In his preface, the author reminds the reader that this is not a book for the absolute beginner. Even the experienced player may not get it on first reading a given tune, but You can expect to enjoy the process of learning... [and experience] the joy of recreating a traditional tune, of making it your own. This is the teacher/ student pact in effect throughout this marvelous book, written for the literary as much as the musical connoisseur. Although no classical violin experience is needed, you will need to know how to hold the fiddle and bow, and be able to play at least simple tunes in the first position. Having the ability to read music will enable you to follow the bowing patterns and left-hand techniques which the author feels are crucial in grasping the playing style.
Learn to Play Irish Fiddle is a book and two CD set that introduces the absolute beginner to the great traditional fiddle music of Ireland, going right from the basics of how to hold and make the first sounds on the instrument - through specially composed, manageable tunes in the Irish style - right up to playing traditional reels, jigs and other dance tunes from the traditional repertoire (the specially composed tunes bridge the gap between the basics and the traditional music). Embellishments and techniques that make good Irish fiddle playing so infectious, such as rolls, cuts, triplets and slides are gradually introduced. the student will also become familiar with some of the more advanced ideas concerning playing Irish traditional music such as variations and dynamics - subjects which are covered in greater detail in "Irish Fiddle Playing: A Guide for the Serious Player" book/CD sets by the same author. Useful appendices and a cross-referenced glossary are also included.The accompanying CDs contain all the tunes in the book (played at a slow tempo) plus many exercises.There is NO NEED FOR ANY PRIOR MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE in order to use this book. Each aspect of playing and theory is covered in an accessible and manageable way.
(Waltons Irish Music Books). Everything you need to know about the Irish fiddle, from playing your first notes and tunes to advanced solos and ornamentation. This book includes special chapters for beginners, "key points" highlighting essential aspects of fiddle technique, a comprehensive guide to traditional ornamentation and over 80 carefully chosen tunes. One of Ireland's most exciting fiddle players, Paul McNevin has had an equally influential career as a teacher. During his long association with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, he won the All Ireland Slogadh and Plearacha competitions and received his Comhaltas teaching diplomas in 1991. Paul has toured throughout Europe with the Donal Lunny Band, Damien Quinn and Speranza, among others and has been a regular guest with Stockton's Wing and the Riverdance dancers.
Twelve year-old dinosaur expert Eric, his younger sister Rose and their faithful dog Sally find themselves mysteriously transported back in time 65 million years to the era of the dinosaurs. Amazingly, they are befriended by an intelligent, evolved creature they name Weet, with who they become embroiled in a distinctly prehistoric adventure. Will Eric and his sister ever be able to return t to their own world of present-day Alberta? Will Weet's knowledge be of any use if they run into the most fearsome predator of all time, the Tyrannosaurus Rex?
An important anthology of Irish and Celtic solos for the 5-string banjo featuring a comprehensive, scholarly treatise on the history, techniques, and etiquette of playing the banjo in the Celtic tradition. Includes segments on tuning, pick preferences, and tablature reading followed by 101 jigs, slides, polkas, slip jigs, reels, hornpipes, strathspeys, O'Carolan tunes, plus a special section of North American Celtic tunes. A generous collection of photos of Irish folk musicians, street scenes, and archaeological sites further enhances this fabulous book. All of the solos included here are written in 5-string banjo tablature only with a few tunes set in unusual banjo tunings. the appendices provide a sizable glossary and a wealth of information regarding soloists and groups playing Celtic music, Irish festivals, music publications, on-line computer resources, cultural organizations, and more. If you are serious about playing Celtic music on the 5-string banjo, or if you don't play the banjo but simply want to expand your knowledge of the Celtic music tradition-you owe yourself this book. the first-ever CD collection of Irish and Celtic music for 5-string banjo provides 68 lovely melodies and demonstrates revolutionary techniques for playing highly ornamented tunes and rolling back-up. Recorded in stereo with virtuosos Gabriel Donohue (steel- and nylon-string guitar and piano) and Robbie Walsh (bodhran- frame drum played with a stick), the five-string banjo is out front and plays through each melody in real-life tempo with authentic Celtic chordal and rhythmic backing. the recording features the music of all Six Celtic Nations and includes jigs, reels, hornpipes, slides, polkas, marches, country dances, larides, andros, slipjigs, strathspeys, airs and O'Carolan tunes. 35 songs in the book are not on the CD.
A guide to playing the fiddle offers advice on choosing an instrument and accessories, offers step-by-step instructions on the techniques of fiddling, and includes fingerboard charts and practice tunes.
While the wooden simple-system flute is traditionally used in playing Irish music, a growing number of folk players have adopted the silver flute as a viable alternative. Here for the first time, The Complete Irish Flute Book presents the silver or Boehm flutist with a method for learning authentic Irish ornamentation! This thorough guide provides detailed fingering charts, exercises, and technical essays for learning to execute ornaments in the in the Irish style. Through a wealth of hornpipes, reels, jigs, set dances, and slow airs and songs. This book focuses not only on musical accuracy, but stylistic authenticity as well. The companion CD contains 26 of the 101 tunes from the book.
This book is a follow-up to "Irish Fiddle Playing: A Guide for the Serious Player" (MB99402BCD). the student will gain a deeper knowledge of fiddle playing and improve their overall playing and musical understanding. Subjects include:•
Martin Hayes spent his childhood on a farm in County Clare, in a household steeped in musical tradition. After a free-spirited youth, he headed to the United States where he built a career that led to a life of musical performance on stages all over the world. Shared Notes traces this remarkable journey. Picking up his first fiddle at the age of seven, Hayes learned that music must express feeling. No amount of technical prowess can compensate for an absence of soulfulness. His interpretations of traditional Irish music are recognized the world over for their exquisite musicality and irresistible rhythm. Hayes has toured and recorded with guitarist Dennis Cahill for over twenty years, founded the Irish-American band The Gloaming, The Martin Hayes Quartet and The Common Ground Ensemble, and here, for the first time, tells his story of getting to the heart of the music.
This book contains 15 Irish airs arranged as fiddle (violin) duets and trios from melodies composed by Turlough O'Carolan. Carolan was a blind Irish poet, composer, and traveling harper who lived from 1670 - 1738. Each song has a melody and two melodic harmonies to choose from. The songs can be played as duets repeated using the different harmonies, or all parts can be played at the same time to form a violin trio. The tunes are airs, and are therefore played at a slower tempo than a lot of traditional Irish fiddle music. All of these arrangements can be played in 1st position, making it an approachable book for beginner and intermediate violin players. The difficulty level varies for the different pieces. This book is great for musicians performing with a friend or small group. The arrangements are appropriate for weddings and formal acoustic performances. The harmonies can even be used by a soloist with a looper pedal. It is also helpful for teachers who want to accompany their students. Those who study classical violin repertoire, and are interested in Irish folk music, may notice some of these songs have a "Baroque" spirit to them. This book promotes listening closely to other players while performing a part, and learning how melodic harmonies can fit with a melody line. Happy Fiddling! CONTENTS: Introduction: - A Summary of Irish History that Influenced Carolan and His Music - A Brief Biography of Turlough O'Carolan Sheet Music: - Captain O'Kane - Fanny Power - Carolan's Welcome - Carolan's Receipt (Dr. John Stafford) - Colonel John Irwin - Morgan Megan - Eleanor Plunkett - Carolan's Quarrel with the Landlady - Sir Charles Coote - Si Bheag Si Mhor - George Brabazon's 2nd Air - Princess Royal (Miss MacDermott) - Planxty Hewlett - Denis O'Conor - Carolan's Concerto. If a song requires page turns using the book's primary note size, a second version is included using smaller notes so the song fits entirely on 2 pages. The lower harmony, "Harmony 2," was arranged keeping the common registers of the violin and viola in mind. All three parts are written in treble clef, but the second harmony only briefly goes onto the violin's "e-string" for two songs. The arrangements use familiar key signatures that have one or two sharps. Occasionally, a d-sharp is used as an accidental for e-harmonic minor songs. About the Arranger: Katy Adelson is an American fiddle player, composer, and arranger residing in Colorado. She has released digital music albums and singles, and has posted many free online fiddle tune sheet music arrangements on her website. She has created online fiddle lessons and music videos on YouTube. This book is published by Golden Aspen Music.
