SimplyMandolin

tabs & music for the mandolin player

fiddle tunes

The Bay of Fundy

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Image showing boats on the sea floor at low tide in bay of fundy.
Boats stranded on the ocean floor.

The Bay of Fundy is located on the east coast of Canada. Bordered by the two provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the bay’s tides are almost 4 times higher than those on the west coast. In fact, The Bay of Fundy is recognized for having the highest tides in the world.

A Natural Wonder – Bay of Fundy

Burntcoat Head, Nova Scotia has a tidal range of 56 feet. That is about the height of a 5-story building. There are 2 high tides and 2 low tides each day. In many areas, low tide can leave fishing boats stranded on the ocean floor. They float again when the tides change.

There are hiking trails that are only available during low tide. You’re literally walking on the bottom of the ocean. There are locations where you can walk and explore for miles on the sea floor. However, you might want to keep an eye on the tides…

Google ‘bay of fundy images‘ and see some spectacular pics.

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The Tune

“The Bay of Fundy” is a reel written by Canadian fiddler and composer Bill Guest.

Bill was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He’s a multi-instrumentalist, known mostly for his piano and fiddle playing. Mr. Guest has composed over three hundred fiddle tunes and country songs. He’s played his way across Canada and the U.S.A. with various bands, working with some of the best.

As an author, Bill has published several instructional fiddle guides and fiddle tune compilations. His books are available on Amazon.

Bill Guest was inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

I learned this tune from one of Bill’s recordings.

The arrangement below is in the Key of D Major. Each part is usually played through twice ( A-A-B-B).

Listen to “The Bay of Fundy” for mandolin:

Bay of Fundy
Mandolin tab for the Canadian fiddle tune “Bay of Fundy”.

Downloads:

Tab & Music
Just the Tab
Just the Music
Make a donation to SimplyMandolin at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6T4RDDANKE8PN

If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated…

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!

Try it in G…

I”ve also heard “The Bay of Fundy” played in the Key of G. To play it in “G”, just move everything over 1 course of strings. Use the exact same fingering, but start on the A-string instead of the E-string. You can use the open E-string for the high note instead of the pinky at the 7th fret.

I hope you enjoy “The Bay of Fundy” reel. Please feel free to leave comments below.

Cy…

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Caribou Reel

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A picture of Andy Dejarlis.
Andy Dejarlis

Andy Dejarlis

“Caribou Reel” is a fiddle tune written by Andy Dejarlis. Dejarlis was a Canadian Metis fiddle player and composer born in Woodridge, Manitoba in 1914.

The original Metis were mixed race children born to a First Nations mother and European father. Today’s Metis are descendants of those children and recognized as one of Canada’s indigenous peoples . Over generations, the Metis have developed a distinct culture. They’ve also developed their own unique fiddle style, just like Cape Breton fiddlers and French Canadian fiddlers have.

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Although Andy has had a huge influence on the Metis fiddle style, his compositions and music remain an inspiration to all musicians. He’s credited with over 200 compositions including reels, jigs, waltzes and polkas. Some of my favourites include tunes like “Whiskey Before Breakfast“, “Caribou Reel“, “Sitting Bull”, “Buckskin Reel“, “Louis Riel”  and  “Rooster on a Fence”.

Andy Dejarlis died in 1975.

The Tune “Caribou Reel”

Although this tune is in the Key of Em, you’ll find a few “C-sharps” in the A section.

The recording I have (by Dejarlis) is played A-A-B-B, and the tune ends with the A-section. Although, I’ve heard other recordings that end with the B-section. Also, I should mention that I’ve seen the A-section and B-section switched around.

Of course, you can play it any way you like.

Listen to “Caribou Reel” for mandolin:

Caribou Reel
Mandolin tab for the tune "Caribou Reel by Andy Dejarlis".
Mandolin tab for the tune “Caribou Reel by Andy Dejarlis”.

Downloads:

Tab & MusicTab & Music
Just the TabJust the Tab
Just the MusicJust the Music
Make a donation to SimplyMandolin at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6T4RDDANKE8PN

If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated…

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!

More of Andy

I would like to put a few more of Andy Dejarlis’ compositions on the website. So, if you’re interested, keep an eye out!

I hope you enjoy learning the tune “Caribou Reel”.

Cy…

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illustration of a fiddle.

Miss Mcleod’s Reel

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Loch Shiel, Scotland.

South from Isle of Skye

Miss Mcleod‘s comes to us from the Isles of Skye and Raasay in Northern Scotland. It was apparently written for a young lady named Miss MacLeod, from Raasay. Therefore, you might be wondering how it got from ‘Mac’ to ‘Mc’. Well, I haven’t a clue. I’ve seen it spelled both ways. As a result, I’ll spell it both ways throughout this page, (just for search purposes).

Another famous MacLeod from Raasay is Calum MacLeod. He spent many years of his life building a road (by hand) on the Isle of Raasay. His endeavors were inspiration for the strathspey by Capercaillie, called Calum’s Road.

The image you see above is from the top of a hill in Glenfinnan, Scotland, overlooking Loch Shiel. After spending some time on the Isle of Skye, we were headed for Oban (going to visit the whiskey distillery). I wanted to watch the Jacobite Express (steam engine) as it crossed the Glenfinnan Viaduct. While it was a little out of our way, we still decided to take it in. And I’m glad we did. Another beautiful drive, and some great photo opportunities.

However, we missed the train by about 10  minutes!

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The Tune

Originally from Scotland, the tune seems to have gained huge popularity in Ireland and North America. Therefore, many different versions, in several different keys can be found throughout the folk music scene.

In addition, it goes by many different names. Often called “MacLeod’s Reel” or “MacLeod of Raasay“, in Scotland. Elsewhere, it’s usually referred to as “Miss Mcleod“, or “Miss Mcleod’s Reel”. Many North American fiddlers may know it as “Hop High Ladies” or “Did You Ever Meet the Devil, Uncle Joe”.

Probably the most common key for this tune in North America is the Key of G major.

Listen to “Miss Macleod” for mandolin:

Miss Mcleod’s Reel

Image of mandolin tab for the Celtic tune "Miss Mcleod".
Mandolin Tab for the Celtic tune “Miss Mcleod”.

Downloads:

Tab & MusicDownload
Just the TabDownload
Just the MusicDownload
Make a donation to SimplyMandolin at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6T4RDDANKE8PN

If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated…

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this version of Miss Mcleod’s Reel.
Please feel free to leave comments below.

Cy…

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New Five Cent Piece

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The Shield Nickel

Half a Dime

The new five cent piece you see on the left, was nicknamed the “shield nickel” (for obvious reasons). It was stamped in the United States in 1866, and has a pretty interesting story.

Previously, there was a 5 cent coin, called a ‘half dime’. That coin was made of silver. During the Civil War, U.S. coins were being hoarded and exported. Therefore, precious metals were becoming all that much more precious and many U.S. coins almost disappeared completely from circulation.

In 1864 the government decided to replace many of those coins with paper money (a bank note).

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Are You Kidding?

The deciding party, agreed that the image on the 5 cent bank note would be that of William Clark. In the early 1800’s, Clark had helped lead the Lewis and Clark expedition across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean.

However, when the bank note came out, it was discovered that Spencer Clark, head of the Currency Bureau, had put his own portrait on the currency, instead of that of the famous explorer.

How does that happen? I don’t know. Maybe they just said “Let’s put Clark’s picture on it!”, and Spencer Clark thought “Wow!.. Yeah!”.

As a result, U.S. congress immediately voted to discontinued the bank note, and the next year, a new 5 cent coin was struck out of nickel and copper (the Shield Nickel).

For more info, check out the article “Nickel (United States Coin)” on wikipedia.

The Tune

Is the story of the “shield nickel” the inspiration for the tune “The New Five Cent Piece“? I don’t know. But, it’s a good story. From what I’ve read, somebody wrote lyrics to the melody in the early 1900’s, but the tune had been around longer than that.

So, who knows?

Awhile ago, I saw a video on YouTube of Adam Steffey and his wife playing the tune “Rock the Cradle, Joe” from his album “Primitive”. Of course, there were some other good tunes on the album as well, like “Squirrel Hunter” and “Chinquapin Hunting”. So, I purchased it. Consequently, that’s when I first heard the tune “New Five Cent Piece“.

As a result, you see my simple version below. However, it doesn’t have the barrage of rapid-fire notes typical of Steffey, but it is loosely based on that recording.

Listen to “New Five Cent Piece” for mandolin:

New Five Cent Piece

Image of the mandolin tab & music for the tune "New Five Cent Piece".
Mandolin tab & music for the tune “New Five Cent Piece”.

Downloads:

five_cent-mtDownload
five_cent-tabDownload
five_cent-musDownload
Make a donation to SimplyMandolin at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6T4RDDANKE8PN

If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated…

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!

If any downloads or images are missing, please let me know. I’ll get on it as soon as I can.

image of 1864 five cent note.
Spencer Clark on the new bank note.

I hope you enjoy “The New Five Cent Piece“.
Please feel free to leave comments below.

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Grey Eagle

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image of a fiddle player

Grey Eagle is another great old-time fiddle tune that has become a popular bluegrass instrumental.

All the great fiddle players have recorded it over the years. Each one has added their own little twists and subtle changes to the tune.

As a result, some of those variations and hooks have stuck with the tune. They have actually become part of the modern day version of Grey Eagle. What may have started out as a simple 2-part fiddle tune, has evolved into a much more complicated fiddling extravaganza!

Oh, and it’s fun to play on the mandolin.

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The Tune

Grey Eagle is a great traditional fiddle tune, and a rewarding one to learn on the mandolin.

Its usually played in A Major, and that’s what we’ll look at on this page. Also, I’ve only tabbed out a simple 2-part version, so everyone should be able to give it a try. It can be played AABB.

I’ve included a couple of short, 1-measure changes for you to try. But, we’ll save the ‘higher-position’ versions for another time, if there’s interest.

Listen to “Grey Eagle” for mandolin:

Grey Eagle
Slower

Grey Eagle

Image of Mandolin tab for the Bluegrass tune "Grey Eagle".
Mandolin tab for the Bluegrass tune “Grey Eagle”.

Downloads:

Tab & MusicDownload
Just the TabDownload
Just the MusicDownload
Make a donation to SimplyMandolin at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6T4RDDANKE8PN

If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated…

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!

Simple Changes…

I’d like to give you a few simple variations to try, if you like.

1. The first time through the A-part, play it like it’s tabbed out above. Second time through try switching the two D-licks around. As a result, you’ll play the 7th bar in place of the 3rd (and the 3rd in place of the 7th).

2.The second time through the B-part, try replacing the E-lick in the 14th bar with this:

image of a lick variation

3. Finally, when you get to the ending try replacing the 16th and 17th bars with the following:

image of different ending for Grey Eagle.

First of all, try to shift your hand position up as you play the open “A” note, moving your index finger to the 5th fret to begin playing the next 4 notes. Finally, use that open “E” note (on the 1st string) to give you a split second to shift your position back down, placing your ring finger on the 5th fret to finish up that bar and move into the next.

Download:
Tab with Variations

Thanks for taking a look at Grey Eagle. And, I hope you enjoy the tune.
Please feel free to leave comments below.

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Whiskey Before Breakfast

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Image of a glass of whiskey before breakfast

Whiskey Before Breakfast is a great old fiddle tune. Years ago it seemed like everybody was recording it. I remember having albums by different artists with various arrangements of the tune. It has certainly become an acoustic standard.

I remember trying to learn it on the guitar, off a Norman Blake album. I had been visiting my sisters in Boulder, Colorado and purchased the album in a little record store downtown, along with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Will the Circle be Unbroken”. At the time, both those records were impossible to find back home.

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The album title was “Whiskey Before Breakfast”, but it didn’t really seem like the featured song on the record. It was actually the second tune in a two-tune set. In the end, I gave up on it. I was more a finger-picker than a flatpicker. I did come away with something, but it didn’t sound anything like Blake’s arrangement!

Later on, I did figure out a respectable version on banjo, and more recently adapted it to mandolin.

The Tune

I always thought “Whiskey Before Breakfast” was a traditional Irish tune. It would seem that may not be the case. In fact, the tune has been attributed it to the late, great Canadian Metis fiddler Andy DeJarlis. I do know that he recorded the tune on more than one album, and I understand he originally recorded it under a different name (Ok, I read that part on the internet).

However, DeJarlis wrote a lot of other great fiddle tunes as well, like “The Buckskin Reel“, “Sitting Bull”, “Caribou Reel“, “Louis Riel”… and a good number of waltzes and jigs. 

Anyway, have a listen to “Whiskey Before Breakfast” on the mandolin at 150 bpm.

Here is a slower version:

Whiskey Before Breakfast

Image of music and tab for "whiskey before breakfast".
Mandolin Tab for the Bluegrass tune “Whiskey Before Breakfast”.

Downloads:

Tab & MusicDownload
Tab & MusicDownload
Just the MusicDownload
Make a donation to SimplyMandolin at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6T4RDDANKE8PN

If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated…

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!

If any downloads or images are missing please let me know. I’ll get on it as soon as I can.

FYI

“Whiskey Before Breakfast” can also be found in the Fiddler’s Fake Book. It’s on page 290 of my copy.

Hope you enjoy the arrangement. Please feel free to comment.

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