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Tom Billy’s sheet music

Tom Billy’s sheet music covers more than one dance-tune type: the scores shown here are titled Tom Billy’s (Jig), Tom Billy’s Reel and Tom Billy’s Hornpipe. The jig is set in 6/8 with an opening key signature of one sharp; the reel and hornpipe are in 4/4 with two sharps, and the reel is identified as D major. No composer is credited for these scores, so the name should be treated as a tune title rather than a confirmed attribution.

Scores 1–20 of 31

Sheet music

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Choosing between jig, reel and hornpipe

The quickest way to choose is by dance type and metre. The score titled Tom Billy's (Jig) is in 6/8, while Tom Billy's Reel and Tom Billy's Hornpipe are both in 4/4. If you need a jig for a set or a 4/4 dance tune, start with the matching title rather than assuming the name refers to a single version. The available details do not establish difficulty, so assess the notes and ornamentation in the score itself.

One name, possibly more than one tune

Sharing the name Tom Billy's does not prove that the jig, reel and hornpipe are arrangements of the same melody. They are presented under separate dance-type titles, and the available information does not compare their melodic content. Check the opening phrase of each score before deciding whether they are variants or unrelated tunes.

What the opening key and time signatures tell you

The opening indications are useful for matching a score to a familiar version: one sharp and 6/8 for the jig, two sharps and 4/4 for the reel and hornpipe, with D major named for the reel. These describe only the opening, not modulations, final key or the full melodic setting. Use them as a starting point, then inspect the score for range, ornamentation and any instrument-specific details.

What is not known from the title

The title alone does not identify a composer, a historical source, an instrument or a definitive version. No composer is credited with these scores. If you need a particular setting, compare the actual notation and any attribution printed on the score rather than relying on the shared name.

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Common questions

Is Tom Billy's a jig or a reel?

Tom Billy's appears in the scores here as both a jig and a reel, and also as a hornpipe. The jig score is in 6/8; the reel and hornpipe scores are in 4/4. The dance-type word in the title is the clearest guide to which kind of tune you are looking at.

What time signature is Tom Billy's in?

Tom Billy's does not have a single time signature across the scores: Tom Billy's (Jig) is in 6/8, while Tom Billy's Reel and Tom Billy's Hornpipe are in 4/4. Match the time signature to the dance type you need.

What key is Tom Billy's in?

The opening key signatures differ by version. Tom Billy's (Jig) opens with one sharp, whereas Tom Billy's Reel and Tom Billy's Hornpipe open with two sharps; the reel is specifically identified as D major. These are opening keys, so check the full score before assuming the piece stays in one key throughout.

Who composed Tom Billy's?

No composer is credited for the Tom Billy's scores shown here. The name is used as the tune title, and the available information does not support assigning the piece to a named composer. For a definitive attribution, consult the score's own credits or a specialist tune source.

Are the jig, reel and hornpipe versions the same tune?

The scores are titled as a jig, a reel and a hornpipe, but the available details do not show whether they share the same melody. Compare their opening phrases and overall shape before treating them as variants. The shared title alone is not enough to establish that they are the same composition.