The tendencies of discussions in this forum often lean toward negativity, which can be OK in my book, it leads to some interesting discussions, and if everything was sappy raving about how wonderful life is, it would get old real quick. But in a private email conversation with another .orger yesterday, I got to thinking about what playing Irish music means to me. And it is such a positive thing in my life.
Even though I am a professional geek (computer programmer), my life has revolved around music. Even my geeky job is related to the music industry. And in the past, I worked for the largest record company in the world (CBS, now Sony), I worked production for stadium rock shows, I owned nightclubs and booked both local and national bands, I was a very successful nightclub DJ for 18 years, I worked in rock radio as a DJ, and I have performed music at least semi-professionally (I have never done it as my only source of money). But ALL of these things left me with a bitter taste in my mouth to some extent. They're all about money, popularity, and competition. The music "industry" as a whole has a lot of backstabbing, two-faced people that will do anything to get ahead - especially in rock and roll.
It wasn't until I was introduced to Irish music that I found what I've been looking for. Once I got past my phobia of anything folky, or generally twangy-sounding, I realized that the music is more interesting to me than other kinds of music. I was first struck by the fact that the technical prowess to be able to play fast, catchy melodies (which reminded me in some ways of some techno that I used to spin in the clubs) was impressive. I likened it to what a rock guitarist might do for a 30 second solo in the middle of a song, but everybody is doing it nonstop the entire time.
Next, I was blown away that you can go down to the pub on any given day and play with some of the best players in the world, and pretty much nobody has an ego about it. I likened that to the idea of being able to go jam the blues with Eddie Van Halen - which isn't real likely!
WIth Irish music, I finally found something that filled the void in my life. It is social and fun, you can travel just about anywhere in the world and find other people who play it, and you probably have some tunes in common. Nobody seems particularly egotistical about it (*including* pretty much everybody here - even though people like to posture and bicker in the semi-anonymous online forum). Nobody is making a ton of money playing it, so there is a lot less backstabbing, and a lot more encouraging of newer players.
So what does it mean to you? (And I promise I'll try to keep the treacle to a minimum in the remainder of my "happy thread")
It means common ground, something to unite people, something to dance to so that you forget where you are, something timeless, something that you can lose yourself in, something that you can share, something that makes you different, and something that makes you part of the crowd when you're sitting in a session and knowing that you were born to be there.
Well said Reverend. I chose to take up the mandolin at the age of 9 and, although it was through innoncence that I asked my father "Da, will you teach me how to play that?", I realise that it must have been the most important thing I'd ever said in my life. Music is my life and particularly trad music. I always fear losing my hands as it would put a right end to my banjo playing. I fear more going deaf, but generally I don't think negatively like that in any case!
I used to have a huge interest in motorsport. Since the music took over, I havn't had as big an interest and I concluded that the main reason was that, as a teenager, there were not enough opportunities for me to exploit my hobby in cars and motorsport as it was expensive and you needed to acquire licences. When I found my niche in the trad music (about 2 and a half years ago) it was a gradual "take-over" so to say. Now, I realise that, still only 16, I CAN exploit a hobby that I have (music) anywhere and I'm really greatful for that. Also, its a constant learning process and meeting people who also play trad is great as we're all one big happy community I believe. Finally, its a healthy hobby (for mind) which can take you to other places if you let it.
"Also, its a constant learning process and meeting people who also play trad is great as we're all one big happy community I believe"
I'll rephrase: The constant learning process gives this music a lot of lifespan. When I meet new people who play the music its like I don't need to know anything about. We're both trad musicians and immediately connect (generally). This gives a 'community' feel to the music.
Pete I am glad Irish music gave you something so great.
With all due respect to Irish traditional music I have always felt that music is a wonderful part of life. I have never been favorable or exclusive to a particular type of music. It is unfortunate that so many things leave you with a bad taste. I hear what you are saying & want to encourage you to do the thing s you really enjoy.
Cheers
Making music was a big part of my life as a child. Then it fell away due to life in general and things like living in apartments. I didn't even listen to music for a very long time.
Then I found folk music (Irish and American old-time). This music is so much more interesting than the church stuff I did as a child. As a person who enjoys learning new things and following passions in life, I'm happy it awoke my interest in music again and gave me something new to learn.
Like hiking, it's social and fun and can be done with strangers you meet along the way. Every new tune is like a new trail to explore.
At the risk of being repetitious, well said Reverend. Hauling my guitar case out from under the bed, and screwing up the courage to bring it along to the local session, was one of the best things I ever did. I love the music, both what I play in the local sessions, and what I play in the band with my wife. I am not nearly as good a musician as I want to be, but I with all the playing I am doing, I have progressed farther than I ever thought I could. And I have made a lot of friends along the way. Yeah, you run into egos and artistic differences and business issues in the musical field, but it is far outshadowed by the sheer joy of playing!
The tunes for me are a source of community (sessions), and, conversely, also a private way to connect with myself after spending all day slaving over "reader-based prose" or trying to second guess what my clients are really trying to say in their mangled manuscripts. Music is a wonderful antidote to being verbal all day.
The music lets me be creative, flex my imagination, communicate musically with others, and generally pass the time in a fun (sometimes even exhillerating) way.
As a hobby, it provides a magical mix of freedom and discipline--if you play your instruments attentively every day, they open doors to freely expressing what can't be voiced in words or paintings.
Enjoyed a small session at the pub last night. Chocolate raspberry cookies still warm from the oven, 20 oz. pints of double-pour Guinness at room temp., the lights dimmed, people huddled in close to hear the nuances, and no rush to get through the tunes.
You put into words exactly how Ive felt about this music. Similarly to you, I have my roots in rock music, particularly in hardcore metal. I was getting along quite well but I always felt very negative about everything to do with the "scene". After wallowing around in swing jazz and the standard folk scene, but I found it wasn't much better. Finally I found Irish music, quit the rock band, sold my equipment and bought a fiddle. They continue to tour around Canada and the US making good money while I play in pubs around town for nothing, and I haven't ever been happier.
When I learned of Irish tradtional music just short of two years ago, I feel like I have awoken from a music coma. I'm 51, and I feel like a little kid when I get the fiddle in my hands. I look forward to my lessons, my practice, and my chance to join a session occasionally. Life is better, and the friends I've made playing this music are a true blessing.
"...I likened it to what a rock guitarist might do for a 30 second solo in the middle of a song, but everybody is doing it nonstop the entire time...."
Exactly! I've played guitar for 40 years (Rock, Blues, Jazz, Gypsy, Punk, Folk...) and I agree--these pleasing little Irish ditties are brutally hard to play. I have nothing but admiration for the folks who can bang out the tunes at tempo with ornaments (properly placed, of course) for hours on end. I haven't ventured in to a public session yet (busy as hell...), but my wife and I hold a lot of 2 person private sessions in the comfort of our living room. And we're getting better!
"Great fun to play" is exactly my sentiment Mr puddy tat!
I'll go along with that Rev', a great way of expressing something I'm sure many of us feel.
At 65 I'm having the time of my life doing just what I want and it's almost totally wall to wall Irish trad.
Having grown up with a mother who was a popular pub and club singer during the 40's I was constantly involved with music in one way or another. Then came Skiffle and Rock & Roll and my first instruments. To keep it short, I went through years of working men's clubs, trad jazz, folk and others but I was constantly disappointed in myself for not learning to be an instrumentalist and only a three chorder etc. although I was born with a decent voice, so always ended up as a lead singer.
Got involved with Irish trad in 70's and fell in love, but once again through pressure of family, work and the usual, never did make it with a real instrument if you know what I mean. Having now taken up the tenor banjo just a year ago, and having the wonderful present of time, my life revolves around following a dream. Just to play, play and play.
To all those newbies out there and especially any wrinklies like me, never let anyone tell you it's too late to start! The joy that is brought with learning that new tune is priceless. Every small step adds another ray of sunshine in your day, the excitement of playing a tune that you once heard and thought you would never accomplish is awesome.
The rich colours, emotions, heart thumping reels, foot tapping jigs and even the painful laments of Irish trad paint pictures of intricate beauty and the more one delves, the more beauty one sees. Thank you Ireland for giving me this fantastic present and thank you for allowing me to participate in it's everlasting life.
Phew..... sorry about that folks. Just got carried away a bit....... (ok, the men in white coats are not there yet!)
i like how the format lends itself to being learned and retained in small chunks. for instance:
8 bars, repeat, 8 more bars, repeat, then repeat everything twice. then on to the next thought. the structures are usually pretty standard and easy to decipher, and easy to remember once learned.
i like how different levels of skill and repertoire can come together without too many seams. you don't need to learn the entire 3rd movement of a concerto to sit in and play. you can learn the "concerto" in 8-bar chunks over the course of a year, or five years, all while playing the bits of it you know.
I'm with silver bow! I am never going to be a professional musician and to be honest I dont want to be anyway. So I never have to be in a rush to learn any tune. I can take my time and if I am slow or if I struggle - it's OK.
I love the fact that that every day brings with it new beginnings musically; new goals and new achievements. Where else could I find so much?
Irish music has been a great thing for me, too. I thought I was going to learn a few tunes from an awesome Plantxy record, and here I am nearly 30 years later. And I'm still not Liam O'Flynn, damn it!
But I've met lots of really interesting people along the way, been to Ireland and England, played some (to me) very strange gigs, and had more free Guinness than anybody has a right to.
Once, at a session in northern Alberta, I met a fiddle player from Washington who had learned most of his tunes from Kevin Burke records, same as me. We had a great time.
Wade Davis, the guy who wrote "The Serpent and the Rainbow" (and who is actually a serious scientist, in spite of that book) made a comment during an interview to the effect that "first world people have Things, and third world people have Relationships". That's a lot to swallow, but after all this time I wonder if that doesn't sum up what the music means to me. I don't see where else in my life I could have found the meaningful relationships and the sense of community that comes with this music (not to leave out the people who have turned me on to Breton and Scottish music either).
But that's all just to say that it seems to me that you can't make a good job of learning Irish music without changing your perspective on what's important - only because it requires a big investment of time - and this is all to the good in our materialistic society. I often think that if we all spent less time watching TV and buying stuff, the world would be a better place.
Here's where I quote Martin Rocheford (via Jim Coogan, I think): "Forget about work. Work only causes inflation."
I can't say it's helped me fit in to North American culture any better, but the free beer dulls the pain. :-o
Nice thread, but I don't think I could live with the idea that Trad is entirely an Irish thing. Come to think of it, when first I heard the Blues or later OT American I thought I had found 'the' real music.
Irtrad probably has the edge over a lot of genres today through being essentially a European folk dance form. English, Scottish, German etc tunes and forms made it what it is today. And in getting there it took a lot of time, centuries, and effort, lives of Harpers, Pipers etc, to bring it to the level of intricacy it now enjoys.
But nobody can claim it, even though it is still called Irtrad. Indeed when I listen to the odd performance of the Irish Scots Sean Ceol ( music from the old days) I am reminded again of the fact that this stuff was and remains on loan from a higher authority.
To me playing this stuff too fast is like throwing down pints of Burgundy. It is to be savored not devoured!
Mention of which here is lovely wee version of one of Reevies Cavan tunes ( he copied off the locals ,,hehe) played by Laura Beogon of Co ( wait for it ... not Clare!) Monahan. Laura won senior FC'07 fiddle
This music is my solace. It keeps me centered and helps me get through rough times. I work long hours but there's always a new tune going round in my head waiting to be coaxed from my box or tina. (Don't ask me what's on TV). Unfortunately I can't get to sessions as often as I used to and I miss them terribly.I miss the craic and the togetherness.
I agree it's an extremely healthy hobby. Precious few of us will die of heroin OD, and that kind of stuff.
This music is simply glorious, and those who play it best are still approachable, for which I am thankful. I am also thankful that this site exists (thanks Jeremy) to help propagate it. When all is said and done the negativity and bickering pale into insignificance compared to the benefits.
Thanks for the ray of sunshine, Pete. There's nothing maudlin'
about it.
I'm with you there Terry, an old wrinkle, makin' an umpteenth re-start in less than ideal circumstances. Not retired from other stuff like earning a living yet, sadly, but gettin' there not so far off on the horizon, lookin forward to a time when once again I'll have a bit of free time for persuing the beautiful music at my leisure. Until then, muddlin' on, I guess. Listening a lot. Learning. Keeping abreast of what's happening in the select little global ITM community here on the auld yellaboard, even the petty bickerings, which are, I guess, inevitable when people feel passionate about what they're about while others are unsympathetic to differences of opinion that don't correspond with their own. Sad to see obviously caring people ripping into one another sometimes - and fer what?!
OOps, just sucked a little lizard into the leaf vaccum/mulcher along with the leaves. Feel bad about that one, poor thing. Much the same as the reception some unsuspecting newcomers get on this site really. Glump, sucked in and spat out in tatters. It would be really good if that didn't happen here on such a regular basis. Otherwise its all good ...
What did you play when you buried the lizard Jan......?
Good to see you're myspace, must be pretty isolated out there in Alice right. Still, keep it going girl...
BLUSH! Nothing Terry! Isn't that terrible! I just left its little shredded body in the shredded leaves and dumped the whole thing in the compost, overcome with guilt! Should have been more careful. (I've done it before, chopped up some gorgeous little legless lizards into segments, four of them actually, in the hand mower and the legless ones haven't made an appearance in the backyard since). My loss entirely.
... and I'm embarrassed by those auld tunes on me MySpace. Double blush! The hide of me sometimes, but thanks fer visiting. I loved what you had to say about the beautiful music above, and you are very welcome.
I find Celtic music of any persuasion to be very energizing. When I just can't edit another page, I play a few tunes, do that page and a couple more, play a few tunes, repeat, and the work gets done.
I have always found it helpful to spend time around the best things that human people can do. I am not of a scientific bent, but when I was younger and lived closer to SF, I went to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park a lot. It always cheered me up that the world was really such a fascinating place and that human beings were studying it. I feel that way to about playing music, too. As a court reporter, I am steeped in people's dishonesty, buck-passing, and utter lack of thought for the welfare of anyone else. Playing music helps me remember that there is good in this world, and it's accessible to me.
No need to blush Jan, you can play a Requiem Mass for the poor little b*gg*r in a years time. As for the legless ones, they're probably bu**in around somewhere out in the bush looking for a garden without a lawnmower.....
Take care, and update the myspace stuff then....
Cheers
Irish music just seems right for me as I set out into my fifties. I was exposed to it in many forms during my life. Ceilis in the Connemara Gaeltacht during my secondary school years. Folk festivals in the years afterwards with Planxty, the Bothy Band, Stockton's Wing, De Dannan, and so many others on the go at the time. And all the while since then buying a cartload of ITM records and cassettes. But I was never tempted to play the stuff until recently, concentrating instead on playing Pentangle and Stefan Grossman stuff.
I've been playing Irish tunes for about six or seven years now, and I couldn't be happier. There's a great joy in being able to play the kind of tunes I listened to for years. And great joy as well in meeting and learning from the wonderful people here in Calgary who are addicted to playing the music. When you combine the community fun with the amazing thrill when things click just right, there's nothing better.
You're all making me feel great on this otherwise melancholy day ( just watched Remembrance Day celebrations, pretty much my TV quota for the week).
Thanks, Reverend, for putting your finger on the 'spot' which most of us share.
All things that are good...
All things that are good...
The tendencies of discussions in this forum often lean toward negativity, which can be OK in my book, it leads to some interesting discussions, and if everything was sappy raving about how wonderful life is, it would get old real quick. But in a private email conversation with another .orger yesterday, I got to thinking about what playing Irish music means to me. And it is such a positive thing in my life.
Even though I am a professional geek (computer programmer), my life has revolved around music. Even my geeky job is related to the music industry. And in the past, I worked for the largest record company in the world (CBS, now Sony), I worked production for stadium rock shows, I owned nightclubs and booked both local and national bands, I was a very successful nightclub DJ for 18 years, I worked in rock radio as a DJ, and I have performed music at least semi-professionally (I have never done it as my only source of money). But ALL of these things left me with a bitter taste in my mouth to some extent. They're all about money, popularity, and competition. The music "industry" as a whole has a lot of backstabbing, two-faced people that will do anything to get ahead - especially in rock and roll.
It wasn't until I was introduced to Irish music that I found what I've been looking for. Once I got past my phobia of anything folky, or generally twangy-sounding, I realized that the music is more interesting to me than other kinds of music. I was first struck by the fact that the technical prowess to be able to play fast, catchy melodies (which reminded me in some ways of some techno that I used to spin in the clubs) was impressive. I likened it to what a rock guitarist might do for a 30 second solo in the middle of a song, but everybody is doing it nonstop the entire time.
Next, I was blown away that you can go down to the pub on any given day and play with some of the best players in the world, and pretty much nobody has an ego about it. I likened that to the idea of being able to go jam the blues with Eddie Van Halen - which isn't real likely!
WIth Irish music, I finally found something that filled the void in my life. It is social and fun, you can travel just about anywhere in the world and find other people who play it, and you probably have some tunes in common. Nobody seems particularly egotistical about it (*including* pretty much everybody here - even though people like to posture and bicker in the semi-anonymous online forum). Nobody is making a ton of money playing it, so there is a lot less backstabbing, and a lot more encouraging of newer players.
So what does it mean to you? (And I promise I'll try to keep the treacle to a minimum in the remainder of my "happy thread")
Pete
# Posted on November 9th 2007 by Reverend
Re: All things that are good...
It means common ground, something to unite people, something to dance to so that you forget where you are, something timeless, something that you can lose yourself in, something that you can share, something that makes you different, and something that makes you part of the crowd when you're sitting in a session and knowing that you were born to be there.
# Posted on November 9th 2007 by mehitabel23
Re: All things that are good...
Well said Reverend. I chose to take up the mandolin at the age of 9 and, although it was through innoncence that I asked my father "Da, will you teach me how to play that?", I realise that it must have been the most important thing I'd ever said in my life. Music is my life and particularly trad music. I always fear losing my hands as it would put a right end to my banjo playing. I fear more going deaf, but generally I don't think negatively like that in any case!
I used to have a huge interest in motorsport. Since the music took over, I havn't had as big an interest and I concluded that the main reason was that, as a teenager, there were not enough opportunities for me to exploit my hobby in cars and motorsport as it was expensive and you needed to acquire licences. When I found my niche in the trad music (about 2 and a half years ago) it was a gradual "take-over" so to say. Now, I realise that, still only 16, I CAN exploit a hobby that I have (music) anywhere and I'm really greatful for that. Also, its a constant learning process and meeting people who also play trad is great as we're all one big happy community I believe. Finally, its a healthy hobby (for mind) which can take you to other places if you let it.
# Posted on November 9th 2007 by PaddyCmusic
Re: All things that are good...
"Also, its a constant learning process and meeting people who also play trad is great as we're all one big happy community I believe"
I'll rephrase: The constant learning process gives this music a lot of lifespan. When I meet new people who play the music its like I don't need to know anything about. We're both trad musicians and immediately connect (generally). This gives a 'community' feel to the music.
# Posted on November 9th 2007 by PaddyCmusic
Re: All things that are good...
Pete I am glad Irish music gave you something so great.
With all due respect to Irish traditional music I have always felt that music is a wonderful part of life. I have never been favorable or exclusive to a particular type of music. It is unfortunate that so many things leave you with a bad taste. I hear what you are saying & want to encourage you to do the thing s you really enjoy.
Cheers
# Posted on November 9th 2007 by Random_notes
Re: All things that are good...
Making music was a big part of my life as a child. Then it fell away due to life in general and things like living in apartments. I didn't even listen to music for a very long time.
Then I found folk music (Irish and American old-time). This music is so much more interesting than the church stuff I did as a child. As a person who enjoys learning new things and following passions in life, I'm happy it awoke my interest in music again and gave me something new to learn.
Like hiking, it's social and fun and can be done with strangers you meet along the way. Every new tune is like a new trail to explore.
# Posted on November 9th 2007 by sbhikes
Re: All things that are good...
At the risk of being repetitious, well said Reverend. Hauling my guitar case out from under the bed, and screwing up the courage to bring it along to the local session, was one of the best things I ever did. I love the music, both what I play in the local sessions, and what I play in the band with my wife. I am not nearly as good a musician as I want to be, but I with all the playing I am doing, I have progressed farther than I ever thought I could. And I have made a lot of friends along the way. Yeah, you run into egos and artistic differences and business issues in the musical field, but it is far outshadowed by the sheer joy of playing!
# Posted on November 9th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: All things that are good...
The tunes for me are a source of community (sessions), and, conversely, also a private way to connect with myself after spending all day slaving over "reader-based prose" or trying to second guess what my clients are really trying to say in their mangled manuscripts. Music is a wonderful antidote to being verbal all day.
The music lets me be creative, flex my imagination, communicate musically with others, and generally pass the time in a fun (sometimes even exhillerating) way.
As a hobby, it provides a magical mix of freedom and discipline--if you play your instruments attentively every day, they open doors to freely expressing what can't be voiced in words or paintings.
Enjoyed a small session at the pub last night. Chocolate raspberry cookies still warm from the oven, 20 oz. pints of double-pour Guinness at room temp., the lights dimmed, people huddled in close to hear the nuances, and no rush to get through the tunes.
Jaysus this stuff is great fun to play!
# Posted on November 9th 2007 by Will CPT
Re: All things that are good...
Reverend
You put into words exactly how Ive felt about this music. Similarly to you, I have my roots in rock music, particularly in hardcore metal. I was getting along quite well but I always felt very negative about everything to do with the "scene". After wallowing around in swing jazz and the standard folk scene, but I found it wasn't much better. Finally I found Irish music, quit the rock band, sold my equipment and bought a fiddle. They continue to tour around Canada and the US making good money while I play in pubs around town for nothing, and I haven't ever been happier.
Cheers
Pat
# Posted on November 9th 2007 by Splendid Isolation
Re: All things that are good...
Whatta great thread, Reverend!
When I learned of Irish tradtional music just short of two years ago, I feel like I have awoken from a music coma. I'm 51, and I feel like a little kid when I get the fiddle in my hands. I look forward to my lessons, my practice, and my chance to join a session occasionally. Life is better, and the friends I've made playing this music are a true blessing.
Have a great weekend everyone!
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by nofrets
Re: All things that are good...
"...I likened it to what a rock guitarist might do for a 30 second solo in the middle of a song, but everybody is doing it nonstop the entire time...."
Exactly! I've played guitar for 40 years (Rock, Blues, Jazz, Gypsy, Punk, Folk...) and I agree--these pleasing little Irish ditties are brutally hard to play. I have nothing but admiration for the folks who can bang out the tunes at tempo with ornaments (properly placed, of course) for hours on end. I haven't ventured in to a public session yet (busy as hell...), but my wife and I hold a lot of 2 person private sessions in the comfort of our living room. And we're getting better!
"Great fun to play" is exactly my sentiment Mr puddy tat!
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by gw
Re: All things that are good...
I'll go along with that Rev', a great way of expressing something I'm sure many of us feel.
At 65 I'm having the time of my life doing just what I want and it's almost totally wall to wall Irish trad.
Having grown up with a mother who was a popular pub and club singer during the 40's I was constantly involved with music in one way or another. Then came Skiffle and Rock & Roll and my first instruments. To keep it short, I went through years of working men's clubs, trad jazz, folk and others but I was constantly disappointed in myself for not learning to be an instrumentalist and only a three chorder etc. although I was born with a decent voice, so always ended up as a lead singer.
Got involved with Irish trad in 70's and fell in love, but once again through pressure of family, work and the usual, never did make it with a real instrument if you know what I mean. Having now taken up the tenor banjo just a year ago, and having the wonderful present of time, my life revolves around following a dream. Just to play, play and play.
To all those newbies out there and especially any wrinklies like me, never let anyone tell you it's too late to start! The joy that is brought with learning that new tune is priceless. Every small step adds another ray of sunshine in your day, the excitement of playing a tune that you once heard and thought you would never accomplish is awesome.
The rich colours, emotions, heart thumping reels, foot tapping jigs and even the painful laments of Irish trad paint pictures of intricate beauty and the more one delves, the more beauty one sees. Thank you Ireland for giving me this fantastic present and thank you for allowing me to participate in it's everlasting life.
Phew..... sorry about that folks. Just got carried away a bit....... (ok, the men in white coats are not there yet!)
Terry
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: All things that are good...
I play this music because it is impossible to listen to the Grateful Dead sober.
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by Sir Dungsmere
Re: All things that are good...
i like how the format lends itself to being learned and retained in small chunks. for instance:
8 bars, repeat, 8 more bars, repeat, then repeat everything twice. then on to the next thought. the structures are usually pretty standard and easy to decipher, and easy to remember once learned.
i like how different levels of skill and repertoire can come together without too many seams. you don't need to learn the entire 3rd movement of a concerto to sit in and play. you can learn the "concerto" in 8-bar chunks over the course of a year, or five years, all while playing the bits of it you know.
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by silver bow
Re: All things that are good...
ITM is a music full of lovely, joyful, sparkley, vital energy........
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by bodatcha
Re: All things that are good...
I'm with silver bow! I am never going to be a professional musician and to be honest I dont want to be anyway. So I never have to be in a rush to learn any tune. I can take my time and if I am slow or if I struggle - it's OK.
I love the fact that that every day brings with it new beginnings musically; new goals and new achievements. Where else could I find so much?
D
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by Welshman
Re: All things that are good...
Irish music has been a great thing for me, too. I thought I was going to learn a few tunes from an awesome Plantxy record, and here I am nearly 30 years later. And I'm still not Liam O'Flynn, damn it!
But I've met lots of really interesting people along the way, been to Ireland and England, played some (to me) very strange gigs, and had more free Guinness than anybody has a right to.
Once, at a session in northern Alberta, I met a fiddle player from Washington who had learned most of his tunes from Kevin Burke records, same as me. We had a great time.
Wade Davis, the guy who wrote "The Serpent and the Rainbow" (and who is actually a serious scientist, in spite of that book) made a comment during an interview to the effect that "first world people have Things, and third world people have Relationships". That's a lot to swallow, but after all this time I wonder if that doesn't sum up what the music means to me. I don't see where else in my life I could have found the meaningful relationships and the sense of community that comes with this music (not to leave out the people who have turned me on to Breton and Scottish music either).
But that's all just to say that it seems to me that you can't make a good job of learning Irish music without changing your perspective on what's important - only because it requires a big investment of time - and this is all to the good in our materialistic society. I often think that if we all spent less time watching TV and buying stuff, the world would be a better place.
Here's where I quote Martin Rocheford (via Jim Coogan, I think): "Forget about work. Work only causes inflation."
I can't say it's helped me fit in to North American culture any better, but the free beer dulls the pain. :-o
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by Gzeg
Re: All things that are good...
Nice thread, but I don't think I could live with the idea that Trad is entirely an Irish thing. Come to think of it, when first I heard the Blues or later OT American I thought I had found 'the' real music.
Irtrad probably has the edge over a lot of genres today through being essentially a European folk dance form. English, Scottish, German etc tunes and forms made it what it is today. And in getting there it took a lot of time, centuries, and effort, lives of Harpers, Pipers etc, to bring it to the level of intricacy it now enjoys.
But nobody can claim it, even though it is still called Irtrad. Indeed when I listen to the odd performance of the Irish Scots Sean Ceol ( music from the old days) I am reminded again of the fact that this stuff was and remains on loan from a higher authority.
To me playing this stuff too fast is like throwing down pints of Burgundy. It is to be savored not devoured!
Mention of which here is lovely wee version of one of Reevies Cavan tunes ( he copied off the locals ,,hehe) played by Laura Beogon of Co ( wait for it ... not Clare!) Monahan. Laura won senior FC'07 fiddle
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_230_4_laura_beogon_hornpipe
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by Schlongbow
Re: All things that are good...
Continued ...
which illustrates to me what is essentialy so beautiful about this music
# Posted on November 10th 2007 by Schlongbow
Re: All things that are good...
This music is my solace. It keeps me centered and helps me get through rough times. I work long hours but there's always a new tune going round in my head waiting to be coaxed from my box or tina. (Don't ask me what's on TV). Unfortunately I can't get to sessions as often as I used to and I miss them terribly.I miss the craic and the togetherness.
I agree it's an extremely healthy hobby. Precious few of us will die of heroin OD, and that kind of stuff.
This music is simply glorious, and those who play it best are still approachable, for which I am thankful. I am also thankful that this site exists (thanks Jeremy) to help propagate it. When all is said and done the negativity and bickering pale into insignificance compared to the benefits.
Thanks for the ray of sunshine, Pete. There's nothing maudlin'
about it.
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by pennhorse
Re: All things that are good...
Fun. F u n . F u n . F u n . F U N !!!!!!!
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: All things that are good...
Irish musician claims "It's more fun with your clothes on!!!" Film at 11.
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by Gzeg
Re: All things that are good...
I'm with you there Terry, an old wrinkle, makin' an umpteenth re-start in less than ideal circumstances. Not retired from other stuff like earning a living yet, sadly, but gettin' there not so far off on the horizon, lookin forward to a time when once again I'll have a bit of free time for persuing the beautiful music at my leisure. Until then, muddlin' on, I guess. Listening a lot. Learning. Keeping abreast of what's happening in the select little global ITM community here on the auld yellaboard, even the petty bickerings, which are, I guess, inevitable when people feel passionate about what they're about while others are unsympathetic to differences of opinion that don't correspond with their own. Sad to see obviously caring people ripping into one another sometimes - and fer what?!
OOps, just sucked a little lizard into the leaf vaccum/mulcher along with the leaves. Feel bad about that one, poor thing. Much the same as the reception some unsuspecting newcomers get on this site really. Glump, sucked in and spat out in tatters. It would be really good if that didn't happen here on such a regular basis. Otherwise its all good ...
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: All things that are good...
What did you play when you buried the lizard Jan......?
Good to see you're myspace, must be pretty isolated out there in Alice right. Still, keep it going girl...
Take care.
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: All things that are good...
BLUSH! Nothing Terry! Isn't that terrible! I just left its little shredded body in the shredded leaves and dumped the whole thing in the compost, overcome with guilt! Should have been more careful. (I've done it before, chopped up some gorgeous little legless lizards into segments, four of them actually, in the hand mower and the legless ones haven't made an appearance in the backyard since). My loss entirely.
... and I'm embarrassed by those auld tunes on me MySpace. Double blush! The hide of me sometimes, but thanks fer visiting. I loved what you had to say about the beautiful music above, and you are very welcome.
Cheers
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: All things that are good...
I find Celtic music of any persuasion to be very energizing. When I just can't edit another page, I play a few tunes, do that page and a couple more, play a few tunes, repeat, and the work gets done.
I have always found it helpful to spend time around the best things that human people can do. I am not of a scientific bent, but when I was younger and lived closer to SF, I went to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park a lot. It always cheered me up that the world was really such a fascinating place and that human beings were studying it. I feel that way to about playing music, too. As a court reporter, I am steeped in people's dishonesty, buck-passing, and utter lack of thought for the welfare of anyone else. Playing music helps me remember that there is good in this world, and it's accessible to me.
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by cathrynb
Re: All things that are good...
No need to blush Jan, you can play a Requiem Mass for the poor little b*gg*r in a years time. As for the legless ones, they're probably bu**in around somewhere out in the bush looking for a garden without a lawnmower.....
Take care, and update the myspace stuff then....
Cheers
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: All things that are good...
Irish music just seems right for me as I set out into my fifties. I was exposed to it in many forms during my life. Ceilis in the Connemara Gaeltacht during my secondary school years. Folk festivals in the years afterwards with Planxty, the Bothy Band, Stockton's Wing, De Dannan, and so many others on the go at the time. And all the while since then buying a cartload of ITM records and cassettes. But I was never tempted to play the stuff until recently, concentrating instead on playing Pentangle and Stefan Grossman stuff.
I've been playing Irish tunes for about six or seven years now, and I couldn't be happier. There's a great joy in being able to play the kind of tunes I listened to for years. And great joy as well in meeting and learning from the wonderful people here in Calgary who are addicted to playing the music. When you combine the community fun with the amazing thrill when things click just right, there's nothing better.
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by grego
Re: All things that are good...
You're all making me feel great on this otherwise melancholy day ( just watched Remembrance Day celebrations, pretty much my TV quota for the week).
Thanks, Reverend, for putting your finger on the 'spot' which most of us share.
# Posted on November 11th 2007 by oldstrings