1. Irish Folk Music and Session Culture

2. Why my interest? Newfoundland Music Irish Flute Social nature of the music Can play with other people without performing

3. History 2000 years ago, Celts arrived in Ireland and brought music with them. Earliest instrument is Harp – from Egypt. Chieftans empolyed harpists until fleeing in 1607 First written collection of Irish music appeared in 1762 Great Famine of the 1840s – many people died or emigrated, tradition was almost lost

4. 20 th Century Revival First recordings of Irish Music were made by Diaspora in New York – these were heard in Ireland and influenced how music was played there from then onward. http://youtu.be/39D0J8SzQMA Last 30-40 years have seen a huge renaissance, both in Ireland and abroad.

5. Musical Characteristics Aural Tradition – music is best learned by rote (can also use notation or ABC) http://thesession.org/ Ornamentation and variation Common repertoire – varies with time and place, with new Tunes written all the time Ceili bands – for dancing. Session bands much of the same music but for listening

6. Types of Tunes Jigs (various types) in compound meter. Only true “Irish” form Reels – Came from Scotland. Simple duple meter. Can be slow or fast Hornpipes – Came from England. Like reels with a dotted/swung rhythm and a particular type of cadence. Slow Airs – free rhythm, heavily ornamented Polkas and Mazurkas – came from Eastern Europe Also Slide, Waltz, Barndance, Strathspey, Rag, Ballads (sung)

7. Structure and tonality Irish music is tonal, with regular phrase structures and modal melodies. Modes: Ionian (Major) Aeolian (Natural Minor) Aeolian (Natural Minor) Dorian (flat 3 and 7) Dorian (flat 3 and 7) Mixolydian (flat 7) Mixolydian (flat 7) Keys that easily fit on pipes, whistle and flute are popular (G+, D+, C+ and related modes) Tunes have two or more repeated sections (AABB, or AABBCC) and are usually repeated in their entirety, as least twice.

8. ABC vs standard notation |:G3 GAB| A3 ABd|edd gdd|edB dBA| GAG GAB|ABA ABd|edd gdd|BAF G3:| B2B d2d|ege dBA|B2B dBG|ABA AGA| BAB d^cd|ege dBd|gfg aga| bgg g3:| The Kesh Jig Elements such as rhythmic feel, and ornamentation must be developed by listening and playing with others!

9. Instruments Harp Uilleann Pipes Flute/Whistle Bodhran, Bones FiddleConcertina Other: Bozouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo, Guitar, Piano, Acordion http://www.emmedici.com/journeys/eire/cultura/mu sica/estrumenti.htm http://www.emmedici.com/journeys/eire/cultura/mu sica/estrumenti.htm http://www.ceolas.org/instruments/

10. What is a session? Tunes, songs, sometimes stories, dancing. All by memory/ear. Pub or other public location, private homes Open/closed, slow/fast Anyone can join an open session, but be aware of session etiquette session etiquettesession etiquette

12. Where can you go to hear/play this music? Irish Pubs and other venues all over the world. Even Cuba has a Celtic music festival! Celtic music festivalCeltic music festival In Halifax there are weekly sessions at the Lion’s Head Tavern (Wednesday night) and the Old Triangle (Sunday afternoon and Tuesday night) Wolfville and Kentville – Paddys Pub. Halifax Re-Jigged Festival Re-Jigged Festival each October in Dartmouth. Re-Jigged Festival Boxwood Festival Boxwood Festival in Lunenburg - July Boxwood Festival

13. Recording artists The Chieftans The Chieftans Bothy Band Bothy Band Irish Rovers (Canada) Irish Rovers (Canada) The Dubliners The Dubliners The Clancy Brothers The Clancy Brothers Altan

14. Want to learn more? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Ireland http://thesession.org/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessi ons/swf/folkmenu.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessi ons/swf/folkmenu.html http://www.youtube.com/ http://my.liveireland.com/