The above photo is from the Monday night session in Fitz's Pub in Doolin. That was the second time I brought my harp. Here is a tip for backing the tunes: sit next to a guitarist who keeps his tuner on his guitar! It was very helpful when I was unsure of the key, and all I had to do was glance over at Barry's tuner. It even showed me passing chords, etc.
I'm off to play my harp at a benefit for Alzheimer's this afternoon! Here is the poster for it:
I had another gig on Monday playing during the tasting part of the judging for food excellence awards for Burren area businesses. It was in the cafe of the Burren School of Art. Nobody could hear us as it was loud and clangy in the cafe and we played to the backs of people's knees. Also the judges arrived two hours late. But it was good practice, paid practice.
Backing the tunes is really not as straightforward as 'the tune's in D so hit the one, four and five' at the appropriate time. So many tunes are minor, modal, a combination of major and minor, etc. I think I'm doing it wrong more than I am doing it right so unless I really want to spend loads of time studying it, I will leave off backing for now.
Right so.....April, what I can remember about my post before I deleted it was that I have some new friends and they have been both an inspiration to and extremely supportive of me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMOcugH3PUc&list=LLGcuE-153liM4Err5l0sRHA&index=20
That link may not work so just cut and paste. I am 'in love with' all of those guys in the video, they are all lovely lads and fantastic musicians and have encouraged me to bring my harp and to keep participating in the Monday night 'Wild Atlantic Way' session at Fitz's Pub in Doolin.
I keep pushing past so many fears and am growing in confidence all the time, plus I am practicing like a madwoman, because 'I have to be good enough!' (meaning, at a level to be able to play with these guys and to keep improving).
The song in the video was written by a local celebrity and it is absolutely gorgeous as done by my friends here.
One of the guys gave me the tune Humours of Tullycrine and a couple others, including Monahan Jig (which is kicking my butt) I have learned the Humours of Tully on both fiddle and harp and I play it with The Hills of Coore. On Kevin Crehan's CD it is called Straithean An Chat and is played as a hornpipe, but I play it as a reel since that's how it was given to me.
I gave my freind my barndances (All Around the Faery Fort and the New Broom) and when he plays them at a session he gives me a cheeky smile and I secretly fall apart inside--sigh LOL. Can you guess which of the lads it is?
