does anyone know a person around galway who plays in that marvellous attack style and gives flute lessons?? what's the better place in ireland to find this kind of flute players? Thanks!
Well, the Galway style contrasts greatly with that 'attacking' style. Conal O'Grada's style is more associated with Fermanagh or Belfast region. If you can't find an actual teacher, just listen to his recordings. You'd be surprised what you will pick up. Study his style closely and slow down his CDs to pick up the nuances.
Don't expect it to be an easy task. It may take years and you may never get it perfect but thats the journey your on in this world of trad music. Enjoy it. Aspire!
Conal O'Grada's style is more associated with Fermanagh or Belfast region? Are you serious, Paddy? Aren't you familiar with Cathal McConnell's playing style? You can't generalise like that.
I saw Belfast-born flute player Noel Lenaghan playing and singing in Galway a few times, but his playing style was very different from the "attack style." It's interesting that Harry Bradley names him as an early influence. I'm not sure if Noel is still based in Galway. Does anyone know?
Hhmm. I always associated the 'attacking' with northern regions. Take Gary Hastings for example in Fermanagh. And Harry Bradley or Michael Clarkson in Belfast area. And Marcas O'Murchu in and around that area too.
Kenny you're right. Some areas of north Connaught have featured that breathy style. Most likely taken from aforementioned John McKenna and also Tom Morrison.
Really this 'style of playing' puzzles me! being wicklow born i come across so many styles and yet they were all taught by people born and bred in Dublin! and yet a Belfast born teacher I know plays so different to that style! It all depends on the type of flute playing you like! harry bradley is THE polka player, he amazes me, I do agree with Kenny, Conal is like john Mckenna so much, but my claim to Leitrim is my mum is from there and its rare you meet a breathy player there! ok maybe I have to meet them Yet! play whatever way you like! I think this ' style'/regional of playing is over the top! saying that i am still learning!
Gary Hastings is from Belfast and now based in Mayo, I believe. Frankie Kennedy was also from Belfast, but did he play like other flute players such as G. Hastings, Marcas O'Murchu, Harry Bradley? No. They have their own unique styles, which can't be reduced to a single regional style. The same is true with Fermanagh flute players, such as Cathal McConnell, and Lawrence Nugent.
I visited Fermanagh and joined a session a few times, but haven't met a flute player there yet. For "attacking" styles, I personally recommend London. I had the pleasure to meet and play with James Carty in Brian Rooney's session a couple of months ago. Dyna, he has the style you want, though I'm not sure if he teaches music. And there's another great flute player called Sheena Vallely, who is originally from Armagh. She is a fan of Peter Horan and so her style has a touch of Sligo feel. But she has a lovely rhythmic style.
I guess John McKenna's influence is too huge to be confined to Leitrim and the North. Even Frankie Gavin, who is originally from East Galway, plays the flute in his style. And of course, some people in Leitrim and the north would play the flute in totally different styles.
I first met Conal when he was about 18 and playing like a demon. He lived in Ballincollig on the western edge of Cork city. I thought his style was suburban Cork...
I don't know whether you're serious soundpost but if so, an interesting point has been brought up. It is very hard to define a style and class it as one region. I, as you can see from my previous post, originally thought that Conal had a style rooted in the region of Ulster, mainly Fermanagh or Belfast.
Cork (particularly North and West) has a tradition of slides and polkas, similar to neighboring Kerry and Limerick. I would have never associated his playing style with Cork, despite that being his place of birth. Unless, of course, suburban Cork is distinctly different (or am I naive?)
this still leaves the problem of how to learn to play like that. I don't know to what extent the flute plays a part, but I have been trying to get that style on my R&R (#1364, c.1831) for some time now with limited success. Not much chance of a teacher of that style here in Suffolk, either.
"this still leaves the problem of how to learn to play like that. I don't know to what extent the flute plays a part, but I have been trying to get that style on my R&R (#1364, c.1831) for some time now with limited success"
Conal has been one of my favourite flute players since I first heard "Top of Coom". I try to emulate (sometimes) the way he plays by listening over and over again to his recordings and trying to sound that way when I play. I think Conal would sound like that on any flute he played, even an R&R. Conal plays a Hamilton these days I´m told.
All the above posts were from summer 2008. Now, just prior to summer 2010, I look forward to a week of group lessons with Conal O'Grada in the Irish Catskills. I met him and heard him play at a concert houseparty in this past year, and talked with him about his style. Your posts (above) describe it as an attack style. That sounds appropriate. I call it a barking, punchy, forceful style. I'd like to get that sound. I also like Harry Bradley's and Marcas O'Murchu's sound or style. Conal told me, if I understood him correctly, that the sound he gets, is closely related to his Hammy Hamilton flute. I think he meant that a Hamilton is more resistant, and requires more forceful blowing. He questioned whether one can get that same barking sound effect from an Olwell (my flute, which I love, which is so smooth, so totally responsive, it easily gives you a full, resonant sound). I am "married" to my Olwell, but in love with the O'Grada sound. Can I get that barking sound from my Olwell? Or, rather, can Conal? "professor"
Coming back to this post has reminded me of another player influenced by the McKenna style, and I would say exhibiting some similarities to Conal's style of playing, and that would be the late Packie Duignan. Strange that no one's mentioned him - slipped my mind completely.
Conal told me once that you need to feel the music. Like, Steamwilkes said, listen over and over. The best thing is of course to hear him live. Sitting beside him as he plays the flute is a great great experience!
Btw, I have had success producing the barking sound on both my plastic Seery and boosey Morvan..
Sigmund
Old thread by now.. stil, my 2 cents - I'd say it's for the most part, the player. Listen to Marcus Hernon for example, he can practically kill a small bird passing by with his low D 'barks'.. (and last i saw he was playing a "Rudall" flute
I have a friend who is a much better flute player than me, he sounds very "O'Grada/Bradley-ish" on my Sam Murray flute..
I have heard people play Rob Forbes (my other flute) flutes with really raw, hard and punchy sound so..
want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
does anyone know a person around galway who plays in that marvellous attack style and gives flute lessons?? what's the better place in ireland to find this kind of flute players? Thanks!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by clorophilla
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Well, the Galway style contrasts greatly with that 'attacking' style. Conal O'Grada's style is more associated with Fermanagh or Belfast region. If you can't find an actual teacher, just listen to his recordings. You'd be surprised what you will pick up. Study his style closely and slow down his CDs to pick up the nuances.
Don't expect it to be an easy task. It may take years and you may never get it perfect but thats the journey your on in this world of trad music. Enjoy it. Aspire!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by 52Paddy
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Conal O'Grada's style is more associated with Fermanagh or Belfast region? Are you serious, Paddy? Aren't you familiar with Cathal McConnell's playing style? You can't generalise like that.
I saw Belfast-born flute player Noel Lenaghan playing and singing in Galway a few times, but his playing style was very different from the "attack style." It's interesting that Harry Bradley names him as an early influence. I'm not sure if Noel is still based in Galway. Does anyone know?
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by slainte
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
I believe Conal O'Grada's main early influence was Seamus MacMathuna, who plays in the breathy Leitrim style of John McKenna.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Kenny
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Hhmm. I always associated the 'attacking' with northern regions. Take Gary Hastings for example in Fermanagh. And Harry Bradley or Michael Clarkson in Belfast area. And Marcas O'Murchu in and around that area too.
Kenny you're right. Some areas of north Connaught have featured that breathy style. Most likely taken from aforementioned John McKenna and also Tom Morrison.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by 52Paddy
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Really this 'style of playing' puzzles me! being wicklow born i come across so many styles and yet they were all taught by people born and bred in Dublin! and yet a Belfast born teacher I know plays so different to that style! It all depends on the type of flute playing you like! harry bradley is THE polka player, he amazes me, I do agree with Kenny, Conal is like john Mckenna so much, but my claim to Leitrim is my mum is from there and its rare you meet a breathy player there! ok maybe I have to meet them Yet! play whatever way you like! I think this ' style'/regional of playing is over the top! saying that i am still learning!
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by lilyot
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Gary Hastings is from Belfast and now based in Mayo, I believe. Frankie Kennedy was also from Belfast, but did he play like other flute players such as G. Hastings, Marcas O'Murchu, Harry Bradley? No. They have their own unique styles, which can't be reduced to a single regional style. The same is true with Fermanagh flute players, such as Cathal McConnell, and Lawrence Nugent.
I visited Fermanagh and joined a session a few times, but haven't met a flute player there yet. For "attacking" styles, I personally recommend London. I had the pleasure to meet and play with James Carty in Brian Rooney's session a couple of months ago. Dyna, he has the style you want, though I'm not sure if he teaches music. And there's another great flute player called Sheena Vallely, who is originally from Armagh. She is a fan of Peter Horan and so her style has a touch of Sligo feel. But she has a lovely rhythmic style.
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by slainte
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
I guess John McKenna's influence is too huge to be confined to Leitrim and the North. Even Frankie Gavin, who is originally from East Galway, plays the flute in his style. And of course, some people in Leitrim and the north would play the flute in totally different styles.
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by slainte
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
You're right slainte. My reasoning was a bit inadequate looking back on it now.
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by 52Paddy
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
I first met Conal when he was about 18 and playing like a demon. He lived in Ballincollig on the western edge of Cork city. I thought his style was suburban Cork...
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by soundpost
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
I don't know whether you're serious soundpost but if so, an interesting point has been brought up. It is very hard to define a style and class it as one region. I, as you can see from my previous post, originally thought that Conal had a style rooted in the region of Ulster, mainly Fermanagh or Belfast.
Cork (particularly North and West) has a tradition of slides and polkas, similar to neighboring Kerry and Limerick. I would have never associated his playing style with Cork, despite that being his place of birth. Unless, of course, suburban Cork is distinctly different (or am I naive?)
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by 52Paddy
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Noel Lenaghan used to be a neighbour in West Belfast. The last time I saw him he sold me a banjo-mandolin, as he had moved on to mandolin.
Obviously he took up the flute.
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
this still leaves the problem of how to learn to play like that. I don't know to what extent the flute plays a part, but I have been trying to get that style on my R&R (#1364, c.1831) for some time now with limited success. Not much chance of a teacher of that style here in Suffolk, either.
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by Shepshed
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
"this still leaves the problem of how to learn to play like that. I don't know to what extent the flute plays a part, but I have been trying to get that style on my R&R (#1364, c.1831) for some time now with limited success"
Conal has been one of my favourite flute players since I first heard "Top of Coom". I try to emulate (sometimes) the way he plays by listening over and over again to his recordings and trying to sound that way when I play. I think Conal would sound like that on any flute he played, even an R&R. Conal plays a Hamilton these days I´m told.
# Posted on August 6th 2008 by Steamwilkes
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Conall, sound man great player,fantastic teacher.
# Posted on August 15th 2008 by Wannabe-piper
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
All the above posts were from summer 2008. Now, just prior to summer 2010, I look forward to a week of group lessons with Conal O'Grada in the Irish Catskills. I met him and heard him play at a concert houseparty in this past year, and talked with him about his style. Your posts (above) describe it as an attack style. That sounds appropriate. I call it a barking, punchy, forceful style. I'd like to get that sound. I also like Harry Bradley's and Marcas O'Murchu's sound or style. Conal told me, if I understood him correctly, that the sound he gets, is closely related to his Hammy Hamilton flute. I think he meant that a Hamilton is more resistant, and requires more forceful blowing. He questioned whether one can get that same barking sound effect from an Olwell (my flute, which I love, which is so smooth, so totally responsive, it easily gives you a full, resonant sound). I am "married" to my Olwell, but in love with the O'Grada sound. Can I get that barking sound from my Olwell? Or, rather, can Conal? "professor"
# Posted on May 27th 2010 by wmmorse
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Coming back to this post has reminded me of another player influenced by the McKenna style, and I would say exhibiting some similarities to Conal's style of playing, and that would be the late Packie Duignan. Strange that no one's mentioned him - slipped my mind completely.
# Posted on May 28th 2010 by Kenny
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Conal told me once that you need to feel the music. Like, Steamwilkes said, listen over and over. The best thing is of course to hear him live. Sitting beside him as he plays the flute is a great great experience!
Btw, I have had success producing the barking sound on both my plastic Seery and boosey Morvan..
Sigmund
# Posted on November 24th 2010 by sigmundL
Re: want to play like conal o'grada! :'-(
Old thread by now.. stil, my 2 cents - I'd say it's for the most part, the player. Listen to Marcus Hernon for example, he can practically kill a small bird passing by with his low D 'barks'.. (and last i saw he was playing a "Rudall" flute
I have a friend who is a much better flute player than me, he sounds very "O'Grada/Bradley-ish" on my Sam Murray flute..
I have heard people play Rob Forbes (my other flute) flutes with really raw, hard and punchy sound so..
# Posted on January 4th 2012 by Mr_Blackwood