I want to learn more airs,but I find it hard to remember them.What are some really memorable ones? Or what is a good way to remember them? Thanks!
-Kelly
Learn them by ear, from people who are recognized masters at playing or singing them. Do not attempt to learn from notation; instead, seek to imprint a specific performance (live or recorded, in some senses preferably recorded) in your "mind's ear."
Here are some air players/singers I like:
Seamus Ennis (the master)
Tim Britton
Brian MacNamara
Mick Brown!
Tony MacMahon
Paddy Glackin
Randal Bays
Seamus Tansey
Niabh Parsons
Darach O Cathain
Joe Heaney
Kathleen Loughnane
Here's an air I can't get out of my head so maybe it fits the bill -- Moran's Return. I heard it on the "Lead the Knave" album by Nollaig Casey & Arty McGlynn. There's a short sound clip of it here ---
Kelly - 'Easter Snow' is a lovely, memorable air. I've heard people say it was a song, but to date I've been able to find no evidence of it. The more I play it, the more I find in it. If anyone has information about the origin, title (there appears some chance the title refers to an easterly snow rather than a Christian holiday), or is aware of older recordings I'm interested. I am told that Seamus Ennis named his caravan after it. Presently I have recordings by Seamus Ennis (U pipes) and Paul McGrattan (flute).
Eastersnow is a place in county Roscommon. The song was recorded by Rita Gallagher on her album of the same name. I haven't heard this recording, so can't comment. It was also recorded by Michael McDonnell on his album "Salmon Song" which I highly recommend.
One of my favorite slow airs is called, Were you by the Rock? I've heard Brian Conway play it live a few times. He does an absolutely incredible job! Totally mesmerizing! I've heard other musicians play this slow air, but Brian is still my favorite! It's also on his new CD.
I was also very lucky to hear Dermot Byrne play Paddy's Rambles throught the Park in Donegal for FKW....also incredible!!
And this can be found on his CD.
I always thought learning airs from musicians can be good, but learning them from singers is usually better. I like when the the phrasing & cadence that follows the words can be heard.
Easter Snow is a reference to the blackthorn blossom which appears in the Springtime; blackthorn is the opposite to hawthorn, (also know as whitethorn in Ireland) in that it bears it blossom before its leaves open, and the blossom time is usually quite close to Eastertide.
Bx
Never learn a slow air with the help of notation.
Never add anything of yourself to the performance.
Always copy one of the Irish Masters above with complete accuracy and deference.
But above all, don't get carried away and let your soul soar.
Remember you are not worthy.
Easter Snow was also done by Tim Lyons on an album of the same name. I can't be sure but I think he sang it. Another tune on the same album was "The Flower of Sweet Strabane". The airs that have words are much easier to memorize.
I don't know how traditional this is, but sometimes a reel slowed way down makes a nice air. Just experiment and see what you like...some work and others don't. If you remember reels well, you might be able to transform them into nice airs. A beautiful Scottish/Irish air is Aran Boat Song. You can do a lot with variations with it.
Thanks for all the replys.The thing is,I *do* learn them by ear,never from notation,and I listen to them over and over and over,and then when I try to play them later,I only remember one phrase,or two,but in the wrong order.Learning the words helps,but usually the airs I hear and like don't have anyone singing.
I've tried to learn Easter Snow,and Were You By The Rock,and I love them,but I don't remember them.I don't know,maybe I should just stick to jigs,reels,etc.
Thanks again for the suggestions.
-Kelly
Try thinking of the phrases as a conversation - one answers the other. Or use your own analogy to get at the air's basic structure. Once you understand that, the pieces will fit together in a way that makes sense and is memorable.
Recomendations for airs?
Recomendations for airs?
I want to learn more airs,but I find it hard to remember them.What are some really memorable ones? Or what is a good way to remember them? Thanks!
-Kelly
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by seisflutes
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Learn the words! (At least, the airs that are songs.)
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Learn them by ear, from people who are recognized masters at playing or singing them. Do not attempt to learn from notation; instead, seek to imprint a specific performance (live or recorded, in some senses preferably recorded) in your "mind's ear."
Here are some air players/singers I like:
Seamus Ennis (the master)
Tim Britton
Brian MacNamara
Mick Brown!
Tony MacMahon
Paddy Glackin
Randal Bays
Seamus Tansey
Niabh Parsons
Darach O Cathain
Joe Heaney
Kathleen Loughnane
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by coyotebanjo
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Here's an air I can't get out of my head so maybe it fits the bill -- Moran's Return. I heard it on the "Lead the Knave" album by Nollaig Casey & Arty McGlynn. There's a short sound clip of it here ---
http://ubl.artistdirect.com/store/artist/album/0,,966573,00.html
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by grego
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Kelly - 'Easter Snow' is a lovely, memorable air. I've heard people say it was a song, but to date I've been able to find no evidence of it. The more I play it, the more I find in it. If anyone has information about the origin, title (there appears some chance the title refers to an easterly snow rather than a Christian holiday), or is aware of older recordings I'm interested. I am told that Seamus Ennis named his caravan after it. Presently I have recordings by Seamus Ennis (U pipes) and Paul McGrattan (flute).
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by Stevie C
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Eastersnow is a place in county Roscommon. The song was recorded by Rita Gallagher on her album of the same name. I haven't heard this recording, so can't comment. It was also recorded by Michael McDonnell on his album "Salmon Song" which I highly recommend.
Chris
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by milesnagopaleen
Re: Recomendations for airs?
One of my favorite slow airs is called, Were you by the Rock? I've heard Brian Conway play it live a few times. He does an absolutely incredible job! Totally mesmerizing! I've heard other musicians play this slow air, but Brian is still my favorite! It's also on his new CD.
I was also very lucky to hear Dermot Byrne play Paddy's Rambles throught the Park in Donegal for FKW....also incredible!!
And this can be found on his CD.
So try those or at least give them a listen.
Joyce
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by JMH
Re: Recomendations for airs?
I too really like Easter Snow - I heard it on a Seamus ansey album of the same name - anyone got an ABC of it?
For some real nice airs and stuff check out David De La Barre tunes at http://www.gis.net/~davedlb/
Colin My Son and Roisin Ni Shiothchain are excellent slow tunes/airs
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by Llanman
Re: Recomendations for airs?
If you get the opportunity, get to listen to Brendan McGlinchey playing a slow air live.
Trevor
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by lazyhound
Re: Recomendations for airs?
I always thought learning airs from musicians can be good, but learning them from singers is usually better. I like when the the phrasing & cadence that follows the words can be heard.
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by Mad Baloney
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Easter Snow is a reference to the blackthorn blossom which appears in the Springtime; blackthorn is the opposite to hawthorn, (also know as whitethorn in Ireland) in that it bears it blossom before its leaves open, and the blossom time is usually quite close to Eastertide.
Bx
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by briantheflute
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Never learn a slow air with the help of notation.
Never add anything of yourself to the performance.
Always copy one of the Irish Masters above with complete accuracy and deference.
But above all, don't get carried away and let your soul soar.
Remember you are not worthy.
# Posted on February 25th 2004 by Pied Piper
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Easter Snow was also done by Tim Lyons on an album of the same name. I can't be sure but I think he sang it. Another tune on the same album was "The Flower of Sweet Strabane". The airs that have words are much easier to memorize.
# Posted on February 26th 2004 by windybaer
Re: Recomendations for airs?
I don't know how traditional this is, but sometimes a reel slowed way down makes a nice air. Just experiment and see what you like...some work and others don't. If you remember reels well, you might be able to transform them into nice airs. A beautiful Scottish/Irish air is Aran Boat Song. You can do a lot with variations with it.
# Posted on February 26th 2004 by esfiddle
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Thanks for all the replys.The thing is,I *do* learn them by ear,never from notation,and I listen to them over and over and over,and then when I try to play them later,I only remember one phrase,or two,but in the wrong order.Learning the words helps,but usually the airs I hear and like don't have anyone singing.
I've tried to learn Easter Snow,and Were You By The Rock,and I love them,but I don't remember them.I don't know,maybe I should just stick to jigs,reels,etc.
Thanks again for the suggestions.
-Kelly
# Posted on February 26th 2004 by seisflutes
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Try thinking of the phrases as a conversation - one answers the other. Or use your own analogy to get at the air's basic structure. Once you understand that, the pieces will fit together in a way that makes sense and is memorable.
# Posted on February 26th 2004 by Will CPT
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Estersnow lyrics: http://www.mudcat.org/Detail.CFM?messages__Message_ID=985848
English lyrics for ""An Raibh Tú Ag An Gcarraig?"
http://www.sissel-online.dk/CDlong.html
and Gaelic lyrics at:
http://www.maireadnesbitt.com/audio/ (bottom of the page)
# Posted on February 26th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Recomendations for airs?
Thank you all for providing additional information about the air Easter Snow. I'll have to follow up now. Best, Steve
# Posted on February 28th 2004 by Stevie C