Level 4 Content

Level 4

Throughout this level you will learn some well known session tunes as well as tunes that are not so well known. You will also learn 2 newly composed tunes in lesson 50 and 51. In lesson 51 we will also look at the time signature of 5/4 and learn a tune in this rhythm. We will turn a well known reel from the key of G into the key of D. We will also introduce the use of the backbeat in music as well as learning some new ornamentation including crans and taps. Throughout level 4 I will stop calling out the notes before we learn each section, however all lessons will still be accompanied by live ABC notation. 

Lesson 41 - Brigid McRorys (jig). This is a tune that is not that well known but there is a lovely jig rhythm to it. In this lesson we will introduce an E tap for the first time. We will break the tune into smaller learning sections and play through each part together. After learning the tune we will play it through at 3 different speeds to help you practice.

Lesson 42 - The Godfather (Reel). This tune comes from North Leitrim and was named after The Godfather, fiddle player Brian Rooney from Kiltyclougher in Co. Leitrim. As well as learning the tune, we will look at a variation to the tune in the 1st half and a triplet to link to the 2nd part. We will draw attention to the Leitrim rhythm or bounce that exists in this tune. We look at vibrato in the 2nd part of the tune. The 2nd part of this tune is also a real test to your embouchure. We play the tune together at different speeds towards the end of the lesson.

Lesson 43 - Pleasures of Hope (Hornpipe). This is a tune I heard from the playing of Liam O'Flynn from his famous ‘Pipers Call’ album. It has a beautiful melody and hornpipe rhythm. In the lesson we discuss the best hornpipe pace and learn a rhyme to help with your own hornpipe rhythm. We work on glottal stops to create some triplets. We will learn the tune in sections and play it through several times after learning the tune to develop your hornpipe technique/understanding.

Lesson 44 - George White's Favourites (Reel) in the key of D. This is a very popular tune in Irish music circles but usually played in the key of G. Changing the key can sometimes sound like almost playing a different tune. I feel this is one such tune. We will learn the tune in D and add some taps, cuts and rolls as different ornaments. We also look at a very simple version of a Crann using just one finger. We will play through the tune at different speeds. We also try to use this tune to focus on our overall technique as this tune takes quite a bit of effort to play in a controlled way - Working on tone (especially on low D), ornaments, slides etc. 

Lesson 45 - Micho Russell’s Mason’s Apron (Reel). This is a beautiful tune that has become very popular with all ages over the last few years. In this lesson, we will look at the idea of the backbeat in music. Lots of the greatest traditional musicians use the backbeat a lot in their music. In this lesson you will be introduced to the idea of this backbeat. As in previous lessons we will break the tune into learning parts. We play through the tune at different tempos towards the end of the lesson. We also look at what an anacrusis is in music. 

Lesson 46 - Kilkenny (Jig). In this lesson I will recommend another great fiddle and flute album. While learning the tune we look at a double tap on the A note that can be used in this tune. We look at tips for taking more breaths in tunes. We also take a look at using the C natural key on the flute. As in other lessons, we learn the tune in sections and play it through a few times towards the end of the lesson. 

Lesson 47 - The Hag at the Spinning Wheel (Jig). We learn the first 2 parts of this 4 part tune. The A and B part will be split into learning sections. After learning the B part we will learn a D cran for the first time and try to introduce it into this tune. Crans can sometimes be overused on the flute. Great flute players like Seamus Tansey never used a cran in his music. Knowing when to use a cran and which type of cran to use is important when learning flute. Kevin Crawford (for me) is the best exponent of the cran on the flute.

Lesson 48 - The Hag at the Spinning Wheel (Jig). We learn part C & D of the tune in this lesson. We will rehearse both the C & D parts and then join the entire tune up together to play our 1st four-part tune.

Lesson 49 - The Westport Chorus (Reel). This is a beautiful tune made famous by the piping of Liam O’Flynn on his album ‘The Pipers Call’. Here we learn the tune in sections and also look at some taps to add as suitable ornamentation.

Lesson 50 - Along Silver Lines 5/4 (Written by Jens Commnick). This is a beautiful tune written in the time signature of 5/4. Here we talk about this new time signature and the possibilities of composing using this new rhythm. 

Lesson 51 - The Dreamamer’s Reel (Written By Padraig Mc Govern). This is a lovely tune which we recently recorded on our new Garadice Album, ‘Sanctuary’. On the album, we play 'Along Silver Lines' before it, as they are both contrasting tunes. The 2nd part, when repeated, is different to the 1st time around (which will take a little bit of learning!). If you have reached this stage in the course however, you will fly it and hopefully really enjoy playing the tune!

Lesson 52 - The Independence Hornpipe. This is a really virtuoso tune and after learning it, you may even be able to speed it up a little to show off your skills. We look at glottal stops and breath control in this lesson, as there are phrases that need to be played right through without taking a breath (if possible).