Mary Coogan's Guitar class update

Whistle
1

Challenging
With musicians like Tacey Deyrup taking the class (she played concertina on Mary CDs), it is challenging for a neophyte like myself to keep up. This has forced me to practice more seriously and the benefit from that is my playing is more and more resembling the tune I am attempting.
This season so far we have covered a few Slip jigs
(The First Slip and Dever the Dancer) a reel (The Little Stack Of Wheat) and last night we began a Jig “The Pivot”.
This will be my first tune using second position cords “G” and “D”.
The class is great fun and Mary is an excellent teacher.
This session of 10 classes will be over by the end of the year and the next session will be announced at the Tara circle site.
http://www.taracircle.org/

We had a special treat last night in the Bodhrán class taught by Joan DiBlasi. They had an all Ireland champion Bodhrán player of the ripe old age of 17 as a guest, so Mary, Jerry O’Sullivan (whistle) and Bernadette Fee (fiddle) sat in for an impromptu session. Great time had by all.

2

Hi, Wizzer!

As you are probably well aware, there is a rule on this forum which states that I must reply to any thread involving Cherish the Ladies or Mary Coogan! :smiley: :smiley:

You are so fortunate to have her as an instructor. When it comes to a combination of chops, musicianship, and just plain niceness, I can think of only a very few who are even in the same league! :slight_smile: :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

Take care. See ya later!

Jim

3

Since my last update the class has covered
Ashokan Farwell
Planxty Fanny Power
And for the holidays:
On Christmas Night
Angeles We Have Heard on High
Silent Night

This comming Monday will be our last class in this set and I am amazed at my own imporvemet.
Mary is a fantastic instructor.