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Irish Traditional Music Tune Index
Tune ID#142 (Belle of the Ball)
about these two barsThese two bars were transcribed by me from how this tune was played – the first time through – on the recording MC (details in the Discography below).
| Rhythm ? | Bars | 8-bar phrase structure | Mode ? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barn dance | 32 | AABB | A Major |
Titles given to this tune in the sources listed below (plus notes of mine about this tune):
Belle of the Ball, The / James Gannon's / Memories of Sligo (2nd in set James Gannon's on MC) (also as fling)
Discography
Here are all recordings of this tune considering only the indexed recordings. I have discovered by careful listening that these sources are in fact musically the same tune, regardless of the tune titles they use, key changes, retuning, etc.
Click 
to hear the first 10 seconds.
to hear the first 10 seconds.| Year Recorded |
Track #Tune? |
[Album code] Artist. Title. Performers (instruments). |
|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 1.8#2 | [MC] Michael Coleman. Michael Coleman 1891-1945. Michael Coleman (fiddle). |
| 1931 | 12#2 | [BtB] Paddy Killoran, James Morrison. From Ballymote to Brooklyn. Paddy Killoran (fiddle), James Morrison (fiddle). For this tune: Paddy Killoran (fiddle), Paddy Sweeney (fiddle). |
| ~1953 | 24#2 | [JDJO] Joe Derrane and Jerry O'Brien. Irish Accordion Masters. Joe Derrane (accordion), Jerry O'Brien (accordion). For this tune: O'Brien, Derrane. |
| 1991 | 12#2 | [BBow 3] Buttons and Bows. Grace Notes - Nótaí Maise. Jackie Daly (accordion, concertina), Séamus McGuire (fiddle, viola), Manus McGuire (fiddle), Garry O'Briain (guitar, mandocello, piano). |
| 1992 | 4#1 | [ScE] Gerry Harrington and Eoghan O'Sullivan. Scéal Eile. Gerry Harrington (fiddle), Eoghan O'Sullivan (accordion). |
| 2002 | 2#2 | [HB 2] Harry Bradley. As I Carelessly Did Stray
. Harry Bradley (flute, whistle). For this tune: (flute), with Jesse Smith (fiddle). |
Bibliography
According to my research, there are zero transcriptions that sound very similar to this tune anywhere in the indexed books, regardless of tune title. Try my recommended links to other indexes if you need a transcription. To learn to play this tune, simply learn it from another musician or study the recording(s) listed above. See also: Tips for Learning Irish Traditional Music.
Year of the oldest source for this tune, considering the recordings and transcriptions listed above (note that I concentrate on sources after 1900): 1927