Challenge Yourself To Learn More

The goal of the #OAIM50 Tune Challenge is to create a habit of practice, a commitment of playing your instrument often, and of challenging you to broaden your repertoire within a given time frame.

This may seem like a daunting task at first, but there’s nothing like goal setting to pique that competitive streak within, stimulate some dopamine and get you feeling like there could be serious bragging rights at the end of this challenge! And some youtube videos of you to share with your friends!
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What started back on St Patrick’s Day 2020 as a simple idea to have the whole OAIM community learning the same new tune together, has quickly become what we’re calling a Global Session! It covers tunes selected for their popularity on the Irish music scene. The instruments used lean heavily on the tin whistle and flute, but also include tunes on fiddle, button accordion, guitar, piano, concertina, and banjo. It doesn’t matter what instrument you learn from, mp3’s and sheet music are included in the tutorials for each tune.

To take the challenge one step further, we invite you to share your progress on Social Media with the hashtag #OAIM50 so that you can see how fellow OAIM-er’s are doing. Be sure to post to our facebook page tag us on instagram or tweet to us on twitter.

The #OAIM50 Challenge is only open to subscribers/members of OAIM. On the OAIM members’ dashboard, we feature the tune that we’re all currently working on in the challenge. If you’re unsure, simply email us, tweet us, or message us on Facebook.

 

 

RTÉ NEWS pick up on our #OAIM50 Challenge

RTE News share our global video session

 

We were so excited that Ireland’s largest media outlet, RTÉ, picked up on our very first Global Session video. It has already amassed over 76,000 views (on facebook), making heroes and history of our wonderful students who participated in the fun. We’ll be challenged with future montages to make them even more creative and enjoyable… but, that’s where you come in!

 

Tunes covered include polkas, jigs, slip jigs, and reels; plus a few hornpipes and waltzes. Don’t forget to use the Play-Along Backing Tracks section of the OAIM dashboard to help you follow the tune at slower speeds (eg 50%, 75%) as you’re learning. It’s invaluable for building confidence with the note sequences of new tracks.

Along with learning a new tune together, members are invited to send us a video of themselves playing the tune of the week. This is where it gets really fun!!! We usually only ever ask people to play a track at 75% speed for the final video, sometimes that will be 100% for slower airs/waltzes. We then create a montage of all the videos. Below are a few video montages: (check out the playlist for the FULL set of videos so far – there are a LOT!).

Please note: Only members are invited to participate in the video montages. We send a regular email with the instructions. If you’re a member and you don’t receive these emails, be sure to contact us so that we can remedy that.

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The tunes are listed at the end of this page as the lessons for the course.

We’re now working on 2 tunes to create what is known in Irish music as a “set”.

The two tunes in this set are:

  1. Murphy’s Hornpipe
  2. Higgins’ Hornpipe

The backing tracks for each tune is on its tutorial page, so use that when learning each tune. Then when you have learned each tune separately you can use the backing track of the set to learn how to move from one track to the next and when you’re recording your final video.  This backing track of the set can be found in the Play Along Backing Tracks section of the members’ are in the folder “Tune Challenge Sets”.

 

Tunes to be played at 100% speed, with the deadline for video submission set for Sunday, 17th September 2023.

 

(Video Submissions only open to OAIM members.)

 

 

Make sure you’re on our mailing list!

Many say the difference between success and failure can be put down to one simple decision, so are you willing to up your game, are you able for the #OAIM50 challenge?

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50 Irish Session Tunes Challenge Lessons

Level

Inis Oírr

Tune 1: Inis Oírr

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Tin Whistle Online

In this lesson Kirsten will teach the slow air Inis Oírr.

Slow Air

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Around The Fairy Fort

Tune 2: Around The Fairy Fort / Vincent Broderick's

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Tin Whistle Online

In this lesson the barn dance “Around the Fairy Fort” will be taught.

Barndance

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Johnny Will You Marry Me

Tune 3: Johnny Will You Marry Me

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Concertina Online

Edel will teach a lively fling called ‘Johnny Will You Marry Me’

Fling

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The Foggy Dew

Tune 4: The Foggy Dew

  • E Minor
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Flute Online

In this lesson Steph will teach ‘The Foggy Dew’

March

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Molly Malone

Tune 5: Molly Malone

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Mandolin Online

Paddy will teach well known Irish tune ‘Molly Malone’ using the G scale.

Waltz

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Mother And Child Reel

Tune 6: The Mother And Child Reel

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Harp Online

In this lesson Lisa will teach a Reel called ‘Mother and Child Reel’.

Reel

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The Bluebell Polka

Tune 7: The Bluebell Polka

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

In this lesson, Lisa will teach a lively Polka in G major ‘The Bluebell Polka’.

Polka

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Brian Boru’s March

Tune 8: Brian Boru's March

  • A Minor
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Harp Online

In this lesson Lisa will teach melody of ‘Brian Boru’s March’

March

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The Boys of Tandragee

Tune 9: The Boys of Tandragee

  • E Minor
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Concertina Online

The Roll, Triplets and Chords

Jig

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Báidín Fheilimi

Tune 10: Báidín Fheilimí

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Tenor Banjo Online

In this lesson Lisa teaches the song air of a well known Irish song

Waltz

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Out on the Ocean

Tune 11: Out on the Ocean

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

In this lesson Lisa will teach the well known Jig ‘Out on the Ocean’

Jig

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My First Night In America

Tune 12: My First Night In America

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Accordion Online

This lesson will teach the jig, ‘My First Night in America’

Jig

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The Sunny Banks

Tune 13: The Sunny Banks

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Flute Online

Steph will now teach a Reel called ‘The Sunny Banks’ in D Major.

Reel

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A Cup Of Tea

Tune 14: A Cup of Tea

  • E Minor
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Harp Online

Lisa will teach the Reel ‘A Cup of Tea’

Reel

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The Glass of Beer

Tune 15: The Glass of Beer

  • B Minor
  • Level 1
  • Melody

In this lesson Lisa will will teach the reel ‘The Glass of Beer’ in B Minor.

Reel

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Give Us A Drink of Water

Tune 16: Give Us A Drink Of Water

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Tin Whistle Online

Give Us a Drink of Water in G Major

Slip Jig

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The Green Mountain

Tune 17: The Green Mountain

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Tin Whistle Online

Popular Irish Reel The Green Mountain

Reel

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The Heathery Breeze

Tune 18: The Heathery Breeze

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

The well known reel ‘The Heathery Breeze’ in the key of G Major

Reel

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Many A Wild Night

Tune 19: Many A Wild Night

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

The Polka ‘Many a Wild Night’ in the key of D major

Polka

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The Rambling Pitchfork

Tune 20: The Rambling Pitchfork

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Niamh Dunne teaches The Rambling Pitchfork

Jig

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The North Road To Tralee

Tune 21: The North Road To Tralee

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Caroline Keane teaches this lively Slide

Slide

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The Peeler And The Goat

Tune 22: The Peeler And The Goat

  • E Minor
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Another Slide from Caroline

Slide

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Planxty Irwin

Tune 23: Planxty Irwin

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Our Christmas Special Tune

Waltz

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The Old Favourite

Tune 24: The Old Favourite

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Great jig in G Major

Jig

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Kitty’s Gone A Milking

Tune 25: Kitty's Gone A Milking

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

A well known Reel that you’ll love

Reel

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Haste To The Wedding

Tune 26: Haste To The Wedding

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Get ready for Valentine’s Day with this

Jig

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I’ll Buy Boots For Maggie

Tune 27: I'll Buy Boots For Maggie

  • A Minor
  • Level 1
  • Melody

A lovely simple Polka

Polka

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Drops Of Brandy

Tune 28: Drops Of Brandy

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

A Slip Jig in G Major

Slip Jig

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The Munster Buttermilk

Tune 29: Tune 1 of 3 Tune Set

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Flute Online

Tune 1 in set of 3

Jig

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The Dancing Master

Tune 30: Tune 2 of 3 Tune Set

  • A Dorian Minor
  • Level 2
  • Melody

Tune 2 in set of 3

Jig

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Father O’Flynn’s Jig

Tune 31: Tune 3 of 3 Tune Set

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Tune 3 in set of 3

Jig

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Down By The Sally Gardens

Tune 32: Tune 1 of 2 Tune Set

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Tune 1 in Set of 2

Slow Air

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The Morning Dew

Tune 33: Tune 2 of 2 Tune Set

  • E Dorian
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Tune 2 in Set of 2

Reel

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The Knocknagoshel

Tune 34: Tune 1 of 2 Tune Set

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Tune 1 in Set of 2

Polka

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The Ballydehob Polka

Tune 35: Tune 2 of 2 Tune Set

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Tune 2 in Set of 2

Polka

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Castle Kelly’s

Tune 36: Tune 1 of 2 Tune Set

  • A Minor
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Tune 1 in Set of 2

Reel

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Sheehan’s Reel

Tune 37: Tune 2 of 2 Tune Set

  • G Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Tune 2 in Set of 2

Reel

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The Pretty Maid Milking Her Cow

Tune 38: Tune 1 of 2 Tune Set

  • A Minor
  • Level 1
  • Melody

Tune 1 in Set of 2

Air

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Dinky’s Reel

Tune 39: Tune 2 of 2 Tune Set

  • A Mixolydian
  • Level 2
  • Melody

Tune 2 in Set of 2

Reel

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Murphy’s Hornpipe

Tune 40: Tune 1 of 2 Tune Set

  • G Major
  • Level 2
  • Melody
Learn Irish Accordion Online

Tune 1 in Set of 2

Hornpipe

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Higgins’ Hornpipe

Tune 41: Tune 2 of 2 Tune Set

  • D Major
  • Level 1
  • Melody
Learn Irish Uilleann Pipes Online

Tune 2 in Set of 2

Hornpipe

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