Teachers ? You can get teachers ?
Either copy everyone else, in which case you'll be orthodox, or else make it up as you go along, in which case you'll be radical and cutting-edge.
Yes Teachers,You know, people who can help develop an individual's musical ambition by virtue of their experience and understanding.They can point someone in the right direction and help them to avoid bad habits by explaining the ins and outs of technique etc. etc.If you can't offer sensible help regarding instruction (as opposed to mimicing), Pete, best to keep quiet and say nothing.
Real life bouzouki teachers are like hen's teeth!
Worth checking out the Zan McLeod DVD/video on Homespun.
Other than that it's just a case of talking to visiting Bouzouki players.
Also worth going to Zoukfest in the States for a week of bouzouki classes and workshops which may be happening later this year.
Pete
I wasn't exactly being facetious - as Pjhill says, they're like hen's teeth.
Nobody taught me ( okay, I know it shows ) , I took up the 'zouk after having already played guitar, a bit of mandolin and banjo and other fretted instruments, and seeing Planxty et all getting on with it.
What you need ( presumably we're talking for ITM ? ) to play the bouzouki/octave mandolin/mandola IMNSHO is enthusiasm, drive, musical knowledge, and experience. One of these can be given by a good teacher, the rest you need to have already or acquire for yourself, some of it over a long period of time. Added to which, there is no definitive style or recognised good practice in playing the 'zouk, it's far too new an instrument for that, some people base their styles on the tenor banjo, others use aspects of guitar practice, and there is no final single acknowledged gold standard performance to be achieved, we are all, hopefully working and improving in our various ways and techniques.
Is there not some local performer/s who has/have inspired you to want to play the 'zouk ? Have you not approached him/her already, and what was the response ?
I'll stand by the last sentence of my original reply.
Aaron Jones does teaching weeks or wekends, I know a few people that have gone on these and have been very good. He is a good player too, check out the band 'old blind dogs'.
Also worth checking out are the Zoukfest dvd's. There is a great section from Roger Landes, and Chris Smith.
Zan's DVD is helpful.
If you decide not to use GDAD tuning and go for GDAE tuning then there is alos a bouzouki DVD by Mc Kee from Nomos, and also with that tuning you can use alot of the mandolin teaching dvd's and book ( which is something I do alot )
There is also a few books bouzoukis 'The Irish Bouzouki' book and cd, that is quite advanced but very inspiring. And another book and Tape called 'Exploring the Irish Bouzouki' which is also very helpful.
Many thanks to Kieron, Mike and pj for their helpful suggestions which I will follow up.If anyone else has information I'd be most grateful to receive it.
As for the other fellah - 'Patronising Pete', let's say that being a professional musician for over 30 years, I'm able to distinguish useful and knowledgeable advice from ill -informed opinion.
I wouldn't usually rise to his sort of comments but maybe folk out there need to know that one can stand up to this sort of bullying waffle masquerading as helpful advice. When I posted the question, Pete, it was specific and not an invitation for you to add your somewhat incomplete view on the value of individual instrumental tuition and general music instruction.
Now now lads, if ye cant get on with each other..........
No harm in a bit of harmless "Craic" on the Session.
I wouldnt go as far and say Pete is a "Bully"!
It always amazes me how people answer a post such as yours and go off on a tangent!! You are looking for a bouzouki teacher in Manchester - correct?
Many years ago I knew a bouzouki player from Mancherster called Pat O'Reilly (I think) - if he is still around he may be able to help you.
Don't listen to anyine who tells you that you have to do it all the hard way - anyone who can give you a few tips and set you on the right road is of great value.
Well, I've sent Fred an email, but I don't know if it was groveling enough for him. I would be curious to know his actual experience and instruments he plays, as he gives no history at all.
I know I was lucky in seeing one of the last gigs of Sweeney's Men, for instance, one of the early appearances of a bouzouki in a folk club ( Peelers, where are you now ? ) even if it was held by a VERY stoned musician ( oh, those halcyon days of the late '60's ). And several of the early Planxty gigs in London. All these things gave me the impetus to go get my own, and experiment ( it was a Greek one, which I had to re-string and re-tune, working out the correct guages for myself, no ready-made-up string sets in those days ). You folks have it easy these days, videos, workshops, festivals......
I'm sorry Fred can't tell the difference between craic and taking the p*ss. If you can't have a bit of craic on this site, where can you ?
Bouzouki Teachers
Bouzouki Teachers
Can anybody recommend a teacher of 'Irish' bouzouki GDAD tuning in the Manchester (UK) area or environs?Thanks
# Posted on April 1st 2006 by Fred Arley
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
Teachers ? You can get teachers ?
Either copy everyone else, in which case you'll be orthodox, or else make it up as you go along, in which case you'll be radical and cutting-edge.
# Posted on April 2nd 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
Yes Teachers,You know, people who can help develop an individual's musical ambition by virtue of their experience and understanding.They can point someone in the right direction and help them to avoid bad habits by explaining the ins and outs of technique etc. etc.If you can't offer sensible help regarding instruction (as opposed to mimicing), Pete, best to keep quiet and say nothing.
# Posted on April 2nd 2006 by Fred Arley
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
Ouch, ...........but he's right you know!
# Posted on April 2nd 2006 by Backer
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
Real life bouzouki teachers are like hen's teeth!
Worth checking out the Zan McLeod DVD/video on Homespun.
Other than that it's just a case of talking to visiting Bouzouki players.
Also worth going to Zoukfest in the States for a week of bouzouki classes and workshops which may be happening later this year.
Pete
# Posted on April 2nd 2006 by Pjhill
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
http://www.zoukfest.com/
Watch this page in the coming months for information about ZoukFest 2007!
# Posted on April 2nd 2006 by mike henry
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
I wasn't exactly being facetious - as Pjhill says, they're like hen's teeth.
Nobody taught me ( okay, I know it shows ) , I took up the 'zouk after having already played guitar, a bit of mandolin and banjo and other fretted instruments, and seeing Planxty et all getting on with it.
What you need ( presumably we're talking for ITM ? ) to play the bouzouki/octave mandolin/mandola IMNSHO is enthusiasm, drive, musical knowledge, and experience. One of these can be given by a good teacher, the rest you need to have already or acquire for yourself, some of it over a long period of time. Added to which, there is no definitive style or recognised good practice in playing the 'zouk, it's far too new an instrument for that, some people base their styles on the tenor banjo, others use aspects of guitar practice, and there is no final single acknowledged gold standard performance to be achieved, we are all, hopefully working and improving in our various ways and techniques.
Is there not some local performer/s who has/have inspired you to want to play the 'zouk ? Have you not approached him/her already, and what was the response ?
I'll stand by the last sentence of my original reply.
# Posted on April 2nd 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
Hi Fred,
Aaron Jones does teaching weeks or wekends, I know a few people that have gone on these and have been very good. He is a good player too, check out the band 'old blind dogs'.
Also worth checking out are the Zoukfest dvd's. There is a great section from Roger Landes, and Chris Smith.
Zan's DVD is helpful.
If you decide not to use GDAD tuning and go for GDAE tuning then there is alos a bouzouki DVD by Mc Kee from Nomos, and also with that tuning you can use alot of the mandolin teaching dvd's and book ( which is something I do alot )
There is also a few books bouzoukis 'The Irish Bouzouki' book and cd, that is quite advanced but very inspiring. And another book and Tape called 'Exploring the Irish Bouzouki' which is also very helpful.
All the best Fred
Kieron
www.chinatogalway.com
# Posted on April 3rd 2006 by KS
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
Many thanks to Kieron, Mike and pj for their helpful suggestions which I will follow up.If anyone else has information I'd be most grateful to receive it.
As for the other fellah - 'Patronising Pete', let's say that being a professional musician for over 30 years, I'm able to distinguish useful and knowledgeable advice from ill -informed opinion.
I wouldn't usually rise to his sort of comments but maybe folk out there need to know that one can stand up to this sort of bullying waffle masquerading as helpful advice. When I posted the question, Pete, it was specific and not an invitation for you to add your somewhat incomplete view on the value of individual instrumental tuition and general music instruction.
Best wishes ,
Fred
# Posted on April 3rd 2006 by Fred Arley
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
Now now lads, if ye cant get on with each other..........
No harm in a bit of harmless "Craic" on the Session.
I wouldnt go as far and say Pete is a "Bully"!
# Posted on April 3rd 2006 by seaniemcg
Re: Bouzouki Teachers - Possible Name
Hi
It always amazes me how people answer a post such as yours and go off on a tangent!! You are looking for a bouzouki teacher in Manchester - correct?
Many years ago I knew a bouzouki player from Mancherster called Pat O'Reilly (I think) - if he is still around he may be able to help you.
Don't listen to anyine who tells you that you have to do it all the hard way - anyone who can give you a few tips and set you on the right road is of great value.
Best of luck!
# Posted on April 3rd 2006 by lysaghtm
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
Well, I've sent Fred an email, but I don't know if it was groveling enough for him. I would be curious to know his actual experience and instruments he plays, as he gives no history at all.
I know I was lucky in seeing one of the last gigs of Sweeney's Men, for instance, one of the early appearances of a bouzouki in a folk club ( Peelers, where are you now ? ) even if it was held by a VERY stoned musician ( oh, those halcyon days of the late '60's ). And several of the early Planxty gigs in London. All these things gave me the impetus to go get my own, and experiment ( it was a Greek one, which I had to re-string and re-tune, working out the correct guages for myself, no ready-made-up string sets in those days ). You folks have it easy these days, videos, workshops, festivals......
I'm sorry Fred can't tell the difference between craic and taking the p*ss. If you can't have a bit of craic on this site, where can you ?
# Posted on April 3rd 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
In fairness, Pete it was a simple question,
Maybe the "craic" would have suited better on a more pointless post, like "be my session bitch".
# Posted on April 4th 2006 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Bouzouki Teachers
Thanks to Lysaghtm for the name and the encouragement.
I'll look him up if he's still around and let you know how I get on.Cheers.
# Posted on April 4th 2006 by Fred Arley