How to care for your instrument in the winter

December 28, 2009

Unraveled strings, out-of-tune flutes and crackling sounds that aren’t coming from the fire can only mean one thing. It’s winter in Vermont and your instrument is singing the blues.

A Vermont winter can really take a toll on your instrument, like it did mine the other day. Just recently I pulled my fiddle out of its case after being in the car for a few hours, only to find the strings unraveled and the instrument completely out of tune. I’m lucky that was the only thing that happened. Cold dry air, wood stoves and the extreme changes in temperature from inside to outside and back in again, can do some serious damage. The dry air can cause pegs to pop, strings to unravel, buzzing sounds to arise and cracks to form in the wood of any instrument.

How can you prevent your instrument from singing the winter blues?

  • Use a case humidifier. Whether its a fiddle, flute, guitar or bouzouki, be sure to keep your instrument in the case with a case humidifier.  They are an affordable and highly effective way to protect your instrument. I use one by Planet Wave who makes it in all sizes starting at about $12.
  • Use a room humidifier. Great for your complexion and even better for your instrument. An instrument prefers to be kept at a humidity level of 40-50%.
  • Store your instrument in a moist room of the house. This means keeping it away from heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves or anything else that could dry your instrument out. Even if you have a humidifier, try to keep your instrument in a moist room.
  • Let your instrument acclimate. When bringing your instrument from your car into your house or any building, let it sit for a little while before you open up the case and begin playing. It needs to get acclimated to the temperature.
  • Bring it inside. Don’t leave your instrument in a cold car for a long period of time. Heck you don’t like to be left out in the cold, neither does your instrument! (I found this out the hard way).

I hope this helps you keep your instrument safe this winter!

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Posted by Katrina VanTyne

An Irish session at an Irish pub

December 21, 2009

I don’t know about you but Christmas shopping can really try my patience. Too many lines, too many people and I can never find what I want. I’m not sure what you do to calm your Christmas shopping nerves but I did what any good Irish musician would do, I headed to Ri Ra The Irish Pub for a Guinness and some tunes.

There’s really nothing more fun than playing Irish music at an Irish pub, especially after a hard day of, well, shopping (I know, tough life huh?).

This particular session takes place twice a month and luckily it landed on the very day that I decided to unsuccessfully shop for my loved ones.  It was the perfect end to a not-so-perfect day.

Ri Ra is one of my favorite locations for a session. First of all they pour a damn good Guinness and second of all the audience is very welcoming, which isn’t to say audiences aren’t welcoming anywhere else. It just seems like more people feel comfortable tapping their toes or even getting up to dance to Irish music when they’re in an Irish pub. It’s almost expected isn’t it?

Because of the way the building is set up, the session circle feels intimate. They clear the upper level for us, so it’s almost like we have our own little private area to play and yet everyone in the restaurant can hear the music. Though the football games are on in the background many a listeners can be found standing around the stage, clapping at the ends of sets and even cutting up the rug, as they did yesterday. The host Kerry Alley, makes sure everyone gets a chance to start a tune or two. So be sure you have some tunes to share.

Check out photos of the Irish session at Ri Ra here.

As with any session there is no concrete set of tunes to know but if you know any sets from the recording of  Live at Mona’s by Patrick Ourceau, you should be just fine.

If you want to be included on the email list to get a reminder email Kerry_alley@yahoo.com. The session takes place every other week so the next one is Sunday, January 3rd from 5-8pm. Hope to see you there!

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Posted by Katrina VanTyne

Cape Breton Christmas in Vermont

December 17, 2009

What has blond hair, plays a mean fiddle and dances like she was born with taps on her toes? The woman who stole my life, Natalie MacMaster. She’s cute, she’s funny, she rips on the fiddle and step dances like there’s no tomorrow. She has a husband, 3 kids and still holds a kick-ass band together that tours the country blowing audiences away with her rhythmic fiddle tunes.

From Twinkle Twinkle Little Star  to Tullochgorum, Cape Breton Fiddle Maven, Natalie MacMaster, once again mesmerized audiences last night at the Flynn Center in Burlington. I’ve been a huge fan of this Cape Breton fiddler since I first started playing fiddle over 10 years ago. This must have been at least the 9th time I’ve seen her in concert and each time I watch her I’m amazed at how refined she’s become. She just plain puts on a great show! With her fast fingers and fancy footwork you can’t help but want to dance when you hear her play.

A voice over of her little daughter telling Christmas stories prompted an angelic Christmas tune that started the evening. The show was peppered with audio clips of her mom describing Christmas at the MacMasters and stories of how Natalie got started playing (hence the Twinkle Twinkle reference).  It was touching. A local high school choir sang a few carols in the second set and of course Natalie played her ripping reels and danced around the stage like snowflakes gliding through the air on a windy winter’s night.

In recent years, she’s had a full on rock band backing her up. The last time she came to Vermont she ditched the rock band and focused on  the roots of Cape Breton music. Two years ago she hired cellist Nathaniel Smith, who joined her band at the age of 13.  Nathaniel adds a colorful flavor to the traditional fiddle and piano sound. Last night she told the story of when she asked Darol Anger, Mark O’Connor and a few other legendary musicians, who she should get to play cello in her band,  they all separately recommended Nathaniel. And I can see why. This now 15-year old, has a mature set of chops and his stage presence is confident and musical. Hard to believe he’s so young.

The talented pianist, Mac Morin, spent the night tickling the ivory, making jokes and ripping out a dance number or two with Natalie. And instead of  her normal drummer and drum kit, Natalie hired percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Cathy Porter who played accordion, washboard and a variety of other percussion instruments. I don’t know about you but I find the best percussionists know when to jump in with a beat and also know when to back off.  Cathy had it going on.  She really added a nice flavor to the music without taking anything away. It was tight. And John Chiasson, who has been playing with Natalie for quite some time played guitar, bass and even whipped out a few vocals on some Christmas music.

My seat was in the balcony, (the best acoustics in the house) and I swear the floor was shaking from everyone dancing. Once again, she had everyone on their feet and clapping for more. Here is a video of one of my favorite tunes (not from last night though – sorry) that Natalie always plays impeccably at her shows. Enjoy! And by the way, Natalie will be coming back to Vermont in the new year with her husband Donelle Leahy for a show that should not be missed.  Check out her schedule for more details.

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Posted by Katrina VanTyne

10 Irish session tunes you should know

December 10, 2009

Have you ever found yourself mustering up the courage to go to a session only to find yourself frustrated because you don’t know any of the tunes? You’re not alone. It has happened to us all at one time or another. There are about a bazillion tunes out there and most session musicians have thousands of them in their repertoire. So how cold you possibly know which ones to play?

Though each session has a different set of core tunes, there are a few tunes that if you have in your quiver you’ll be able to play at pretty much any session. Here are some that I have heard played in almost every Irish session I’ve gone to:

    1. Silver Spear
    2. Mason’s Apron
    3. Star of Munster
    4. Congress Reel
    5. Bucks of Oranmore
    6. Lark in the Morning
    7. Cannaughtman’s Rambles
    8. Cliffs of Moher
    9. Pipe on the Hob
    10. Goat on the Green

      What are your favorites?

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      Posted by Katrina VanTyne

      Richmond Session at On the Rise Bakery

      December 3, 2009

      If you haven’t yet reached the speed of playing reels at 120bps, then the session at On the Rise Bakery in Richmond is the one for you. The atmosphere is relaxed, the players are welcoming and the session was designed for all players who just want to share a tune or two.

      Whether you’re new to the session scene or you’re an experienced session-er, this is a great place to meet new people and play some tunes at a slightly slower pace.

      This session emerged from an Irish Session Repertoire class taught by Button Accordionist, Hilari Farrington and Piper, Benedict Koehler, at the Summit School of Traditional Music in Montpelier. The session founders wanted a place to share the tunes they learned in class and explore new ones while also offering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for those not in the class.

      Although different sessions have a different set of core tunes that are frequently played, the fun part of a session is playing a tune and just letting the next one float off your instrument without any planning. However, some of us late learners are not that crafty yet so we plan ahead and practice tune-sets.  Here a list of some of the tunes that you might hear at this session. The tune-sets will not, of course,  be played in this order and might not even be played at all but at least you get the idea. And if you know any of these tunes you can rest assured that if you start one of  them someone else will play along.

      • Glen Allen (Kilmaney)/The Old Copperplate
      • Cronin’s/Murphy’s
      • The Road to Lisdoonvarna/Imelda Rowland’s
      • The Lilting Banshee/The Old Favourite
      • Dunphy’s/Chief O’Neill’s
      • The Wise Maid/Toss the Feathers
      • I Buried My Wife and Danced On Her Grave/Will You Come Home With Me?
      • Little Fair Canavans/A Fig for a Kiss
      • Ballydesmond Polkas
      • The Goat On the Green/The Pipe On the Hob/Johnny McGreevy’s
      • O’Connell’s Trip to Parliament/The Torn Jacket
      • Cooley’s/The Earl’s Chair
      • The Hare’s Paw/Knocknagow (Scotch Mary)/Templehouse

      Typically the session takes place on the last Thursday of every month though the last couple of months have been a bit mixed. This month’s session is on Monday, December 7th at 7:30pm. Check www.ontherisebakery.net for a full music schedule.

      Also, you should know that the bakery will not be serving dinner on Monday. They serve dinner Tues-Sat so eat before you come. You can still enjoy the libations though.

      Hope to see you there!

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      Posted by Katrina VanTyne

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