Thread: Irish Music
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Old July 27th, 2007, 05:22 PM   #12 (permalink)
blue metalflake
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ireland
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dubnluvn View Post
once again, thanks for the recommendations. But what I;m having trouble with is the technical aspect more specifically the strumming patterns and how it relates to some oif the odd time sigs they use.

I know what you're getting at, but its like explaining quantum physics in two lines.

Lots of the strumming is like bluegrass, 4/4 time, and built around a fairly basic "chick a boom" strum, or sometimes a "chick boom, chick a boom" rhythm. What makes it sound different, is that sometimes only the off beat will be struck for a few beats, or only the beat. The variations of this are very effective and hard to follow, and sometime give players a very unique sound. I've never picked up any set patterns - its distinctive to a particular tune. This would apply to reels, hornpipes, some set dances.

Jigs are basically 6/8, and I cannot simply put the usual strumming patterns into words - maybe someone else can help. This beat is even more open to different accents and skips, and much harder to follow.

Just realised this probably won't help much - its like riding a bike - you can do it, but could never put the how to do it into words.

Do stick at it, and you'll be rewarded with some great music.
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