Father Kelly’s

Notes

“Father Kelly’s” (also known as Father Kelly’s Reel No. 1) is one of the most popular and “friendly” reels in the Irish tradition. It was composed by Father P.J. Kelly, a priest from County Galway who was a prolific composer and a fine fiddler himself. Because of its clear, melodic structure, it has become a “universal” session tune—the kind of tune that almost every traditional musician knows and can jump into at a moment’s notice.

It is often described as a “bright” tune, possessing a cheerful and uplifting quality that makes it a perfect choice for opening a set of reels.

• The Key: It is played in G Major, which gives it a resonant, open sound on the fiddle. It avoids overly complex “accidentals,” making it very accessible for intermediate players.

• The Melody: The A-part is grounding and stays mostly in the lower register, while the B-part “lifts” gracefully into the higher notes. The melody is famously “singable”—if you can hum it, you can usually find it on your instrument quite easily.

• The Structure: It follows a very standard 32-bar reel format. It doesn’t have the “crooked” measures of some Old-Time tunes, which makes it a rock-solid choice for keeping a dance floor moving with a steady, driving beat.