Latest Tune Deep-Dives
Welcome to the Trad Tune Explorer analysis page. Here, we analyze the rich database of traditional tunes, setlists, and recordings to find historical trends, common transitions, and statistical patterns to help traditional musicians learn, teach, and play.
The Complete Guide to The Tarbolton Reel
The definitive resource for The Tarbolton Reel. Explore its Scottish roots, Michael Coleman's landmark Sligo recording, sheet music, ABC notation, and session transition analytics.
How to Build the Perfect Irish Session Set (Using Real Session Data)
Tired of awkward key changes and clashing tempos? Discover the mathematics and flow of successful session set-building using real-world analytics of thousands of recorded sets.
Why These Famous Traditional Tunes Are Rarely Played in Sessions
Why do some tunes appear everywhere in recordings and tunebooks, yet almost never get played in real sessions? Real database analysis of 14 iconic tunes.
The Most Versatile Irish Slip Jigs: The Tunes That Connect Everything
An in-depth, data-driven analysis of Irish session slip jigs based on transition networks. Discover the top 25 'glue tunes' that bridge keys and connect sets.
The Most Versatile Irish Hornpipes: The Tunes That Connect Everything
An in-depth, data-driven analysis of Irish session hornpipes based on transition networks. Discover the top 25 'glue tunes' that bridge keys and connect sets.
The Most Versatile Irish Jigs: The Tunes That Connect Everything
An in-depth, data-driven analysis of Irish session jigs based on transition networks. Discover the top 25 'glue tunes' that bridge keys and connect sets.
The Most Versatile Irish Reels: The Tunes That Connect Everything
An in-depth, data-driven analysis of Irish session reels based on transition networks. Discover the top 25 'glue tunes' that bridge keys and connect sets.
3 Hidden Gem Slip Jigs Every Session Musician Should Know
Explore the 3 most commercially recorded traditional slip jigs that remain surprisingly rare in modern session repertoires. Sourced database statistics, regional styles, and histories.
10 Hidden Gem Irish Hornpipes Every Session Musician Should Know
Explore the 10 most commercially recorded traditional Irish hornpipes that remain surprisingly rare in modern session repertoires. Sourced database statistics, regional styles, and histories.
13 Hidden Gem Irish Jigs Every Session Musician Should Know
Explore the 13 most commercially recorded traditional Irish jigs that remain surprisingly rare in modern session repertoires. Sourced database statistics, regional styles, and histories.
22 Hidden Gem Irish Reels Every Session Musician Should Know
Explore the 22 most commercially recorded traditional Irish reels that remain surprisingly rare in modern session repertoires. Sourced database statistics, regional styles, and histories.
The 25 Most Recorded Irish Jigs of All Time
Discover the 25 most commercially recorded traditional Irish jigs. Sourced database statistics, historical anecdotes, landmark albums, and common session pairings.
The 25 Most Recorded Irish Reels of All Time
Explore the 25 most commercially recorded traditional Irish reels. History, Sourced database statistics, and key session sets transitions.
The 25 Most Recorded Irish Hornpipes of All Time
Discover the 25 most commercially recorded traditional Irish hornpipes, syncopations, dotted rhythms, and common session pairings.
The 25 Most Recorded Irish Polkas of All Time
A data-driven look at Sliabh Luachra's favorite rhythm. Learn the 25 most recorded polkas, keys, and session set transitions.
The 25 Most Recorded Irish Slides of All Time
Explore the fast, sweeping 12/8 Sliabh Luachra slides. Sourced database statistics, landmark recordings, and session set lists.
The 25 Most Recorded Irish Slip Jigs of All Time
Dive into the elegant, hopping 9/8 slip jigs. Sourced database statistics, histories, and key session set transitions.
25 Beginner Irish Fiddle Tunes Every Session Musician Should Learn
A data-driven roadmap to the best starter tunes ranked by session popularity. Includes difficulty details, famous recordings, and a downloadable practice checklist.
The 25 Most Recorded Versions of Cooley's Reel
A comprehensive musician's guide to the undisputed king of session reels: database statistics, recording timeline, sets transitions, and 25 legendary versions.
The 15 Most Recorded Versions of Drowsy Maggie
An in-depth guide to the ultimate drone reel. Sourced database statistics, E Dorian notation, recording history, and the 15 best versions.
The 15 Most Recorded Versions of The Silver Spear
Exploring the quintessential D major session reel. Sourced database statistics, D Major sheet music notation, and top recordings.
The 15 Most Recorded Versions of The Maid Behind The Bar
A musician's analysis of Clare & Galway's favorite reel. Detailed setlist transitions, D major notation, and 15 notable recordings.
The 10 Most Recorded Versions of The Wise Maid
Johnny Harling's bright, flowing D major masterpiece. Learn its history, set transitions, sheet music, and 10 iconic versions.
What Tunes Are Commonly Played After Cooley's Reel?
A data-driven set transition analysis of Cooley's Reel. Sourced database percentages, three-level continuation tree, and musical modulations.
The 8 Most Recorded Versions of The Kesh Jig
The history, notation setting, and landmark recordings of Irish music's most popular double jig. From Sligo roots to Cape Breton reels.
What Tunes Are Commonly Played After The Kesh Jig?
An in-depth sets transition analysis of the universal session starter. Rank immediate follow-on jigs, relative modal modulations, and recordings.
What Tunes Are Commonly Played After Drowsy Maggie?
A data-driven set transition analysis of Drowsy Maggie. Sourced session set counts, three-level continuation tree, and modal minor transitions.
What Tunes Are Commonly Played After The Wise Maid?
Discover what reels follow Johnny Harling's D major masterpiece. Statistical analysis of relative modal shifts, session sets, and recordings.
What Tunes Are Commonly Played After The Silver Spear?
An in-depth sets transition analysis of the favorite D major reel. Rank immediate follow-on tunes, same-key shifts, and landmark sets.
What Tunes Are Commonly Played After The Maid Behind The Bar?
Set transitions analysis of the Clare and Galway session standard. Sourced database percentages, relative subdominant shifts, and recordings.