The most common tune played immediately after The Maid Behind The Bar in sessions is Cooley's Reel (Reel, E Dorian), appearing in 12.10% of sets. The second most popular choice is The Banshee (5.28%), followed by The Sally Gardens (5.06%). Traced from 909 session sets, these pairings represent the top transitions.
Why this page is useful: The Maid Behind the Bar is a bright D major reel. This page maps out how to pair it with other reels to create smooth, high-energy session sets.
1. Introduction & Sourced Statistics
The Maid Behind the Bar is a cornerstone of Galway and Clare session culture. Known for its bright D Major leaps and bouncy A-part syncopation, it is a universal session favorite. But what follows this magnificent reel? Using the Trad Tune Explorer database, we analyzed over 900 sets to find the statistics, musical patterns, and artist examples that define the perfect follow-on tune.
Based on verified session data, here are the top 5 reels played immediately after The Maid Behind the Bar:
| Rank & Tune Name | Key / Mode | Sets Occurrences | Transition Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cooley's (ID: 1) | E Dorian | 112 sets | 12.40% |
| 2. Banshee, The (ID: 8) | G Major | 48 sets | 5.32% |
| 3. Sally Gardens, The (ID: 98) | G Major | 48 sets | 5.32% |
| 4. Wind That Shakes The Barley, The (ID: 116) | D Major | 44 sets | 4.87% |
| 5. Silver Spear, The (ID: 182) | D Major | 36 sets | 3.99% |
2. Visualizing the Three-Level Set Continuation Tree
Set building isn't just about the next tune—it's about the entire arc. Below is a three-level set continuation tree showing what tunes follow immediately, and what tunes usually follow *those* in three-part combinations:
Three-Level Set Continuation Tree: The Maid Behind The Bar (Root)
-
Root: The Maid Behind The Bar (REEL, D Major)
-
→ 1. Cooley's (ID: 1, E Dorian) —
12.40%
- * Wise Maid, The (ID 118, D Major) — 18.46%
- * Drowsy Maggie (ID 27, D Dorian) — 11.00%
- * Cup Of Tea, The (ID 20, E Dorian) — 6.69%
- * Silver Spear, The (ID 182, D Major) — 3.60%
-
→ 2. Banshee, The (ID: 8, G Major) —
5.32%
- * Sailor's Bonnet, The (ID 570, D Major) — 16.87%
- * Cooley's (ID 1, E Dorian) — 8.38%
- * Silver Spear, The (ID 182, D Major) — 6.46%
- * Merry Blacksmith, The (ID 72, D Major) — 2.94%
-
→ 3. Sally Gardens, The (ID: 98, G
Major) — 5.32%
- * Silver Spear, The (ID 182, D Major) — 14.96%
- * Sligo Maid, The (ID 399, A Dorian) — 6.11%
- * Miss McLeod's (ID 75, G Major) — 4.27%
- * Merry Blacksmith, The (ID 72, D Major) — 3.97%
-
→ 4. Wind That Shakes The Barley, The
(ID: 116, D Major) — 4.87%
- * Drowsy Maggie (ID 27, D Dorian) — 9.31%
- * Musical Priest, The (ID 73, B Minor) — 4.10%
- * Cooley's (ID 1, E Dorian) — 3.54%
- * Tam Lin (ID 248, D Minor) — 3.54%
-
→ 5. Silver Spear, The (ID: 182, D
Major) — 3.99%
- * Earl's Chair, The (ID 221, D Major) — 10.22%
- * Sally Gardens, The (ID 98, G Major) — 5.65%
- * Humours Of Tulla, The (ID 141, D Major) — 4.66%
- * Banshee, The (ID 8, G Major) — 4.27%
-
→ 1. Cooley's (ID: 1, E Dorian) —
12.40%
You can trace these set connections in a visual tree by visiting the interactive D3 Follow-On Tree page for The Maid Behind the Bar.
3. Musical Analysis of Key Transitions
Why the Top Transitions Work Musically
Transitioning from D major to other common session keys requires maintaining a steady lift. Here is a musicological breakdown of why these transitions are so popular:
This transition modulates from D Major to E Dorian. Moving from a bright major key to a darker, driving minor tone creates a nice contrast of tension and release. Cooley's Reel brings a strong rhythmic pulse that immediately captures the room.
This transition modulates from D Major (2 sharps) to G Major (1 sharp). Moving to the subdominant key is a very smooth shift that keeps a bright, cheerful dance atmosphere alive.
4. Commercial Recording Examples (Landmark Albums)
Artist Examples: Who Recorded These Sets?
Many of these combinations were popularized by legendary recordings:
The Chieftains — The Chieftains 1 (1963)
Track Set: The Maid Behind The Bar
The Chieftains popularized this tune on their debut album, setting the template for its driving tempo and steady rhythm.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is Cooley's Reel so popular after The Maid Behind The Bar?
The transition from D Major to E Dorian offers a classic modal shift that provides a dark, driving release after the bright major notes of The Maid Behind The Bar.
6. Conclusion
Understanding tune transitions is key to developing your session craft. Start practicing these popular pairings to build cohesive, high-energy sets.
Build your own tune sets using Trad Tune Explorer.