Resources
Celtic Music
Use these links to location more information and mp3 files about music
TradConnect is a wonderful resource presenting traditional and contemporary Irish music. Discussioin groups for instructions and regions are also available. Check cout TradConnects SoundCloud account too. Great selection of new recordings\
The Session is a reliable source for lead sheets of traditional music. Formats include standard notation as well as ABC format. MIDI mp3s are available for the tunes. Robust discussions about tunes, sources and recordings are available too.
Francis O'Neill was born in Cork, Ireland just about the time the terrible potato famine was ending. He went to sea as a young teenager. Ultimately he settled in Chicago IL and became a policeman. He rose through the ranks to become Superintendent of Chicago Police and earned the respect of the city and his men. Chief ONeill was a flute player who loved traditional Irish music. He would often hire new police officers who were Irish immigrants and musicians. His aid, Sgt. James O'Neill (no relation), would transcribe the melodies these new policeman knew. Cheif O'Neill collected thousands of melodies in this way. His first volume of tunes is known as "The 1850". Before his death in 1922, Cheif O'Neill published three volumes of Irish Traditional music - more than 3,000 melodies. His work remains a major source for all traditional Irish Musicians. This link offers tunes in standard notation, ABC and NoteWorthy Comoposer. Mp3, MIDI files are also available.
Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738) was a blind Irish harper. He is widely regarded as Ireland national composer. A bit more than two hundred of his melodies exist. Find them at this link.
Instruction
My favorite, in person, music instructional program is offered by Common Ground on the Hill. The program offers way more than technique, repertoire and concerts. Common Ground was founded on the premise that there is a common human thread unifying all people expressed in our various artistic traditions. Its mission is to make this thread a path towards human understanding, tolerance, fulfillment, and enjoyment.
The embodiment of this path is a music and arts community where master musicians, artists, craftspeople, and creative thinkers will provide a quality learning experience for an audience which we will endeavor to increase in size, diversity, and influence. It is essential to the success of this mission that the artists, teachers, and students, reflect local, national, and international communities.
Classes run for two weeks in July.l Concerts run year round. Common Ground produces music festivals and June and July. Visit the link for more information
The embodiment of this path is a music and arts community where master musicians, artists, craftspeople, and creative thinkers will provide a quality learning experience for an audience which we will endeavor to increase in size, diversity, and influence. It is essential to the success of this mission that the artists, teachers, and students, reflect local, national, and international communities.
Classes run for two weeks in July.l Concerts run year round. Common Ground produces music festivals and June and July. Visit the link for more information
The Online Academy of Irish Music offers online instruction in all traditional Irish instruments. Classes are offered for beginners and experienced players. Tutition costs are affordable. Instruction is first rate. If you can't find a teacher locally, give OAIM a try.
YouTube provides a dizzying array of free instructional videos for all sorts of subjects including music. Get on to YouTube and search on tags such as "Guitar Instruction". You'll be amazed as what is available for free.
