'100 Traditional Tunes' A book from the East Antrim Traditional Music School
The purpose of this book and its accompanying CD's is to provide a facility for the students of The East Antrim Traditional Music School to develop a core repertoire of traditional tunes that they can enjoy playing with each other when they come together in session.
The tunes are divided into three categories: Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced, chosen to reflect the differing capabilities of the participants within the school and with a view to developing the skills required of the practitioners. Whilst there are a considerable number of tunes to be learnt within this book it is not intended that those who seek to learn from it should regard these as definitive but merely the basis upon which they can build their own extensive repertoires.
The tune book, which uses standard musical notation with note names given below and suggested guitar chords above, has been developed in tandem with the production of a CD to give facility for both the literate musician and those whose preference is to learn “by ear”.
Whilst all care has been taken in the selection of these tunes to develop the playing capacity of students and provide a window on the kaleidoscope of musical forms that make up the idiom of traditional music, it cannot be stressed enough that the key to becoming competent in playing any instrument is relentless, regular practice; though in reality this should become a labour of love.
I trust you will find this tune book and CD's useful in developing your traditional musical skills and repertoire.
Martin Shane FSA Scot
Project Director
Art of Regeneration
East Antrim Traditional Music School
The Tune Book is available from the School at £12.50
It can be posted worldwide for an aditional cost of £4.00
The traditional music of this island has been described as a cultural sea fed by many streams.
Certainly the influence of Scotland, England and other areas of Europe can readily be found in our airs, reels, jigs, hornpipes, mazurkas and polkas. In the folk tradition of Ulster we possess one of the world’s richest treasuries of music. The prowess of our pipe, accordion and flute bands is legendary and our solo performers in the field of traditional music stand comparison with anything on this planet.
I recall someone telling me how they were surprised to hear a judge at a music festival declare that a popular air played by a competitor was too well known to be suitable for the competition. Whilst it is possible to sympathise with the judge who had doubtless heard the tune countless times, we should also never forget that the music is new to each generation and requires to be taught afresh with inexhaustible enthusiasm and vigour. Folk music is not the special preserve of the few it is the undeniable heritage of us all.
To this end the advent of the East Antrim Traditional Music School in 2005 provided a much welcomed and necessary impetus to the traditional music arts of this area of Northern Ireland.
Under the skilful and dedicated guidance of its Director, Martin Shane, the school has grown in stature and importance in just a few months. The tutors are all well experienced, enthusiastic, and above all empathetic to the needs and levels of competence of the respective participants.
I commend this book and its CD's to any aspiring musician wishing to become proficient in the great international language of the world or to the experienced player seeking to expand their repertoire.
