Dear Frankham,

Mooman, you teach one-on-one and then integrate them into the group. That sound good. Particularly if you are team teaching. Your doing the strings and the other person on wind is a good idea. Once they are comfortable with one-on-one then bring them into the session. Do you ever work with them all together in the session or does it kind of run by itself?

It tend to run itself but, from time to time, we do give tips on the dynamics of playing together.

Glad you are able to find a group that is so cooperative.

You teach then primarilly by ear. Do you encourage the use of tape recorders?

I personally don't encourage it as I believe personal explanation works best but, if a student brings a tape recorder, I won't object to it either if they prefer to work that way.

Do you integrate any of the jazz and other styles into the Irish session? Or does it stay pretty much traditional?

Yes...I very much a believer in "evolution" through bringing in other influences. Provided it isn't overdone I think it can enrich the music. I worked with Comhaltas for a while and found the approach there a little rigid (at least in the branch I was associated with) although I have great respect for the fact that they bring Irish music to so many.

Have you worked with singers as singer/musicians?

Yes...and I enjoy working with the voice/instrument combination (although I'm no great singer myself).

About improvisation, what I meant is have you tried to teach it to the students?

In one-to ones at home sometimes yes although it's normally by way of suggestions as to what might work. In the club situation, I prefer to try to build up the player's confidence such that their own improvisation can come from within. I'm now greatly in awe of the improvisational techniques of one former student of a couple of years ago and find I often learn as much as I teach if I keep an open mind.

All the best,

moo