Egan’s Polka is most likely to be one of the first tunes you will learn to play. It has similarities to the first part of Dalaigh’s Polka, cross picking between the E and A strings.

first part

• | F# A B A | F# A B A | D E F# – | E D B A |
• | F# A B A | F# A B A | D E F# – | E D D :||

second part

• | F# A’ F# E | E D B A | D E F#- | E D B A |
• | F# A’ F# E | E D B A | D E F#- | E D D :||

The Mountain Road is a very popular session tune that’s bound to have all musicians join in. I have recorded the reel in the key of D major with the first part played twice followed by the second part twice. You may find that some musicians play the tune as a single reel ‘1st part once/2nd part once’ so maybe it’s best to tell accompanying musicians your intentions.

Also you will find musicians playing many different versions of the tune.  The long f# at the beginning of the tune can be played as a rolling triplet i.e.  e f# f# or as a hammer-on (play e then pound your finger down on the f# then play the note of f#) Also at the beginning of part two you can play the DC#D as a plain triplet D D or vary it second time around. It’s up to you to experiment

part one

f#-   A f#   Bf#Af#  |   f#-   Af#   ef#de   |   f#-   Af#   Bf#Af#  |   G-   f#G   edbd  |
f#-   A f#   Bf#Af#  |   f#-   Af#   ef#d-    |   ef#   A A  BAf# A  |   A   BD    EF#DED  |:

part two

DC#D   A   BAf#A   |   DC#D   E   F#G’F#E   |  DC#D   A    BAf#A   |   G-    e f#d   ef#GA   |
DC#D   A   BAf#A   |   DC#D   E   F#G’F#E   |  D D   A    BAf#A   |   G-   f#G    edbd  |:

Gerry O’Connor offers some great advice while demonstrating his techniques playing The Mountain Road.