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Kerry Polka - Adding Variation

4,863 views · Published 10 July 2014 · 10:34 · Indexed 31 October 2026

Channel: FiddleHed · 2014 · Music

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I will show you some fun ways to spice up this Irish polka. Mainly I'll add some slides and double stops to the basic version.

If you don't already know the basic tune, first learn it here: http://youtu.be/DQjtOQAQ7PM

TABS for basic version:
Kerry Polka
A PART
A1-D0-1-0 (2x)
D3-A0-1-0-D3-1-0
A1-D0-1-0 (2x)
D3-A0-1-0-D3-3

B PART
A1-3-1-1-0-D3-1-0
D3-A0-1-0-D3-1-0
A1-3-1-1-0-D3-1-0
D3-A0-1-0-D3-3

How to read the tabs in this video

0=open string. (For example, D0=open D string.)
1=1st finger (left index) (For example, E1=1st finger on E, or F sharp, F#.)
2=2nd finger (left middle) (For example, D2=2nd finger on D string, or F sharp, F#)
3=3rd finger (left ring)

L2=Low second finger (For example DL2= Low 2nd finger on D string, or F natural)
4=4th finger (left pinkie)
L1=low 1st finger
L4=low 4th finger
H3=High 3rd finger

( ) Notes in parentheses at the beginning of a tune or part indicate that this is a "pickup" to be played before the part and which lead smoothly into the part. Pickups create musical flow in tunes. It usually seems best to learn a tune without pickups and add them later, part of why I use the parentheses (also because in most cases, the pickup isn't essential for the tune).

To make the tabs easier to read, the letters don't change if you're on the same string. For example, A0-1-2-1-D3 means you play four notes on the A string-open A, first on A, second on A, first on A, and then third on D string. I also start each line of tabs with the string letter which seems to make it easier to read. Let me know if this could be improved.

(Note: these tabs only contain left hand fingering information;
they do not tell you the rhythm which you have to get from listening. just use them as a tool to figure out tunes or remember them. Once you get the tune in your fingers and ears try not to look at the TABS. In fact, it's much easier to hear the tune then to try to remember the tabs.)

D0|A0=Double stop(2 strings at once) with open D and A
D1|A0=Double stop with 1st finger on D(E note) and open A

⬆️=Slide up to a note
⬇️=Slide down to a note

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