Learning  is an ongoing process during our lifetime, and for those of us who practice at creating and performing music, learning new music material is what keeps us going. “The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know”.

In response to questions about my learning/practicing process, I thought I’d try  a short video clip during an early weekend morning practice session of what works for me. I am in the process of learning a new tune on the fiddle titled, “Peeler’s Jacket”. It is a traditional Irish Session tune which every session player should have in their repertoire.  To be able to fully appreciate and participate in the many open Irish jam sessions held across the country, the musician should have around 150 of these standard tunes down pat. I have a long way to go, but this is my approach in achieving that goal.

Maybe then I could plan a trip to Ireland to participate in an authentic jam!

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A short clip of an Irish Jam session I used to attend regularly awhile back!

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Exactly as the title implies…Just goofing around on the guitar and attempt to improvise a little with the fiddle for fun. Percussion was provided by “hand slapping on the knee” and “damping” or “chucking” on the Mandola.

(click to play)

http://edharrismusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/JUST-NOODLING.mp3

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This is a remix on a previously recorded tune. Most of these fiddle tunes I record to enable me to practice against. “Morpeth Rant” is actually a Reel which had originated from England  composed by William Shield.

Interesting note: The wooden percussive “sticks” you hear towards the end of the song are actually two heavy wooden candlesticks that Judy had found at a yard sale. She was thinking they might prove beneficial in the studio and she was right! They produce an excellent “deep woodsie”  sound! Thanks Judy!

(click to play)

http://edharrismusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Morpeth-Rant-2.mp3

Mini-clamps applied to glue X-bracing

As I begin my new apprenticeship in luthiery, (not to worry, I still have my “day” job) I plan to journalize some basic x-bracing repair work on a Martin DCXME acoustic guitar within the Forum.  For those of you who are curious as to whether I succeed or fail in this endeavor, you may want to keep checking back now and then.

Comments of encouragement are always welcome and needed!

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One of my  favorites that I had recorded for “Celticophilia”.   This  was a 2-year solo project solely for distribution to family and friends.

(Click to Play)

http://edharrismusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Caledon-Wood.mp3

Judy & Ed, Friends, with Tim & Molly O'Brien

I thought you folks might like a “Blast from the Past” featuring Judy on vocals  recorded awhile back!

“Shady Grove”

(click to play)

http://edharrismusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/SHADY-GROVE-2.mp3

I’ve been playing around with some old video file conversions (VHS to Digital) and I came across this video clip showcasing one of Judy’s originals. I did the best I could to restore the audio and video quality, but it is still a bit rough I know.

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This latest piece is from the “Baroque” era, written by the Irish harpist, Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738). He was one of the last Irish harp composers of which many of his compositions survive in “single line” melody. His works only survive as single line melody without a clue as to how they may have been accompanied or harmonized. The National Library of Ireland has the only copy of Carolan’s works.

O’Carolan was blinded by smallpox at the age of eighteen. “It was at this time it is believed he studied under MacDermott Roes. O’Carolan studied for three years at the end of which Mrs. MacDermott Roe gave him a harp, a horse and some money to begin his career as an itinerant harper. For forty-five years Carolan would travel throughout Ireland composing tunes (planxties) for his patrons”. O’Carolan is not known for his skill as a harpist as much as he is revered for his compositions.

Digideroos

In this interpretation, I decided to introduce an authentic Australian “Digideroo”.  True masters of this ancient instrument are able to utilize “continuous breathing” thereby providing a continuous deep gutteral voicing almost indefinately without interruption.

This  tune will be featured for a limited time only. I hope to include this on the next CD release. I hope you enjoy it.

(click to play)

http://edharrismusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/OCarolans-176.mp3

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I first heard this tune on a “William Coulter” album. I loved his choice in chaining this tune with “Hugh O’Donnel”.

(click to play)

http://edharrismusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Caralans-Cap.mp3