June is Carolan month.

I've treated myself to the Caitriona Rowsome opus plus 4 CD's with her rendering of every single verifiable Carolan tune -  Here's the cover:

I've been listening and she has chosen, I think, to play the tunes simply and with very straightforward accompaniments.   What a treasure.

Week One - Because I've been on the road I haven't played at all.  I am home now, but yesterday was too exhausted to do anything much and today had endless errands and chores.  But I might get a chance to play now!   I seem to be focussing on, among other tunes Planxty Browne (with two lever changes in a lively tune, what am I thinking?) and also The Fairy Queen, which I've had my eye on for awhile.   I think Rowsome may have struggled a bit with the latter because I'm having trouble in the beginning of the 2nd part hearing just what she was doing and matching it up with 'the dots' - it's one of those difficult spots  where maybe as long as you end up on the right downbeat in the next measure it doesn't matter a whole lot what you do, but getting the timing right is hard.   The final section (5?6?) is very very notey, but I've learned my lesson that looking at the music just means it will take me longer to really memorize it and get it into my fingers.  I've also noticed that I work twice as fast if I learn a tune in the morning than late in the day......

Week Two (Which snuck up on me and is half way through....)  I've somehow been distracted by concertina but I am trying, today, to get back into the Carolan program.  I think basically, I've brought most of my repertoire more or less back to some acceptable place and I've been working hard to add Lord Inchiquin and Planxty Browne (which has wicked lever changes in the second half, but that's a good challenge, right - it's so much easier on the concertina, very tempting).

Week Three  An excellent festival this year - gorgeous weather and lots of enthusiasts.  There is also a good deal of English Country Dancing - which one of the festival organizers loves - perhaps this year a bit too much.  Besides the sessions, truly, I only wish to find a corner in which to huddle in some shady spot with one or two others to play - although I did help play the music for one of the dance classes and it was fun, very therapeutic to play Planxty Irwin ten times in a row.   Mostly for that class I played the concertina anyway as we were moving right along.   Of course, you come home resolving to work on all the tunes that could have been better...... I also learned (more like got acquainted with) two new tunes, Planxty Sweeney and George Reynolds, both of which are delightful.  I also played Molly McAlpin a bunch of times on the sly.......

Week Four
I've been running around dealing with RL but I did get a chance to practice some - however - I haven't practiced those new tunes!!    I am presently 'reviving' a few like Soft Mild Morning and the set dance Blackbird and so on in anticipation of playing with friends at Somerset.   I'm fairly satisfied with the amount of harp playing of done this month and that's what matters!

My big news is that I am currently in process of signing up to play harp in the lobby of the big hospital in Burlington, VT - Fletcher-Allen.  One of my session friends (flute) works there and told me about it. It is the kind of playing I like to do, not for an audience, just sort of sitting among the potted plants, take it or leave it.

My annoying news is an RL that I discovered a deer tick bite this morning. Grrrrrrr.  I try to be very careful.  I don't think it bit for long, but there is a little welt.  Will see the doc tomorrow and no doubt have to take antibiotics.  I knew it wasn't a regular tick the minute I saw it.

To round out the month - I did dedicate myself to Carolan, pretty much, and I'm happy.  I've got Lord Inchiquin firmly under my fingers and I've added two new tunes, Planxty Sweeney and George Reynolds, although I do seem to be more attached to the latter.   July's theme is a no-brainer - cos that would be SOMERSET!