King of the Fairies (Fiddle lesson)

The King of the Fairies is a favourite Irish hornpipe. In this fiddle lesson I teach the version as played by John Sheahan of the Dubliners, firstly plain, and then with ornaments. I discuss the "floating" notes which are often raised or lowered in different versions. I use sheet music throughout, and a free pdf is available to subscribers (see below).
There are plenty more videos on Irish tunes and fiddle techniques elsewhere on The Fiddle Channel.
Below are details of further fiddle resources from Chris Haigh
1. Patreon
2. Books
3. Subscription video courses
4. Website
5. Email to request pdf’s.
1. PATREON
This is a platform where anyone can directly help to support creative artists and get closer access to their work. You can join me on Patreon at three levels, for £4, £10 or £40 per month.

At the lowest level you get access to all my pdf’s and tune collections, plus many exclusive tuition videos not available to the public.
At level 2 you can join also me once a month for a group Zoom chat, and can request three backing tracks each month.
Level 3 gives you all the above plus a free lesson once a month, and access to all my backing tracks.
You can find me on Patreon at
/ thefiddlechannel
2. BOOKS
I have eight fiddle tuition books published by Schott, all widely available from the publisher, from Amazon, and many other outlets. All come with audio tracks illustrating the tunes and exercises.
Exploring Jazz Violin
Beginning Jazz Violin
Discovering Rock Violin
Exploring Folk Fiddle
Exploring Klezmer Fiddle
Hungarian Fiddle Tunes
French Fiddle Tunes
Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle
You can order from
bit.ly/31ZWmgm
3. VIDEO SUBSCRIPTION COURSES
I have three video subscription courses
-
MUSIC GURUS- Exploring Jazz Violin. Based on my Schott book
Parts 1 and 2 are each £26 for 26 lessons, covering the first and second halves of the book
Part 1; tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
Part 2 tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Discovering Rock Violin. . Based on my Schott book
£35 for 46 lessons
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle. Based on my Schott book. 31 lessons for £31.99
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
ACADEMY OF FOLK
Includes a folk fiddle primer course, with introductions to basic techniques and concepts plus an Irish Fiddle Course and Scottish fiddle course. A monthly sub of $9.99 gives access to all lessons
academyoffolk....
4. WEBSITE
My website is probably the most extensive and detailed summary of fiddle styles on the web, as evidenced by the range of top hits on Google for many fiddle styles.
www.fiddlingaround.co.uk
__________________________________________________________
TO REQUEST PDF’S, or ask any questions, CONTACT ME AT
[e-mail]

[@benjaminfoord2447]

Sheahans’ version is the best by far. Thanks for covering it so well.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Benjamin!

[@joeharris8574]

Good lesson Chris. Thanks

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Joe!

[@salvaqor]

Second video I’ve watched joining the Patreon

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Great, thanks!

[@jasminen273]

Thank you!

[@64bluegrass]

Thanks! Even though it's a hornpipe, it reminds me of The Rights of Man a little bit; the contour, not just the minor aspect.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Yes, I see what you mean!

[@jasminen273]

Love this one! I’d like to do a solo . Do you have this tune in your book, if yes, please provide more info.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Jasmine. No, this one's not in my book, but if you want the sheet music send me an email to [e-mail].

[@virtualmediateacher]

love the minor sound. is it is in em or bm? the key signature says bm. but the chord progression is em. or some weird minor mode?

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Annette. When the key signature doesn't match the key, it usually means it's a modal tune. This is E dorian, with most of the 6ths raised.

[@virtualmediateacher]

Thanks. I suspected Dorian mode even though i don’t really know what it means!

[@richardperry6086]

Great lesson. Have you done one on Banish Misfortune?

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Richard. Yes, I have done Banish Misfortune. ua-cam.com/video/VU8S78CTqyw/v-deo.html

[@alicenkootz6328]

Sir, I left a comment on your pinned video begging for turnpike troubadours long hot summer day or Merle Haggard big city, I would be so so so appreciative, or if you have is that a tear by Tracy Lawrence, I'm scared of the crowd and can't find any of these and don't have time to figure them out myself between teaching and working til the performance, very desperate performer here, just one of these would help me a ton

[@mweskamppp]

I like the version of Alan Stivell, a bretonic group.
here on the great album from 1972:
ua-cam.com/video/dTJ-5CAXgaY/v-deo.html
And here 40 years later:
ua-cam.com/video/PzqpIC1Wo3E/v-deo.html
They played lots of celtic music, alan reinvented the celtic harp for the stage.
Here a piece for the harp "suite irlandaise".
ua-cam.com/video/Y4R0Kd6rWpA/v-deo.html
1k1O6UMzeU17_nETMsJHd78nOeOVTEw&index=7
And one more:
ua-cam.com/video/D4R1KeIotOQ/v-deo.html
a fast one with fiddle and bagpipes and electric guitar
ua-cam.com/video/OFMFc-nO1EI/v-deo.html
have fun.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks. Great versions!