Uploaded April 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Here is a by-ear fiddle tune tutorial for the popular Irish Polka, "John Ryan's Polka." It's often called, "Forty Pound Float," in Australia and New Zealand.
Navigation Timestamps:
Demonstration (120 BPM): 00:00
A-Part: 00:56
A-Part Run-Through: 04:13
B-Part: 05:12
B-Part Run-Through: 09:00
Entire Tune (40 BPM): 10:17
Ornaments and Bowing Ideas: 12:03
Entire Tune (60 BPM): 15:19
Entire Tune (80 BPM): 16:30
Entire Tune (100 BPM): 17:27
Entire Tune (120 BPM): 18:14
This tune is written in the key of D major (Two sharps; F# and C#), and is often played with a set of other polkas, such as Denis Murphy's Polka. It is a very popular tune and is a great one to start at a session for players who are new to the idea of starting session sets. It's often considered to be a "beginners tube," although usually welcomed and frequently played because of its popularity. It's one of the few tunes I've noticed musicians may have fun interaction while playing: sometimes there is a "call and response" between musicians during the A part (the two "Ds" vs. the other 3 beats of the measure). Some may take a solo for the different beats of the A part, highlighting different instruments in the session.
I believe this was also one of the songs in The Titanic movie. It's always neat to hear trad music highlighted in some of the classic movies!
Thank you for watching! I hope you are all staying safe and healthy during these uncertain times! =)
~ Katy
------------
A super big "Thank you!" to all of my supporters on Patreon:
patreon.com/KatyAdelson
Music store website:
goldenaspenmusic.com
Artist portfolio website:
katyadelson.com
Download/stream my "Tune Collection" album:
fanlink.to/TuneCollection
Download/stream my "Ghost Ship" single:
fanlink.to/GhostShip
Hashtags:
#Violin #MusicLesson #Fiddle #KatyAdelson #Music #IrishMusic #FiddleTune #FolkViolin
Software and equipment used:
Full list of all my basic violin equipment:
katyadelson.com/about/violin-equipment-and-recommendations
Violin gear:
Violin: 1899 Ernst Kreusler “Copy of Antonius Stradivarius” violin from Germany
Bow: CodaBow Luma
Strings: Currently using Obligato strings in this video. I usually use Evah Pirazzi Violin Strings (with a ball E)
Rosin: Salchow Rosin
Shoulder Rest: Bonmusica Shoulder Rest
Software used (for Macintosh):
Final Cut Pro for video editing
PicMonkey.com for the ending cards
Camera:
Canon 70D + 18-135 mm kit lens
Sony RX100 V
Here is a by-ear fiddle tune tutorial for the popular Irish Polka, "John Ryan's Polka." It's often called, "Forty Pound Float," in Australia and New Zealand.
Navigation Timestamps:
Demonstration (120 BPM): 00:00
A-Part: 00:56
A-Part Run-Through: 04:13
B-Part: 05:12
B-Part Run-Through: 09:00
Entire Tune (40 BPM): 10:17
Ornaments and Bowing Ideas: 12:03
Entire Tune (60 BPM): 15:19
Entire Tune (80 BPM): 16:30
Entire Tune (100 BPM): 17:27
Entire Tune (120 BPM): 18:14
This tune is written in the key of D major (Two sharps; F# and C#), and is often played with a set of other polkas, such as Denis Murphy's Polka. It is a very popular tune and is a great one to start at a session for players who are new to the idea of starting session sets. It's often considered to be a "beginners tube," although usually welcomed and frequently played because of its popularity. It's one of the few tunes I've noticed musicians may have fun interaction while playing: sometimes there is a "call and response" between musicians during the A part (the two "Ds" vs. the other 3 beats of the measure). Some may take a solo for the different beats of the A part, highlighting different instruments in the session.
I believe this was also one of the songs in The Titanic movie. It's always neat to hear trad music highlighted in some of the classic movies!
Thank you for watching! I hope you are all staying safe and healthy during these uncertain times! =)
~ Katy
------------
A super big "Thank you!" to all of my supporters on Patreon:
patreon.com/KatyAdelson
Music store website:
goldenaspenmusic.com
Artist portfolio website:
katyadelson.com
Download/stream my "Tune Collection" album:
fanlink.to/TuneCollection
Download/stream my "Ghost Ship" single:
fanlink.to/GhostShip
Hashtags:
#Violin #MusicLesson #Fiddle #KatyAdelson #Music #IrishMusic #FiddleTune #FolkViolin
Software and equipment used:
Full list of all my basic violin equipment:
katyadelson.com/about/violin-equipment-and-recommendations
Violin gear:
Violin: 1899 Ernst Kreusler “Copy of Antonius Stradivarius” violin from Germany
Bow: CodaBow Luma
Strings: Currently using Obligato strings in this video. I usually use Evah Pirazzi Violin Strings (with a ball E)
Rosin: Salchow Rosin
Shoulder Rest: Bonmusica Shoulder Rest
Software used (for Macintosh):
Final Cut Pro for video editing
PicMonkey.com for the ending cards
Camera:
Canon 70D + 18-135 mm kit lens
Sony RX100 V
