Page 14 - Radiodowntown online October 2021

Have a good Time all the Time
By James Walsh
What The Irish Love About The Harmonica By James Walsh
This is the 12-hole “Solo-Tuned Model” Session Harp. We have Brendan Power to thank. There is also 10-hole Irish Session Harp in Paddy Richter Tuning. Interestingly, These lend themselves well to traditional Folk music of The Dubliners and The Irish Rovers of the past but also play well with today’s music. Also In Newfoundland, the 12th Province of Canada there is Irish Culture. Irish Folk Music and Session Culture. Why have an interest? Newfoundland Traditional Music is derived from Ireland and Scotland and the Irish Flute Social nature of the music can be played with other people without performing. This music is heard in Toronto At The Mariposa Folk Festival on The Toronto Islands every summer. It is worth the trip. American Musician Taj Mahal liked The Toronto Islands and he called it a “ God spot”... We feel every emotion and we enjoy the celebration of music – we don’t even need to say much. Just sing and play. Q: What do the Irish love about the Harmonica?
Answer: Everything. It is portable and goes everywhere easily. The Session Model has Instant switching between the two main keys of Irish traditional music (D & G and related modes) in the one harmonica!
When you hear how Irish Lullaby’s lilting soothing tones calm the savage beast in the Pub and the Home you can truly understand the magic of the Session Harp. Irish Folk Music and Session Culture. Obviously Brendon Power sells these beauties at his web site but you can find them on Amazon. Below is some information from Irish, Canadian, and Celtic Peoples...Enjoy.
History 2000 years ago, Celts arrived in Ireland and brought music with them. Earliest instrument is Harp – from Egypt. Chieftains employed harpists until fleeing in 1607 first written collection of Irish music appeared in 1762 Great Famine of the 1840s – many people died or emigrated, tradition was almost lost.
20th Century Revival First recordings of Irish Music were made by Diaspora in New York –these were heard in Ireland and influenced how music was played there from then onward. Last
30-40 years have seen a huge renaissance, both in Ireland and abroad.
Musical Characteristics Aural Tradition – music is best learned by rote (can also use notation or ABC) Ornamentation and variation Common repertoire – varies with time and place, with new Tunes written all the time Ceili bands – for dancing. Session bands much of the same music but for listening Types of Tunes Jigs (various types) in compound meter. Only true “Irish” form Reels – Came from Scotland. Simple duple meter. Can be slow or fast Hornpipes – Came from England. Like reels with a dotted/swung rhythm and a particular type of cadence. Slow Airs – free rhythm, heavily ornamented Polkas and Mazurkas – came from Eastern Europe Also Slide,
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