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Sliabh Luachra polka videos

Sliabh Luachra polka videos

Can you recommend some on YouTube? I'd like to study the way Sliabh Luachra fiddlers play polkas, especially the bowing. Something like the following would be highly appreciated:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-xRR0pNnDg

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by jasonb

Origins ~ 1.) "Eileen O'Keefe's Polka" C: Maurice O'Keefe

Key signature: G Major
Submitted on July 19th 2006 by Ptarmigan.
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/5989
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/5989/comments

ComhaltasLive #246 - 2: Séamus Creagh & Rob Murphy play a set of three Sliabh Luachra polkas

Eileen O'Keefe's Polka / The Lonesome Polka / Dan Mac's Polka

http://comhaltas.ie/
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_246_2_seamus_creagh_and_rob_murphy_play_a_set_of_sliabh_luach/

~ from the Nyah 2007 festival ~ played by fiddle player Séamus Creagh (who hails originally from Co. Westmeath) and Rob Murphy of Cavan on flute...

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ceolachan

Re: Sliabh Luachra slide video

Would you settle for two on slides? ;-)

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ceolachan

Seamus Creagh & Matt Cranitch ~ on fiddles of course
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeN4Vkj_Q9E

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ceolachan

“Maurice O’Keefe’s Polka” / “Pádraig O’Keefe’s Polka”

ComhaltasLive #225 - 5: Scoil Éigse tutor quartet

http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_225_5_scoil_eigse_tutor_quartet/

Concluding this week’s programme, a selection of polkas: “Maurice O’Keefe’s” and “Pádraig O’Keefe’s” played by Master Tutors Ernestine Healy (concertina), Maeve Buckley (banjo), Geraldine O’Callaghan (fiddle) and Jimmy Morrisson (uilleann pipes).

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ceolachan

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

"Bowing Styles in Irish Fiddle Playing, Volume 2"
by David Lyth

This does cover the primary source fiddlers of this tradition but I've never managed to secure a copy myself so can say no more. It seems to be out of print? Here's a discussion on the topic, in case you might want to find someone with a copy in your area willing to let you have a look in to form your own opinions...

Discussion: Bowing Styles in Irish Fiddle Playing
# Posted on May 28th 2003 by Jamie
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/1737

I know, print rather than video, but I haven't had much luck finding you moving pictures I'd feel comfortable recommending... :-/

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ceolachan

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

this is an oversimplification,but tried paired bowing,mixed with singles for polkas
Cranitch book has a lengthy section on polka and slide bowing,as does Geoff Bowen in how to play folk fiddle.
I have David Lyths book,and that has marked bowing,in the absence of videos these books are useful,the first two have audio recordings too.Dick Miles

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by dickens metrognome

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

Ditto on the Cranitch recommendation...

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by ceolachan

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

Are there three happier words in the English language than "Sliabh Luachra Polkas"? I think not. ;-)

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

Sliabh Luachra is Irish. Polka is from czech.... English?

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by Ionannas

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

"Bowing Styles in Irish Fiddle Playing, Volume 2"
by David Lyth

Try Custy's Music Shop in Ennis. I don't know if they have any left in stock, but that's where my copy came from, and it's still listed on their site:

http://www.custysmusic.com/mall/CustysTraditionalMusicShop/products/product-947646.stm

My only affiliation with Custy's is as a happy customer.

# Posted on June 26th 2008 by Jumper

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

"Are there three happier words in the English language than Sliabh Luachra Polkas"?

I hate words like that, because I'm not sure how to pronounce them and I'm too embarrassed to ask the few people around here who would know. If I'm playing a tune that has an Irish name, it's useless to me what it's called. I don't even try with those tune names.

Hey, thanks for the head's up Jumper. I've been looking for that book too. I placed an order, hopefully ahead of everyone else who's going to try for it :)

# Posted on June 27th 2008 by Marklar

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

For what it's worth I've heard it pronounced "sleeve loochra", with the "ch" like in how the Scots say "loch".

# Posted on June 27th 2008 by lazyhound

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

So is the final "e" in "sleeve" silent or pronounced?

# Posted on June 27th 2008 by Marklar

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

The final "e" is silent - I was using the English word "sleeve" as an approximation to the pronunciation of "Sliabh" (which I believe means mountain).
I'll shut up now, I'm no Irish scholar.

# Posted on June 27th 2008 by lazyhound

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

Cool, thanks lazyhound.

# Posted on June 27th 2008 by Marklar

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

The other useful book,which has also an audio track,isThe Irish Fiddle by Paul Mcnevin,this has11 slides and polkas,with marked bowing.Dick Miles

# Posted on June 27th 2008 by dickens metrognome

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

maggie in the wood,as bowed for beginners by PaddyJones.
g d two quavers slurred,g a two quavers slurred,b e two quavers slurred E crotchet seperate d b two quavers slurred, g atwo quavers slurred,b a two quavers slurred a crotchet seperate.
now repeat your first six notes again,then d b two qavers slurred, ab two quavers slurred,two crotchets g g bowed seperately.
turn:four quavers high g f#,high e high d bowed in pairs, B E two quavers bowed in a pair,Ecrotchet seperate,d b two quavers bowed in apair, ga two quavers bowed in a pair,b a two quavers bowed in apair,a crotchet seperate.
repeat the first five notes again,using the same bowing then d b two quavers,ab two quavers,again paired bowing,g g two crotchets bowed seperately.
this is not the only way of doing it,but will give you approximately the right feel.Dick Miles

# Posted on June 27th 2008 by dickens metrognome

Re: Sliabh Luachra polka videos

Thanks everyone. I borrowed the Cranitch book form a friend. Unfortunately, she couldn't find the accompanying CD, but I guess I'll look at the bowings in the book in relation to other recordings I have.

# Posted on June 28th 2008 by jasonb

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