The Essential Guide to Phrasing in Irish Traditional Music
Paraic here, and today I want to share some tips to help you enhance your listening skills.
I’ve been playing and involved in the trad community since I can remember, and I’ve noticed that many musicians overlook two crucial elements: mastering phrasing and rhythm.
When I was younger, I used to think that playing fast and hitting all the notes perfectly was the key to great music. But then I had an experience that changed my perspective…
I was at a local session, playing a tune I thought I knew well. An older musician, who had been quietly listening, asked me to slow down and really listen to how others were playing.
Then he said something I’ll never forget:
“It’s not just about playing the notes; it’s about how you tell the story.”
He encouraged me to really listen to recordings of other musicians and pay attention to how they phrased their tunes and felt the rhythm.
That advice was a game changer.
By practising active listening, you can bring your tunes to life just like the masters. Listening closely to skilled musicians will show you how they shape their music, use pauses, emphasise certain notes, and create a flow that makes each tune unique.
This is guaranteed to improve your phrasing and rhythm, making your music more enjoyable to play and hear.
First: What exactly is Phrasing?
Phrasing in music is similar to how we speak in sentences. Just like we pause, emphasise certain words, and change our tone to make our speech interesting, phrasing in music involves shaping sequences of notes to make them sound expressive and meaningful.
It’s about how you play the notes, not just the notes themselves. Learning phrasing is like learning to speak a new language.
Rhythm, on the other hand, is the timing and pattern of beats that drive the tune forward.
One of the best ways to master phrasing in Irish music is to listen to and mimic seasoned players.
As Picasso famously said, “Good artists copy, great artists transform.” By learning from the phrasing of great musicians, you can understand what they were trying to achieve and make it your own.
Listen to Recordings
First, let’s have a listen to the live recording of the reel “Maghera Mountain” by Martin Hayes and Steve Cooney at the 2018 Doolin Folk Festival. You can find the sheet music here.
Listen to the Tune: As you listen, reflect on the pace of the music. Pay close attention to how the rhythm and pace contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere of the music. This exercise will help you develop a deeper understanding of tempo and its impact on musical expression.
Notice Details: Listen closely to how they play the tune. Pay attention to how they make some notes louder, some softer, and how they use decorations like trills and slides. Try to pick out these details every time you listen.
Compare Different Versions
Find Different Recordings: Look for different versions of this tune by other musicians on YouTube.
See What’s Different: Notice how each musician plays the tune a little differently. This helps you learn that there’s more than one way to play the same tune. Listen for changes in tempo, dynamics, and ornamentation.
Focus on Special Parts
Ornaments and Techniques: When you listen, focus on the special decorations and techniques musicians use. These can include rolls, cuts, trills, and other types of ornamentation. Pay attention to how these details enhance the tune and give it character.
Try It Yourself: Understanding these details can make your own playing sound more interesting. Try imitating these techniques when you play, whether you’re using a fiddle, flute, tin whistle, or any other instrument.
Write Down Music by Listening
Listen and Write: Try to write down the notes of the tune just by listening to it. It’s a really effective way to get different parts of your brain working. This is called transcribing and helps you get better at hearing and understanding music.
Check Your Work: Play what you wrote down along with the recording to see if you got it right. You can also compare it to sheet music if you have it. The website session.org is an excellent resource for sheet music and tunes.
Listen to Other Instruments
Compare Instruments: Listen to how different instruments, like a flute, play “Maghera Mountain.” You can find examples of this on YouTube or by searching for traditional Irish music playlists.
Learn New Sounds: Each instrument has a unique sound. Learning how they play can give you new ideas for your own playing. Notice how each instrument brings out different aspects of the tune.
Slow Down the Music
Use Slow-Down Software: Find software that can slow down recordings of tunes without changing the pitch. Now this mightn’t be for those who aren’t too tech-savvy, but if you can figure it out it’s worth the effort.
Examples include Amazing Slow Downer and Audacity.
Hear Every Detail: Slowing down the music helps you hear every little detail, making it easier to learn and copy. Focus on difficult parts and try to understand how they are played.
Play Along with Recordings
Join In: Play your instrument along with recordings of experienced musicians playing “Maghera Mountain.” This can be done using CDs, YouTube videos, or streaming services.
Match Their Style: Try to play exactly like they do, matching their timing and how they phrase the tune. This helps you develop a good sense of rhythm and phrasing.
Go to Live Sessions
Watch and Learn: If you can, I highly recommend you go to live music sessions and watch how musicians play together.
See How They Communicate: Pay attention to how they give each other signals with their playing. This can teach you how to play well and communicate with other musicians.
Learn About the Music
Know the Stories: Try to find out the stories and history behind the tune. The website www.irishtune.info is another good resource for researching the background info for your tunes.
Watch and Read: Watch documentaries and read books about Irish music to learn more about it. This will deepen your appreciation and understanding of the music.
Buy Albums
I myself have a gigantic collection of Irish music CDs that I listen to when working, driving, or relaxing. Buying the CD directly from the artist supports them 100 times more than streaming it on YouTube or Spotify.
Listen to the Radio!
Tune in to RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (RnaG): This Irish language radio station plays lots of traditional Irish music. Listening to RnaG can help you hear different styles and ways to play. You can listen online and there are apps that stream the station.
Discover New Tunes: The radio can introduce you to new tunes and musicians, giving you new ideas and inspiration. Keep a notebook handy to jot down any tunes or artists you want to explore further.
Final Tips
Try out these tips and see how they improve your playing.
By listening carefully to music, you’ll get better at playing it. This will make your music more fun and exciting to play. Keep practising, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Slán go fóill,
Paraic
