[Harp-L] Irish/Celtic trad

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

Was talking back and forth to another member and voiced my feeling(s)  
that Irish/Celtic Trad (and it's Am-er-eecan cousin..bluegrass) must  
be the toughest stuff in the world to play.

Just think about it. First you have a melody and then it repeats  
itself, then repeats itself again, and again, and again. How does one  
play this stuff? From rote? How does one keep the notes straight? The  
nice thing about jazz is that you never have to do the same thing  
twice. It's so easy (by comparison).

THEN, as if that wasn't enough to spin your head, the melody changes  
to something else, and the whole entire process starts all over  
again. Instead of a bridge, there are multiple melodies. Then, it's  
no fun if they tell you that there are literally thousands of notes.  
AND all the verses have to match. No liberties allowed. And the  
speed? fugeddabowdit.

When I hear players like Jim Conway, Rick Epping, Brendan Power, my  
brain liquifies and drips down into my shoelaces. Jeez.

smo-joe