Okay, I’m trying to get going with some fairly simple things, so I’m practicing an air (Fanny Power) and a jig (Tobin’s Favorite). I’d like to include a reel in my first practice set, so I can get a feel for that sort of rhythm. So, I’m asking for suggestions for a good entry-level reel.
Hi ubizmo,
apparently there aren’t any… ; p)
try a search for easy reels here and at thesession.org and I’ll bet you get some hits - or search for reels on youtube & find one you feel is approchable.
Best,
Deisman
Hey Ubizmo,
Reels are something that have sent my mind, well…reeling. I can’t seem to get the hang of playing them with the proper phrasing AND at speed.
There is one however that I’m making “fair” progress at, and that would be Cooley’s Reel. I really like the note play on this one and don’t think it’s too terribly hard.
Although I know he’ll poo-poo it, I really got into this one after seeing Aanvils version on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYH5NqTtNsI
I like the rhythm he puts into it. Check it out.
Cheers!
John
poo poo!
Goodness me… so many others out there that actually know now how to play well.
I’ve got better since then… not much though. 
I’ve been focusing on flute now and I’ve been told by a mentor type person to lay off my whistles for a while an only play one flute.
I’ve been able to do so but its been tough.
Hey if this helps I’m glad. We all gotta start somewhere.
Cooley’s if a fun tune.
Have fun!
The easiest reel in the world is the Concertina reel. (ducks tomato)
But yeah, go with Cooley’s if you can.
Hardly! All those 2nd 8ve D crans for a flute or whistle player! Musically easy and easy to remember, yes, but to play properly? BTW, Harry Bradley calls it The Badger’s F**t
There are plenty of relatively easy reels in terms of what they demand technically, no harder than jigs; just don’t rush! FWIW, early tunes I learnt included Cooley’s, Drowsie Maggie, Miss McLeod, Paddy on the Railroad (aka The Merry Blacksmith. I wouldn’t say Cooley’s or DM were “easy” though.
Try Wind that Shakes the Barley or Crowley’s Reel. -g
Cooley’s is a wonderful reel. For fun, you can insert the theme to Gilligan’s Island in between the A and B parts… 
Wind That Shakes… is indeed pretty straightforward. So is The Morning Dew aka The Hare in the Heather. The Connacht Heifers is an interesting but not difficult and maybe less commonly played tune that springs to mind, though probably at this stage you want session standards really…
For the sake of old decency
Rolling in the ryegrass
Are the two first reels my teacher intrusted me to butcher
Hi I am learning too and these are the tunes that I am currently working on
My Jig is The Swallowtail Jig and the Connaughtman’s Ramble’s
Polka Britches full of Stitches
Airs are easy but I like The South Wind and Down by the Sally Gardens. I also love playing the Soliders Song.
My Reel is Wind that Shakes the Barley.
The Jig I can play straight through at speed with out to much problems. The Airs are easy. I nail Britches and can play along with a session recording on ITunes.
The reels well lets just say I can play the Wind that shakes the Barley but my speed doesn’t make the barley fall. I know the notes and I know how its suppose to sound. But when I hear it played at a session I wonder how the feck there fingers move so fast. Maybe mine need some WD40 on em or something.
Any way hope that helps.
I found “The Red-Haired Boy” fairly easy and it’s a bouncy, fun tune to play.
Try the Man of the House or The Ashplant
Philo
I find reels easiest. Hornpipes are the hardest for me. I find the reel timing way easier than jigs.