I didn’t want to tack this onto JoeKrepps post, but it inspired me to send up my own request for assistance.
I have been playing fife for 30 years ( I started playing when I was 6, yikes! Time does fly!) and am looking to start playing more traditional session music on a whistle.
There are certainly crossovers between session music and the fife music I have been playing for years. O’Carolan Concerto, Drowsie Maggie, ten Penny Bit, Fishers Hornpipe, etc… I have O’Neills Music of Ireland (c. 1976), but am a bit daunted by the sheer number of pieces. Where do I start?
Additionally, does anyone know of a decent beginner session in Eastern/Central Massachusetts area that is beginner friendly? Or, is there someone in ther area that might be interested in taking a newbie under their wing to help coach me along?
I can read music, slowly, but it really helps me to know how the tune goes. Are there any websites that have music available for download that people might recommend?
(All right. There. It’s all down on virtual paper! . . . Wow I feel better now, that was almost like a therapy session )
Thanks to anyone who might be able to lend their expertise.
Yes, I know of three sessions in the Pioneer Valley area. There is one in Springfield, but I don’t know where or the contact name. I would recommend you look up the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Irish Catholic club) or other Irish club in Springfield and ask there.
On Thursdays the Northampton session has been revived, I believe. Its located in a bar that used to be called Bishops. I don’t know what it is now.
On Fridays, up in Amherst (actually I think ‘north amherst’) there is a pub called The Harp, and its a lovely session.
Or you could come a bit south to Hartford on Wednesday nights, to City Steam, and on Sundays at the Irish American Home in Glastonbury, alternating with the AOH in New Britain.
Online, there is a BBC site called The Virtual Session, and it gives you a flavor for the sound, and a good handful of ‘old warhorse’ tunes that are played at many many many sessions. But a really great tune book I found is called Smoke Across the Water, I think, and I found it at a Cooperman’s booth at a muster. (Spoke with nice Cooperman’s lady who says that their whistles are intended to be toys, not ‘real instruments’ and the company has no interest in trying to improve it as it fills a particular niche, and the market for ‘real’ inexpensive whistles is saturated).
Also, do a bit of a search through this site, and you’ll get all sorts of tunebook ideas. All the online stores have good beginner books, often with CD’s to go along.
Best of luck, and drop me a note if you’re going to any of the local sessions!
Thanks Tygress! Some great leads! I like the BBC’s virtual session and will definately be hitting there often.. I live in Ayer MA which is fairly close to the Lowell/Nashua vicinity. North Hampton and Springfield is a bit of a haul. Do you know of any session or whistlers a bit further east?
THere is a great Irish pub in Ayer called JP O’Hanlon’s. They have live Irish music on Sundays, but the 2 or 3 musicians are miked and the atmosphere isn’t condusive to anyone sitting in. I tried sitting in once with my whistle and a borrowed flute and they gave me a mike but didn’t turn it on!! What a confidence builder that was!
Again thanks and if I’m out that way I’ll definately drop a line first.
Oof…you did say ‘eastern’ but I didn’t see that. Not just eastern but NORTHeastern. Well, you’re in the area of Tommy People’s session. I’ll get a location for that this Sunday when I see him.
I don’t know much of the fifing lingo, but I’ve been known to hang out with some of the rascals. What corps are you with? Possibly I saw you at Deep River? (Talk about ‘a mighty wind’!!!)
Again, you’re best bet is to contact your local Ceoltas (my spelling is tragic, I know) or Irish club and ask them.
I started playing when I was 6, yikes! Time does fly!) and am looking to start playing more traditional session music on a whistle.
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