

Banjo, bandurria, bongos and bells.

Fill Up The Bowl Reel

gentrixuk — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 06:35:00 CST

Dusty Bob's Jig

gentrixuk — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 06:34:00 CST

Rickett's Hornpipe

maurodanielrossi — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 17:01:00 CST

An Banai Drabhlasach

JLouis Thiry — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 01:40:00 CST

Castonguay

heronhawk — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 08:16:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Castonguay

heronhawk — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 11:28:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Castonguay

heronhawk — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 10:17:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Crested hens (Les Poules Huppées)

heronhawk — Sat, 30 May 2020 14:35:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Billy in the Low Ground

Andyrhydycreuau — Sun, 17 May 2020 12:58:00 CST

With a bit of guitar and mandolin too. A touch too slow perhaps.

First hard rain

heronhawk — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 18:33:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

The Joys Of Wedlock Jig

gentrixuk — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 08:20:00 CST

The Blackthorn Stick

ronh2510 — Sun, 5 Apr 2020 04:04:00 CST

Hi. Here's a track from my new book of 'Irish Jigs For 5 String Banjo' 16 great Jigs all in correct Keys and played without a Capo. I play one pass through the tune and then an pass 2 I play the harmony Banjo part (3rd above the melody) - adds a nice counterpoint. You can use the harmony part to harmonise with other lead instruments like fiddle, whistle, Melodian etc. I've put the tab for both parts on my 'photos' page so you can 'pick up a storm' during this Chinese Virus fiasco. Make you feel better???. Hope you like it.

Splendid Isolation

heronhawk — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 07:19:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Carolan's Cup

Turlough O'Carolan — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 03:57:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--<a href='/tab/browse.asp?m=bymember&v=10230'>view my tabs here</a>.

The Jolly Clam Diggers Reel

gentrixuk — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 06:44:00 CST

My Love Is Far Away Reel

gentrixuk — Sat, 7 Mar 2020 10:59:00 CST

Also known as "Scotch Mary"

Bieke

Rum — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 02:56:00 CST

a tune played by the Flemish group Rum in the 1970 's. for tenor banjo

Whiskey Before Breakfast

Lefty5string — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 07:49:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Leo Murray’s Musetta

JLouis Thiry — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:58:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

The Joy Of My Life

Irish Trad — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 18:07:00 CST

a irish double jig, one of the most played in sessions. G tuning, played in G.

Reel des Jeunes Mariés

JLouis Thiry — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 17:45:00 CST

Traditional reel from Quebec played in the clawhammer style. Double C tuning.

Planxty Nancy Mc Dermot

O'Carolan — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 02:34:00 CST

another planxty. O' Carolan was very prolific... Some other voice could be added but later !

Miss Monroe’s Jig

JLouis Thiry — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 17:08:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Brian The Brave

JLouis Thiry — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 16:54:00 CST

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.