Hi, my name is Maggie, I am a homeschooled high school freshman. I have played the clarinet in a homeschool band for almost 3.5 years and just got my tin whistle (a Clarke Meg) in the mail today. If you don't mind I would like some advice. I have done some research and I know that I need to work on rhythm above all, listen to lots and lots of music, etc. Is there a special way to hold my mouth for this? I am used to a embouchure (hope that's spelled correctly) for the clarinet; do I need to do anything like that for the whistle? And what albums are recommended to listen to? I know about Mary Bergin, Lunasa, etc. Unfortunately I have a miniscule budget (what with saving money and such it is $10 a month) so is there a place where you can get music for cheap?
I am using the Clarke Tinwhistle book (I had heard good stuff about it). Any advice there?
great instrument, never leave it. Never grow out of it. Embouchure is of no consequence.
Plenty of lovely playing on youtube. But there's plenty more terrible playing on you tube. The comhaltas videos are usually a good bet though. Here's some I just had a quick look up:
I looked once at a Clarke's instruction booklet / leaflet and got the impression that it took the whistle and whistle players seriously and set out to teach worthwhile stuff. Some instruction material with other makes of whistle definitely doesn't cut the mustard, in this respect. I dare say you could do a lot worse than work your way through the Clarke's material.
Mary Bergin's a very good whistle player. But don't expect to learn whistle by frantically trying to play along with the record before you've learnt the basics of playing the thing! Listen. You'll get the hang of how some of the tunes go fairly easily, probably, but others will have twiddly bits which - played fast - will be altogether harder for you to untangle as a beginner.
I always reccomend Geraldine Cotter's Tin Whistle Tutor. It contains 100 tunes but also covers every aspect of playing Traditional Irish Music on the whistle, and is laid out superbly. Costs a bit more than what you're asking for but far more valuable than the price would suggest.
I think that the "daft jesuit' does just fine. Lots of standard session tunes on his channel for a beginner to learn by ear. I don't think freshmen clarinet players typically play by ear. I could be wrong on this....anyway his tunes are not so complicated that you will get lost-they are pretty straight forward and if your level of playing is up to it skip the lessons and go right to the tunes.
Get yourself to a tionol. Thats a gathering where workshops are offered. There's workshops for all kinds of trad instruments. Even Uilleann Pipes no less. There's gatherings in Seattle, So. Cal. St. Louis, Texas, Florida The Catskills Minnesota, Vermont, Arizona, and a host of others. You'll find one near you.
I think one of the hardest things are learning how *not* to play
perfectly even eighth notes while keeping a rock solid beat. Jazz
players are great at this and you need it in Trad Irish music too.
Music teachers make you work on the opposite; of course you
need that ability for classical music ensembles, but it just gets
in the way in trad and jazz.
O'Neill's collection may well be one of the "bibles" of our kind of music, but you wouldn't want to live your life by the standards of the old testament now, would you.
Not wishing to resurrect the perennial 'dots' versus 'ear' debate, but I can't understand why O'Neill's (Dance Music of Ireland 1001 Gems at any rate) gets bad press. In my experience, the settings in DMI are generally 'sound' with good bowing markings, grace notes - and there are some brilliant tunes there.
Brian May should go to some hell for his bubble perm, as well as his monotonous guitar playing. Never rated him, unlike Joannie, who is a fantastic musician.
Or maybe pugatory would not be the "slightly better than Hell" it's cracked up to. Seeings as, by the same criteria, Jonnie would be condemned there to a never ending tune with Frankie Gavin?
I put "Bergin" in the search box and found two albums by Mary, which you can listen to for free. No doubt there is plenty of other whistle music there.
A problem with O'Neill is that there are errors on almost every page. Many of them probably arose out of the original transcription process ("now is that Fnat or F#?"), and some of the well-known tunes aren't necessarily quite the same as you'd hear today in sessions or in gigs. So unless you're really familiar with the music you could easily be led astray.
My recommendation is to listen to live playing (sessions if you can) as much as possible and don't worry about your playing at this stage, or even if you're whether joining in as much as you would like. It tends to be a natural process for most beginners - they're forced to listen instead of playing in the early stages because their technique isn't yet up to it, and so they subconsciously absorb a decent number of tunes in the early months while their technique gradually improves. That's how it worked for me; I don't think I played hardly a single tune in the first year of sessions I went to, and I remember the first tune I played was Planxty Irwin, very slow, and right at the end when people were starting to pack up their instruments.
I think the other problem with O'Neills is that the tunes in there were collected 100 + years ago, and in the basic folk process people just don't play them quite like that anymore, basically, by and large, and on the whole.
So, you've got a tune name, you've learnt it faithfully from O'N, and you produce it at a session, and you might raise an eyebrow or two around you. Or maybe not, it depends.
How's yo doing, Jim ?
I never use the dots for a tune unless I know what the tune is supposed to sound like. By that I mean I can hear the tune in my head. Otherwise I have no idea if what I am playing from the dots is anything like the real tune.
Homeschooled = taught at home rather than at a school
High school = in America, school for children aged 13 - 18
Freshman = someone in their first year at a school or other educational establishment.
Functionally TM is at the age where someone has been exposed to music and 'has the bug'.
TM. You can do really well for a whistle on $10. In Chicago, most whistles are around $5 or $6. cheap thrills.
Kep in mind that at that price the quality may vary and you may have to buy a few before you can get clear highs. The precision on the less expensive whistles is not always there.
Think Clark, Oak and Feadog. (I am not a Generations fan-see other posts) Good place to start. And Cotters book is ok-though not extremely basic. But the best thing it to get the whistle and start playing.
If you are watching videos don't forget Mary Bergin's fingering is not standard. Hasn't held her back but it might be advisable to use the orthodox positioning.
Maggie, Meg is a good whistle to start on. Some good books recommended here, and you are in good hands with your Clarke instruction book--it is what guided my early efforts. One recommendation I didn't read above. Many of these learner books come with CDs as well (it was tapes back in my day). Being able to hear what the lessons are to sound like goes a long way, and as this music is often passed by ear, the sooner you start learning by ear, the better. Don't worry about embrochure, the key is breath control, not the way you shape your mouth.
Congratulations, and have fun. Whistle is a great starter instrument, you can be playing tunes very quickly, and yet it is also challenging enough that it can take a lifetime to fully master! Welcome aboard!
The whistle is not a "starter" instrument with this music. You don't move "up" to flute, for example. You can diversify from the whistle to any instrument you like and your whistle playing will help a great deal, but you do not "progress" to another instrument. Sure, other instruments, fiddle, pipes, flute, will give you the opportunities to put more into your playing, but the brilliance of the whistle as a perfect instrument within itself lies in teaching you the lesson that, very often with this music, less is more.
I think that anyone who has played the whistle and considers that they've grown out of it towards better things will have lost a lot of the essence of this music. It's simple vitality, its charm, its ease.
And I recommend to anyone who already likes to play this music on any other instrument, that they should learn the tin whistle. Especially string players.
Those comhaltas clips are ok for technique but listen to Micho Russell if you want a lesson about how to play Irish Traditional music with feeling and personality - something which I believe the videos posted by llig severly lack.
I knew there was something troubling me about Jim Younger's post up there, but I thought it was propably just me, being just an ignorant windy person 'n' all ...
"Not wishing to resurrect the perennial 'dots' versus 'ear' debate, but I can't understand why O'Neill's (Dance Music of Ireland 1001 Gems at any rate) gets bad press. In my experience, the settings in DMI are generally 'sound' with good bowing markings, grace notes - and there are some brilliant tunes there."
I've just looked - as far as I can see there are no bowing markings at all, and very few "grace notes". Not that I'd want them ... but I wonder if you aren't thinking of the Miles Krassen edition of O'Neill's, which consists of selected pieces from several different O'Neill collections? If you are thinking of the 1001 Gems, then I don't get what you mean ... ?
Hmmm. . . . . I played clarinet, alto clarinet, and bass clarinet, and I daresay the way you shape your mouth as a clarinetist will be absolutely fine.
ethical blend, There are many different versions of O'Neill's available, wouldn't be surprised if someone has a version where bowing and other things were annotated.
I remember a few years ago, someone pointed out that Doctor O'Neill's is the first double jig in O'Neill's, and someone else called them a liar. Probably both were correct, but with different books with the good Captain's name on it (in the copy I have, the Good Doctor's tune is indeed the first jig listed).
May well be, Al, but it's pointless citing the bowings as a reason for O'Neill's being good, when O'Neill didn't put any in, and any that there are now are recent additions.
And there are books that are clearly identifiable - 1001 Gems, for instance is a specific collection. The '1850' (so-called) is another. And then there are modern books which bear O'Neill's name (such as the Krassen 'edition') which are sort of Frankenstein creations and not really O'Neill's at all.
It's the Krassen that a lot of people are referring to when they mention O'Neill's. It's not O'Neill's.
Not only did O'Neill not put the bowing in but would I not be right in saying he didn't put the notes in either? Is it not the case that he couldn't write music and got others to do it for him?
Anyway, IMO it's strongest point is for reference, like any other tune book.
Thanks to all for all the suggestions! I've done some research, and the day after I posted here we actually ran into a lady who knows where the sessions are in my area, so I'll probably be heading up there to listen. I'll be sure to check the links out (haven't had the time quite yet).
Maggie, I see you are on a tight budget. & Grey Larsen's book is $40. Here is the page of excerpt links from his website.
Online Store > Book Excerpts
Below are links to ten excerpts from "The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle. " http://www.greylarsen.com/store/excerpts_essguide.php
Beginner's questions
Beginner's questions
Hi, my name is Maggie, I am a homeschooled high school freshman. I have played the clarinet in a homeschool band for almost 3.5 years and just got my tin whistle (a Clarke Meg) in the mail today. If you don't mind I would like some advice. I have done some research and I know that I need to work on rhythm above all, listen to lots and lots of music, etc. Is there a special way to hold my mouth for this? I am used to a embouchure (hope that's spelled correctly) for the clarinet; do I need to do anything like that for the whistle? And what albums are recommended to listen to? I know about Mary Bergin, Lunasa, etc. Unfortunately I have a miniscule budget (what with saving money and such it is $10 a month) so is there a place where you can get music for cheap?
I am using the Clarke Tinwhistle book (I had heard good stuff about it). Any advice there?
Thanks for reading through all my questions!
Gratefully,
Maggie
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Teresa Margaret
Re: Beginner's questions
great instrument, never leave it. Never grow out of it. Embouchure is of no consequence.
Plenty of lovely playing on youtube. But there's plenty more terrible playing on you tube. The comhaltas videos are usually a good bet though. Here's some I just had a quick look up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seAL7I6qGBw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjY6hV_DYok&feature=related
this girl's one of my faves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X6nCQkWAQo&feature=related
This lassie's brill aswell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s63tmtrwq-w&feature=channel
And yanks can do it too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1zKN7qJtWQ&feature=channel
And here's the great Joannie Madden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H9aIrs3ZsI&feature=related
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdJYbOkbetQ&feature=related
YouTube's great eh?
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
I looked once at a Clarke's instruction booklet / leaflet and got the impression that it took the whistle and whistle players seriously and set out to teach worthwhile stuff. Some instruction material with other makes of whistle definitely doesn't cut the mustard, in this respect. I dare say you could do a lot worse than work your way through the Clarke's material.
Mary Bergin's a very good whistle player. But don't expect to learn whistle by frantically trying to play along with the record before you've learnt the basics of playing the thing! Listen. You'll get the hang of how some of the tunes go fairly easily, probably, but others will have twiddly bits which - played fast - will be altogether harder for you to untangle as a beginner.
Don't rush...
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by nicholas
Re: Beginner's questions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Xf1Ume0zA
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by shanty
Re: Beginner's questions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9eC_MYp-5I&feature=related
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
Flippin Heck Shanty, the original poster has bering playing the clarinet for over three years. she doesn't need that daft Jesuit.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
I always reccomend Geraldine Cotter's Tin Whistle Tutor. It contains 100 tunes but also covers every aspect of playing Traditional Irish Music on the whistle, and is laid out superbly. Costs a bit more than what you're asking for but far more valuable than the price would suggest.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Tony O'Rourke
Re: Beginner's questions
I'll second that, Tony. It's a grand book and a great selection of tunes.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by bc_box_player
Re: Beginner's questions
I'd also recommend Grey Larsen's "Essential Tin Whistle Toolbox". He writes well, as well as playing superbly.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by bc_box_player
Re: Beginner's questions
Comhaltas has a channel on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/user/comhaltas
There are a few whistlers on there.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Kerri Brown
Re: Beginner's questions
I think that the "daft jesuit' does just fine. Lots of standard session tunes on his channel for a beginner to learn by ear. I don't think freshmen clarinet players typically play by ear. I could be wrong on this....anyway his tunes are not so complicated that you will get lost-they are pretty straight forward and if your level of playing is up to it skip the lessons and go right to the tunes.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by shanty
Re: Beginner's questions
O'Neill's collection is one of the "bibles" of our kind of music. You can get dots (musical notation) and much more from: http://www.oldmusicproject.com/oneils1.html
Welcome to the obsession!
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by plunk111
Re: Beginner's questions
Get yourself to a tionol. Thats a gathering where workshops are offered. There's workshops for all kinds of trad instruments. Even Uilleann Pipes no less. There's gatherings in Seattle, So. Cal. St. Louis, Texas, Florida The Catskills Minnesota, Vermont, Arizona, and a host of others. You'll find one near you.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Gone to work
Re: Beginner's questions
I think one of the hardest things are learning how *not* to play
perfectly even eighth notes while keeping a rock solid beat. Jazz
players are great at this and you need it in Trad Irish music too.
Music teachers make you work on the opposite; of course you
need that ability for classical music ensembles, but it just gets
in the way in trad and jazz.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Hup
Re: Beginner's questions
Michael Eskin's "tradlessons" site:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=tradlessons#g/u
Many lessons on whistle, plus other instruments.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by oldstrings
Re: Beginner's questions
I a whistle hard to learn to play? I wouldn't mind getting a smaller instrument.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Gringo
Re: Beginner's questions
Heh... class advice from llig, as usual.
Stay well away from o'neill's (and sheet music in general) as they may be as much of a hinderance as a help.
Find people to play with - be it at sessions, workshops or whatever.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Tirno
Re: Beginner's questions
O'Neill's collection may well be one of the "bibles" of our kind of music, but you wouldn't want to live your life by the standards of the old testament now, would you.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
Trying to read tunes in O'Neill's is a bit like trying to understand a computer manual written in Mediaeval Latin.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by nicholas
Re: Beginner's questions
http://www.rogermillington.com/tunetoc/index.html
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ∅
Re: Beginner's questions
Or the new one, llig. Nice playing by joannie but I can never forgive her for playing in the presence of dubya.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by strayaway
Re: Beginner's questions
People are often advised to start here:
http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/
(thanks for the memory jog joesmith)
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by David50
Re: Beginner's questions
I know what you mean about Joannie. It's a crying shame. She shall go to the same hell as Brian May for strumming on top of Buckingham Palace.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
Not wishing to resurrect the perennial 'dots' versus 'ear' debate, but I can't understand why O'Neill's (Dance Music of Ireland 1001 Gems at any rate) gets bad press. In my experience, the settings in DMI are generally 'sound' with good bowing markings, grace notes - and there are some brilliant tunes there.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Jim Younger
Re: Beginner's questions
If you do not with to resurrect the perennial 'dots' versus 'ear' debate, retract your last post forthwith.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
Brian May should go to some hell for his bubble perm, as well as his monotonous guitar playing. Never rated him, unlike Joannie, who is a fantastic musician.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by strayaway
Re: Beginner's questions
Agree, of course.
But Hell's Hell. (Maybe Joannie gets a bit more time in purgatory?)
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
Or maybe pugatory would not be the "slightly better than Hell" it's cracked up to. Seeings as, by the same criteria, Jonnie would be condemned there to a never ending tune with Frankie Gavin?
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
Yes, I'll go with that, maybe I'll let her off after the purgatory. BTW, I'm listening to Martin Simpson right at this minute, a real guitar player.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by strayaway
Re: Beginner's questions
Indeed, Frankies another that I find hard to forgive, great musician as well. Any more? Ah yes, Bono, still, hes not a musician.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by strayaway
Re: Beginner's questions
What? Is he just an accompanist?
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by bogman
Re: Beginner's questions
No, a total w+nker
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by strayaway
Re: Beginner's questions
Teresa -
Some simple advice from another simple novice. You seem to have the right idea from the start: listen to lots and lots of music.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: Beginner's questions
Hi Maggie,
Can you listen to Live FM where you are:
http://www.last.fm
I put "Bergin" in the search box and found two albums by Mary, which you can listen to for free. No doubt there is plenty of other whistle music there.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Bernie 29
Re: Beginner's questions
A problem with O'Neill is that there are errors on almost every page. Many of them probably arose out of the original transcription process ("now is that Fnat or F#?"), and some of the well-known tunes aren't necessarily quite the same as you'd hear today in sessions or in gigs. So unless you're really familiar with the music you could easily be led astray.
My recommendation is to listen to live playing (sessions if you can) as much as possible and don't worry about your playing at this stage, or even if you're whether joining in as much as you would like. It tends to be a natural process for most beginners - they're forced to listen instead of playing in the early stages because their technique isn't yet up to it, and so they subconsciously absorb a decent number of tunes in the early months while their technique gradually improves. That's how it worked for me; I don't think I played hardly a single tune in the first year of sessions I went to, and I remember the first tune I played was Planxty Irwin, very slow, and right at the end when people were starting to pack up their instruments.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Beginner's questions
I think the other problem with O'Neills is that the tunes in there were collected 100 + years ago, and in the basic folk process people just don't play them quite like that anymore, basically, by and large, and on the whole.
So, you've got a tune name, you've learnt it faithfully from O'N, and you produce it at a session, and you might raise an eyebrow or two around you. Or maybe not, it depends.
How's yo doing, Jim ?
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Beginner's questions
Of course, THIS is the place to get tunes !
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Beginner's questions
I never use the dots for a tune unless I know what the tune is supposed to sound like. By that I mean I can hear the tune in my head. Otherwise I have no idea if what I am playing from the dots is anything like the real tune.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by minijackpot
Re: Beginner's questions
What's a 'homeschooled High school freshman'?
Apart from the obvious answer she is, but what does that say about the writer of this request?
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by bazouki dave
Re: Beginner's questions
Homeschooled = taught at home rather than at a school
High school = in America, school for children aged 13 - 18
Freshman = someone in their first year at a school or other educational establishment.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Bernie 29
Re: Beginner's questions
Bernie is factually right on.
Functionally TM is at the age where someone has been exposed to music and 'has the bug'.
TM. You can do really well for a whistle on $10. In Chicago, most whistles are around $5 or $6. cheap thrills.
Kep in mind that at that price the quality may vary and you may have to buy a few before you can get clear highs. The precision on the less expensive whistles is not always there.
Think Clark, Oak and Feadog. (I am not a Generations fan-see other posts) Good place to start. And Cotters book is ok-though not extremely basic. But the best thing it to get the whistle and start playing.
The rest follows.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by zippydw
Re: Beginner's questions
Zippy is factually slightly off. The little lady has already got the whistle.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by Bernie 29
Re: Beginner's questions
If you are watching videos don't forget Mary Bergin's fingering is not standard. Hasn't held her back but it might be advisable to use the orthodox positioning.
# Posted on January 15th 2010 by deeor
Re: Beginner's questions
Maggie, Meg is a good whistle to start on. Some good books recommended here, and you are in good hands with your Clarke instruction book--it is what guided my early efforts. One recommendation I didn't read above. Many of these learner books come with CDs as well (it was tapes back in my day). Being able to hear what the lessons are to sound like goes a long way, and as this music is often passed by ear, the sooner you start learning by ear, the better. Don't worry about embrochure, the key is breath control, not the way you shape your mouth.
Congratulations, and have fun. Whistle is a great starter instrument, you can be playing tunes very quickly, and yet it is also challenging enough that it can take a lifetime to fully master! Welcome aboard!
# Posted on January 16th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Beginner's questions
http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/
# Posted on January 16th 2010 by Kenny
Re: Beginner's questions
The whistle is not a "starter" instrument with this music. You don't move "up" to flute, for example. You can diversify from the whistle to any instrument you like and your whistle playing will help a great deal, but you do not "progress" to another instrument. Sure, other instruments, fiddle, pipes, flute, will give you the opportunities to put more into your playing, but the brilliance of the whistle as a perfect instrument within itself lies in teaching you the lesson that, very often with this music, less is more.
I think that anyone who has played the whistle and considers that they've grown out of it towards better things will have lost a lot of the essence of this music. It's simple vitality, its charm, its ease.
And I recommend to anyone who already likes to play this music on any other instrument, that they should learn the tin whistle. Especially string players.
# Posted on January 16th 2010 by ...
Re: Beginner's questions
Those comhaltas clips are ok for technique but listen to Micho Russell if you want a lesson about how to play Irish Traditional music with feeling and personality - something which I believe the videos posted by llig severly lack.
# Posted on January 16th 2010 by 52Paddy
Re: Beginner's questions
(homeschooled = free range organic, sort of...)
# Posted on January 16th 2010 by nicholas
Re: Beginner's questions
I knew there was something troubling me about Jim Younger's post up there, but I thought it was propably just me, being just an ignorant windy person 'n' all ...
"Not wishing to resurrect the perennial 'dots' versus 'ear' debate, but I can't understand why O'Neill's (Dance Music of Ireland 1001 Gems at any rate) gets bad press. In my experience, the settings in DMI are generally 'sound' with good bowing markings, grace notes - and there are some brilliant tunes there."
I've just looked - as far as I can see there are no bowing markings at all, and very few "grace notes". Not that I'd want them ... but I wonder if you aren't thinking of the Miles Krassen edition of O'Neill's, which consists of selected pieces from several different O'Neill collections? If you are thinking of the 1001 Gems, then I don't get what you mean ... ?
Mind you, who cares, I suppose?
Oh, and llig - spot on about tin whistle.
# Posted on January 16th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: Beginner's questions
Hmmm. . . . . I played clarinet, alto clarinet, and bass clarinet, and I daresay the way you shape your mouth as a clarinetist will be absolutely fine.
# Posted on January 17th 2010 by linnet
Re: Beginner's questions
ethical blend, There are many different versions of O'Neill's available, wouldn't be surprised if someone has a version where bowing and other things were annotated.
I remember a few years ago, someone pointed out that Doctor O'Neill's is the first double jig in O'Neill's, and someone else called them a liar. Probably both were correct, but with different books with the good Captain's name on it (in the copy I have, the Good Doctor's tune is indeed the first jig listed).
# Posted on January 17th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Beginner's questions
May well be, Al, but it's pointless citing the bowings as a reason for O'Neill's being good, when O'Neill didn't put any in, and any that there are now are recent additions.
And there are books that are clearly identifiable - 1001 Gems, for instance is a specific collection. The '1850' (so-called) is another. And then there are modern books which bear O'Neill's name (such as the Krassen 'edition') which are sort of Frankenstein creations and not really O'Neill's at all.
It's the Krassen that a lot of people are referring to when they mention O'Neill's. It's not O'Neill's.
# Posted on January 17th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: Beginner's questions
Not only did O'Neill not put the bowing in but would I not be right in saying he didn't put the notes in either? Is it not the case that he couldn't write music and got others to do it for him?
Anyway, IMO it's strongest point is for reference, like any other tune book.
# Posted on January 17th 2010 by bogman
Re: Beginner's questions
I don't think a non-music writing flute player would be very interested in bowing instructions.
Whack! She dead yet? Neigh.
# Posted on January 17th 2010 by fidkid
Re: Beginner's questions
Thanks to all for all the suggestions! I've done some research, and the day after I posted here we actually ran into a lady who knows where the sessions are in my area, so I'll probably be heading up there to listen. I'll be sure to check the links out (haven't had the time quite yet).
Maggie
# Posted on January 17th 2010 by Teresa Margaret
Re: Beginner's questions
chapter 1: "orientation to traditional irish music on the flute and tin whistle"
Seek Out The Older Players . . .
http://www.greylarsen.com/store/samples/essguide_chap1-1.pdf
# Posted on January 19th 2010 by Ben Steen
~
Maggie, I see you are on a tight budget. & Grey Larsen's book is $40. Here is the page of excerpt links from his website.
Online Store > Book Excerpts
Below are links to ten excerpts from "The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle. "
http://www.greylarsen.com/store/excerpts_essguide.php
# Posted on January 19th 2010 by Ben Steen