Friday, March 14, 2014

Ceolchoirm sa Halla

CONCERT DATE ANNOUNCED   April 11th

Bhí béim ar cheoil Gaelach inniu agus bainn me an taitneamh as an cheolchoirm sa halla.

I went to fear HFSS Band this morning and Ms Faherty's class began work on some ostinatos to play with the band at our concert. Great to see all last years students settled into full participation in the band.

Star of County Down

First finger riff modified

Star of County Down 

A A A A G G G G A A A A  G G G G

A A A A G G G G A A G G  A A A A



E E E E D D D D  E E E  E  D D D D 

A A A A G G G G A A G G  A A A A

The Minstrel Boy 
Ta Ta  sh sh   2 strings
Fonn Muire 

Descending scale D  triplets 

Fort Dunree   4 quavers   G and D 

Mr Ryan 
Scale on D 
Work on Twinkle

Rhythm only

pizz fingers  Q and A

Mr Corbett
Hot Cross Buns

First Finger Riff Drunken Sailor









Saturday, March 8, 2014

Seachtain na Gaeilge Special







Is é Seachtain na Gaeilge. Bhi go leor mar gheall ar ceol damhsa ar an chláir inniu. Tá suim sa ceol Gaelach ar fud an domhain. Riverdance , a theatre show based on Irish traditional dance has been touring the world for 20 years and has been seen and loved by millions all over the world. The show grew from a a six minute interval act in an international song competition. Dublin was hosting the competition that year. You can see for yourself what made us so excited Here is interval act from the 1994 in the clip below. The best bit I think is when the two solo dancers are joined by the full company of dancers about 4 and 1/2 minutes in . The dancers feet in hard dancing shoes made a great percussion sound


Here are the rhythms we played today


Port - Jig 6/8 The Irish Washerwoman Wriggleys chewing gum


Ríl -Reel 4 beats in a bar. McLeod's Reel Kilfenora Cei-li Dan-cer


Polka John Ryan's Polka 1 2 1 skip rhythm


Hornpipe- 4 beats like a reel but slower tempo

Heartbeat rhythm (dotted rhythm) Cornpíopa Off to California


I enjoyed my visit as a guest to 2nd class today for more singing and playing.

Buíochas díobh go léir.

Thank you to Ms Forde's 2nd class fora wonderful rendition of The Lost Sheep







Which rhythm suits a jig best




http://www.thespeks.com/index.php  Check out The Speks of Glasses Island for more songs and Irish music




Monday, March 3, 2014

Tempo Changes: Allegro/Andante

It was good to be back today after a break due to bad weather plus half term break. Here is what we did today.


Chord changes for tango La Cumparsita   Mrs F
Twinkle rhythm only
Twinkle fingers down pizz
Tempo allegro/andante Wintertime in Russia

Mr Corbett
Sharks Out