Still being in the learning phase of playing Irish Music, I've found the more I play and the more I listen the more I recognize that there are distict styles (Sligo, Clare, Donegal etc). I think I know what I like but I need more information and suggestions about who is best to listen to in the different styles. There is such a wealth of recorded music and information, I need some help to sift through it.
For West Clare style, there's Kevin Crehan (the title of the Cd is in Gaelic--I don't have it offhand, but you'll find it when you do a search in the recordings part of this site.).
I started playing the whistle this Janurary in Edinburgh, then joined the summer school of traditional music in Sligo. On the frist or second day, the tutor said to me "Why does your whistle hop a lot?" Until then I naively thought I was playing just "normally" and didn't notice I picked up my Scottish tutor's piping style.
Now I'm back home in Japan, but I still cannot imitate that flat and smooth Sligo style. It's like language or accent.
I'm really interested in the style of Irish music developed in the States, England, or anywhere else. Is there any unique, distinct style outside Ireland? I just read Michael MacGoldrick's style is different from any of native style in Ireland.
Slainte, unfortunately many of us Yanks play in a "cd style" from learning so many tunes off of recordings. And I'm only half joking. In my case, that means I play in an assortment of styles, sometimes distinct, and sometimes blended. When playing for knowledgeable trad musicians, I've been told that listening to my style is either (a) like taking a county by county tour of Ireland (which I misread as a compliment), or (b) like drinking frat party punch--a lively but unpleasant mash of too many different liquors (clearly not a compliment .
And there is a distinct American style of Irish music that has no lift and no ornaments, sort of Irish Muzak. It's horrible.
That said, there are many, many wonderful musicians over here that do the music full justice.
Your comment actually brings up another question, which is kind of why I'm seeking recommendations. I listen to a lot of music, all kinds of styles and interpretations, which is great, but I find that many of the recordings are virtuostic, which means I don't have a hope in heck of playing along with it for starters and secondly, it's become clear to me that it's an interpretation for show. Lately, I've been on a bare bones kind of kick. I want to hear the tune as true as possible. That doesn't mean, no ornaments or rolls or anything like that, in fact I love hearing how different players choose to embellish... it helps to create the style. It's just that so many recordings are kind of show offy, tunes played at break neck speed and some might say with very little style or too much however you want to look at it.
Yep Anny, there's just no substitute for sitting in at live sessions with good trad players. On another thread Brad posted a link where you could listen to a session on the radio (of course, that aspect makes me a little suspect of how the players might treat that session--more as a performance?), a fair alternative for those of us stuck out in the hinterlands.
If you can, get to a trad music session, festival, or camp, even if it means travel and expense. Just one or two such experiences can inform your playing for long afterward and help you follow a more traditional path than you might just from listening to cds.
But there are also cds out there that don't put such a commercial shine on the tunes. Music at Matt Molloy's, Paddy in the Smoke, Ceol an Clair, etc. Actually, I think one of the better cds for learning common session tunes on flute (and I know some people will scream about this) is Kevin Crawford's "D Flute" cd, which is no longer in print but can be found used online. Just ignore the tongued triplets (or better yet, impress all your friends and learn how to do them) and you'll have a good pile of tunes to learn.
Ultimately, you just have to listen to *all* of it and decide which you want to mimic and learn from. In other words, you won't know what's "too" showy and what's pure drop until you listen to the whole range--some pure drop is highly embellished and individualized, and that stuff is good to learn too.
Check the recordings list on this site for more ideas on straightforward cds. The comments usually mention that quality if the cd's got it.
Good advice (again!) I have been scanning through the list of recordings and comments.... it's mind boggling! It's true going to workshops or camps is a great way to immerse yourself in it for a while. I was actually all geared up to go to one in May in St. Louis... a really big trip for me and perfect timing as summer is usually the busiest time for me and impossible to get away. Anyway, it was cancelled, so nothing this year. If you know of anything that happens between November and March... let me know! I should listen to *all* the music.... that could take a while. I'd best get started! (hee). Thanks again Will.
It has some interesting comments about learning styles of Irish music, and lots of useful advice in general (I'm not a fiddle player, so I can't comment on the fiddling specifics, but anyway...)
Maybe that's why it was cancelled.... no one knew about it. It was called "Eigse" and was through the University of Missouri cultural studies program. Rather ambitious with quality instructors slated and good workshops in all disciplines. I've lost the flyer but it was scheduled for the May long weekend. Very disappointing that it was cancelled. As I said previously, so many events are scheduled in the summer, so I usually can't make plans to go.
For the Sligo style, try Dervish. Their studio recordings have a real live feel (except the newest one "Midsummer's Night").
And also try "Ceol Aduaidh" by Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy for the pure Donegal music.
I also love "In Good Company" by Kevin Crowford, which is easier to get than his previous recording.
Many thanks to everyone... I think my Christmas list is now complete! The links are great, I've been going through all of them and now have much reading material to amuse myself with and hopefully some new recordings to immerse myself in.
A question of style.
A question of style.
Still being in the learning phase of playing Irish Music, I've found the more I play and the more I listen the more I recognize that there are distict styles (Sligo, Clare, Donegal etc). I think I know what I like but I need more information and suggestions about who is best to listen to in the different styles. There is such a wealth of recorded music and information, I need some help to sift through it.
# Posted on December 12th 2002 by ANNY
Re: A question of style.
For a broad overview of Donegal style playing, try The Brass Fiddle (with tracks of Vincent Campbell, Con Cassidy, James Byrne, and Francie Byrne).
Zina
# Posted on December 12th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: A question of style.
Oh, and for different sorts of flute playing, try the Wooden Flute Obsession compilation. I think Glauber posted the link for their website...
zls
# Posted on December 12th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: A question of style.
For West Clare style, there's Kevin Crehan (the title of the Cd is in Gaelic--I don't have it offhand, but you'll find it when you do a search in the recordings part of this site.).
# Posted on December 12th 2002 by Andee
Re: A question of style.
For east clare style visit my website http://claremusic.tripod.com
# Posted on December 12th 2002 by Bernie
Re: A question of style.
Very nice and informative site Bernie! Thank you!
# Posted on December 12th 2002 by lars
Re: A question of style.
Brian Conway is probably one of the most beautiful Sligo style players.
# Posted on December 12th 2002 by irishfiddler32
Re: A question of style.
Bernie,
Thanks! Lovely website and just what I was looking for.
# Posted on December 13th 2002 by ANNY
Re: A question of style.
I'll join the general chorus for Bernie's site. For flute there's a site called The Flow which discusses styles.
http://www.oblique-design.demon.co.uk/flow/index.html
Steve
# Posted on December 13th 2002 by SteveKendall
Re: A question of style.
I started playing the whistle this Janurary in Edinburgh, then joined the summer school of traditional music in Sligo. On the frist or second day, the tutor said to me "Why does your whistle hop a lot?" Until then I naively thought I was playing just "normally" and didn't notice I picked up my Scottish tutor's piping style.
Now I'm back home in Japan, but I still cannot imitate that flat and smooth Sligo style. It's like language or accent.
I'm really interested in the style of Irish music developed in the States, England, or anywhere else. Is there any unique, distinct style outside Ireland? I just read Michael MacGoldrick's style is different from any of native style in Ireland.
# Posted on December 13th 2002 by slainte
Re: A question of style.
Slainte, unfortunately many of us Yanks play in a "cd style" from learning so many tunes off of recordings. And I'm only half joking. In my case, that means I play in an assortment of styles, sometimes distinct, and sometimes blended. When playing for knowledgeable trad musicians, I've been told that listening to my style is either (a) like taking a county by county tour of Ireland (which I misread as a compliment), or (b) like drinking frat party punch--a lively but unpleasant mash of too many different liquors (clearly not a compliment
.
And there is a distinct American style of Irish music that has no lift and no ornaments, sort of Irish Muzak. It's horrible.
That said, there are many, many wonderful musicians over here that do the music full justice.
# Posted on December 13th 2002 by Will Harmon
Re: A question of style.
Will,
Your comment actually brings up another question, which is kind of why I'm seeking recommendations. I listen to a lot of music, all kinds of styles and interpretations, which is great, but I find that many of the recordings are virtuostic, which means I don't have a hope in heck of playing along with it for starters and secondly, it's become clear to me that it's an interpretation for show. Lately, I've been on a bare bones kind of kick. I want to hear the tune as true as possible. That doesn't mean, no ornaments or rolls or anything like that, in fact I love hearing how different players choose to embellish... it helps to create the style. It's just that so many recordings are kind of show offy, tunes played at break neck speed and some might say with very little style or too much however you want to look at it.
# Posted on December 13th 2002 by ANNY
Re: A question of style.
Yep Anny, there's just no substitute for sitting in at live sessions with good trad players. On another thread Brad posted a link where you could listen to a session on the radio (of course, that aspect makes me a little suspect of how the players might treat that session--more as a performance?), a fair alternative for those of us stuck out in the hinterlands.
If you can, get to a trad music session, festival, or camp, even if it means travel and expense. Just one or two such experiences can inform your playing for long afterward and help you follow a more traditional path than you might just from listening to cds.
But there are also cds out there that don't put such a commercial shine on the tunes. Music at Matt Molloy's, Paddy in the Smoke, Ceol an Clair, etc. Actually, I think one of the better cds for learning common session tunes on flute (and I know some people will scream about this) is Kevin Crawford's "D Flute" cd, which is no longer in print but can be found used online. Just ignore the tongued triplets (or better yet, impress all your friends and learn how to do them) and you'll have a good pile of tunes to learn.
Ultimately, you just have to listen to *all* of it and decide which you want to mimic and learn from. In other words, you won't know what's "too" showy and what's pure drop until you listen to the whole range--some pure drop is highly embellished and individualized, and that stuff is good to learn too.
Check the recordings list on this site for more ideas on straightforward cds. The comments usually mention that quality if the cd's got it.
# Posted on December 13th 2002 by Will Harmon
Re: A question of style.
Will,
Good advice (again!) I have been scanning through the list of recordings and comments.... it's mind boggling! It's true going to workshops or camps is a great way to immerse yourself in it for a while. I was actually all geared up to go to one in May in St. Louis... a really big trip for me and perfect timing as summer is usually the busiest time for me and impossible to get away. Anyway, it was cancelled, so nothing this year. If you know of anything that happens between November and March... let me know! I should listen to *all* the music.... that could take a while. I'd best get started! (hee). Thanks again Will.
# Posted on December 13th 2002 by ANNY
Re: A question of style.
Anny,
You might want to check out Larry Sanger's Irish Fiddle Guide at
http://www.nupedia.com/fiddle/fidintro.html
It has some interesting comments about learning styles of Irish music, and lots of useful advice in general (I'm not a fiddle player, so I can't comment on the fiddling specifics, but anyway...)
# Posted on December 13th 2002 by Gzeg
Re: A question of style.
(Sorry for going off subject...)
Anny,
May I ask what workshop in St. Louis you were refering to? I knew of the Tionol on March 28th, but have not heard of one in May.
Schy
# Posted on December 14th 2002 by Schy
Re: A question of style.
Maybe that's why it was cancelled.... no one knew about it. It was called "Eigse" and was through the University of Missouri cultural studies program. Rather ambitious with quality instructors slated and good workshops in all disciplines. I've lost the flyer but it was scheduled for the May long weekend. Very disappointing that it was cancelled. As I said previously, so many events are scheduled in the summer, so I usually can't make plans to go.
# Posted on December 14th 2002 by ANNY
Recommended CDs
For the Sligo style, try Dervish. Their studio recordings have a real live feel (except the newest one "Midsummer's Night").
And also try "Ceol Aduaidh" by Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy for the pure Donegal music.
I also love "In Good Company" by Kevin Crowford, which is easier to get than his previous recording.
# Posted on December 14th 2002 by slainte
Here is the list of the festivals and workshops: http://www.irish-music.net/LinkFestivals.htm
# Posted on December 14th 2002 by slainte
Re: A question of style.
Many thanks to everyone... I think my Christmas list is now complete! The links are great, I've been going through all of them and now have much reading material to amuse myself with and hopefully some new recordings to immerse myself in.
# Posted on December 14th 2002 by ANNY