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The Kesh Jig

The Kesh Jig is perhaps the most famous and universally played traditional Irish double jig. It is an essential tune for every tin whistle beginner, featured prominently in the Bothy Band repertoire.

D Whistle Chart
Key SignatureG
Time Signature6/8
Recommended InstrumentKey of D Whistle
Suggested Tempo110 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 G: holes are closed, closed, closed, open, open, open
G
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note G: holes are closed, closed, closed, open, open, open
G
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note A: holes are closed, closed, open, open, open, open
A
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note B: holes are closed, open, open, open, open, open
B
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note A: holes are closed, closed, open, open, open, open
A
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note A: holes are closed, closed, open, open, open, open
A
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note B: holes are closed, open, open, open, open, open
B
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note d: holes are open, closed, closed, closed, closed, closed
d+
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 open, closed, closed, closed, closed, closed
d+
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note d: holes are open, closed, closed, closed, closed, closed
d+
Tin whistle fingering diagram for note g: holes are closed, closed, closed, open, open, open
g+

ABC Notation Code

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

X: 1
T: The Kesh Jig
R: jig
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
K: G
|: G3 GAB | A3 ABd | edd gdd | edB dBA |
G3 GAB | A3 ABd | edd gdB | AGF G3 :|
|: B3 d3 | ege dBA | B3 dBG | ABA AGA |
BAB d3 | ege dBd | gfg aga | bgg g3 :|

Tune History & Origins

Named after the village of Kesh in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It gained worldwide popularity through recordings by The Bothy Band and in the soundtrack of Titanic.

Notable Recordings

  • The Bothy Band (1975)
  • The Chieftains
  • Mary Bergin - Feadóga Stáin

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