Reel de Montebello

Notes

“Reel de Montebello” is a contemporary masterpiece of the Québécois traditional repertoire, composed by the highly influential Montreal fiddler Richard Forest. Named after the historic town of Montebello on the Ottawa River, this modern classic has achieved “crooked” status in the best way possible—becoming so deeply woven into sessions across Canada, New England, and beyond that it is frequently mistaken for a centuries-old traditional tune.

Musical Character

What makes this reel an absolute joy to play is its moody, driving modal flavor and its distinctive rhythmic lift:

• Key: A Minor / A Dorian

• The A-Part: It opens with a haunting, cascading melody that rides beautifully over an driving chord progression (often moving from $Am$ to $F$, $G$, and $Em$). It establishes a high-energy, hypnotic groove right out of the gate.

• The B-Part: The second part leaps up into the higher register, delivering a bright, celebratory contrast with plenty of opportunities for syncopation, rhythmic bowing, or crisp ornamentation on the fiddle and mandolin.

It’s a powerful, infectious tune that builds incredible momentum in a set, making it a staple for dances and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any weekly jam.

Suggested Set Inclusions

Because of its driving A-minor energy, “Reel de Montebello” pairs beautifully with other driving French-Canadian, Irish, or New England tunes. It works exceptionally well when slotted right before or after a bright major-key reel to create a dramatic shift in color.