Fairy Dance: Mandolin Tab
Mandolin tab and sheet music with synced audio · Nathaniel Gow · Key of D · 120 BPM · 4/4 time · Scottish Reel · Beginner
Also known as Largo's Fairy Dance, Old Molly Hare.
Chords used in this arrangement: D, A, G, B.
The "Fairy Dance" you're learning was actually only half of something bigger. Nathaniel Gow originally published it in 1802 as part of a two-tune suite called "Largo's Fairy Dance," where "Largo" refers to a small parish in Fife, Scotland, and the whole piece was written specifically for the Fife Hunt Ball. The companion tune, "The Fairies Advance," has basically faded into obscurity, but this one took off on its own and spread everywhere. It has been collected under aliases as far apart as Donegal, Shetland, and even New England, where it turned up as an old-time breakdown called "Old Molly Hare."
This page includes mandolin tablature, standard music notation, and a chord chart, printable as PDF and playable in sync with the original recording. Change the key, slow the tempo down, and loop the bars you want to practise. Download the Fairy Dance PDF.
Fairy Dance: questions and answers
What key is Fairy Dance in?
Fairy Dance is in D major. The transpose control on this page moves the tab, notation and chords to any other key.
What chords are used in Fairy Dance?
The chords in this arrangement are D, A, G, B. The chord chart on this page shows each shape and highlights the current chord as the tune plays.
How fast is Fairy Dance played?
This recording is at 120 BPM in 4/4 time. Use the speed control to slow it down without changing the pitch, then work back up to full tempo.
Is Fairy Dance a good tune for beginners?
Yes. Fairy Dance is rated beginner, so it suits players who are still learning their first tunes.
Can I download Fairy Dance as sheet music?
Yes. A printable PDF with the mandolin tab and standard notation is free at /tab/fairy-dance.pdf, and there is a download button on this page.
Is Fairy Dance known by any other names?
Yes. It is also called Largo's Fairy Dance, Old Molly Hare. The same melody often travels under several titles in different regions and collections.
Related tunes
More in D
- The Lark in the Morning (D, 120 BPM)
- Liberty (John Dickinson and Arthur Lee,, D, 120 BPM)
- Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine (D, 120 BPM)
- Briar Picker Brown (D, 120 BPM)
- Banks of the Ohio (D, 120 BPM)
- Quince Dillons High D (D, 120 BPM)
- Frieze Britches (D, 120 BPM)
- Haste to the Wedding (D, 120 BPM)
Browse more: Mandolin tabs, Tunes in the key of D, Scottish tunes, Beginner mandolin tabs, or see all songs and the chord charts.