Frieze Britches: Mandolin Tab
Mandolin tab and sheet music with synced audio · Key of D · 120 BPM · 6/8 time · Irish Jig - Traditional · Intermediate
Chords used in this arrangement: D, C, Am, G, A.
The name "frieze" here refers to a rough woolen cloth, so this tune is literally named after a pair of coarse wool trousers, the kind worn by the jig dancers of rural Ireland in the 1800s. They used to show up to fairs in frieze coats, knee breeches, green stockings, and a shillelagh. One old County Clare fiddler's father reportedly heard a man playing this melody at a fair and was so happy he called it "the first tune that was ever played in heaven", which is a high bar to live up to!
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 Frieze Britches PDF.
Frieze Britches: questions and answers
What key is Frieze Britches in?
Frieze Britches 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 Frieze Britches?
The chords in this arrangement are D, C, Am, G, A. The chord chart on this page shows each shape and highlights the current chord as the tune plays.
How fast is Frieze Britches played?
This recording is at 120 BPM in 6/8 time. Use the speed control to slow it down without changing the pitch, then work back up to full tempo.
Is Frieze Britches a good tune for beginners?
Frieze Britches is rated intermediate, so it is best approached after a few beginner tunes are comfortable.
Can I download Frieze Britches as sheet music?
Yes. A printable PDF with the mandolin tab and standard notation is free at /tab/frieze-britches.pdf, and there is a download button on this page.
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- Liberty (John Dickinson and Arthur Lee,, D, 120 BPM)
- Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine (D, 120 BPM)
- Fairy Dance (Nathaniel Gow, D, 120 BPM)
- Briar Picker Brown (D, 120 BPM)
- Banks of the Ohio (D, 120 BPM)
- Quince Dillons High D (D, 120 BPM)
- Haste to the Wedding (D, 120 BPM)
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