Reels
Click on a Pattern Title to View the Video
These videos are short. They are reminders of the key points covered in class. Think of these as "memory jog"
Creating Patterns
During class we'll examine the work of Colm Phelan and Junior Davy in order to undersetand how they create magic in their playing. We'll sort out their techniques and patterns. Then we'll string together these basic elements to create our own, unique, magical patterns.
Colm Phelan
A major goal of this class is to prepare you to create your own patterns. Watch the YouTube below. The bodhrán player, Colm Phelan, delivers an excellent performance at a medium tempo and then at a quick pace. Note he employs two types of tippers. The pattern is essentially the same no matter what tempo is used. His performance is dominated by the "OH! I Know Pattern" and skillful use of back beats. Also note that the patterns are not complicated.
Junior Davy
Junior Davy is a seminal bodhrán player. You can learn a great deal by watching his playing and thinking analytically about his technique. During our week together we will examine his playing and explore the short rhythms he strings together to create magical performances.
Check out his masterful performance and note two things. First he holds the tipper with the "baby grip". I think that is an essential element of his style. Second, the core of his rhythm is the pattern "Oh! I Know". The embellishments, great tonal techniques and backbeats are what make the performance shine.
Masterful Playing
This tune begins at a slow tempo and moves into a very fast pace. Throughout the performance Suzanne deploys the basics to support the tune. Listen carefully to how she mimics the melody with strokes on the bodhrán. Briliant playing
The bodhrán backing up this tune is using the motor pattern with lots of back beats and total changes. Simple techniques applied with a master's touch
Extraordinary playing! BUT, pay close attention to how Aimee's bodhrán work mimics the melody at times. Her patterns vary a great deal. On occasion, her strokes on the bodhran closely follow the rhythm of the melody. This is a very effective technique. Take care to listen to a tune. Banging out a consistent pattern is not always the best musical choice.
Practice Set
Click on the Play Button to start the track.
The track will loop until you clilck on the pause button
Having good quality, reliable practice tracks is a must. This link takes you to the reel section of Fergal Scahill’s Tune-a-Day YouTube Channel.
Fergal is a highly accomplished fiddler and part of the successful Trad-Band, We Banjo 3. His Tune-a-Day posts are short (generally 2 minutes) and very effective in conveying a tune. More than 1,000 tunes!!
The Session
The Session is home to thousands of traditional Celtic Tunes. Each tune on the site is presented as an audio file, and ABC file and a standard notation file. The site allows a visitor to search by.TYPE OF TUNE. That means it's possible search for reels, jigs, hornpipes. etc.
The value of the site for bodhrán students is that audio playback has a tempo slider. It's easy to set the tempo that best fits your playing skills. Plus the melody is played on a single instrument. There are no special arrangments that may alter the tempo or rhythm. The entires as simply straight-ahead, single voice presentations of the tunes.
The Session is free. HOWEVER, if you use the site regularly (as I do!), I urge you to make a regular donation to keep this invaluable asset alive and well.