Polka in G

This is a similar polka to the Kerry Polka below - in fact I find it a little easier to play.





NB
Uploading examples to my blog is fairly straight forward but I'm struggling still with recording my own efforts. I'm sure it can be done and as soon as I work it out I'll include some.

Gives me time to practice - at the moment my playing is not up to it!

Bill Harte's Jig

Before I even picked up a banjo I became familiar with this jig and instantly liked it. It will be one of the first tunes I learn. It's described as a double jig.

Bill Harte was a Dublin accordion player and a member of the Dublin Garda, or police force.

Along with Sonny Brogan, John Hawley and Sarah Gill he formed the Lought Gill Quartet.

Words were written to this jig and it is sung by mothers to soothe their children.

Click on the image for a larger view.



Click below to hear how it SHOULD sound!

First Tune

Click on either image for a larger view.



Take a listen to how it SHOULD sound!

Getting Started

I'll be using a selection of CD's, DVD's and books to learn, mainly written by Gerry O'Connor, although not exclusively.

Gerry O'Connor is a well respected Irish banjo and fiddle player, famous throughout his country and appearing regularly both as a solo artist and in various bands, notably Four Men & a Dog. When I first got interested in Irish music it was O'Connor's style that immediately appealed to me and I had no hesitation in buying his books etc from which to learn.

There are other exponents of the genre, who will no doubt get a mention from time to time as I learn more about it. I have no doubt that I will acquire more methods of learning, but for now I'll stick with the ones I have and see how I go.

For the time being I'm waiting for the instrument to arrive. It was posted a few days ago from England - or so I am assured. It's now just a matter of waiting - and trying to be patient.

The Instrument

The instrument is a short scale (17 fret) Irish tenor banjo, made around 1925 in Boston, USA. It bears no makers name or other identifying marks and was probably made by an enthusiast. A very accomplished one at that!

It is fitted with an original 'Waverly' tailpiece, by which the instrument has been dated. The bridge is an original 'Farquhar', now very rare. Only copies are currently available of both the bridge and tailpiece and both are highly sought after.

The skin and strings are new and the heads have been changed at some time with good quality replacements.

All in all a very nice instrument, with an excellent tone. This is going to have to last me a VERY long time - certainly until I become VERY proficient.

I'm very grateful to my brilliant wife, Sheila. I know full well she could have pointed out a whole list of other things on which to spend my hard earned pension but she resisted and all I have ever had from her is encouragement. Thanks petal.

I also need to throw a thankyou the way of my very good mates Dennis & Bill, who at various times have had a chuckle at my expense when - once again - I suggested that I might get a little more serious about actually trying to play an instrument, only for me to neglect their encouragement. Well this time lads it's SERIOUS. Watch this space.

I have dabbled - not seriously up to now - with an Italian banjo, which is nice but this is better! It is now my intention to give it some hammer! I want to learn to play Irish reels, jigs and shanties to as high a standard as possible. Whether this enthusiasm is well founded or not only time will tell.

Stay with me, won't you? Could be a bumpy ride!

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