Hi everyone, Joel Kennedy here with Kennedy Violins! Today’s another play-along video, and we’re diving into a beautiful Irish tune: Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms.

First, I’ll play the tune all the way through, and then we’ll break it down step by step. I’ll also go over some rhythm tips and play it with a metronome so you can get a better feel for the timing.

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Understanding the Time Signature

This piece is in 6/8 time, which means there are six eighth notes per measure, and the eighth note gets the beat. However, in most cases, we don’t actually count all six beats—we usually group them into two sets of three, counting it as “1-2-3, 4-5-6.” This gives it a lilting, dance-like feel.

If you’re not comfortable with 6/8 yet, a great way to practice is in two steps:

1. Count in six – Tap or clap along while thinking of each individual eighth note to really internalize the rhythm.

2. Count in two – Once you feel comfortable, shift to counting in two beats per measure, feeling the pulse rather than every single eighth note.

Playing with the Metronome

To help you stay steady, I’ll play it at 50 BPM. First, I’ll count in six so you can hear how long to hold each note. For example, in the fourth full measure, there’s a tied note: a dotted quarter note tied to a quarter note. That means we hold it for five eighth-note beats: “1-2-3, 1-2.”

Once you’re comfortable counting in six, try switching to counting in two while keeping those eighth-note groupings in mind.

Bowing and Technique Tips

This tune is best played in the middle of the bow. You’ll probably use the middle two-thirds of the bow for most of it, ensuring smooth and even strokes.

One of the defining features of this piece is the dotted rhythm, which appears right from the first measure. We have a dotted eighth note followed by a sixteenth note, which is common in Irish music. The key thing here is not to stop your bow between the notes. You don’t want it to sound choppy—keep the bow moving for a natural flow. It’s not da-da, it’s daa-da! Keeping the bowing fluid will help maintain that signature Irish feel.

Bringing It All Together

This is a relatively simple piece, but it’s incredibly fun to play. If you struggle with the rhythm, take it slow and build up speed gradually. Break it down into easy steps—start by clapping the rhythm, then play slowly, and finally increase the tempo as you get comfortable.

I hope this video and breakdown help you enjoy playing Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms! If you have any questions, leave a comment—I read and respond to all of them. Don’t forget to like and subscribe, and happy practicing!