Decided to make an attempt at Irish Trad...

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ITM Fiddlers Group

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Discuss and share topics that relate to Irish Traditional Music.

70 Members, Created 2/1/2011 -

Administrators: leather Britches (owner)

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From fiddlepogo on 2/5/2011 1:27:17 PM

Yesterday I got a call for a St. Paddy's Day gig. The band that did it last year got a better paying gig at a casino, and there aren't THAT many local fiddlers capable of doing Irish tunes. So a friend referred me, knowing that I do know some Irish tunes, and I've decided to do it.

I sing some Irish ballads and songs, so it won't be ALL my fiddling, and I'll probably NOT do reels... or at least not more than one. I'll probably do several hornpipes, several jigs, and quite a few slow airs.

I had neglected Irish Trad in favor of Scottish and Swedish fiddling, but the local Swedish and Scottish societies don't really want to support musicians, they just want to socialize.

This may sound kind of calculating, but behind it is the fact that I DO love Irish fiddling, but have been a bit too perfectionistic to pursue it. I think this is just the nudge I needed. Also, the fiddle I bought last year, an Eastman VL100 has a voice that seems to suit Irish tunes, and my invalid wife seems to tolerate the gentler bowing style well, so I think I'll be able to put in the practice time without bugging her too badly.

When I play (or attempt to play) Irish tunes, my bowing changes RADICALLY- instead of hyping the shuffles and the bowing rhythms, I try for a wind instrument sound, and focus on the left hand.

Right now, it's too half baked to post anything, but maybe when it gets up to 3/4 baked I will. ;^D

2 Comments
	albert52 says: 2/5/2011 8:01:30 PM Way to go Michael. The Irish truly love music at their gatherings. I've been a a couple of wakes where there was a fiddler playing airs, especially Turlough Carolan stuff. We both think the same way about tackling the Irish music. I listen to a lot of Irish whistle and flute to get an idea of and then "transpose" it to the fiddle. When I listen to Irish fiddlers, I hear a lot of melodic sounds. almost a "classical" style of playing. Congrats on the gig, and "May 'ya be heaven 'for the Devil knows your gone". (quaint little Irish saying). Luck of the Irish to 'ya. Aj
	Shawn Craver says: 2/12/2011 9:28:28 AM Cool!
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