What set of skills does an accomplished musician have and an novice need to learn?

Remembering:(musical memory)

Part of being a musician is to be able to remember  music. When it is remembered it is internalised along with the muscle memory of playing. As it is an aural tradition, Irish music needs to be remembered. Many of the tunes I 1st learned were from recordings. This helped me remember sets of tunes and often when I remembered the name(s), the tune would come to me better because of the association. When you have some tunes to start off(say more than 10),you can then look at building a repetoire. It is a great way to keep track of how many tunes you have and it is enjoyable too. Irish music is generally played in sets(groups or 2 or 3)so you can build up sets of jigs, reels etc.

Through listening and playing you will become more sensitive to music. You will be able to focus on specific aspects of the music rather and build up a level of concentration that will come second nature with regular practice. At a more advanced level you can try to working out  the bowing, slurring, phrasing and how this helps create style. This will test your concentration and listening ability. How does a player anticipate rhythm, embellish the tune or accentuate a phrase ? This is all part of analysing the music. You will do this quickly and more naturally with practice.

An accomplished musician needs to be dextrous. This is best formed when young as a natural part of growing. The fingers and posture grow and adapt into the playing position. It can become so natural the musician may not know how to do otherwise. When this happens the  muscle memory and the co-ordination is natural and habitual. Young people have supple muscles and this is an advantage in learning for sure. With someone older they might have tension because they know the difficult task in learning an instrument. Simply put, the holding of the fiddle(and especially the bow) is not a natural position for the hands/arms to be in. If you feel pain or tension, leave playing and shake both hands and allow the circulation to flow. You can soon return to playing when the pain subsides. In traditional music circles a phrase often used is ‘command of the instrument ‘. This is the ease with which one plays. Top players are relaxed and at one with their instrument. With some musicians, playing music relaxes them. Relaxation and dexterity(especially with regards to learning) are hand in glove.

Irish musicians often do not read music but they are at no disadvantage. Irish music is mainly an oral tradition and much more will be gained from the traditional handing down of music through personal connection with teachers, sessions and the experience of traditional music gatherings rather than sheet music books.(though books have an important role in preserving Irish music)

In regard to reading, Irish music has an advantage over other types/genres of music e.g. Classical or jazz. It is a lot easier to read! Not saying that it is easy, that skill has to be developed and every nuance of Irish music is written as it would be impractical and unwise to try to include all the subtleties. Irish music is often in a standard number of keys (though it has been popular to vary keys to suit particular instruments or add a freshness to a composition). Many Irish tunes often do not go beyond two octaves(though many fiddle tunes do) again convenient for readers.

It you get the opportunity to learn to read music, avail of it. It will be a help to your playing and much coveted music is available in collections such as ‘O Niells 1001′ and ‘Ceol Rince na hEireann’ vol. 1-5. A string to your bow as it were. Tip: can you hear a tune in your head(or lilt it) as you read without having to play your instrument. This is a great skill to have and develop.

The skill of interpretation of traditional music. This is one of the most difficult aspects of irish music. There are varying opinions as to what is truely traditional making it more difficult. Some musicians are great composers, putting fresh ideas into the tradition. Others are great at interpretation. They have the skill of being able to mould a personal touch into a traditional style. This is often done by phrasing and ornamentation sympathetic to the piece and the tradition itself. Their playing will often carry soul that evokes a reaction in the listener that takes them out of their present state and into the living, breathing tradition. It they are experienced players or listeners they will be even more absorbed by great traditional music. Listening and playing music will bring on your musical appreciation too.

For more on technique and the playing of the instrument itself  see ‘A complete guide to the Irish Fiddle ‘ http://www.waltonsmusic.com/tutors2.html