Today, we’re diving into the heart of Irish music with a great tune – “Cooley’s Reel“. We’ll learn the melody and chords.
“Cooley’s Reel”, is a beloved tune in the traditional Irish music repertoire, and has a rich history. The tune was named after its composer, a man whose love for music was as deep as his influence was broad. With its energetic rhythm and vibrant melody, “Cooley’s Reel” has been performed by notable musicians worldwide and continues to inspire.
This blog post will serve as your comprehensive guide to mastering this piece. We’ll provide you with detailed Cooley’s reel sheet music, a complete guitar accompaniment tutorial, and clear, easy-to-follow Cooley’s reel chords, all of which are tailored to suit guitarists with beginner to intermediate skill levels.
We’ll start off by introducing the tune and walking you through the melody line by line.
You’ll learn how to keep your rhythm steady as you navigate the intricate fingerwork of the melody on the upper strings. As you get comfortable with the basics, we’ll take you through some creative variations, encouraging you to add your own chord shapes and embellishments, making the tune truly your own.
But that’s not all. Along the way, we’ll delve into the history of “Cooley’s Reel”, exploring the story of its creation and its journey through the world of music. You’ll learn about the tune’s composer, the notable performances that have contributed to its enduring popularity, and the unique charm that has made it a favourite among Irish music enthusiasts.
So, whether you’re a seasoned guitarist looking to expand your repertoire or a beginner eager to explore the world of Irish music, this post is designed to provide you with all the resources you need to master “Cooley’s Reel”.
Remember, the path to mastery is a process, not an event. Don’t rush. Take your time, enjoy the learning process, and most importantly, have fun with it. Let’s get started!
Cooley’s Reel: Origins and History
Cooley’s Reel is a traditional Irish reel that has become an essential part of the repertoire for many musicians. The tune is most often associated with the Cooley brothers, particularly Joe Cooley, a well-known accordion player. It is said that the reel was the result of a combined effort by the Cooley brothers, although Joe Mills claims to have composed the tune.
Having origins in Ireland, Cooley’s Reel is widely recognized and appreciated in various parts of the world. As a reel, the tune is composed in a 4/4 time signature and typically features the characteristic lilting rhythm of Irish dance music.
Joe Cooley and His Influence
Joe Cooley (1924 – 1973) was an influential accordion player from County Clare, Ireland. His style and technique have left an indelible mark on traditional Irish music, as evidenced by the popularization of Cooley’s Reel. Jeremy Kammerer and Cathie Whitesides recorded Joe Cooley’s playing of this tune along with other pieces in the 1970s. These recordings can now be heard on the website, The Joe Cooley Tapes, which also offers photographs and biographical information.
In addition to his impact on traditional Irish music through the popularization of Cooley’s Reel, Joe Cooley maintained a strong connection to his homeland. As an accordion player, Cooley was deeply rooted in the County Clare music scene. This connection to Ireland’s cultural and historical background is evident in his playing style and the lasting influence of his music.
I’m from County Clare myself, so this tune has a particularly nostalgic feel to it as I grew up listening to it being played in sessions here in Ennis.
Let’s now take a look at the sheet music and start to get the tune under our fingers.
Sheet Music for Cooley’s Reel
Cooley’s Reel is in 4/4 time and is usually played in E Dorian, but it can be played in E minor.
The main difference between the two is that the E Dorian mode has a C# in it, while the E minor scale has a C natural.
The sheet music for Cooley’s reel below is in E Dorian:
Guitar Tab & Notation Video
This tutorial video goes through the tune at four different tempos so you can learn at your own pace.
Firstly it goes through the tune at a quick tempo to get the tune in your ear. Then it goes slow so you can learn the fingering, next it goes at a medium tempo so that you can get used to the movement and make it fluid. Finally, it speeds up to normal tempo again where you can challenge yourself.
For any fiddle players out there, I found a great video tutorial on YouTube by FiddleHed that provides a basic fiddle lesson for beginners who want to tackle the tune, it’s definitely worth checking out Jason’s FiddleHed website also.
Full DADGAD Guitar Tutorial
Accompaniment in DADGAD
The open, resonant sound of DADGAD lends itself well to this Irish tune. If DADGAD is completely new to you, check out the DADGAD Chords: Unlocking Your Guitar’s Full Potential post. That will give you a really solid grounding, and prepare you to take on this tune.
To play Cooley’s Reel in DADGAD tuning, we’ll need to adapt the chords to fit the tune. So we’ll place the capo on the second fret so we’re playing in the key of E minor/dorian.
Here’s the full DADGAD guitar tutorial for Cooley’s reel, and you can find the chord charts to follow along with the lesson below.
Chords for Cooley’s Reel
These are the chord shapes used in the tutorial lesson above. I’ve added multiple ways to play some of the chords so that you can have options to choose from when playing, instead of just having to resort to one chord shape. This way we can keep things interesting and fun with different tonal changes.
Keep in mind that these chords are just a starting point, and you may find other variations or voicings that you prefer. Experiment with different chord shapes and fingerings to find what best complements the melody and the other instruments playing along.
Don’t forget to practice playing the chords along with a backing track or a recording of the tune. You can find a backing track towards the end of the DADGAD tutorial video above which you can use. This will help you get a better understanding of how the chords fit with the melody and rhythm of Cooley’s Reel.
Strumming
Depending on which way you want to count the 4/4 reel we can emphasise either the 1st beat or else the 1st & the 3rd beat. Here are the two guitar strumming examples:
Notable Recordings
I’ve come across many talented musicians who have recorded and performed Cooley’s Reel. Here are some of my favourites which I think are worth checking out:
Shane Farrell
You can find more of Shanes music at his Youtube Channel.
Fergal Scahill
Here’s Fergal’s channel. Definitely check out his multiple ‘tune-a-day‘ compilations.
Paul Young
Paul has a lovely version of the tune, you can find more of his tunes and teaching at his website: https://www.paulyoungfolk.co.uk/
Other musicians who have made this tune their own include fiddler John McGrath, accordionist Charlie Piggott, Fintan Vallely on the wooden flute (Who used to be my music lecturer in music college), and Séamus Ennis, who played the Uilleann Pipes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope that this guide to “Cooley’s Reel” has equipped you with the necessary tools to master this captivating tune. From the detailed sheet music notation and complete guitar tutorial to the historical insights about its composer and notable performances, you now have everything you need to bring “Cooley’s Reel” to life.
As you continue your musical exploration, you can follow on to the next blog post, where we’ll delve into an iconic Irish song – “Red is the Rose“. Discover the intricacies of this heartfelt melody and uncover the stories that have made it a cherished part of Irish music tradition.
And if you’re looking to expand your repertoire and explore the world of DADGAD tuning further, I invite you to check out my full DADAD Jumpstart Course. It’s designed to take your guitar playing to new heights and unlock a whole realm of possibilities.
I’d love to hear from you too! Join the discussion and share your experiences with “Cooley’s Reel”. What challenges did you face while learning the tune? What unique interpretations or embellishments did you add? Let’s create a vibrant community of guitarists and music lovers sharing their insights and inspiring one another. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Finally, stay tuned for more in-depth tutorials. Subscribe in the footer section of this page to be the first to receive updates and exclusive content straight to your inbox.
Happy playing!
