I have been playing for about two years now, and can play several tunes, and I can even manage to put in a few ornaments here and there. In an effort to improve my playing
I purchased “the complete irish tinwhistle tutor” (by L.E. McCullough) quite some time ago. I really like how he plays a basic version of a tune, then adds in ornaments, rolls, etc.
However, I have found that the first of the four basic tunes (kerrigan’s jig) is really difficult for me to play. Perhaps it is just me, but I was wondering if other people experienced this as well. Maybe I should skip over this tune?? Aside from the section on ornamentation, I have yet to get a lot out of this particular tutorial, which is very frustrating.
Kerrigans, which is more commonly known as the Kesh Jig these days, is a one of those well-loved session tunes that the die-hards will roll their eyes at and call a “chestnut.” It is a very common tune for beginners, and I’ve always wondered at that because it is not that easy, imho.
I sweated through it in L.E.'s tutor and I can recomend that you stick with it. Concentrate on the first variation: mastering cuts and double cuts, as well as the occasional triplet is important. When you’re ready to really work on rolls, the second variation is good because you can shovel a lot of rolls into the Kesh. But don’t be boged down by it too much: Leave out the rolls on B and d for now.
And if you think Kerrigans is bad, wait till you try to tackle L.E. variations on the Wicklow Hornpipe…
I agree wholeheartedly =) Kerrigan’s is one of my personal favorite jigs, and partially so because it took me a good lot of practice to finally get it down.
The way I approached it was as Bloomfield mentioned; starting with the first half, then slowly working in the second. Before long I was adding some basic ornaments, and today it’s a very… unusual.. variation of its former self soft laugh I play Kerrigan’s when I really want to ham it up and sound better than I really am. Once you get the basics, and get yourself used to the note progression, it will become easier, though. Drowsy Maggie is another one that to this day I can’t play on a Clarke whistle without smearing notes (I get ahead of myself so easily)
Best of luck, and no worries. It’ll get easier with practice
I’ve also been using L.E.'s tutor. I’ve found it good but only when I have worked very methodically (read: slowly). I certainly agree that it’s worth plugging through (and I’m nowhere near ‘through’ myself!).
Re: kerrigan’s jig, I had the same experience - I found it a neat tune but tough to start with, trying to get the rhythm and ornaments right etc. If you’re feeling the same way, there’s no law against skipping it for now and coming back to it a bit later. I’d suggest starting with the polka that follows, which is easier. After that I moved to the Wicklow hornpipe (where I am now - like I said, slowly!) - which interestingly I find much more straightforward than Kerrigan’s Jig. Of course you needn’t follow my order, but I don’t think it’ll hurt you to learn the 4 starter tunes out of their published order as long as you learn each one well. Just an opinion, but I hope it’s helpful.
Cheers,
Paul
[ This Message was edited by: Paul Patrick on 2002-02-14 08:05 ]
So yall like the L.E.tutor. I was thinking about getting it but I recently bought the vinnie kilduff tutor and was dissapointed. I’m afraid to buy another tudor without recomindations.
We are in the same boat. Two years and L.E’s tutor. I have to echo Paul’s statments. I found the polka and hornpipe easier to deal with (not easy just easier). Currently I am working on the first variation of the Wicklow hornpipe.
