Very interesting short film (about an hour total) on Irish music coming over to New York. Great interviews and tunes with players and family members of Michael Coleman and others.
There is an interesting statement about Michael Coleman "writing out" tunes so a young student could learn to play them. Apparently, everyone didn't learn by ear even then.
Wonderful program, MickM - thanks for posting this link. Indeed it was most interesting to hear about Michael Coleman "writing out" the tune. I feel validated!
I think if you have a teacher that writes out the music for you, that's quite different than relying on the sheet music without benefit of instruction from the person who wrote it. I have tunes written out for me by Noel Hill but I wouldn't be able to make music from them without hearing Noel and having him explain it.
Wonderful program. I especially like the part that states "Dance music is learned by younger players from their elders by listening and imitation". I feel validated.
I agree Phantom. My teacher does the same thing, but there are lots of players here who deem it a sin against the Tradition to use sheetmusic, or anything written, to help learn a tune. I just thought it was interesting that Michael Coleman apparently saw nothing wrong with it.
I remember the consensus here more or less being that the written music is only a tool to be used in conjunction with listening and imitating. The written music shouldn't be used as a starting point, but rather the same way you would take notes in any class--they are supplemental. Only after you have a firm understanding of the tradition and style can you interpret what the music should sound like based on the notes.
I'm not sure if this has been posted before but here's a truly excellent documentary of the history of the music in the Big Apple. http://www.folkstreams.net/film,191
Outstanding documentary, thanks much! Really gets to the heart of it. Should be required viewing for any aspiring session player who didn't grow up with The Music, imho.
And good streaming video too. Over my DSL line, it ran straight through (1 hour) without any hiccups.
Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
Very interesting short film (about an hour total) on Irish music coming over to New York. Great interviews and tunes with players and family members of Michael Coleman and others.
There is an interesting statement about Michael Coleman "writing out" tunes so a young student could learn to play them. Apparently, everyone didn't learn by ear even then.
http://www.folkstreams.net/film,191
# Posted on July 10th 2009 by mickm
Re: Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
Wonderful program, MickM - thanks for posting this link. Indeed it was most interesting to hear about Michael Coleman "writing out" the tune. I feel validated!
# Posted on July 10th 2009 by MaryMargaret
Re: Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
Thanks very much for that link!
# Posted on July 10th 2009 by Whiddler
Re: Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
I think if you have a teacher that writes out the music for you, that's quite different than relying on the sheet music without benefit of instruction from the person who wrote it. I have tunes written out for me by Noel Hill but I wouldn't be able to make music from them without hearing Noel and having him explain it.
# Posted on July 10th 2009 by Phantom Button
Re: Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
Wonderful program. I especially like the part that states "Dance music is learned by younger players from their elders by listening and imitation". I feel validated.
# Posted on July 10th 2009 by Reverend
Re: Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
I agree Phantom. My teacher does the same thing, but there are lots of players here who deem it a sin against the Tradition to use sheetmusic, or anything written, to help learn a tune. I just thought it was interesting that Michael Coleman apparently saw nothing wrong with it.
# Posted on July 10th 2009 by mickm
Re: Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
There probably weren't all that many recordings around for Michael Coleman to learn from, so he made 'em instead
# Posted on July 10th 2009 by lazyhound
Re: Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
I remember the consensus here more or less being that the written music is only a tool to be used in conjunction with listening and imitating. The written music shouldn't be used as a starting point, but rather the same way you would take notes in any class--they are supplemental. Only after you have a firm understanding of the tradition and style can you interpret what the music should sound like based on the notes.
# Posted on July 11th 2009 by Phantom Button
Re: Documentary on Irish music coming to New York
And also James Morrison did the same:
http://marblingpaper.com/JamesMorrisonBook.html
Thanks for the link Mick... the clips of the Eagle Tavern, Andy McGann, Paddy Reynolds, the young Brian Conway... brought back some great memories!
# Posted on July 11th 2009 by irisnevins
Irish Music in New York
I'm not sure if this has been posted before but here's a truly excellent documentary of the history of the music in the Big Apple.
http://www.folkstreams.net/film,191
# Posted on July 11th 2009 by Patkiwi
Re: Irish Music in New York
Thanks to Rolf Wagels for throwing out the url by the way.
# Posted on July 11th 2009 by Patkiwi
Re: Irish Music in New York
Many thanks Patkiwi.
# Posted on July 11th 2009 by Lurcherjohn
Re: Irish Music in New York
That is such a great resource generally too from early blues roots to 'hand fishing' and pirogue making! Many thanks.
# Posted on July 11th 2009 by Rhod
Re: Irish Music in New York
Outstanding documentary, thanks much! Really gets to the heart of it. Should be required viewing for any aspiring session player who didn't grow up with The Music, imho.
And good streaming video too. Over my DSL line, it ran straight through (1 hour) without any hiccups.
# Posted on July 11th 2009 by tuckered out