The Dirty Bee reel

There’s been a few tunes from Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Hendersons album so here’s another one. This was written by Ross and is probably his best known tune. It’s a must know tune in many Scottish sessions. As it’s a Scottish pipe tune I’ve notated it in A mix though the first part is minor and the second major with the g nat being a passing note.

It is a great tune. The first part is in Gm and the second in Dmajor.

Of course, ignore my g nat nonsense above, wasn’t thinking straight - or hardly at all!

Select ~ K: Gmin

GA |: BAGA cAGA | dcAG A2 GA | BAGA cAGA | GAAG A2 GA |
BAGA cAGA | dcAG A2 GA | BAGA cAGA |[1 GAAG A2 GA :|[2 dAeA fAgA ||
K: Dmaj
|: a2 fd defd | eA c/c/c efge | a2 fd defd | eAce defg |
a2 fd defd | eA c/c/c efge | a2 fd defd |[1 eAce d2 e/f/g :|[2 eAce d2 GA |]

~ or ~

Select ~ K: Gmin

GA |: BAGA cAGA | dcAG A2 GA | BAGA cAGA | GAAG A2 GA |
BAGA cAGA | dcAG A2 GA | BAGA cAGA | [1 GAAG A2 GA :|[K: Dmaj][2 dAeA fAgA ||
|: a2 fd defd | eA c/c/c efge | a2 fd defd | eAce defg |
a2 fd defd | eA c/c/c efge | a2 fd defd |[1 eAce d2 e/f/g :|[2 eAce d2 GA |]

Thanks ceolachan. I notated it the way I did because it is a Scottish pipe tune and makes more sense in that context that way. However on reflection for the purposes of this site you are absolutely right so I’ve adjusted it accordingly.

you sure about that c# birl? always played an A birl there

Yes Matt, that’s how Ross wrote it, but I often substitute it for an A birl too. The second part if usually played quite harmonized as it lends itself well for that so both are often played.

as I heard it when chatting with Ali Hutton after a Back of the Moon show a few years back is that the titular bee went up the leg of the composers trousers.

The A part of ceolachan’s first "option" should read:
[2 dA=eA ^fAgA ||
🙂

Same version, but in Am, as we play with our band.