Sheet Music
30 November 2006, 7:11 PM GMT
Music notation may not be the best way to get a “feel” for traditional music. Unlike classical music, Irish traditional music generally cannot be notated exactly the way it is meant to be played, and music notation doesn’t always lend itself well to the transcription of Irish ornamentation.
Several notable collectors in the past (prominent amongst these are Petrie, Bunting, O’Neill and Brendan Breathnach) have completed extensive collection projects, transcribing large numbers of tunes. These collections form an important way to pass on the tradition, and you’d be welcome to come and browse through them at the library in our headquarters. Still, we do want to caution you about using these transcriptions as the sole source for a tune without getting the chance to hear it “in the wild.”
So while the best way to learn a tune is arguably to listen to a live musician, there is definitely a place for music notation as an alternative means of accessing and passing on traditional music. In this section of the website we’d like to share a few tunes with you that are both traditional and popular at most sessions.
There are, of course, other good resources for Irish tunes online; you will find some good collections at
and other sources. You should be careful, though, about using online resources to learn tunes, as the tune settings may vary considerably in quality and accuracy. Also, because of the many names used for tunes (with more than a few duplications), you may find that you have learned the wrong tune altogether but then “so what”, you can never have too many tunes!
Posted By Brian Prior in The Music
Comments
- Breandán
- 18 February 2007
- 3:02 PM GMT
Music is music, certainly. But I’ve noticed that it’s very hard to get the “swing” properly notated, just as it’s hard to notate swung notes in jazz. For someone used to playing Irish music, sure, writing out a tune with the ornamentation will be enough. But for a classical player, just seeing the notes of a reel won’t give all of the stylistic information that goes into the performance.
- Tommy Fegan
- 11 May 2007
- 8:05 PM GMT
There is a bar missing from the second part of Ronnie Cooper’s Reel.
- Carolina
- 5 October 2007
- 2:10 PM GMT
I can write for you any sheet music
Request to
- Mickey
- 25 December 2007
- 2:12 AM GMT
Sometimes the notation and what is played on these videos isn’t exactly the same thing. And I’m not talking about decorations! For example ‘The Lone Bush’ hornpipe as played by Laura Beogon isn’t the same as the notation provided, nor is even close to what is on TheSession. Either you have the ear to get it yourself or you need to ask somebody who does!
- helena
- 6 September 2008
- 10:09 AM GMT
The Leo Rowsome Collection of Irish Music published by Waltons in 2003 to commemorate the centenary of Leo’s birth is a direct transcription of Leo’s own manuscrpt, with minor amendments. almost identical to his renditions of the tunes ....Many classical players have found this publication to be useful as all of the notes Leo played are included. Leo devoted his life to making, teaching and playing the uilleann pipes.
- 8leen8
- 6 November 2008
- 5:11 PM GMT
Many things (almost all notes and ornamentations) can be notated on a sheet but finally, it’s only the virtuosity of the player that makes the difference. If not, a computer could play good music.
It’s the same in classical music. Don’t be mistaken, a great part of music is free (not described on the sheet), it depends on the will or virtuosity of the player!!!
classical/ITM… is a stupid debate which only exists because classical players know nothing about irish music and trad players don’t known anything about classical music.
- 8leen8
- 6 November 2008
- 5:11 PM GMT
sorry,
I forgot the main purpose.
This website is very good, many flute players are very talented. (I play baroque and ITM on flute) Many videos or mp3 are helpfull for me to improve my playing on flute and tin whistle.
I’m afflicted that comhaltas doesn’t exist in France.
You are making great job!
- Mattie
- 27 December 2008
- 1:12 PM GMT
Traditional musicians,the older ones most definately,never play the same way twice.For us so much depends on our mood and who we are playing with. For that reason it is impossible to write down exactly how we play.
It would be very boring if we all played exactly the same as one another.
- Mayo
- 27 February 2009
- 2:02 PM GMT
You absolutely can’t learn Irish trad from sheet music or ABC. You might think you have, but believe me you haven’t. Music is *not* just music as someone said above. That’s the view of someone stuck in western classical mode.
Learn by ear, use the sheet music to get you in the range of a note you can’t find while you are training your ear, then listen to CDs and live players. You will always sound like a Brit or American or whatever if you learn from paper.
- lin
- 4 March 2009
- 2:03 AM GMT
try this
http://www.scorepiano.com
I believe Irish music can be properly notated with the proper feel if you have someone who is willing to spend the time not only notating the tune, but also placing the proper articulation symbols over the notes. It will be as close as classical music is to the performance. Music is music!