SimplyMandolin

tabs & music for the mandolin player

reel

Teetotaller Reel

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The Teetotaller is an Irish reel that is a popular addition to many Irish and Scottish sessions. The tune is also called The Temperance Reel (and probably has a few other names, as do many Irish tunes). It’s also a popular tune in North America at bluegrass and fiddle sessions.

This tune is a reel, so traditionally it’s played at a fairly brisk tempo, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Learn it measure by measure, memorize it and play it slowly. Fast will come.

Listen to The Teetotaller for mandolin:

The Teetotaller

Mandolin tablature for the Irish tune Teetotaller Reel.
Mandolin tablature for the Irish tune Teetotaller Reel.

Download:
Tab and Music
Just the Notation
Just the Tab

I’ve included another version of this tune in the Bluegrass section of this website as “The Temperance Reel”. You should definitely try them both! They are the same tune, so you have the possibility of a few different variations.
Enjoy!
picture of a celtic knot

The Temperance Reel

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Download the tablature and learn to play “The Temperance Reel” on the mandolin.

The Temperance Reel is another one of many old Irish tunes that crossed the ocean with our ancestors and became a part of traditional western music. You’re just as likely to run into the tune at a bluegrass session, as you are to hear it at an Irish or Scottish session.

Like many Irish and Scottish tunes, this tune is known by a few different names. In Ireland, it’s often called “The Teetotaller”. Be sure to check out “The Teetotaller” in the Celtic section. That tab is a little different. It’s definitely the same tune, but with more of an Irish feel to it.

I’ve tabbed out two versions. The first is pretty much the standard, and the second may give you some ideas for variation.

First version of The Temperance Reel for Mandolin.


Version 1

The Temperance Reel

Key of G

first version of the temperance reel
Mandolin tablature for the Bluegrass tune Temperance Reel.

Download:
Tablature and Music
Just the Notation
Just the Tab

Once you’ve learned the above tab, take a look at this next version. Simple little changes can provide usable variations. I’ve changed some of the timing in a few places by replacing a couple of eighth notes with quarter notes, and a few notes have been changed for fingering. Other than that, a little ornamentation – a few hammer-ons and slides, as well as a little syncopation.

Second version of “The Temperance Reel” for mandolin:


Version 2

The Temperance Reel

Key of G

second version of the temperance reel
Mandolin tablature for the Bluegrass tune Temperance Reel (version 2)

Download:
Tab and Music
Just the Notation
Just the Tab

A-style-build

My goal in this second version was to give the tune more of a “western fiddle” feel. Maybe I’ve succeeded, maybe I haven’t. Either way, you now have two versions of The Temperance Reel. You can pick the one you like, or you could play one after the other for variation. But, the idea is to mix and match different bars from each version and make your own variations.
Give it a try!