The Rakes Of Kildare

This is a traditional Irish jig (6/8 time) played on mandolin and fiddle with an acoustic rhythm guitar and an acoustic bass guitar in the background. Some great-great-grandparents of mine came to england from Kildare at the time of the Irish potato famine, so this tune has some sentimental significance for me.

The tune can be found at TheSession.org on the net, or in The Fiddler's Fakebook.

http://www.mjra.net/WillFly/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Will
• Fly
• acoustic
• guitar
• mandolin
• violin
• fiddle
• bass
• Irish
• jig
• folk
• music
• Ireland
• Kildare

[HenfieldWill]

It sounds a little like 4/4 because you're counting the long pulses, i.e. 1...2...3...4 - which match the guitar chords. However, there are just 2 of these pulses to each bar and each pulse consists of 3 beats, each of an 8th duration (quaver). So - if you add it up - there are 6 beats to the bar, and each beat is a quaver (8th note) in length. Hence the time signature of 6/8! So the jig in 6/8 has the characteristic "diddle-dee, diddle-dee" rhythm.

[HenfieldWill]

PS: If you want to hear a real 4/4, take a listen to my previous video "Donald Blue" - which is a reel in 4/4 time. You should be able to discern the difference. If I get time, I'll post the music for "The Rakes Of Kildare" on my website. :-)

[Testacabeza]

Yes, I can hear the difference.

So how do you count, 1-2-3, 1-2-3 with the accents on the 1st and 3rd bits?

[HenfieldWill]

It's all in the melody... :-)

[EspritDeBottineQc]

I want to learn it on guitar, but I cant get the melody right... I dont know if you can, but if you could, I would be happy that you send me some sheet music, or just the tab or even only the notes would do : ) Cause thw ones I found on internet sound wrong and arent all the same :p By the way this is a great video, I think its the best version of this song on youtube :)

[renatovcortereal]

*****

[IlBardus]

That was great, sir!

I'm gonna learn it right now!

Thank you. (:

[solidiquis1]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel, sou are absolutely amazing!

[Testacabeza]

Almost there!

[cheerydavie]

absolutely magic !! 10*

[Resolve5]

SO talented!!!! Very cool song and great performance. I always enjoy the "combined" vids. Mwah!!!

[reliablebow]

One of my Favorites...well Done!