Which Irish Traditional Tunes to Learn First - Trad School with Shannon Heaton - Video 01

[@keyworkrecords]

Love the way you teach. SO much clarity.

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

GREAT if some of these ideas can be helpful!

[@troyfry7432]

@@ShannonHeatonMusic can we talk about how I can feel the vibration when someone is playing the flute

[@Melvorgazh]

I would say a reel that is easily still dancy at slow tempo. And Cooley's us a good choice or a reel with only 3 or 4 different bar phrases, like Miss Monaghan maybe but most importantly a tune that you really like to start, cause it helps with the motivation and to practice and listen over and over. I am glad from time to time to discover an old video I haven't already watched, Shannon. 🙂

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

YES, great reminder. Tuck into what really makes your heart sing, above all. Good one!

[@y.foulser7215]

What a lovely encouraging message. Thanks Shannon!

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

thanks for sloppy by!

[@ango5519]

Thank you, Shannon.

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

You are very welcome, Ango. I'm just about to publish a follow up. Stay tuned...

[@djspatr9471]

Hi Shannon, thx for the wonderful videos. What brand of flute are you playing? I'm looking at buying my first flute. Have a good day!

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

I love my Patrick Olwell flute. He and Aaron make really great instruments. There is a wait for them, and they are and investment--so there are other good options for starting out, like the ones I suggested to Alberto below.

[@lisaflute]

Great video ! Thank you Shannon :-)

[@ruafox]

Did you start on the Irish flute? I’ve played a concert/baroque (metal keyed flute) and I could play it. Just bought a rosewood keyless Irish flute and I actually find it harder to play...someone showed me a more ‘piper’ way of fingering that has made it easier because of my small hands but wondered if you just learned to play first on the Irish flute or if you’ve played the baroque/concert flute as well

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

I did play silver flute at one point, too, so I know that the grip is different. Keeping those fingers on the right hand flat, so they extend past the holes is essential. I have really small hands, too. But with the flatter fingers, it's no problem to cover the holes!

[@ruafox]

Yeah the flat fingers are new for me

[@ruafox]

Still trying to push out the low D heh...but I just got my new flute today so I’ll figure it out...thanks for the reply and love your videos...next time you’re in Wisconsin give a heads up would love to see you play!

[@ruafox]

We in Wisconsin also have Irish fest...you and your husband would be an awesome set!

[@michaeltodd3225]

If I could weigh in a bit here and offer some adjoining thoughts on your good advice. When I started fiddle from scratch ( did not read music, no prior melody instrument) I joined group lessons for year one * but* also bought some excellent books that took you through the maze of beginner tunes up to intermediate tunes . Aside from your book I would highly recommend Matt Cranitch ‘s The Irish Fiddle book * and * the cd...the latter v important as you should hear how Matt plays the tunes. . In fact, they are notated almost exactly as played ( often not the case with many intro to irish music books) the fact that it is for fiddle really is of no consequence to beginners of any Irish trad instrument as the tunes, and pace of tunes, and choice of tunes are impeccable ....the book takes you from simple Session tunes on up. My point is, pretty. Ugh every tune in the book you will hear at sessions... esp slo sessions to intermediate speedvones. There isn’t a badvtune in the book. More importantly he , as Shannon points out, does not have you start with tunes that are not really beginner tunes - joe Cooley’s reel being perfect example. So, spend the first 5 yrs ( yes 5 yrs) and beyond working thru those tunes while picking up other tunes * at your level * as you go. By year 10 you will finally have a sense of what you’re doing esp if you’ve been sitting in and listening ...and sometimes playing....at slower to intermediate sessions. Two other great books + accompanying CDs are: Irish Session Tunes in sets selected by brid cranitch and played by Sheila Garry It is worth mentioning that it is worthwhile even as beginner that you get used to playing tunes in sets ...ie,one, two or three tunes in sequence ....only by going to local sessions will you find out what local players put together as sets tune wise....v important ! ( but not always 😜) It’s a long journey but one day you will find it’s been worth it after all...as Shannon says

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Thank you for sharing resources and thoughts, Michael! I like your mention of "sitting in and listening ...and sometimes playing." As my friend Laurel Martin said in this podcast episode [ shannonheatonmusic.com/episode-03-every-tuesday-at-nine/ ], we sometimes forget that LISTENING is a thing to do. How's this for a learning loop?: 1) Learn on our own with recordings, books, online resources 2) Learn with and from a group/teacher 3) Try stuff out in sessions when appropriate. 4) Repeat steps 1-3

[@michaeltodd3225]

Absolutely Shannon! Great advice/ pedagogy. You know, we always see books and CDs titled “ learn to play irish music” but maybe we need one called “ learn to listen to irish music” ( smile) Can I offer a challenge? What would your desert island list of trad cds / artists to listen to? And, more important, why? Here’s my vote for a few: The Rainey’s Mary McNamara....blackberry blossom Paddy canny Mick O’Brien and Kevin o rallaigh Padraig o keeffe/ denis Murphy/ Julia Clifford Patrick Kelly from Cree Notes from the heart...the mulcahys ...and for fun to get a sense of the session experience....Live at Mona’s? Cheers,

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Desert island list? Oh, my. I'd probably answer this differently on different days, but today here would be my top 10. Some classic, some newer: 1) Conal O'Grada: "Top of Coom" 2) Mary Bergin: "Feadog Stain" #1 and #2 3) Dick Gaughan “Handful of Earth” 4) Oisin MacDiarmadah, Brian Fitzgerald, Micheal Rooney: Self titled release 5) Mulcahy Family: ”Notes from the Heart" 6) Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Mick O'Brien: "Kitty Lie Over" 7) Flook: “Rubai” 8) Matt Molloy: “Stony Steps,” and Molloy Peoples Brady trio album 9) Liz Carroll and Daithi Sproule… and the first Trian album 10) Paul Brady: “Welcome Kind Stranger” BUT there are so many more that I'd pack in my raft, before taking a toothbrush: - Paddy Tunney: cassette tape home recording - Dolores Keane & John Faulkner: “Broken Hearted I'll Wander” & “Exile of Erin” - Carberry family: "Memories from the Holla" - Kevin Burke & Mícheál Ó Domhnaill: "Portland" - Keith Murphy: “Bound for Canaan” - Brian Rooney: “The Godfather" - Niambh Parsons “In My Prime” and “Heart’s Desire” - Marcas O’Murchu: “Ó Bhéal go Béal” - Cathal McConnell: "Long Expectant Come At Last" - Len Graham “Ye Lovers All” - Nic Jones: “Penguin Eggs,” “Noah’s Ark Trap” - Noel Hill & Tony MacMahon, "Live at gCnoc na grai” - bohola’s first album - Malinky “Three Ravens” - And non Celtic albums like Badi Assad “Solo”… Bill Frisell “Have a Little Faith”… Diane Reeves “In the Moment”… The Police: “Synchronicity” … Brad Paisley: “This is Country Music”

[@michaeltodd3225]

Shannon Heaton interesting! Thanks. Defn some overlap. I’ll look into some of these I don’t have. Non trad? Some Iggy Pop for sure. 😀

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

@@michaeltodd3225 or the Pixies? the Minutemen?

[@lisaflute]

How do I get your first 50 collection ! ? 😃

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

thanks for asking! shannonheatonmusic.com/music/first-50-book-download/

[@paulbusman2570]

First rate advice.

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Yay! Glad you found it sound, Paul.

[@paulbusman2570]

@@ShannonHeatonMusic I started playing trad music many years ago,first on whistle, then on mandolin, tenor banjo etc. I'm still not great shakes, but I can hold my own in most sessions. I wish I had seen this video way back then. I'm going to sent the link to a banjo Facebook page I follow, where many newbies seem to be floundering about how to get started.

[@Melvorgazh]

I bet the only dislike is from... The neighbour who doesn't like flute. 😛

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

haha! Great.