How to get the feel for Irish Jigs

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Thanks so much for watching! Check out this video next for adding emphasis to your Jigs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4DPcqSvfs-VqJI

[@alanaindow6286]

Hannah - thank you so much. This has been a great help to me in learning to play jigs on the low D whistle. The best explanation and teaching out there. Thanks again - appreciated.

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Ohh I love hearing that this was translatable to the low D whistle as well, and glad you found the explanation helpful! You are most welcome - cheers!

[@ogstopper]

From across the pond, thank you so much!!!

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Hey hey! You are most welcome -- love that we get to connect across oceans here!

[@dmacseain]

Thx a mill, Hannah. Lots there to let soak. I searched online for Liz D & Matt C without success. Might that interview be somewhere online for listening to? Cheers!

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

You are most welcome!! The interview is over on Liz Doherty's site iteachtrad.com/ -- I believe you'll find it in the blog section!

[@monicamccloskey]

This has helped me so much. Thanks so much

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Music to my ears, Monica! You are most welcome -- good on you for taking the time to try out these exercises! Cheers :)

[@frankdougherty3233]

First, Hannah, big thanks for the great sharing of your Gift. Awesome. Grew up in America (like you, I believe) but always had and heard Irish music playing in the background with times in the foreground. Took up the fiddle as an adult but still have played for quite a few years now - with some years deep in and others fading out ... kinda like a good Irish Slip Jig :-). Played quite a few years in a Scottish Strathspey group/orchestra. Anyway, here's my point and passionate frustration. The "feel" of the many nuances of Irish music is well with in me, definite, (I also Sing as an Entertainer) but ... though I believe I can do pretty well with the ornamentation and just naturally knowing where it needs to go ... that fluid, yet still popping, Irish rhythm does not "translate" to the level I know it should. I will record my playing, listen back, know its the song and mostly in time but, But, BUT ... when I hear someone else (like on youtube or recording - to include yourself) play it with a "complete Irish Feel" - I then hear it "lifted" and played at a level at least one to two levels above mine. Now, though I know the problem/answer is in the bow but - I just haven't cracked it, yet. So, I know every case is different but - if you were going to shout out any suggestions that just come to you "intuitively" from the Irish Banshees -- any thoughts on putting a little "Irish Magic" to my fiddle desires? ---- Thanks for your time and thoughts - Cheers!

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Hi Frank! Yes, I grew up in North Carolina :). Love the analogy of the slip jig there! My suggestion would be to play along with those recordings that have the style of lilt you really like and really really do some deep listening while you're playing to blend in and compliment what's going on in the music. If you have a good advanced session near you or attend a live workshop, take any advantage you get to sit with the pro players and really absorb what it is they're doing. Observation and experimentation will be your friends!

[@frankdougherty3233]

@@HannahHarrisCeol You're awesome, Hannah. Thanks for such a true and thoughtful reply. I will definitely take your advice including doing more of "deep listening" while playing along. Obviously that is a subtle thing that really good players, like yourself, truly do this "deeper" level to get to where they're at. Thanks for that. And "yes" on the "live workshops". I use to take a lot of workshops every year from Scottish Fiddler Alasdair Fraser when our Scottish Group use to play at the Highland Games at the same time he was also a highlighted solo performer there. Now its time to find a good Irish live workshop :-). So, I will take all your good advice and truly try to bring it to a deeper level. Again, you're awesome for such a real response. Many great fiddlers come out of North Carolina :-). Thanks, Hannah! 🙂

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

@@frankdougherty3233 ahh Alasdair Fraser has had a HUGE influence on my playing through the years -- been listening to him and Natalie Haas since Fire & Grace came out! Both amazing players for finding the groove and deeper feel for the tune. You're very welcome, Frank! I'm excited to chat with you more in the Fiddle Tip Vault!

[@frankdougherty3233]

@@HannahHarrisCeol Last comment, Hannah - I work with and coach a lot of Internet Entrrepreneurs of all different levels and ... one of the biggest things to success in "building a community" is ... being "authentic". You have this 1,000%. Anyway, with your great interaction - could you please send me that link to your "tip cup" site or whatever it might be called - you've given such great advice and time!

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

@@frankdougherty3233 You are very kind, thank you Frank! Here is my virtual tip jar: hannahharrisceol.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1133100 - appreciate you lots!

[@JustFiddler]

matur suksma !

[@saoirsepaddy]

Hi Hannah Thanks for the jigs tips. Man I got to get back into Qi Gong Last week I ordered a Bodhrán from McNeela Music Dublin and join OAIM Bodhrán Course to drum into my brain these rhythm patterns reels ,hornpipes, jigs & slide. Elderly Instrument in Michigan have cheaper Bodhráns if anybody interested . Sadly I sold my fiddle yrs ago. I play Irish Citterns and will be playing a Saltarelle Awen Irish Button Box in C/B tune to 432 hz these old irish fiddle , old time , classical music sound better in 432 hz Thank Hannah for your tips they will help too. Peace :)

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Ooo enjoy! Thanks so much!

[@vmdillon20]

Hi thanks so much for this video! Your fiddling sounds awesome. I haven’t done much fiddling. I’m actually a harpist! My main question is, as someone coming from a classical background and more accustomed to sheet music (and no swing), are the short second eighth notes always the same length throughout the jig or do some players vary them from group to group? And are the third and sixth eighth notes always on the same beat that they would be if played straight (in other words is it just the second eighth of each group that’s shortened?)

[@vmdillon20]

I mean from three-note group to three-note group*

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

Hello! Thank you so much for your questions, and love hearing that you're exploring this style of music on the harp! The note length is going to vary a little bit based on style and who is playing, but a rough rule of thumb is the first note is longer, the second note shorter, and the third is just slightly shorter than it would be played straight. I think you could play it either way though with the third note staying the same! Aim for a dotted eighth rhythm but soften it out so it doesn't sound strictly metered.

[@Frisco1355]

My high school orchestra played a jig back in the day. We could read and play 6/8, but it didn’t sound correct because it wasn’t swung!

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

It's hard to get the swung feel in an orchestra setting! But definitely possible -- I just taught a workshop at my old high school a few months ago and we pretty much spent the whole time working on the swing (and I may have ruined their bow holds XD)

[@margaretbinns3134]

@@HannahHarrisCeol 😅 I wonder if most violinist have to only play Irish fiddle and give up on the classical music

[@TheGavranatar]

I find the tone on that fiddle a bit harsh, do you have a new one now that sounds a lot better?

[@HannahHarrisCeol]

I'd be curious to see if you thought differently in person! If I recall correctly I was between external mics on this video and relying on my built-in one on my phone. But to answer your question, I do have another more darker, mellow toned fiddle that I love equally as much as this one. There are certainly tunes I prefer playing on each!