Tune of the month
We usually start the session with Bear Dance and then play some of the fairly easy tunes to warm up… such as: L’Air Mignonne, Clare Reel, Fiery Clockface, Hunt the Squirrel, Ille Bhig, Inisheer, Jimmy Allen, Kerfunken, Lucy Farr’s, Motorway Mazurka, Old Tom, Rusty Gully, Spirit of the Dance, Salmon Tails and the Swallowtail Jig.
In the second half, we’ll play some of the harder or faster tunes on the website.
And we are happy to play whichever tunes on this website that you have been practising. The tune of the month is just a way to have at least one tune that we’ve all been working on. If you think a tune used to be here and now you can’t find it, then try our archive. I’m trying to keep the main list manageable, so I’ve created an archive site for the less popular tunes.
If you’d like to listen to all the tunes, there is now a playlist (click for link) on Youtube! I’ve also made a playlist on Spotify. For both of these, if you would like to suggest alternatives that you prefer (or fill in the missing gaps), do email me (oxfordslowsession2014@gmail.com)
We are also available online on Discord (see how to here). This means that you can join in with us and you will hear us and yourself (although nobody else will hear you). However, if you’re not unwell nor too far away, please do join us in The Slow and Steady (formerly The White House)..
Please note: On Discord, **make sure you press the Chat** button so you can **write in tune requests** and also just in case you don’t know what tune we are playing, I write it in every time. You can access the session room in advance of our session to check it all works. Also, I really recommend using headphones so that you can hear us over your own playing. It is surprisingly difficult to keep in time without being able to hear over your own instrument! Some info on Discord.
Any problems, email me at oxfordslowsession2014@gmail.com or ring +44 (0) 770 935 2834
**Do buy a drink from the bar downstairs and join us upstairs with your instrument.**
##
**_Forthcoming Sessions_** | | **_Tune of the Month_**| ** _Live location and Discord link_**
---|---|---|---
1st June 2025, 4pm| | Foul Weather Call| The White House under its new name: The Slow and Steady
And on Discord
6th July 2025, 4pm| | The Hundred Pipers|
3rd August 2025, 4pm| | 250 to Vigo|
7th September 2025, 4pm| | The Bonny Miller|
5th October 2025, 4pm| | Pull the Knife Out and Stick it Again|
2nd November 2025, 4pm| | Kilnamona|
7th December 2025, 4pm| | Three Around Three|
Previous Slow Sessions| Tune of the Month| Location
---|---|---
4th May 2025, 4pm| McLeod’s Farewell| The Slow and Steady
13th April 2025, 4pm| Any tune on the website| The Slow and Steady
6th April 2025, 4pm| King of the Fairies| The Slow and Steady
2nd March 2025, 4pm| The Wise Maid| The Slow and Steady
2nd February 2025, 4pm| Tes Jolis Patins Blanc| The Slow and Steady
5th January 2025, 4pm| Go to Berwick, Jonny| The Slow and Steady
1st December 2024, 4pm| The Maid Behind the Bar| The Slow and Steady
3rd November 2024, 4pm| The Millhouse in G| The Slow and Steady
6th October 2024, 4pm| Brennan’s Reel| Back in The White House under its new name: The Slow and Steady!
And on Discord
1st September 2024, 4pm| Tell Her I Will| Upstairs at St Aldates Tavern or join us online on Discord.
31st August 2024, 12.30pm| Any tune on website| The Function Room, The George, Wallingford as part of Bunkfest
4th August 2024, 4pm| Tell Her I Am| St Aldate’s Tavern and on Discord
7th July 2024, 4pm| Midsommerschottish| St Aldate’s Tavern and on Discord
2nd June 2024, 4pm| Lord Frog| Join us at the White House Pub (Abingdon Road) or join us online on Discord.
5th May 2024, 4pm| I Buried my Wife and Danced on her Grave|
21st April 2024, 2pm| Any tune on website (Part of the Oxford Folk Festival)| Upstairs at the White House pub (Abingdon Road) only
7th April 2024, 4pm| Father Kelly’s|
3rd March 2024, 4pm| A Fig for a Kiss|
4th February 2024, 4pm| L’Air Mignonne|
SATURDAY 6th January 2024, 4pm start… til 9pm!
4-5pm normal slow
6-7pm slightly faster
8-9pm faster!| 10th year anniversary session!
(and Teetotaller’s)|
3rd December 2023, 4pm| Jimmy Ward’s Favourite| Upstairs at the White House pub and Zoom
5th November 2023, 4pm| The Origin of the World| Upstairs at the White House pub and Zoom
1st October 2023, 4pm| If You Will Not Have Me, You May Let Me Go| Upstairs at the White House pub and Zoom
3rd September 2023, 4pm| Any tunes on website| Upstairs at the White House pub
(no Zoom – sorry)
At Bunkfest, 2nd September 2023, 2pm-3.45pm| Any tunes on website| The Corn Exchange, Curtis Room, Wallingford as part of Bunkfest Fringe 2023
6th August 2023, 4pm| The Old Favourite|
2nd July 2023 **3pm**| Motorway Mazurka| White House pub and zoom
4th June 2023, **4pm**| An Rogaire Dubh| White House pub and zoom
29th May 2023, 3pm| Any tunes| Bandstand Bank Holiday session (anything goes). See How to Find Us to find Florence Park bandstand
8th May 2023, 3pm| Any tunes| Bandstand Bank Holiday session (anything goes). See How to Find Us to find Florence Park bandstand
7th May 2023, 3pm| The Sails of Kittiwake| White House pub
1st May 2023, 3pm| Any tunes| Bandstand Bank Holiday session (anything goes). See How to Find Us to find Florence Park bandstand
16th April 2023, 4pm| Any tune on the website| White House Pub (not zoom) as part of Oxford Folk Weekend
2nd April 2023, 4.30pm| The Millhouse and The Lancashire|
5th March 2023, 4.30pm| Eade Road| White House pub
5th Feb 2023, 4.30pm (note new time)| The Swaggering Jig (aka Give us a Drink of Water)| White House pub
8th Jan 2023, 4pm
(NB note a week late)| Maghera Mountain and Portsmouth| Click here to join on zoom (password if needed: slow) or join us at the White House Pub (Abingdon Road)
4th Dec 2022, 2pm (NB EARLIER time)| Black Joke| Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) or join us at the Old Fire Station Cafe (George St)
6th Nov 2022, 4pm| Maiden Lane| Zoom and pub
2nd Oct 2022, 3.30pm| Montanesa de Lugo| Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) or join us Upstairs in the White House Pub
4th Sept 2022, 3.30pm| Michael Turner’s Waltz| Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) or join us Upstairs in the White House Pub
3rd Sept 2022,
2-5pm| Any tune on the website| At the George Hotel (High St, Wallingford) as part of BunkFest, Wallingford, FREE music festival
7th August 2022, 3.30pm| Any tune on the website| In person-only for August. Upstairs in White House pub in Oxford.
3rd **July** 2022, 3.30pm| The Good Natured Man| Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) or join us at the (_stop press change of venue_) **Florence Park Bandstand**
5th June 2022, 3.30pm| Billy Malley’s Schottische| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) or join us Upstairs in the White House Pub
1st **May** 2022, 3.30pm| The £42 cheque| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
or join us at Upstairs in the White House Pub
24th **April** 2022, **3pm**| Part of the Oxford Folk Weekend| Live only Upstairs in the White House Pub
3rd **April** 2022, 3.30pm | The Battle of the Somme| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
or join us at the Upstairs in the White House Pub
6th March 2022, 3.30pm| Cooley’s Reel| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Upstairs in the White House Pub
6th **February** 2022, 3.30pm| Carraroe jig| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Upstairs in the White House Pub
2nd **January** 2022, 3.30pm| Out on the Ocean| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Upstairs in the White House Pub
5th **December** 2021 3.30pm| The Swallowtail Jig| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Upstairs in the White House Pub
7th **November** 2021 3.30pm| The Hills of Kaitoke| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Upstairs in the White House Pub
3rd **October** 2021 3.30pm| The Brown Coffin| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Bandstand in Florence Park
5th **September** 2021 3.30pm| The Fiery Clockface| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Bandstand in Florence Park
8th **August** 2021 3.30pm| Merrily kissed the Quaker| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Bandstand in Florence Park
4th **July** 2021 3.30pm| Bronwyn Jenkins| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Bandstand in Florence Park
6th June 2021 3.30pm| Soor Milk Cairt| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)or join us at the Bandstand in Florence Park
2nd May 2021 (3.30pm normal time)
| Tarbolton
| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
17th April 2021 **2pm** BST| Any tune on website| Zoom link here (password slowly) from Oxford Folk Weekend
(visit for lots of online gigs and other sessions)
or join us at the Bandstand in Florence Park
4th April 2021 (Easter Day)
NB start 3.30pm (British Summer Time)| Sí Bheag, Sí Mhor| (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) or join us at the Bandstand in Florence Park
| |
| |
| |
---|---|---
| |
**
**| |
**
7th March 2021
NB 3.30pm (UK time) start**| McCrea’s Delight (in G) | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
**
7th February 2021
NB Back to 3.30pm start**| Nantwich Fair | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
**
3rd January 2021
NB 2pm start**| Musical Priest | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
**6th December 2020
NB 2pm start**| Seven Stars | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
If the national lockdown has lifted and if you would like to join us, come to **Florence Park bandstand** and please send me your contact details beforehand – see Our Covid precautions page.
**1st November 2020
NB 2pm start**| Seamus Cooley’s Jig | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
If you would like to join us, come to **Florence Park bandstand** and please send me your contact details beforehand – see Our Covid precautions page.
**25th October 2020
(NB 2pm start)**| Any tune on the website | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
If you would like to join us, come to **Florence Park** and please send me your contact details beforehand – see Our Covid precautions page.
**
4th October 2020**| Pearl Wedding in D | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow)
If you would like to join us, come to **Florence Park** and please send me your contact details beforehand – see Our Covid precautions page.
**
13th September 2020
**| Any tune on the website | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) and we’re going to try out **Florence Park Bandstand**.
**
6th September 2020**| Tarbolton | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) and it looks like the weather will allow us to meet in Grandpont Nature park too.
23rd August 2020 –| Any tunes on website | possible **extra** session (weather looks ok at present)
(Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) and please join us at Grandpont Nature Park)
**9th August 2020**| The Orphan | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) (only on Zoom for this date)
26th July 2020 – **extra** session| Any tunes on website | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) and weather permitting, please join us at Grandpont Nature Park)
**5th July 2020**| Pride of Petravore | (Click here to Join on Zoom (password: slow) and if it is not raining or likely to, please join us at Grandpont Nature Park)
21st June 2020| Any tune on the list| (extra outside)
Click here to join
and use password: slow
14th June 2020| Any tune on the list| (extra outside)
Click here to join
and use password: slow
7th June 2020| Bill Malley’s Barndance| Click here to join
and use password: slow
3rd May 2020| Willafjord| **ON ZOOM:**
Click here to join
and use password: slow
19th April 2020 (part of Folk Weekend Oxford)
NB 2.30pm| On Zoom (Download folk weekend brochure: http://www.folkweekendoxford.co.uk/what-s-on.html to find Zoom meeting ID)
1st March 2020| Inisheer
9th February 2020 (NB Second Sunday for this month only)| The Flying Tweed
5th January 2020| 250 to Vigo
29th December 2019
(Extra holiday session)| Any tunes on the list
1st December 2019| Farewell to Whalley Range
3rd November 2019| Spootiskerry
6th October 2019| Johsefin’s Waltz
1st September 2019| Hole in the Hedge
4th August 2019 (back to 3.30pm)| Calum’s Road
7th July 2019 (NB 2pm)| Paddy Fahy’s reel
2nd June 2019| Tell her I will (aka Gallagher’s Frolics)
5th May 2019 (back in Jericho)| Tell her I am
27th April 2019 in Royal Oak pub| Any tunes on the list…
7th April 2019| Jimmy Allen
3rd March 2019| Farewell to Nigg
3rd February 2019| The Sloe
6th January 2019
(back in Jericho Tavern)| Da Lounge Bar
2nd December 2018
(NB in The Chequers Pub)| Snug in a Blanket and the Bitter Withy
4th November 2018| Denis Murphy’s Polka
7th October 2018| The Frost is All Over and Rose in the Heather
2nd September 2018| Claire Connor’s Lament
5th August 2018| The Hut on Staffin Island
1st July 2018| Flatworld
3rd June 2018| The Hills of Kaitoke
6th May 2018| Tommy Peoples’s reel
22nd April 2018 (in the Chequer’s Pub as part of Oxford Folk Weekend free events)| Soldier’s Joy
1st April 2018 (Easter day)| La Sansonette
4th March 2018| Poules Huppées and Kerr’s Jig
4th February 2018| Tongadale Reel
7th January 2018| The Night Poor Larry was Stretched
26th November 2017 (December session a week early! back in Jericho Tavern)| Ille Bhig
5th November 2017 (venue for November – Chequers Pub)| You’ve been a long time away Willy Gray
1st October 2017| The Frost is All Over
3rd September 2017| Cavers of Kirkcudbright
12th August 2017
(NB SATURDAY 2.30pm for August only)| Harvest Home
2nd July 2017| Bert MacKenzie’s Birthday Waltz
4th June 2017| Seven Stars
7th May 2017| Keel Row
2nd April 2017| Four-Up Hornpipe
5th March 2017| The Kesh Jig
5th February 2017| Rights of Man
1st January 2017| Scottish theme (see below)
4th December 2016| Brenda Stubbert’s
6th November 2016| Salmon Tails
2nd October 2016| Drowsy Maggie
11th September 2016| Jump at the Sun
7th August 2016| Calliope House
3rd July 2016| Rose in the Heather
5th June 2016| John Ryan’s Polka
1st May 2016| May Mazurka
3rd April 2016| Pearl Wedding in D
6th March 2016| Hut on Staffin Island
7th February 2016| Rights of Man
3rd January 2016| Girl with a Blue Dress on
6th December 2015| Bitter Withy, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman and I Saw Three Ships
1st November 2015| Calliope House
4th October 2015| Rights of Man
6th September 2015| Lucy Farr’s
2nd August 2015| Tongadale
5th July 2015| Trip to Pakistan
7th June 2015| Galtee Hunt
3rd May 2015| Pearl Wedding in G
5th April 2015 (Easter Day)| NO SLOW SESSION
1st March 2015| Keel Row
1st February 2015| Kerfunken Jig
4th January 2015| Dr Letcher’s Favourite (aka Mounthills)
7th December 2014| Hole in the Hedge and Hunt the Squirrel
2nd November 2014| Clare Connor’s Lament
5th October 2014| Booley House
7th September 2014| Planxty Irwin
3rd August 2014| May Mazurka
6th July 2014| Butterfly
1st June 2014| Poules Huppées (Crested Hens)
4th May 2014| The Night Poor Larry was Stretched
6th April 2014| The Lily
2nd March 2014| The Clare Reel
2nd February 2014| Rusty Gully
5th January 2014| Bear Dance
For those who would like to have a list of our tunes by origin, I think they can roughly be grouped like this:
(NB really good tunes travel well and are sometimes naturalised by their new players. But if you feel you need to know which tunes to play in an “irish session” or a “scottish session” and so on, perhaps this might be useful.)
**Scottish** (or mostly so)
Battle of the Somme
Bert Mackenzie’s 70th Birthday Waltz
Brenda Stubbert’s reel (really Nova Scotia but often appropriated by Scotland too)
Calliope House
Calum’s Road
Cavers of Kirkcudbright
Farewell to Nigg
Hut on Staffin Island
Ille Bhig
Jenny Dang the Weaver
Da Lounge Bar (written by a Norwegian, named after a bar in Lerwick, Shetland)
McCrea’s Delight
Soor Milk Cairt
Spootiskerry
Tarbolton
Tongadale
Trip to Pakistan
Willafjord
250 to Vigo
**Irish** (or mostly so)
Bill Malley’s Barndance
Billy Malley’s Scottishe
Booley House
Brown Coffin
Butterfly
Carraroe
Clare Reel
Cooley’s Reel
Do You Love an Apple?
Denis Murphy’s Polka
Drowsy Maggie
The Frost is All Over
Galtee Hunt
The Good Natured Man
Hole in the Hedge
Inisheer
John Ryan’s Polka
Kerfunken
Lucy Farr’s
Merrily Kissed the Quaker (orig English but widely played in Ireland)
The Night Poor Larry was Stretched
The Orphan
Out on the Ocean
Paddy Fahy’s reel
Rights of Man
Rose in the Heather
Si Bheag Si Mhor
Tell her I am
Tell her I will
Tommy People’s reel
The £42 pound cheque
### Share this:
* Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
* Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
* Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
*
Like Loading...
