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slip jigIntermediate

The Butterfly

An evocative 3-part slip jig in 9/8 time with a mysterious, fluttering melody. Composed or arranged by fiddler Tommy Potts in the 1960s.

D Whistle Chart
Key SignatureEm
Time Signature9/8
Recommended InstrumentKey of D Whistle
Suggested Tempo105 BPM

6-Hole Fingering Tablature Preview Opening Phrase

Visual whistle fingering holes for the initial notes. Filled circles represent closed holes.

Tin whistle fingering diagram for note B: holes are closed, open, open, open, open, open
B
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note E: holes are closed, closed, closed, closed, closed, open
E
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note G: holes are closed, closed, closed, open, open, open
G
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note E: holes are closed, closed, closed, closed, closed, open
E
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note F: holes are closed, closed, closed, closed, half-open, open
F
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note B: holes are closed, open, open, open, open, open
B
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note E: holes are closed, closed, closed, closed, closed, open
E
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note G: holes are closed, closed, closed, open, open, open
G
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note E: holes are closed, closed, closed, closed, closed, open
E
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note F: holes are closed, closed, closed, closed, half-open, open
F
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note E: holes are closed, closed, closed, closed, closed, open
E
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note D: holes are closed, closed, closed, closed, closed, closed
D

ABC Notation Code

Standard ABC format compatible with all ABC tune players and software.

X: 4
T: The Butterfly
R: slip jig
M: 9/8
L: 1/8
K: Em
|: B2E G2E F3 | B2E G2E FED | B2E G2E F3 | B2d d2B AFA :|
|: B2c e2f g3 | B2c g2e dBA | B2c e2f g2a | b2a g2e dBA :|
|: B3 B2A G2A | B3 BAB dBA | B3 B2A G2A | B2d d2B AFA :|

Tune History & Origins

Created by Tommy Potts from traditional fragments, named for the delicate dancing rhythms that resemble the flutter of a butterfly.

Notable Recordings

  • Bothy Band - 1975
  • Tommy Potts - The Liffey Banks

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