Irish Traditional Music Quotes

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Jun 21st, 2007 by Shardul

Inspiring and humourous quotes regarding Ireland’s traditional music and dance…

“One fear I would always have, even in my class situation, is that the emphasis is on technicality – whereas for me, the whole thing is the feeling and heart and soul. That’s what the older musicians had.” – Mary Bergin (Bio and interview).

“To get a good tone you need a tight embouchure. You need to practice tone separately from everything else. Play long notes, and keep adjusting your embouchure until you get a nice tone.” – Eamonn Cotter (Bio and interview).

“There’s no other profession in the world where you can get to meet such amazing characters – the real people of the country that you go to. Music kind of invites you to walk into these lives. They’re not great academics, or geniuses – they’re just ordinary people, like you and me. That’s the lovely thing about music, and it’s the same with art and the same with poetry.” – Brian Finnegan (Bio and interview).

“It’s just the sound of the instrument that appeals to me. I like the sort of expression that one can give. The flute does it for me, I can express what I feel best on that instrument.” – Matt Molloy (Bio and interview).

“Be yourself when playing. Don’t try to copy anyone or you’ll never really be at ease playing. Just develop your own style naturally.” – Catherine McEvoy. (Bio and interview).

“Playing a flute is like writing a book. You’re telling what’s in your heart… It’s easier to play if it’s right from your heart. You get the tone and the fingers will follow.” – Eddie Cahill.

“Try to play musically and dynamically. Play only tunes and songs your mad about. Don’t play too fast. Flute players are among the worst in the speeding stakes. Listen to lots of players, not only flutists; emulate what you like and then do your thing.” – Desi Wilkinson (Bio and interview).

“I’d go out, you see, I’d go out to the field or something and practice, although my mother didn’t mind. But I’d go out in the field and I’d practice by myself. And there was a [neighbour] he was an old Peeler, he was retired from the police, the Peelers they called ‘em then. And he used to play a bit on the whistle. And he’d be showing me things too, to me out in the field. I remember them good old days!” – Mike Rafferty (Bio and interview).

“Music is an act of love.” – Pat Higgins.

“It’s the heart and that’s so important in the music. There’s a tendency for people to think that they have to be the best technicians and the best at learning all the tunes, but actually it’s to do with who you are and not what you play.” – Bob Bickerton.

“Somebody came up to me and said, “You blow that thing (a tin whistle) harder to get into the second octave — don’t you!” And I said “Yeah!” and went behind a tree and tried it. I discovered that it was actually capable of a second octave and there was no stopping me after that.” – Brendyn Montgomery.