The Corrs

[John Bertotti]

I love the music by The Corrs. I am listening to Erin Shore and want to play the fiddle part on mandolin. There are some long notes in it. I can play them and let them run out or tremolo them. What would be better from your point of view. I don't know how traditional the song is but it is beautiful. Thanks John


Oh if someone knows the name to the fiddle tunes played by the old man in Darby O'Gil and the little people please let me know. Yea, I'm an adult but you'd have a hard time proving it. Thanks John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mandolin-AL]

hope this works for ya

http://www.darbyogill.net/lyrics.php

there ye go hope thats what yer lookin for

[John Bertotti]

Mandolin-Al good try but not quite. I was actually thinking of the old Disney movie with Sean Connery. I am glad you posted that link it is cool. John

Still curious how to handle long notes. Just let them sustain as long as possible or tremolo. I am uncertain if tremolo is a valid Celtic technique. I don't believe I have ever heard it used in the genre. Thanks John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Bren]

Listen to Gary Peterson of Hom Bru and you will hear tremolo.
Valid is as valid does, especially in such a recently adopted instrument as the mandolin.

[POB]

I am uncertain if tremolo is a valid Celtic technique

I don't think the Corrs are too worried about what is and what isn't valid Celtic technique. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Anyway, as Bren rightly pointed out, the mandolin is such a new instrument to Irish music (and the music of the other Celtic nations) that the concept of a valid or invalid technique is pretty moot.

[whistler]

Tremolo is perhaps not favoured by many traditional Irish musicians, because of its association with classical and popular mandolin styles. Consequently, in Irish traditional music, mandolins are most often heard playing dance tunes or other strongly rhythmic melodies, and rarely slow airs. But The Corrs are not a traditional band (although they all have a background in traditional music and include elements of it in their song arrangements), and how you play their tunes on mandolin is up to you.

[John Bertotti]

Thanks everyone. I guess i'll try both and see what sounds the best to me. Thanks John

[Bren]

Barney McKenna also played tremolo (or close enough to it) mandolin on some Dubliners songs. I'm aware of a recent undercurrent of opinion that it shouldn't be utilised but I can't think of a single good reason why not.

[RolandTumble]

It's taught in Padraig O'Carroll's The Irish Mandolin. Sort of as an afterthought, but it's there....

[John Bertotti]

Thanks everyone! I never heard of this reference, Padraig O'Carroll's The Irish Mandolin, is it good? How about other tech books? I never though of looking for and Irish tech book but love the idea. Any one from the board with a good reference book. Every thing I have is classical in approach I could use a change once in awhile. Thanks John