Inis Oir (Air)

I've included chords with this air. If you've poked around the site,you'll notice that I've not included chords in many of the tunes. A goodaccompanist will be familiar with a tune's melody, and be able to pick thechords out from that melody. There are often several different possibilitiesfor the "correct" chords -- possibly one way of saying that, while certainchords are liable to be wrong, there is no "lock" on the right chords. One ofthe things I enjoy about the playing of my favourite accompanists - MícheálÓ Domhnaill and Daithi Sproule - is their ability to provide a "correct"accompaniment for a tune, while varying the chords used each time through thetune.
The chords I've included here are as I have transcribed them from the the playing of Mayo harpistGráinne Hambly.
A few notes on the chords: I accompany in DADGAD tuning on guitar. I generally play the "D7" with no F#; in passages such as the pickup notes, I will often include the "e" melody note for an implied D9, again with no F#. Most of the chords have been designed to provide a moving bass line during thetune.
There are several ways to accompany this air. This is one of them.

McDermott's Handy

Note: While this sheet music is provided for reference and convenience, I would take it as a personal favour if you would find a local musician to teach it to you or a local session where you could hear it played. This will enable you to learn the phrasing and ornamentation for your instrument which generally is not notated here. The best way to learn Irish traditional music is by ear, by listening to and/or learning from a musician experienced in the genre. At the very least, you will want to memorize the tune so that this page would be superfluous. This version is a version that I played at the time I created this page; it may not be the same as the version I currently play, and it may not be the same as the version with which you are familiar. Go raibh maith agat; Thanks!
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