Irish Sessions with Ellery

Powers fiddle instructor Ellery Klein leads an Irish music session geared towards those who are learning the repertoire and want to play them at a moderate pace. While aimed at adults, players of any age are welcome to attend.

Ellery will post the next new “Tune of the Month” online ahead of the session– a jig, reel, slide, polka, hornpipe, or air (slower tune). The first five minutes of the next session will be spent playing the tune at a slower pace.

The rest of the session will work off a common tune list, as well as any special Irish tunes from you or other attendees.

Click here to see the common tune list for this session.

Click here to see the tune list on a YouTube playlist.

Sessions will be held the third Thursday of the month at 7:30-8:30 PM each month at Powers unless otherwise noted.

Check the website for upcoming session dates, and feel free to just show up!

Adding your name to the mailing list is encouraged so we can let you know about any changes to the schedule (instructors getting sick, etc). To keep this program running, we ask for a suggested donation of $20 at the door.

REGISTER

Dates:

  • November 16th
  • December 21st
  • January 18th
  • February 15th
  • March 21st
  • April 11th
  • May 16th
  • June 20

Who should come?
Everyone is welcome! If you don’t know a tune, sitting back and listening is encouraged, as is quietly trying to catch a few notes, or recording on your phone.

What instruments are best for Irish music?

Traditionally, Irish music has been played on fiddle, pipes, wooden flute, whistle, button/ piano accordion or concertina, and the harp. Guitar and bouzouki have become common in the last decades. Cellos and violas are welcome to this session but should have the technical ability to play higher positions or know they might need to play down the octave.

If you play a silver flute or other woodwind/brass instrument, it’s encouraged to purchase an inexpensive D whistle to learn the melodies and gain familiarity with the tradition.

Email Ellery with any questions at fiddlerellery@gmail.com