1) That you can dance to it
2) That it's Irish
3) It's a folk music
4) It's a traditional music form
The "important" facts depend on what you want it for, though, really. If it's just facts you want, try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_traditional_music -- my bet is that the same people who post here helped to write most of that page, anyway.
I'm going to have to go back and edit on that Wikipedia page when I have more time -- lots of bias sticking out alllll over the place, for god's sake, on all sides of the fences...how can a fence have more than two sides? We manage it in Irish music... ;)
I think some history is required. Just to put everything into perspective. Context matters!
Here's what you need to know: Irish Music was invented by St Patrick after he got rid of all the ostriches in Ireland, but before he got round to the snakes. He played the shakey egg, but felt that there was something lacking in just solo playing so he called in his mates... the fiddle had just been invented by Vivaldi who was visiting their mutual friend O'Carolan, who played the mouth organ. So the three of them got together and played in what would come to be known as the first 'session' ever in history. This was in the 60s sometime. Then Paddy O'Bothy discovered the Uilleann Pipes and using it together with a complicated brewing process involving fish and yeast and malt, invented Guinness.
At least, I'm pretty sure that's how it happened. I may have got the order of events mixed up.
I think Zina's first point is debatable, depending whether I'm playing for it ( ie it may be arhythmicle, but it's slow enough ) or some of those wild lads/speed merchants down Camden Town.
There are a number of equally spurious histories of ITM, about on a par with one previous librarian at the EFDSS, who insisted that morris dancing was invented by her uncle Maurice in Chicago. Well what can you expect when the ENGLISH Folk Dance and Song Society employs an american ?
My personal answer to your query is " I don't know,it wasn't me, nobody saw me do it, I wasn't there at the time, it was three other fellows."
That it is irritating, repetitive and tiring to listen to, unless you're really into the miusic.
Even then, it all sounds the same. Further, you are always listening to a tune and saying "I have heard that before" but you don't know the name. "Swinging on a Gate"? "Padding My Fahey", Down the Broom"? Drowsey Easy Paddy Go"? "Peeler's Jacket"?
Very frustating. And that's for the experienced Irish Trad Musicians.
It involves connotations of large numbers of instrument players all playing the same melodic rhythmic ditties punctuated with ornamentation and dark beer.
Pride. Diddly-dee. Beer. Companionship after a long day. Family history. Your grandparents. You feel that it speaks for you. Maybe Sister and 6th grade. (Who else had Sister Mary Yardstick in 6th grade?) Identity...an elusive, undefinable entity.
Just my random thoughts...and a HNY to my fellow session.orgers.
It was Sister AliciaPincheyfingers in fifth grade. I still bear the bruises. But wait, those same nuns taught us the four line staff and those square notes in Gregorian chant, and how to sing it. To this day, the sound of chant affects me the same way that much trad does., though I can't describe it. (Another thread someday?)
Fact 1: It's easy to play (though not if you can't)
Fact 2: It cannot be written down (though everybody does)
Fact 3: None of the instruments were invented in Ireland (yet they are referred to as Irish to make them sound authentic, re: Irish Bouzouki etc.)
Fact 4: None of the melody forms were invented in Ireland (yet they are referred to as Irish to make them sound authentic, re: Irish jig etc.)
Fact 5: It is undistinguishable from Scottish music (unless you can distinguish it)
Fact 6: THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT: Everybody hates the bodhran (unless you can't play Irish music)
I think that the most important fact about ITM is that it completely open to interpretation, that a person can put their own person stamp on a tune and express themselves through their music. Its the lack of rigidity that makes it what it is.
Nope, it's not completely open. Music is open yes. And I would never deny the right of anyone to do with music whatever they like. But our genre has boundaries. Here, we spend endless hours splitting hairs in defining these boundaries. But none of us deny their existence. If you take your interpretation outwith the tradition, it still may well be music, and good music at that. But it's not traditional irish music
If that was the case traditional Irish music would be the same today as it was in the 1920's and that would be the same as the music from the 1800's!!!
Even Noel Hill's new album shows a distinct different interpretation of tunes to his first solo album in the 70's
Also, trad music had to evolve for different regional styles. Can anyone say that one style of trad is more traditional than another? Clare? Galway? Sligo/Leitrim? Donegal? Sliabh Lucra? West Kerry?
Finally, if there is no room for individual interpretation how can we hear a bar of a tune and recognise it instantly as Tony McMahon playing an air or Matt Molloy in full flight through the last part of Mulhaire's Reel!
Since most Irish Tunes are dance tunes (reels jigs, hornpipes, slides, polkas etc), and their most usual length is 8 bars repeated, a different 8 bars repeated, back to the start, I'd call that a pretty rigid boundary, within which individuals have a certain degree of freedom.
If you decide to tack on a couple of extra bars somewhere, or play a tuen you composed in 7/8 time, you may be expressing your individuality, but it won't be ITM.
I don't understand this whole interpretation thing, I think people just play stuff differently, and the one person will not play the same tune the same way everytime.
If you put in an extra bar to a tune and play it in a different time, say 9/8 then it is no longer traditional.
However, changing a bar of a tune for variation one time through is perfectly legit. (Before anyone jumps down my throat please have a listen to almost any 2 recordings of the same tune)
Compare this to say ....... ummm ..... classical music Can anyone identify individual musicians playing solo pieces after 8 bars?? Can you put in your own variation on Bach's Synphony No. 2???
Its all relative people, but there is still room for the individual in trad
Trad = less rigid than classical and more rigid than free jazz.
That's not to say classical doesn't allow room for variation, improvisation or individual interpretation entirely. On the contrary, especially when there is a solo part. In fact I believe people are perhaps less likely these days to experiment with variation in classical music than in the period it was written, e.g the baroque period, when it was par for the course.
Laughing after a set of tunes is usually because somebody called the wrong key change to the guitar player and the look on his face as he hit 4-5 dreadful chords before getting the correct key was priceless!
Improv's always had a place in classical music. Organists in traditionalist churches are always improvising around hymn tunes during the busy walking around parts of an Anglican mass, for example. And as King Conan says, it was de rigeur to improvise during the Baroque era. And I was listening to a string quartet last night who ONLY improvise, and they've been doing it for 15 years. John Cage built 4'33" around the passive improvisation of the audience, you could even argue.
Some here - Jonathan in particular - seem to have failed to read Michaels remarks carefully enough.
It is unfair to call them complete rubbish.
Michael makes the point that the music is not "completely" open - he points out that there are some boundaries, if one goes beyond which, one is no longer playing traditional music. He does not forbid evolution or interpretation - he makes the point that "If you take your interpretation outwith the tradition" it ceases to be traditional music.
Check up the meaning of the word "outwith".
In other words he is saying that you have to be careful how far you go with your variation of the tradition - but he nowhere says that there is "no room for individual interpretation", which seems to be how some have read it.
I only know about the dance music for the most part... aside from the fact that there was a blind harper that rode around Ireland on his donkey and wrote tunes in honor of the folks who let him crash at their pad.
About 300 years ago some Irish people were returning from holiday in Europe where they had learned a couple of social dances, i.e. reels and jigs etc. They approached a local musician and said, "Can you play some music so we can dance like this?" and they started dancing. Yer man, the musician, had the Irish songs and slow airs in his head that he usually played, but as he watched the dancers he could sort of hear them with a new rhythm that went with the dancing. He gave it a try -- and the dancers were delighted and inspired to buy a round of drink for everyone in attendance. The rest is history.
Well, feisen4treble, I believe that you'll be able to learn all kinds of things about Irish traditional music and Irish traditional musicians from this thread of yours. God help you.
Of course, they may not have been what you *wanted* to learn, but there's enough factual stuff for your report if it's not TOO in-depth on that Wikipedia page, and if you're interested in the human condition, all aside from your report, this should have been an entertaining trip for you, even if no one helped you much.
And by the way, whoever you are who erased the information on the bodhran on that Wikipedia page, you should be ashamed of yourself. It was a very childish thing to do.
Do you know, I very nearly wrote, "And by the way, whoever you are, MICHAEL, who erased the information on the bodhran on that Wikipedia page, you should be ashamed of yourself. It was a very childish thing to do." But I didn't. *smirk*
As for it's origins not being Irish, don't be silly. Neither are most of the instruments we all play. Be honest. What you REALLY object to is the fact that so many people play out on bodhrans long before they should be playing out, whereas it's much harder to do that on any other instrument. And no snarky comments about that meaning the bodhran isn't a real instrument. ;)
BTW Feisen4treble, where and when is this European research project going to be published? It would be interesting to see it ... or were you just Feisen?
Thanks guys!! This is just what I was looking for! While I was waiting for you guys to reply, I had to write the portion of the paper called "Traditional Irish Dancing (What a great topic.. it didn't take too much researching!) When I finish my paper, I will post it on here. Though, it is just a paper for a 7th grade geography class, it won't be that good!
Thanks!!
Feisen4treble
p.s. Orson- I actually have been cought up in dance classes..... preparing for a feis!
Two years and already in Prelim is doing quite well! At any rate, good luck once more for your feis, hope you do well in your comps. Perhaps I'll see you at an Oireachtas or Nationals one of these times.
Dance and music in Northern Ireland is very traditional. The music contains many instruments. There are four different tunes. Many singers and classical musicians were born in Northern Ireland. The dance of Northern Ireland has been around since the Egyptians. There are three types of dances. There are also two types of shoes. Music and dance are the things that many people think of when they think about Northern Ireland.
Traditional Irish music is made using fiddle, bagpipes, drums, flutes, harps, accordions, Uilliean pipes, bodrahn, guitar, banjo, Sean nos (human voice), cello, tin whistle, bombarde, hammered dulcimer, and the melodeon. Irish music is performed pubs and parades. Many famous singers were born in Northern Ireland. Some of these singers include U2, Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, The Chieftains, B*Witched, The Corrs, Natalie MacMaster, Enya, and Solas. Some popular Irish tunes that people enjoy singing are When Irish Eyes Are Smiling and Fields of Athenry. One of the most famous orchestras is the Ulster National Orchestra. The four most basic tunes of Irish music are reels, jigs, hornpipes, and slow airs. Many musicians play for feis (dancing competitions) and music in pubs. Dance musicians must be able to play varieties of jigs, reels, hornpipes, figure dances, and some of the thirty traditional set dances. Some examples of feis musicians are Pat King, Annemarie Acosta, Dean Crouch, Brian Glynn, and Brigid Feld. Some musicians perform and ceilis, which are music session in pubs. Some musicians play at a fleadh, which would be a music festival. Some musicians play at feiseanna, which are competitive leads, or a dance competition. Most of the music in Northern Ireland that has not been brought in from America is very traditional.
Irish dance is Northern Ireland used to be very traditional, but people have made it not so traditional. There are two types of dancing, solo dancing and ceili (team) dancing. The dancing masters developed solo dancing in the last quarter of the 18th century. With solo dancing, you have great freedom, and you have the ability to express yourself. Solo dancing teaches you excellent posture. The first solo dance that most dancers learn is the jig. There are fourth different kinds of jigs, the light jig, the double jig, the single jig, and the slip jig. The slip jig is in 9/8 timing. The slip jig is the most graceful dance done in soft shoes. The single jig is danced in light shoes and it is in 6/8 timing. The double jig (also known as treble jig, and heavy jig) is danced in hard shoes in 6/8 timing. The light jig (also known as “The Irish Jig” or the real jig) is danced in soft shoes in 6/8 timing. The other dances that dancers learn are the hornpipe and the reel. The hornpipe originated in England and is danced in the 4/4 time signature. It is danced in hard shoes. The reel came from the Scot’s in the 1800’s. It is danced in soft shoes. Ceilis are group dances. They are performed at feiseanna (dance competitions) and for fun. Ceili’s are made up are the most basic dance steps. The benefits of Irish dancing are the friendships you make, the self-esteem you gain, and the increase in your mental skills. The governing body of Irish dance is called An Commission Rince Na La Gaelicha, which is also known as An Comhdail or The Irish Dance Teachers’ Association. The president of An Commission Rince Na La Gaelicha is Peter Smith. The costumes that Irish dancers wear used to be traditional, but over time they have changed. They used to be heavy velvet with crocheted collars and brightly colored embroidery. Now, Irish dance costumes are brightly colored silks, lames, glitterballs, and sequins. Solo dresses are individually designed and very expensive. Most Irish dancers hair would be seen in ringlets. It is very common to see wigs in at Irish dance competitions now. It saves time and costs less money than curling your hair. Irish dance was made popular when Riverdance first aired on PBS.
The dancing and music in Northern Ireland is very traditional. Many people learn how to play the instruments and do the dance.
Ah -- I didn't realize your report was on Northern Ireland, Feisen4treble -- it looks like you did a lot of research. Have you already submitted your report? If so, I hope you get a good grade on your paper; I'm sure your teacher will be very impressed with the unusual subject matter. If not, there are a couple of mispellings and a few facts that could use checking -- though I'm sure your teacher won't know about those last.
Again, hope you get a good grade! Looks like you put a lot of work into it.
What do you think?
What do you think?
What do you think are the most important facts to know about Irish Music?
I have to write a paper on traditional irish music for a europeon research project.
thanks guys!!
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Feisen4treble
Re: What do you think?
1) That you can dance to it
2) That it's Irish
3) It's a folk music
4) It's a traditional music form
The "important" facts depend on what you want it for, though, really. If it's just facts you want, try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_traditional_music -- my bet is that the same people who post here helped to write most of that page, anyway.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Zina Lee
P.s.
I'm going to have to go back and edit on that Wikipedia page when I have more time -- lots of bias sticking out alllll over the place, for god's sake, on all sides of the fences...how can a fence have more than two sides? We manage it in Irish music... ;)
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: What do you think?
I think some history is required. Just to put everything into perspective. Context matters!
Here's what you need to know: Irish Music was invented by St Patrick after he got rid of all the ostriches in Ireland, but before he got round to the snakes. He played the shakey egg, but felt that there was something lacking in just solo playing so he called in his mates... the fiddle had just been invented by Vivaldi who was visiting their mutual friend O'Carolan, who played the mouth organ. So the three of them got together and played in what would come to be known as the first 'session' ever in history. This was in the 60s sometime. Then Paddy O'Bothy discovered the Uilleann Pipes and using it together with a complicated brewing process involving fish and yeast and malt, invented Guinness.
At least, I'm pretty sure that's how it happened. I may have got the order of events mixed up.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Q
Re: What do you think?
I think Zina's first point is debatable, depending whether I'm playing for it ( ie it may be arhythmicle, but it's slow enough ) or some of those wild lads/speed merchants down Camden Town.
There are a number of equally spurious histories of ITM, about on a par with one previous librarian at the EFDSS, who insisted that morris dancing was invented by her uncle Maurice in Chicago. Well what can you expect when the ENGLISH Folk Dance and Song Society employs an american ?
My personal answer to your query is " I don't know,it wasn't me, nobody saw me do it, I wasn't there at the time, it was three other fellows."
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
That it is irritating, repetitive and tiring to listen to, unless you're really into the miusic.
Even then, it all sounds the same. Further, you are always listening to a tune and saying "I have heard that before" but you don't know the name. "Swinging on a Gate"? "Padding My Fahey", Down the Broom"? Drowsey Easy Paddy Go"? "Peeler's Jacket"?
Very frustating. And that's for the experienced Irish Trad Musicians.
It involves connotations of large numbers of instrument players all playing the same melodic rhythmic ditties punctuated with ornamentation and dark beer.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by dogmageek
Re: What do you think?
Pride. Diddly-dee. Beer. Companionship after a long day. Family history. Your grandparents. You feel that it speaks for you. Maybe Sister and 6th grade. (Who else had Sister Mary Yardstick in 6th grade?) Identity...an elusive, undefinable entity.
Just my random thoughts...and a HNY to my fellow session.orgers.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: What do you think?
It was Sister AliciaPincheyfingers in fifth grade. I still bear the bruises. But wait, those same nuns taught us the four line staff and those square notes in Gregorian chant, and how to sing it. To this day, the sound of chant affects me the same way that much trad does., though I can't describe it. (Another thread someday?)
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by mmelec
Re: What do you think?
Tell us what you think, Feisen4treble, and we'll put you straight.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: What do you think?
Fact 1: It's easy to play (though not if you can't)
Fact 2: It cannot be written down (though everybody does)
Fact 3: None of the instruments were invented in Ireland (yet they are referred to as Irish to make them sound authentic, re: Irish Bouzouki etc.)
Fact 4: None of the melody forms were invented in Ireland (yet they are referred to as Irish to make them sound authentic, re: Irish jig etc.)
Fact 5: It is undistinguishable from Scottish music (unless you can distinguish it)
Fact 6: THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT: Everybody hates the bodhran (unless you can't play Irish music)
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: What do you think?
Feisen4treble ... I was going to reply, but Mr Gill has said it all
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Just a person
Re: What do you think?
That the people who play it will never give you a straight answer to a question like that.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by showaddydadito
Re: What do you think?
I think I like that you asked people who play it, rather than just google it.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by full measure
Re: What do you think?
Music of the people - folk music. Free ... mostly ... from all that crap that surrounds copyright and ownership of intellectual property etc.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by the wounded hussar
Re: What do you think?
Unless someone DID write it - but they are usually nice about it anyway.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: What do you think?
I think that the most important fact about ITM is that it completely open to interpretation, that a person can put their own person stamp on a tune and express themselves through their music. Its the lack of rigidity that makes it what it is.
Just my humble opinion
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Jonathan Roche
Re: What do you think?
Nope, it's not completely open. Music is open yes. And I would never deny the right of anyone to do with music whatever they like. But our genre has boundaries. Here, we spend endless hours splitting hairs in defining these boundaries. But none of us deny their existence. If you take your interpretation outwith the tradition, it still may well be music, and good music at that. But it's not traditional irish music
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: What do you think?
Run away! Run away!
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Bob himself
Re: What do you think?
Thats complete and total rubbish!!!
If that was the case traditional Irish music would be the same today as it was in the 1920's and that would be the same as the music from the 1800's!!!
Even Noel Hill's new album shows a distinct different interpretation of tunes to his first solo album in the 70's
Also, trad music had to evolve for different regional styles. Can anyone say that one style of trad is more traditional than another? Clare? Galway? Sligo/Leitrim? Donegal? Sliabh Lucra? West Kerry?
Finally, if there is no room for individual interpretation how can we hear a bar of a tune and recognise it instantly as Tony McMahon playing an air or Matt Molloy in full flight through the last part of Mulhaire's Reel!
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Jonathan Roche
Re: What do you think?
Since most Irish Tunes are dance tunes (reels jigs, hornpipes, slides, polkas etc), and their most usual length is 8 bars repeated, a different 8 bars repeated, back to the start, I'd call that a pretty rigid boundary, within which individuals have a certain degree of freedom.
If you decide to tack on a couple of extra bars somewhere, or play a tuen you composed in 7/8 time, you may be expressing your individuality, but it won't be ITM.
I don't understand this whole interpretation thing, I think people just play stuff differently, and the one person will not play the same tune the same way everytime.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: What do you think?
Ok Mr Bull, I totally agree with you on that one.
If you put in an extra bar to a tune and play it in a different time, say 9/8 then it is no longer traditional.
However, changing a bar of a tune for variation one time through is perfectly legit. (Before anyone jumps down my throat please have a listen to almost any 2 recordings of the same tune)
Compare this to say ....... ummm ..... classical music
Can anyone identify individual musicians playing solo pieces after 8 bars?? Can you put in your own variation on Bach's Synphony No. 2???
Its all relative people, but there is still room for the individual in trad
Trad = less rigid than classical and more rigid than free jazz.
;)
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Jonathan Roche
Re: What do you think?
Do musicians of other genres, at the end of a set, burst into spontaneous laughter from the sheer joy of it ?
I would say that defines it for me.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by triplet
Re: What do you think?
That's not to say classical doesn't allow room for variation, improvisation or individual interpretation entirely. On the contrary, especially when there is a solo part. In fact I believe people are perhaps less likely these days to experiment with variation in classical music than in the period it was written, e.g the baroque period, when it was par for the course.
Anyone agree/disagree? Polly?
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: What do you think?
No
Laughing after a set of tunes is usually because somebody called the wrong key change to the guitar player and the look on his face as he hit 4-5 dreadful chords before getting the correct key was priceless!
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Jonathan Roche
Re: What do you think?
Triplet - that does it for me! Sounds like the Blythe last Sunday
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Just a person
Re: What do you think?
Improv's always had a place in classical music. Organists in traditionalist churches are always improvising around hymn tunes during the busy walking around parts of an Anglican mass, for example. And as King Conan says, it was de rigeur to improvise during the Baroque era. And I was listening to a string quartet last night who ONLY improvise, and they've been doing it for 15 years. John Cage built 4'33" around the passive improvisation of the audience, you could even argue.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Q
Re: What do you think?
Some here - Jonathan in particular - seem to have failed to read Michaels remarks carefully enough.
It is unfair to call them complete rubbish.
Michael makes the point that the music is not "completely" open - he points out that there are some boundaries, if one goes beyond which, one is no longer playing traditional music. He does not forbid evolution or interpretation - he makes the point that "If you take your interpretation outwith the tradition" it ceases to be traditional music.
Check up the meaning of the word "outwith".
In other words he is saying that you have to be careful how far you go with your variation of the tradition - but he nowhere says that there is "no room for individual interpretation", which seems to be how some have read it.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by showaddydadito
Re: What do you think?
I only know about the dance music for the most part... aside from the fact that there was a blind harper that rode around Ireland on his donkey and wrote tunes in honor of the folks who let him crash at their pad.
About 300 years ago some Irish people were returning from holiday in Europe where they had learned a couple of social dances, i.e. reels and jigs etc. They approached a local musician and said, "Can you play some music so we can dance like this?" and they started dancing. Yer man, the musician, had the Irish songs and slow airs in his head that he usually played, but as he watched the dancers he could sort of hear them with a new rhythm that went with the dancing. He gave it a try -- and the dancers were delighted and inspired to buy a round of drink for everyone in attendance. The rest is history.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: What do you think?
Well, feisen4treble, I believe that you'll be able to learn all kinds of things about Irish traditional music and Irish traditional musicians from this thread of yours. God help you.
Of course, they may not have been what you *wanted* to learn, but there's enough factual stuff for your report if it's not TOO in-depth on that Wikipedia page, and if you're interested in the human condition, all aside from your report, this should have been an entertaining trip for you, even if no one helped you much.
Let us know how your report writing goes.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: What do you think?
It would be nice, feisen4treble if you could post your paper, when it's done, on this yellow board.
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by fidkid
Re: What do you think?
Thanks shawaddy
# Posted on January 5th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: What do you think?
And by the way, whoever you are who erased the information on the bodhran on that Wikipedia page, you should be ashamed of yourself. It was a very childish thing to do.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: What do you think?
Sadly, Jack, the bit where the dancers buy a round of drinks for everybody is history too.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by showaddydadito
Re: What do you think?
Not in our pub.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: What do you think?
“What do you think are the most important facts to know about Irish Music?”
It instills a passion for itself in nearly everyone that plays it.
It supports community.
It offers to all a sense of ancestral social customs.
It offers fodder for the debate mill and we all know how our species likes to debate one another.
It has survived countless assaults upon it both politically and socially and continues to do so.
It offers, to me anyway, a glimpse into times past, simpler times in a lot of ways to be sure.
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by ejsant
That was a response to dadito BTW
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: What do you think?
You can give a Karan Casey-esque description: "It's music. That's Irish."
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Zazzaliss
Re: What do you think?
Except that none of it's origins were Irish, and it's not Irish anymore (If you consider the fact that most people who play it aren't Irish)
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: What do you think?
*raspberry*
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: What do you think?
Do you know, I very nearly wrote, "And by the way, whoever you are, MICHAEL, who erased the information on the bodhran on that Wikipedia page, you should be ashamed of yourself. It was a very childish thing to do." But I didn't. *smirk*
As for it's origins not being Irish, don't be silly. Neither are most of the instruments we all play. Be honest. What you REALLY object to is the fact that so many people play out on bodhrans long before they should be playing out, whereas it's much harder to do that on any other instrument. And no snarky comments about that meaning the bodhran isn't a real instrument. ;)
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: What do you think?
Come on Zeens... it's only Wikipedia, after all : - P
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Q
Re: What do you think?
*smirk*
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: What do you think?
Actually, it wisnae me. But I am pleased, if not in the least bit surprised that I am not alone.
As for "playing out on bodhrans long before they should be playing out"? Come off it now. You know the sesponse to that
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: What do you think?
No, but I know what YOUR response would be. You're so fecking predictable, Michael. *smirk* K, I'm outta here, got a ton to do today!
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: What do you think?
BTW Feisen4treble, where and when is this European research project going to be published? It would be interesting to see it ... or were you just Feisen?
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Just a person
Re: What do you think?
Did I see "Run away!" up there somewhere... yeah... I can agree with that.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by tulloch
Re: What do you think?
Thanks guys!! This is just what I was looking for! While I was waiting for you guys to reply, I had to write the portion of the paper called "Traditional Irish Dancing (What a great topic.. it didn't take too much researching!) When I finish my paper, I will post it on here. Though, it is just a paper for a 7th grade geography class, it won't be that good!
Thanks!!
Feisen4treble
p.s. Orson- I actually have been cought up in dance classes..... preparing for a feis!
# Posted on January 7th 2006 by Feisen4treble
Re: What do you think?
Just remember not to take anything of what anyone's said too seriously, the jokers.
Good luck on your feis -- what level do you dance at?
# Posted on January 7th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: What do you think?
Zina-- I dance in Prelim. It'll only be my 3rd feis in Prelim though. Well, I've only been dancing for about 2 years now.
Thanks everyone!
# Posted on January 8th 2006 by Feisen4treble
Re: What do you think?
Two years and already in Prelim is doing quite well! At any rate, good luck once more for your feis, hope you do well in your comps. Perhaps I'll see you at an Oireachtas or Nationals one of these times.
# Posted on January 8th 2006 by Zina Lee
My paper
Northern Ireland
Music and Dance
Dance and music in Northern Ireland is very traditional. The music contains many instruments. There are four different tunes. Many singers and classical musicians were born in Northern Ireland. The dance of Northern Ireland has been around since the Egyptians. There are three types of dances. There are also two types of shoes. Music and dance are the things that many people think of when they think about Northern Ireland.
Traditional Irish music is made using fiddle, bagpipes, drums, flutes, harps, accordions, Uilliean pipes, bodrahn, guitar, banjo, Sean nos (human voice), cello, tin whistle, bombarde, hammered dulcimer, and the melodeon. Irish music is performed pubs and parades. Many famous singers were born in Northern Ireland. Some of these singers include U2, Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, The Chieftains, B*Witched, The Corrs, Natalie MacMaster, Enya, and Solas. Some popular Irish tunes that people enjoy singing are When Irish Eyes Are Smiling and Fields of Athenry. One of the most famous orchestras is the Ulster National Orchestra. The four most basic tunes of Irish music are reels, jigs, hornpipes, and slow airs. Many musicians play for feis (dancing competitions) and music in pubs. Dance musicians must be able to play varieties of jigs, reels, hornpipes, figure dances, and some of the thirty traditional set dances. Some examples of feis musicians are Pat King, Annemarie Acosta, Dean Crouch, Brian Glynn, and Brigid Feld. Some musicians perform and ceilis, which are music session in pubs. Some musicians play at a fleadh, which would be a music festival. Some musicians play at feiseanna, which are competitive leads, or a dance competition. Most of the music in Northern Ireland that has not been brought in from America is very traditional.
Irish dance is Northern Ireland used to be very traditional, but people have made it not so traditional. There are two types of dancing, solo dancing and ceili (team) dancing. The dancing masters developed solo dancing in the last quarter of the 18th century. With solo dancing, you have great freedom, and you have the ability to express yourself. Solo dancing teaches you excellent posture. The first solo dance that most dancers learn is the jig. There are fourth different kinds of jigs, the light jig, the double jig, the single jig, and the slip jig. The slip jig is in 9/8 timing. The slip jig is the most graceful dance done in soft shoes. The single jig is danced in light shoes and it is in 6/8 timing. The double jig (also known as treble jig, and heavy jig) is danced in hard shoes in 6/8 timing. The light jig (also known as “The Irish Jig” or the real jig) is danced in soft shoes in 6/8 timing. The other dances that dancers learn are the hornpipe and the reel. The hornpipe originated in England and is danced in the 4/4 time signature. It is danced in hard shoes. The reel came from the Scot’s in the 1800’s. It is danced in soft shoes. Ceilis are group dances. They are performed at feiseanna (dance competitions) and for fun. Ceili’s are made up are the most basic dance steps. The benefits of Irish dancing are the friendships you make, the self-esteem you gain, and the increase in your mental skills. The governing body of Irish dance is called An Commission Rince Na La Gaelicha, which is also known as An Comhdail or The Irish Dance Teachers’ Association. The president of An Commission Rince Na La Gaelicha is Peter Smith. The costumes that Irish dancers wear used to be traditional, but over time they have changed. They used to be heavy velvet with crocheted collars and brightly colored embroidery. Now, Irish dance costumes are brightly colored silks, lames, glitterballs, and sequins. Solo dresses are individually designed and very expensive. Most Irish dancers hair would be seen in ringlets. It is very common to see wigs in at Irish dance competitions now. It saves time and costs less money than curling your hair. Irish dance was made popular when Riverdance first aired on PBS.
The dancing and music in Northern Ireland is very traditional. Many people learn how to play the instruments and do the dance.
# Posted on January 21st 2006 by Feisen4treble
Re: What do you think?
Ah -- I didn't realize your report was on Northern Ireland, Feisen4treble -- it looks like you did a lot of research. Have you already submitted your report? If so, I hope you get a good grade on your paper; I'm sure your teacher will be very impressed with the unusual subject matter. If not, there are a couple of mispellings and a few facts that could use checking -- though I'm sure your teacher won't know about those last.
Again, hope you get a good grade! Looks like you put a lot of work into it.
# Posted on January 21st 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: What do you think?
I see you didn't mention the ostriches. The Revisionists must have gotten to you.
# Posted on January 21st 2006 by Q
Re: What do you think?
Oireachtas?
# Posted on January 21st 2006 by Just a person