I'm Polish and I realise that it is quite hard to find any of such teacher in the place I live, so I'm looking for some advices which help me in learning on my own.
(I play the violin for a long time, but Irish music is so different than Polish or Ukrainian folk I play, that I would be grateful for every tip)
I am not a fiddle player, so I don't pretend to know what would be good. But there are a large number of "self help" videos out there for learning to play Irish music, and specifically Irish Fiddle.
Mel Bay is a publisher that puts out some good tutoring videos and books. You can go onto the Shop section of this site (with the link at the right side), and look for "Irish FIddle" in videos at Amazon.co.uk, where you will find some stuff. Look in the books section as well.
I'm sure some fiddle players here can suggest some specific books and videos for you to try that they might have first-hand experience with.
I give up! this deal eats my efforts like kids eat candy!
Theres just a few - unfortunately - authorative works out there.
"The Irish Fiddle Book" by Matt Cranitch, pub by OSSIAN Cork Ireland. is a good start.
Also right there in Poland there are several excellent Celtic Bands playing what they think is Celtic, but its really Irish music. Last time I looked Warsaw, Crakow had some
ehhh i am beginner.. I mean, I have played the violin from 10 years but i always played classic music. I love Irish and I want to play this kind of music;) i know... there are many books about fiddles' play but i need " a human" who can teach me;) I am from poland:p
I don't know where youn live so I haven't an idea where you might look. If you can get to sessions usually there's a fiddler whom you could ask. Also be aware that many native Irish fiddlers who emigrated out of Irealand to the US. Oz, etc may not play any more. That occurs a lot more than one might think!
So the next best option is looking for Irish Clubs and Irish trad dance clubs. Often these will have or know of a good Irish trad fiddler. Again its ask ask and ask.
ascie,
Perhaps a good thing to do would be to spend ALOT of time listening to CDs of different fiddlers--you'd be surprised how much they can teach you. When I first started fiddling, I learned a TON from listening, though I did have another fiddler teach me some ornamentation. Good luck, and congratulations on your decision to learn this beautiful music!
Hi Anna,
Seems like we are sharing the location and some musical influences also... If you want a contact with some good Irish fiddlers in Poland, drop me a line via my profile.
fiddlekit
-i know this music is fantastic;) I love music and irish danc/ ing . and I know that I have to listen this music if I want to learn ofcourse but it is a problem because there are many ornaments which i can not play;/;/;/ because i do not know how i should play this ornaments;/;/
Ascie, can I suggest before you make a hasty move that you first listen to celticagent's playing via the links he's posted? Or, better still, get someone who can actually play to listen to them for you?
(Apologies to the rest of you guys out there if I've hit a sour note, which I'm afraid I do seem to have, but I'm left absolutely fuming.)
I'm so happy to see Polish people willing to learn Irish Music the right way! There are good fiddlers in Poland to learn from, be sure of that! If you need any details don't hesitate to contact Janek or me.
Ascie, if you really want to play Irish fiddle, you'll want to find a teacher who is clearly immersed in the tradition and style. You say the ornaments aren't clear to you--make sure you find a teacher who plays them well and with an understanding of how cuts, rolls, triplets, and everything else fits into the music. Some people will tell you they play Irish or "Celtic" fiddle, when in fact they're merely mouthing the bones of the melodies and have left out the heart of the music--how the notes and rhythms are articulated.
Do yourself a favor and get in touch with Janek--there *are* good fiddlers in Poland who understand the nuances of the Irish music tradition.
Another thing you can do is ask your prospective teacher to play for you. This works the best if you know what you're looking for---real Irish fiddle music. So start by listening to some real Irish fiddlers like Kevin Burke and Tommy Peoples and Frankie Gavin (I'm just naming some who come to mind---do a search here for good fiddlers if you're unsure). Your teacher doesn't have to play exactly like them, but he or she should have the sound and the feel that they have---listen for things like rhythm, ornaments, a general feeling of "swing"---ask to hear a variety of tunes as well, like a reel, a jig, and an air. You *don't* want to hear vibrato everywhere, or muddy melodies, or mechanical-sounding playing. Ask people here if you need help figuring out what sounds best.
I did this when I first went to my teacher and he was happy to play for me, and all I had to do was listen to know that he plays what I want to learn. So use your ears right from the beginning. They'll help you much more than an impressive resume.
I am looking a good teacher..
I am looking a good teacher..
i am looking a good (FIDDLE's) teacher. I want to learn irish music!!!!!;) can u help me?
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by ascie
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
It might help if you told us where you live!
There are possibly some videos and book tutors that might help to get you started, but nothing can match having a teacher in person.
It would also help if you told us what experience you have now. Do you already play the violin? Or are you starting out from scratch?
Pete
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by Reverend
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
I'm Polish and I realise that it is quite hard to find any of such teacher in the place I live, so I'm looking for some advices which help me in learning on my own.
(I play the violin for a long time, but Irish music is so different than Polish or Ukrainian folk I play, that I would be grateful for every tip)
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by Anna K.
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
I am not a fiddle player, so I don't pretend to know what would be good. But there are a large number of "self help" videos out there for learning to play Irish music, and specifically Irish Fiddle.
Mel Bay is a publisher that puts out some good tutoring videos and books. You can go onto the Shop section of this site (with the link at the right side), and look for "Irish FIddle" in videos at Amazon.co.uk, where you will find some stuff. Look in the books section as well.
I'm sure some fiddle players here can suggest some specific books and videos for you to try that they might have first-hand experience with.
Good luck!
Pete
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by Reverend
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
Thanks Pete ;)
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by Anna K.
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
I give up! this deal eats my efforts like kids eat candy!
Theres just a few - unfortunately - authorative works out there.
"The Irish Fiddle Book" by Matt Cranitch, pub by OSSIAN Cork Ireland. is a good start.
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by Schlongbow
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
Also right there in Poland there are several excellent Celtic Bands playing what they think is Celtic, but its really Irish music. Last time I looked Warsaw, Crakow had some
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by Schlongbow
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
ehhh i am beginner.. I mean, I have played the violin from 10 years but i always played classic music. I love Irish and I want to play this kind of music;) i know... there are many books about fiddles' play but i need " a human" who can teach me;) I am from poland:p
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by ascie
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
upsss....sooooorrrrry..my mistake;) i wanted tell : I have played the violin -FOR- 10 years (not from-sorry)
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by ascie
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
There are two Irish sessions listed for Poland:
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/1218
and
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/1438
posted by members here who live in Poland: Janek (http://www.thesession.org/members/display/7031)
and mr baker (http://www.thesession.org/members/display/13504).
Try emailing them through their member profiles for more information.
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by Will Harmon
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
Ok ascie, now I see what you are asking.
I don't know where youn live so I haven't an idea where you might look. If you can get to sessions usually there's a fiddler whom you could ask. Also be aware that many native Irish fiddlers who emigrated out of Irealand to the US. Oz, etc may not play any more. That occurs a lot more than one might think!
So the next best option is looking for Irish Clubs and Irish trad dance clubs. Often these will have or know of a good Irish trad fiddler. Again its ask ask and ask.
# Posted on November 26th 2006 by Schlongbow
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
I teach mainly in western MA, but also I am willing to come to Boston.
I teach all styles, but my specialties are Celtic/Bluegrass/Klezmer. Here for my bio: http://myspace.com/adamrsweet
Here for some tunes: http://myspace.com/fidla
My fee is negotiable. I also have a couple online students!
# Posted on November 27th 2006 by celticagent
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
ascie,
Perhaps a good thing to do would be to spend ALOT of time listening to CDs of different fiddlers--you'd be surprised how much they can teach you. When I first started fiddling, I learned a TON from listening, though I did have another fiddler teach me some ornamentation. Good luck, and congratulations on your decision to learn this beautiful music!
# Posted on November 27th 2006 by Fiddlekit
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
Hi Anna,
Seems like we are sharing the location and some musical influences also... If you want a contact with some good Irish fiddlers in Poland, drop me a line via my profile.
# Posted on November 27th 2006 by Janek
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
ascie, where are my manners - this applies to you also
# Posted on November 27th 2006 by Janek
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
celticagent
-can u be my online teacher???
fiddlekit
-i know this music is fantastic;) I love music and irish danc/ ing . and I know that I have to listen this music if I want to learn ofcourse but it is a problem because there are many ornaments which i can not play;/;/;/ because i do not know how i should play this ornaments;/;/
# Posted on November 27th 2006 by ascie
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
Ascie, can I suggest before you make a hasty move that you first listen to celticagent's playing via the links he's posted? Or, better still, get someone who can actually play to listen to them for you?
(Apologies to the rest of you guys out there if I've hit a sour note, which I'm afraid I do seem to have, but I'm left absolutely fuming.)
# Posted on November 27th 2006 by ethical blend
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
I'm so happy to see Polish people willing to learn Irish Music the right way! There are good fiddlers in Poland to learn from, be sure of that! If you need any details don't hesitate to contact Janek or me.
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by Barfly
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
benhall.1 what did you mean by that comment?
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by celticagent
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
Ascie, if you really want to play Irish fiddle, you'll want to find a teacher who is clearly immersed in the tradition and style. You say the ornaments aren't clear to you--make sure you find a teacher who plays them well and with an understanding of how cuts, rolls, triplets, and everything else fits into the music. Some people will tell you they play Irish or "Celtic" fiddle, when in fact they're merely mouthing the bones of the melodies and have left out the heart of the music--how the notes and rhythms are articulated.
Do yourself a favor and get in touch with Janek--there *are* good fiddlers in Poland who understand the nuances of the Irish music tradition.
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by Will Harmon
Re: I am looking a good teacher..
Another thing you can do is ask your prospective teacher to play for you. This works the best if you know what you're looking for---real Irish fiddle music. So start by listening to some real Irish fiddlers like Kevin Burke and Tommy Peoples and Frankie Gavin (I'm just naming some who come to mind---do a search here for good fiddlers if you're unsure). Your teacher doesn't have to play exactly like them, but he or she should have the sound and the feel that they have---listen for things like rhythm, ornaments, a general feeling of "swing"---ask to hear a variety of tunes as well, like a reel, a jig, and an air. You *don't* want to hear vibrato everywhere, or muddy melodies, or mechanical-sounding playing. Ask people here if you need help figuring out what sounds best.
I did this when I first went to my teacher and he was happy to play for me, and all I had to do was listen to know that he plays what I want to learn. So use your ears right from the beginning. They'll help you much more than an impressive resume.
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by kennedy