Irish Music

[slatteryj]

I play Irish music on my angle but I don't half get my fingers in a twish when I tackle the more complicated reels. I am self taught and to a small extent I use alternative keys for a bellows efficient approach. I have been looking at ways of improving my taecnique and style.

 

I have just enquired about attending a Noel Hill course in Ireland and unfortunately I am unable to make the dates. In the course overview it mentioned that students can expect to learn fingering patterns for scales and

ornamentation. Is there a document on the web or another way for me to get this or similar information so that I can learn myself.

 

I would be grateful for any information or direction setting

 

Thanks, John

[bill_mchale]

Well I don't know where you are from but there are other events where you can get training on Irish Concertina; Irish Arts Week in the Catskills (New York State) is one, and I am sure there are other similar events in N. America and Ireland.

 

As for books:

The Irish Concertina: A Tutor for the Anglo Concertina in the Irish Style by Mick Bramich

and

The Anglo Concertina by Frank Edgley

 

These books would be the most relevant, though they teach different styles of playing (not necessarily a bad thing, combining two different styles is one way of coming up with your own unique style.).

 

Also there is a video by John Williams on the Concertina you might want to look out for and a Mad for Trad CD.

 

Just a final thought, I personally would discourage learning tunes in an alternate key simply to make the tune easier to play. Sure the tune might be hard in a mode of G or (more likely) D but figuring out how to play a tune within the limitations of the instrument is what will give your playing a distinctive Irish Concertina sound. Also you will be ready to play in your local session sooner .

 

--

Bill

[Helen]

I second Bill's suggestions about books, etc.

 

I thought when you, John, said that you use alternate keys that you might mean that you use alternate buttons. If that is what you meant, that is a good approach. Finding the note on the push when that works better is a helpful idea. But if you truly meant you are using different keys, then it would be better to follow Bill's advice and learn the tune in the original key. The problem with using different keys is that you might want to play in a jam or with other players who will not be playing in a different key.

 

But changing keys can be a good practice to learn how to do it. So nothing is ever lost.

 

Keep on playing.

[bill_mchale]

Agreed. If Helen's interpretation regarding using alternate buttons as opposed to say playing D tunes in C or what have you, then using different fingerings is a good idea. In fact I think I would encourage (Though perhaps more experienced players wouldn't so take this with a grain of salt) learning a couple of different ways to play a tune; this will allow you to learn the instrument better and also will allow you to make less use of the air button.

 

--

Bill

[Sandy Winters]

See Simon Wells' anglo tutor. It has a very useful section on Irish ornamentation. It's available online here:

 

Simon Wells' tutor