Question about Irish Jams; instrument parts

Subject: Question about Irish Jams; instrument parts
From: Margo
Date: 08 Jul 99 - 03:17 AM

I'm curious about something I've noticed at the few Irish music jams I've been to. Whether there are fiddles, pipes, dulcimer, whistles, mandolin or concertinas, everyone seems to be playing one song in unison, that is playing the same notes. I would never have thought that would sound very good, but it sure does! The only other notes I've noticed are a drone or the occasional two or three note chord. Is that one of the defining characteristics of traditional Irish music? How do you like to play it?

Margarita

Subject: RE: Question about Irish Jams; instrument parts
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Jul 99 - 02:03 PM

I think the key statement you made was that they all appear to be playing in unison. They may be trying to play the same notes, but in fact due to many factors, like timing, differences in tuning and many others, there is in fact a strange harmony created.

When it works is good it is magic and when it don't, it is still pretty good.

In some sessions you do hear people playing harmony but it is unusual, unlike song based sessions, where it is expected, to some degree.

Subject: RE: Question about Irish Jams; instrument parts
From: Sam Pirt
Date: 08 Jul 99 - 02:10 PM

I play quite a bit of Irish music, I think the style of music is sort of split in two. The melody is driven along by the guitars and bodhrans (to name only a few) and as a result not much harmony is needed. Altan demonstrate this. Often instruments like citterns, bouzikis, mandolings can create other harmonmy likes while driving the intense melody. Donal Lunny is a fine example of this accompanymeny.

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: Question about Irish Jams; instrument parts
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Jul 99 - 05:50 PM

I went to the concertina workshop at old songs. John Roberts had just said something about playing chords on concertina for English tunes. Chris Sherburn (phenomenal player!) said, "In Irish music, if we want to play a chord, we get a guitar player."

Subject: RE: Question about Irish Jams; instrument parts
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Jul 99 - 06:42 PM

Yes, and he has got quite a good guitar player too.

Subject: RE: Question about Irish Jams; instrument parts
From: Margo
Date: 08 Jul 99 - 10:57 PM

That's very interesting. I just started playing concertina in April. I do a combination of chords and melody when I sing, and I am also learning some Irish Jigs and Reels, which are all one line.

Subject: RE: Question about Irish Jams; instrument parts
From: Barry Finn
Date: 09 Jul 99 - 12:42 AM

Hi Margarita, Irish sessions will differ in style, personality, tastes, some love to do more slow airs some love reels & never come up for air while some others like to do more of a Micheal Coleman or Ed Reevey type style while others love to toss in a good dose of Scottish &/or Canadian Maritime, some like it hot & some slower & easier just the same way that some of the old timers still come dressed in tie & jacket & play in a straight old fashion way with rhythm paino. In Providence, Rhode Island (where the harmonies would be going through the roof) awhile back you'd find members of the group Touchstone along with other local phenomenona like Skip Healy on flute & Mance Grady on drum playing sessions that one would consider cutting edge today even though it maybe 15 years later. Altan's Mark Kelly plays his rhythm guitar like a lead or harmony instrument in the circle of others, listen to the way Dave Swarbrick will play sometimes, each time through the tune he'll change up the style then maybe the phrasing then maybe from 3/4 to 6/8 timing this happens in sessions too depending on the sessions when I played in San Francisco sessions many years ago there were a bumper crop of great concertina players some you'd swear were pipers playing with the drones while others were playing the harmony lines behind. Though a good bit of the Irish sessions may play "note for note" there are others sessions that like to spice up their life. Barry