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Author
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Topic: Irish Music on 8-string Model D
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Pete Grant
Member From: Auburn, CA, USA
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posted 16 December 2005 03:31 PM
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When I had National Reso-Phonic build me an 8-string Model D, it was for the express purpose of allowing me to play Irish traditional music in a more competent manner. After trying all kinds of tunings, I came up with D tuning with a 2 and a 3 of the scale on top. It turned out to be just what I'd been looking for.D A D F# A D E F# The low D is a .068 and the high F# is a .014. So, here's a sound clip with a few pictures from my visits to Ireland. The tune is Sheebeg and Sheemore (Sí Beag is Sí Mór) from Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738), Ireland's most famous Irish harper. The arrangement is mine.
http://www.petegrant.com/8-string_sheebeg.html |
Ron Bednar
Member From: Rancho Cordova, California, USA
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posted 16 December 2005 06:05 PM
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Hey my friend...That is so beautiful. The photos that you took and added to the clip make the music so much more meaningful. Always in awe...
Cheers, Ron[This message was edited by Ron Bednar on 16 December 2005 at 06:06 PM.] [This message was edited by Ron Bednar on 16 December 2005 at 06:08 PM.] |
basilh
Member From: United Kingdom
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posted 16 December 2005 06:12 PM
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sin é go díreach!..tá sin ar fheabhas..féith an cheoil Ghaeilge Baz ------------------
quote:
Steel players do it without fretting
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Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 16 December 2005 06:18 PM
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Beautiful arrangement ... beautiful photos, Pete. How do you play so cleanly?! |
Mark Eaton
Member From: Windsor, Sonoma County, CA
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posted 16 December 2005 06:20 PM
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Pete-that music and slideshow with those outstanding photos was one of the coolest things I have seen and heard on the internet in a long time. I put on the headphones and was transported to Ireland for a few minutes. You know, we kind of decided on JerryD's bulletin board awhile back that you should be declared "Northern California Dobro Laureate." I'm going to place a call to Arnold, "The Governator" on Monday morning! ------------------
Mark
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Mark Eaton
Member From: Windsor, Sonoma County, CA
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posted 16 December 2005 06:22 PM
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Off subject-but since Andy just posted before me: I bought your book, "Lap Steel Guitar" at Tall Toad Music in Petaluma yesterday. Andy, I can't put the thing down-it's great!------------------
Mark
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Pete Grant
Member From: Auburn, CA, USA
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posted 16 December 2005 10:17 PM
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Thanks for the great replies, lads. It warms my heart. |
Brad Bechtel
Moderator From: San Francisco, CA
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posted 16 December 2005 11:21 PM
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Another beautiful job by one of my favorite players. Thanks, Pete!------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
Howard Tate
Member From: Leesville, Louisiana, USA
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posted 17 December 2005 03:28 AM
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What a lovely presentation. It took a while on my dialup connection, it was worth the wait. ------------------
Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum SD12U, Carter D10 8/8, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com
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Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
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posted 17 December 2005 03:40 AM
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Very beautiful, I loved it! I could listen to music like that all day.... Steinar ------------------
www.gregertsen.com
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John McGann
Member From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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posted 17 December 2005 05:29 AM
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Yeah Pete! Beautifully done. The photos are great too!Have you heard any of Frankie Laine's stuff? He does some dobro on Irish stuff; I heard a solo CD he did awhile back-not a lot of full bore jigs and reels but some nice playing. He also used it backing Donegal fiddler Paul O'Shaughnessy. ------------------
http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...
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Roy Thomson
Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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posted 17 December 2005 05:37 AM
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The Song, the Instrument and the Player are
all perfectly matched here.
Nice work Pete! |
Phil ONeill
Member From: Balbriggan, Dublin, Ireland
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posted 17 December 2005 05:38 AM
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Every now and then we hear something
beautiful and amazingly played.Thanks
for sharing this with us Pete.I think OCarolan
is smiling somewhere!Phil |
Lee Gillespie
Member From: Colorado, USA
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posted 17 December 2005 06:14 AM
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That is absolutely great. Your rendition and feeling shows thru. Thank you for sharing. Lee |
Drew Howard
Member From: Mason, MI, U.S.A.
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posted 17 December 2005 06:46 AM
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Man, those chromatic strings really ring. Beautiful!Drew ------------------
Drew Howard - website - Fessenden guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.
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Max Laine
Member From: Pori, Finland
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posted 17 December 2005 09:53 AM
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Well that was beautiful! Recognised some views from the Clare coast, suits the music perfectly. And what a great tuning, I tried it on my Fender Deluxe Eight and now I'm hooked, I want an eight string baritone Weissenborn to put it on!!! |
HowardR
Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.
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posted 17 December 2005 02:45 PM
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That was beautiful indeed. Both aurally and visually.It also reminds me of an old story about the Irishman who walked out of a bar.....hey, could happen!  Is that a Trilogy bridge on your National? |
Stephan Miller
Member From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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posted 17 December 2005 03:14 PM
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Well that's a holiday treat, my favorite O'Carolan tune and it couldn't have been done up any better. Nice "slide show" all around, and I liked the happy ending-- so thanks Pete!!--Steve |
Terry Robbins
Member From: Quakertown,PA,USA
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posted 17 December 2005 06:58 PM
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Derek Bell playing a metal strung harp could not have done a more beautiful rendition. |
Jim Jasutis
Member From: Tampa, Florida, USA
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posted 17 December 2005 07:10 PM
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Really wonderful. Just the kind of music I would like to learn to make. Any suggestions as to where to start? Anyone know of books or resources to help coming up with arrangements, when you have a known melody to start with, or is this something that just comes from listening to many, many recordings, until you get the sound in your head that you want to get to the strings? |
Pete Grant
Member From: Auburn, CA, USA
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posted 17 December 2005 09:27 PM
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Andy, thanks. I guess anything that might be attributed to cleanliness could be that I play with some pretty strong attack at times so the "signal-to-noise ratio" is high. But you can hear some other places where I either lift or lay down the bar that just make little noises regardless, but I figure that's just the nature of the instrument.Mark, thanks a bunch. Dobro Laureate, indeed. Every state should have one. Thanks, Brad. Hope you're playing up a storm. Thanks Howard, Steinar, Roy, Phil, Lee, Drew, Stephan. I'll be putting another tune up maybe this coming week. It's a jig. Yes, John. I bought Frankie Lane's CD entitled 'Dobro' in Doolin a couple of years ago. I managed to speak with him on the phone once, but I've yet to connect with him. Hopefully next time. (Incidentally, dear readers, John McGann has a delightful Irish CD that's available now from one of the bands he plays with, Boston Edge. It's absolutely the real stuff.) Hey, Max. Yes. There were shots from the end of Fisherstreet, Doolin, Co. Clare, not far from Gus O'Connor's Pub. Oh, oh. The idea of an 8-string Baritone. Very scary. Very. HowardR. Yep. That's a Hipshot Trilogy -- both tailpiece and roller nut. It's the first resonator guitar one that Dave has made. I know he had done lap steels but he had to retool somewhat to do the 8-string. I'm grateful. Thanks, Terry. What a fine compliment. OK, Jim. I'll see if I can tackle a little bit of what you've asked here. You want to listen to every instrument in Irish traditional music and find out the unique style each instrument brings to the overall experience. For uilleann pipes, listen to Paddy Keenan (www.paddykeenan.com), Davy Spillane, and Leo Rickard, but especially Paddy. For harp, my favorite -- or should I say favourite? -- is Grainne (gran-yuh) Hambly. On banjo, I'm knocked out by Gerry O'Connor, Kieran Hanrahan, and Kevin Griffin. For fiddle, Frankie Gavin, Kevin Burke, Liz Caroll, and "fiddle" Gerry O'Connor (who is a different person from "banjo" Gerry O'Connor, who also happens to play fiddle, but _shreds_ the flatpicked Irish tenor banjo). On accordion, you can't go wrong listening to Sharon Shannon. Listen to singers like Dolores Keane, Mary Black, Cathy Jordan from Dervish, and any singer from Cherish the Ladies or Solas. I'm sure John McGann can add substantially to this list. See if you can find an Irish session in your neck of the woods and go and watch. Find out if you can sit in and if there's anyone there to show you the ropes. Start out slow and don't play too much. Follow the guitars or bouzukis. Play single lines or drones that fit. There are also instructional sets from Homespun tapes, like Kevin Burke's book and CD. I learned a lot from "The New Approach to Uilleann Piping" by H.J. Clarke. Find some unaccompanied CDs and accompany them. I really like Leo Rickard's "Pure Piping" (www.leopipinghot.com). |
Max Laine
Member From: Pori, Finland
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posted 17 December 2005 09:55 PM
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Oops this is addictive... just got home from a night shift, it's 8am here and I'm fooling around with this tuning... If you drop the F#'s down to F you have a beautiful minor tuning... "Carolan's Dream" is right there, "Carolan's Welcome" with little more work. Pete, have you tried this minor version? |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 18 December 2005 05:24 AM
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Well, Pete, having heard you from two feet away, there's a magic that happens when you play that has nothing to do with technique, attack, etc. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.I second the recommendation for John McGann's record, The Boston Edge, with Joe Derrane on buton accordion and Seamus Connolly on fiddle ... exceptionally well played stuff! |
Pete Grant
Member From: Auburn, CA, USA
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posted 19 December 2005 03:07 PM
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Yeah, Max. I've played around with tuning both F# strings down to F. It's easy with my Hipshot Trilogy --I'll sometimes tune between songs at an Irish session: flip, flip. As a matter of fact, it's a whole lot easier for my axe to embrace the tuning than it is for my feeble brain, which keeps saying, "Whaddya mean 'minor-third, major-third'? It's always been 'major-third, minor-third'? What kind of trick are you trying to pull on me? Hmmmph! Ungrateful wretch!"Thanks, Andy. I'm looking forward to our next visit next time I'm out your way or vice versa. |
Paul Honeycutt
Member From: Colorado, USA
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posted 20 December 2005 07:47 PM
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Hey, Pete, that tuning is close to DADGAD that a lot of Irish guitar players use. (F# instead of G plus the E and F#) Was that the inspiration?
I play 12-string guitar and mandolin in a non-traditional Celtic band called Lalla Rookh. We just finished tracking out third CD and we're really happy with the way it's coming out. They won't let me play the acoustic steel. Maybe someday!
It's great music. |
Pete Grant
Member From: Auburn, CA, USA
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posted 20 December 2005 09:03 PM
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Hey, Paul. It is a similar tuning, but my inspiration was just from having played the 6-string (D A D F# A D) tuning for a long time and discovering that it's the perfect tuning for Irish trad. Acoustic steel has sure worked well for me with some fine traditional and traditonal-rooted Irish players like Paddy Keenan, Tommy O'Sullivan, Patsy O'Brien, Christy Barry, Kevin Griffin, John Skelton, Mick Hanly, and Gerry O'Connor. It certainly seems to fit quite nicely when I play with them. The last time I toured Ireland a number of trad players came up to me after concerts and told me how much they enjoyed hearing the dobro in that context and said that it fit really well. Pleased the heck out of me. I wonder if the least flexible trad groups might be here in the US. |
Paul Honeycutt
Member From: Colorado, USA
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posted 22 December 2005 08:15 PM
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Pete,
In my band it's not the instrument, it's the player (me)! ;-)
Did you play in Jesse Colin Young's band around '79 or am I confusing you with someone else? |
Pete Grant
Member From: Auburn, CA, USA
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posted 22 December 2005 08:32 PM
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I was hanging out and sitting in with the Grateful Dead at that time. Mostly electric banjo during 'country sets', though. My friend Banana was playing with JCY then I believe. Oops, that was '69. In '79 I was with the New Riders and also in the Palomino house band.[This message was edited by Pete Grant on 22 December 2005 at 08:34 PM.] |
Don McClellan
Member From: Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.
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posted 23 December 2005 04:16 PM
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Beautiful work. Thanks for posting it. Don |
Pat Kelly
Member From: Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia
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posted 19 September 2006 05:06 PM
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Just revisited this and well worth another listen. TTTPat K |
Hank Pell
Member From: New York, USA
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posted 19 September 2006 05:35 PM
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Pete, that's some beautiful music, and you have a beautiful touch. I can picture that music in a movie backround. I always liked irish music , I worked for a few years in an irish show band in Manhatten at the City Center Balroom .& got to work With the Famous Irish Acordian Player Paddy Noonan. All The Best To You. |
Roy Thomson
Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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posted 19 September 2006 06:08 PM
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Very pretty and expressive!
You play so nice Pete.
I note the Dobro does not
have the usual nasal tone.
Probably due to the open chambre?Roy |
Jeff Au Hoy
Member From: Honolulu, Hawai'i
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posted 19 September 2006 08:54 PM
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I love it!!! Pete, thank you for that trip to a beautiful and far away place. |
Stephan Miller
Member From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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posted 19 September 2006 09:51 PM
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Seems like every time I hear (and see) this I have to send it to somebody else. |
Bob Stone
Member From: Gainesville, FL, USA
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posted 20 September 2006 07:02 AM
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Absolutely beautiful, Pete! And what a nice slide show. Thanks.Having that 2nd near the top makes a lot of sense, as it elimiates the two fret leap, which can problematic, especially in the lower frets. For those interested in exploring Irish music on the reso, the "Rights of Man" hornpipe in E minor (the standard fiddle key for the tune) works out very nicely in high-bass G tuning. Looking forward to more. |
Pat Kelly
Member From: Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia
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posted 20 September 2006 08:07 AM
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Roy, shock, horror.... someone from Nova Scotia complaining about a nasal tone! However, maybe that's off topic. Stephen's comment could be interpreted either way and Bob, is anyone making any significant contributiobn to Irish music on pedal steel? The Coolin and a couple of slower hornpipes I have managed but I wonder is anyone else much interested in porting this music to pedal steel. Pat Kelly[This message was edited by Pat Kelly on 20 September 2006 at 08:13 AM.] |
Pete Grant
Member From: Auburn, CA, USA
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posted 20 September 2006 09:47 AM
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Thank you, gentlemen for the great response!Roy, yes, I think the open chamber design gives a fuller tone and a generally bigger sound. Pat, I don't know of anyone besides myself that's doing much on pedal steel with Irish trad. I'd sure like to hear someone if they are. I've been playing a few delightful gigs here and in Ireland on dobro and pedal steel with uilleann piper Paddy Keenan. (www.paddykeenan.com) I also play locally with my own Celtic band, the California Celtoids. We'll be playing the KVMR Celtic Festival in Nevada City on September 30th and November 1st. (www.kvmr.org/celticfestival/) |
Stephan Miller
Member From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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posted 20 September 2006 09:51 AM
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Hey Pat-- have you considered hiring a new interpreter? |
Bill Manning
Member From: New York, USA
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posted 20 September 2006 12:32 PM
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Wow, wonderful....beautiful....thanks for sharing it! |
Pat Kelly
Member From: Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia
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posted 20 September 2006 01:55 PM
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stephen. No! but can I get one with a USB connection. |
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