I play in an "irish" band. I play guitar but I am from excellent and the sort of songs we play are mostly pub songs, pogues stuff and so on, you get the idea. I want to learn to play the real stuff so I'm wondering where I should start... a book I should buy, someone I should see or listen to... I don't know. I've seen a couple sessions before but the guitarists I see play in DADGAD of which I have yet to figure out the chord progressions used. I live in Southern California so if there's anyone out there that know of a school down here or what else I could do please let me know.
Not all trad backers use DADGAD -- of course a lot do. I'd try listening to as much music as you can, first off, especially the most traditional stuff. Check out John Doyle's and Gavin Ralston's videos, the Mad for Trad CDs, Scoiltrad (though I note their site is down right now)...
I learned how to play all my instroments by going to sessions, and after most people left sitting with the person in the group that played whistle/fiddle/bodhran and made them teach me a little bit before they headed off. It worked well for me, in combination with lots of practice and the same advice that Zina gave you was also givin to me- and it really does work well! I admire the fact you can play guitar at all- I would love to be able to do ANYTHING on guitar!
This is the temporary website of theComhaltas branch in Los Angeles. I highly recommend that you try to find teachers/mentors to assist you, I know it has been highly valuable to me in my Irish Music journey!
You can find what you're looking for, but the only way to get connected (at least here in LA) is through the session scene. There are quite a few sessions scattered about here in Southern California. The Comhaltas branch has one once a month, but there are plenty of weekly ones to choose from too. Most are concentrated in LA and San Deigo, but there are a few exceptions if those are too far for you (So.Cal. is a big place and I don't know where you are). Come to any session, have a listen, and talk to those you'd like to learn from. If you don't see anyone that makes you say "Hey! I wanna learn to do THAT!" Ask the musicians about other rhythm players or teachers in your area. You're bound to find something. I know of at least one good guitarist here in the LA that uses standard tuning so it can be done. Good luck!
P.S. If you come to any of the LA sessions I'll probably be there. I'm the fiddler with the really long hair.
fiddleK, I am so glad you weighed in on this thread!! Rather than folks use videos, it would be better to get live lessons. Those of us that have access to teachers, whether in formal lessons or in sessions are very lucky and should use them. I only posted the Comhaltas link as a starting point. I was hoping a local LA person would chime in and you did!!
Looking for education
Looking for education
I play in an "irish" band. I play guitar but I am from excellent and the sort of songs we play are mostly pub songs, pogues stuff and so on, you get the idea. I want to learn to play the real stuff so I'm wondering where I should start... a book I should buy, someone I should see or listen to... I don't know. I've seen a couple sessions before but the guitarists I see play in DADGAD of which I have yet to figure out the chord progressions used. I live in Southern California so if there's anyone out there that know of a school down here or what else I could do please let me know.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by pattymac
Re: Looking for education
Not all trad backers use DADGAD -- of course a lot do. I'd try listening to as much music as you can, first off, especially the most traditional stuff. Check out John Doyle's and Gavin Ralston's videos, the Mad for Trad CDs, Scoiltrad (though I note their site is down right now)...
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Looking for education
I learned how to play all my instroments by going to sessions, and after most people left sitting with the person in the group that played whistle/fiddle/bodhran and made them teach me a little bit before they headed off. It worked well for me, in combination with lots of practice and the same advice that Zina gave you was also givin to me- and it really does work well! I admire the fact you can play guitar at all- I would love to be able to do ANYTHING on guitar!
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Adela
Re: Looking for education
Here you go:
http://www.geocities.com/irishdancelosangeles/COMHALTASLosAngeles.html
This is the temporary website of theComhaltas branch in Los Angeles. I highly recommend that you try to find teachers/mentors to assist you, I know it has been highly valuable to me in my Irish Music journey!
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Aine Ni Scully
Re: Looking for education
You can find what you're looking for, but the only way to get connected (at least here in LA) is through the session scene. There are quite a few sessions scattered about here in Southern California. The Comhaltas branch has one once a month, but there are plenty of weekly ones to choose from too. Most are concentrated in LA and San Deigo, but there are a few exceptions if those are too far for you (So.Cal. is a big place and I don't know where you are). Come to any session, have a listen, and talk to those you'd like to learn from. If you don't see anyone that makes you say "Hey! I wanna learn to do THAT!" Ask the musicians about other rhythm players or teachers in your area. You're bound to find something. I know of at least one good guitarist here in the LA that uses standard tuning so it can be done. Good luck!
P.S. If you come to any of the LA sessions I'll probably be there. I'm the fiddler with the really long hair.
# Posted on October 22nd 2003 by fiddleK
Re: Looking for education
fiddleK, I am so glad you weighed in on this thread!! Rather than folks use videos, it would be better to get live lessons. Those of us that have access to teachers, whether in formal lessons or in sessions are very lucky and should use them. I only posted the Comhaltas link as a starting point. I was hoping a local LA person would chime in and you did!!
# Posted on October 22nd 2003 by Aine Ni Scully
Re: Looking for education
thanks for the input everyone. I will come out sometime to check out some sessions. I'm up near Ojai in Ventura County so its not too far. thanks!!
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by pattymac