Red Haired Boy: Mandolin Tab

Mandolin tab and sheet music with synced audio · Key of A · 120 BPM · 4/4 time · Bluegrass · Beginner

Chords used in this arrangement: A, D, G, E.

"Red Haired Boy" is a well-traveled fiddle tune with roots in the Irish and Scottish tradition. It appears in Irish music as "The Little Beggarman", but it found an equally strong home in the old-time and bluegrass repertoire of the American South. The composer is unknown, and the tune has been passed down through oral tradition rather than any documented source. It's been a jam session staple for generations, and its adaptability across styles has kept it in constant circulation.

The tune follows a standard AABB form, with each part repeated before moving on. What makes it distinctive is its A Mixolydian flavor: the key is nominally A, but the flattened seventh (G natural rather than G#) gives the melody its characteristic modal, slightly unresolved quality. You'll notice this most clearly in the A part, where that G natural appears early and often. The B part climbs higher and has a slightly brighter, more driving feel before resolving back. The melodic phrases are short and punchy, which makes the tune highly singable and easier to memorize than many fiddle tunes of similar length.

Technique tips for mandolin in A:

- Lean into the G natural. When you hit that flatted seventh, let it ring clearly rather than rushing past it, it's the harmonic signature of the tune, and emphasizing it will help the Mixolydian color come through. - Use a strong down-up-down pick pattern on the A part's driving eighth notes. Consistent alternate picking through the busier passages keeps the rhythm locked in and gives the tune its forward momentum at 150 BPM. - In the B part, watch the position shift up the neck. Many mandolin arrangements move toward the 5th position briefly. Try to practice that shift slowly in isolation first, then work it back up to tempo so it doesn't create a hiccup in your flow.

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 Red Haired Boy PDF.

Red Haired Boy: questions and answers

What key is Red Haired Boy in?

Red Haired Boy is in A major. The transpose control on this page moves the tab, notation and chords to any other key.

What chords are used in Red Haired Boy?

The chords in this arrangement are A, D, G, E. The chord chart on this page shows each shape and highlights the current chord as the tune plays.

How fast is Red Haired Boy 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 Red Haired Boy a good tune for beginners?

Yes. Red Haired Boy is rated beginner, so it suits players who are still learning their first tunes.

Can I download Red Haired Boy as sheet music?

Yes. A printable PDF with the mandolin tab and standard notation is free at /tab/red-haired-boy.pdf, and there is a download button on this page.