Current Classes | About Learning Sessions | Past Classes
Welcome to the Kansas City Learning Sessions! These sessions are the place to learn tunes from Ireland, Scotland, the Shetland Islands, Galacia, Brittany, Cape Breton, and beyond. Our first learning session (LS1) was held back in January 2013, and we began teaching the bodhrán class in November 2013. In 2014 we joined the Kansas City School of Irish Music which began in the Fall of 2006.
Our tune-learning classes are open to players of all levels, and may be divided into beginner classes and intermediate/advanced level classes. In our six-week group classes we focus on teaching tunes played in Irish sessions, both local ones and those around the globe. We set out the basic melody, the “bones” of the tunes, and then discuss and illustrate some variations if time permits. These classes will get you started on the road to playing in any session, anywhere in the world! All you need is your own instrument, and a basic understanding of your instrument. In the six-week bodhrán class we work on rhythms for the most common types of tunes: reels, jigs, hornpipes, slip jigs, and polkas. We these basic rhythms and some variations, just to keep things interesting. You will need your own drum and tipper.
We have a lot of fun at our learning sessions too, but they are really a stepping stone toward playing in a real session. The session (seisiún in Irish) is the place to find the true spirit of Irish music. This is community music, and needs to be played in a community. Every time you play this music with others in a public space you give it roots in your community. So, get involved in sessions as soon as possible, so you can fully understand what this music is all about. As Eileen Ivers has written, “The core of it all is the seisiún and the infectious joy on the players’ faces as they share in the music and maybe even pass on a new tune to a student of the tradition.” For our local sessions go to either the KC session page or the Lawrence session page. Come enjoy the music!
Current Tune-Learning Classes:
For the current classes and fees visit the KC School of Irish Music.
We planned on holding a tune-learning classes beginning on Monday, April 8, 2019. That was nixed by Covid-19. Now, in December of 2021, we are still waiting to determine when it will be safe to start up classes again.
About The Irish Music Learning Sessions in KCMO
The Classes. First, the bodhrán class will cover basic rhythms for one of the most common types of tunes encountered in a session, and then work on developing variations on those rhythms. Each meeting we will work on a different rhythms for different types of tunes. Second, in the beginning tune-learning class we work through one tune, aurally and slowly — as slowly as needed. If we do not make it through the whole tune, we will continue with that tune the following week. Third, in the advanced tune-learning class we teach one or two tunes by ear, at a moderate tempo. There will be a short time given during our learning sessions (time permitting) to anyone who would like to share a tune. If you have been working on a tune on your own, this would be the time to introduce it to the rest of the group. During each learning session we may also be reviewing past tunes.
Note that bodhrán players are welcome to sit in on the advance learning class, and will have a chance to practice in context. Also note that though students of either tune learning session are welcome to attend the other, the distinction between the advanced learning class and the beginners learning class will be significant. While beginners are assumed to need some work on learning by ear, the more advanced players will be expected to be able to pick up tunes by ear fairly rapidly.
The fee for a learning session covers the entire six-week group-ensemble class. You can join the KC Irish Center ($50 for an individual one year membership) and receive a discount. You can also take one-on-one classes instead, or in addition to the group class.
Note that the bodhrán class and tune-learning class are separate fees. So, if you want to work on bodhrán skills and then learn tunes, you would need to pay for each. Of course, if you just want to sit through the tune learning session and play bodhrán, or even just hang out to enjoy the fun, there will be no additional fee.
The Schedule: Below you will find the dates for our learning sessions, open to all levels, as well as some associated events that will be for students, family, and friends (times and locations TBA). Here is the tentative schedule for the year:
- New Year learning session
- Learning for a St. Patrick’s Day Session
- Spring learning session
- April House Session
- Days of May House Session
- Summer learning session
- Summer Solstice Session
- 4th of July Sessions
- Labor Day Session
- Fall learning session
- Autumnal Equinox Session
- Samhain Session
- Winter learning session
- Ugly Sweater Session
- Winter Solstice Session
In addition to reprising some of the tunes taught in the past two years, there are a number of tunes you might have heard of or wanted to learn. Here are some of the new tunes currently being considered for our future learning sessions, from which we’ll pick a dozen or so. If you see anything you’d like to work on, let us know!
Reels: A Night in Ennis (D), Abbey Reel (Ador), Absent-Minded Woman (G), Anderson’s Reel (D), Ashplant (Edor), Bean a’ Tí ar Lár (D), Beare Island (Edor), Bobby Casey’s (D), Bottom of the Punchbowl (D), Broken Pledge (Ddor), Bucks of Oranmore (D), Collier’s Reel (Dmix), Concertina Reel (D), Craigs’s Pipes (G), The Dancing Kettle (Edor), Dancing Tables (A), Dick Gossip’s (D), Dinkey Dorian’s Reel (Amix), Dinney O’Brien’s (Dmix), Donegal Reel (D), Dowd’s #9 (D), Dublin Reel (D), Dunmore Lasses (Eaol), Farewell to Erin (D), Fairy Dance (D), Fergal O’Gara (D), Glass of Beer (Bdor|D), The Golden Keyboard (Edor), Green Fields of Rossbeigh (Edor), Green Mountain (D), The High Reel (Amix), The Hunter’s House (G), Jackie Coleman’s (D), John Brosnan’s (Bm), Julia Delaney’s (Ddor), Killarney Boys of Pleasure (Em), Lady Anne Montgomery (D), Lady on the Island (D), Last Night’s Fun (D), Limerick Lasses (D), Lisdoonvarna Reel (G), Man of the House (Eaol), Martin Wynne’s #2 (Bdor|D), Mason’s Apron (A), Men of the Deeps (A), Miss Monaghan (D), Musical Priest (Bm), My Love is in America (D), The New Copperplate (G), The New Rigged Ship (Ador), Nine Points of Roguery (D), Old Blackthorn (D), Old Copper Plate (Ador), Otter’s Holt (Bm), Paddy Fahey’s #3 (Dm), Paddy’s Trip to Scotland (D), Peeler’s Jacket (G), Rakish Paddy (Dmix|Ador), Road to Rio (G), Sailing into Walpole’s Marsh (Ador), Sailor’s Bonnet (D), Sally Gardens (G), Ships are Sailing (Edor), Silver Spire (D), Skylark (D), Speed The Plough (D), Spike Island Lasses (D), Star of Munster (Ador), Toss the Feathers (Dmix), Toss the Feathers (Edor), Trip to Durrow (D), Whiskey Before Breakfast (D), Woman of the House (G, D)
Jigs: Arthur Darley’s Jig (D|Daeol|D), Atholl Highlanders (Amix), Battering Ram (D), Behind the Haystack (D), The Black Rogue (Ador), Bundle and Go (Em), The Burnt Old Man (D), Carraroe (D), Drunken Jig (D), Fasten the Leg In Her (G), [Da] Full Rigged Ship (Ador), Hare in the Corn (D), High Road to Sligo (D), Holly Bush (G), Jig of Slurs (D|G), Jim Ward’s (G), Lady Wrixon (Eaol), Lark in the Morning (D), Maids of Selma (G), The Mug of Brown Ale (Ador), The Nightingale (Ador), Old Hag You Have Killed Me (Dmix), Old Joe’s (D), Rakes of Kildare (Ador), Rolling Waves (D), Rose in the Heather (D), Ships in Full Sail (G), The Strayaway Child (Eaol), Tatter Jack Walsh (Dmix), Tenpenny Bit (Ador), Tom Billy’s (Amix), Walls of Liscarroll (Dmix), Wandering Minstrel (D), Willie Coleman’s (G), Will You Come Home with Me?(G)
Slip Jigs: An Phis Fhiuch (G), Another Jig Will Do (Dmix), Barney Brannigan’s (D), Blackbird (D), Gorman’s Promenade (Edor), Humour’s of Westmeath (D), Ryan’s (Baol), Rocky Road to Dublin (Ador), Wink And She’ll Follow You (Edor | Ddor)
Hornpipes: Belfast Hornpipe (D), Bewicks Hornpipe (D), City of Savannah (D), Eamonn McGivney’s (Eaeol), Galway Hornpipe (D), Mickey Callaghan’s Fancy (G), Peacock’s Feather (Ddor), Plains of Boyle (D), Pleasures of Hope (D), Poll Ha’penny (Amix), Pride of Petravore (Eaol), Wicklow Hornpipe (Dmix), The Wonder Hornpipe (G)
Polkas: After The Battle Of Aughrim (Ador), Coleman’s March (D), Din Tarrant’s (D), Glen Cottage (Edor), I Have a Bonnet Trimmed in Blue (A), Leather Away the Wattle-O (D), Nell Fees’ (D), Riding on a Load of Hay (Em), Toormore #1 (Amix),
Slides & Single Jigs: An Chóisir (Baeol), Ask My Father (G), Ballyfin Slide (D), Bridgie the Weaver’s (A), Brosna #1 (G), The Brosna (Dmix), The Cat Rambles To The Child’s Saucepan (D), Dingle Regatta (G), The Kaiser (D), The Kerry (G), Kings of Kerry (G), O’Keeffe’s #2 (D), Palm Sunday (Ador), Scattery Island (D) [Clare version], Where’s the Cat? (A)
Barndances, Germans, Schottisches, & Marches: Brian Boru’s March (Aaeol), Chaffpool Post (G), Dances at Kinvara (G), Gabriel’s March, Lucy Farr’s (G |A), Green Grow the Rushes-o (G), Joe Bane’s Schottische (A), Mrs. Kenny’s Barndance (G), New Broom (G), Róise Bheag Róise Móire’s (D), Sarsfield’s March (D), Sweet Flowers of Miltown (G)
Strathspeys: Ben Lomond Strathspey (D), Brown-Sailed Boat (Edor), Christmas Day Ida Moarnin’ (D), Drumnagarry Strathspey (G), Her Golden Hair Hung Down In Ringlets (D), Iron Man (A), Laird O’Drumblair Strathspey (A), Lime Hill (A), Mrs. Ramsay of Barnton (Eaeol)
Waltzes & Mazurkas: Dear Irish Boy (Edor), Loftus Jones (G), Mooney’s Mazurka (G), New Land (Bm, F), Planxty Hewlett (D), Planxty Irwin (G), Road North (Amix), Shoe the Donkey (G), Sonny Brogan’s Mazurka (D), Tabhair Dom Do Lámh (G), Wexford Carol (G).
Past Learning Sessions (2019):
Learning sessions are not cumulative, so the number of each learning session (e.g., “LS 5”) is given just for convenience of reference, from most recent to oldest.
LS 17: Mondays June to July 2019 @ KCIC (This was cancelled)
- Reel (4/8)
- Beginner Reel:
- Reel (1/28)
- Beginner Reel:
- Double Jig (2/4)
- Jig:
- Double Jig
- Jig:
- Hornpipe (2/11)
- Hornpipe:
- Hornpipe (2/18)
- Hornpipe:
- Review
LS 16: Mondays April 8 to May 27 2019 @ KCIC (This was planned, but then cancelled)
- Reel (4/8)
- Beginner Reel: Red Haired Boy (A)
- Reel (1/28)
- Beginner Reel: Broken Pledge (Ddor)
- Double Jig (2/4)
- Jig: Lilting Banshee (Ador)
- Double Jig
- Jig: Out on the Ocean (G)
- Hornpipe (2/11)
- Hornpipe: Rights of Man (Eaeol),
- Hornpipe (2/18)
- Hornpipe: Soldier’s Joy (D)
- Review
LS 15: Mondays Jan 21 to Feb 25 2019 @ KCIC (This was the last Learning Session before Covid-19)
- Reels (1/21)
- Beginner Reel: Silver Spear (D)
- Reels (1/28)
- Beginner Reel: Humours of Tulla (D)
- Double Jigs (2/4)
- Beginner Jig: Swallow Tail
- Beginner Jig: Lilting Banshee (Ador)
- Hornpipes (2/11)
- Intermediate Hornpipe: An Comhran Donn (D)
- Intermediate Hornpipe: Boys of Bluehill (D)
- Review and Discussion (2/18)
- Waltz
- Beginner Waltz: Planxty Fanny Power
Past Learning Sessions (2013-2015):
The learning sessions were discontinued in April 2015 in anticipation of the KC Irish Center reopening in a new location. Of course, the relaunch of the music classes took longer than anticipated.
LS 14: Tuesdays March 24 to April 28 2015 @ KCIC
- Reels (3/24)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms I
- 6pm Advanced Reel: Christmas Eve (G)
- 7pm Beginner Reel: Red Haired Boy (A) & tune share
- Double Jigs (3/31)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms I
- 6pm Advanced Jig: Dusty Windowsills (Ador)
- 7pm Beginner Jig: Paddy’s Return (from Scotland) & tune share
- Hornpipes (4/7)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Hornpipe Rhythms I
- 6pm Advanced Hornpipe: The Wonder (G)
- 7pm Beginner Hornpipe: Eamonn McGivney’s (Eaeol) & tune share
- Reels (4/14)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms II
- 6pm Advanced Reel: Last Night’s Fun (D)
- 7pm Beginner Reel: Broken Pledge (Ddor) & tune share
- Jigs (4/21)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms II,
- 6pm Advanced Jig: Carraroe (D)
- 7pm Beginner Jig: Tenpenny Bit (Ador) & tune share
- Graduation Session (4/28)
- 6ish pm @ TBA
LS 13: Tue Jan 27 to March 3 2015 @ KCIC
- Reels (1/27)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms I
- 6pm Beginner Reel: Monaghan Twig (Amix) & tune share
- 7pm Advanced Reel: Salamanca Reel (D)
- Double Jigs (2/3)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms I
- 6pm Beginner Jig: Burnt Old Man (D) & tune share
- 7pm Advanced Jigs: Arthur Darley’s Jig (D | Daeol | D)
- Hornpipes (2/10)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Hornpipe Rhythms I
- 6pm Beginner Hornpipe: Home Ruler (D) & tune share
- 7pm Advanced Hornpipes: Plains of Boyle (D)
- Reels (2/17)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms II
- 6pm Beginner Reel: Concertina Reel (D) & tune share
- 7pm Advanced Reel: Girl Who Broke My Heart (Gmix)
- Jigs (2/24)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms II,
- 6pm Beginner Jig: Atholl Highlanders (Amix) & tune share
- 7pm Advanced Jig: Jig of Slurs (D | G)
- Graduation Session (3/3)
Past Learning Sessions (2014):
Learning sessions are not cumulative, so the number of each learning session is given just for convenience of reference.
LS12: 11/11/14 to 12/16/14 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
- Reels (11/11)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms
- 6pm Reel: Castle Kelly (Aaeol) & tune share
- 7pm Reel: The Mills are Grinding (Ddor) & The Tarbolton (Edor)
- Double Jigs (11/18)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms
- 6pm Jig: Paddy Clancy’s (D) & tune share
- 7pm Jig: Tar Road to Sligo (D)
- Double Jigs (11/25)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms
- 6pm Reel: Hag’s Purse (Dmix) & tune share
- Germans (12/2)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Germans & Reel Rhythms
- 6pm Germans: Maggie’s Lilt (D) & tune share
- Waltz (12/9)
- 5pm Bodhrán: Waltz Rhythms (and review)
- 6pm Waltz: Arran Boat (Edor) & tune share
- 7pm Waltz: Metal Man (D)
- Graduation Session (12/16)
LS11: 9/16/14 – 10/21/14 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
Our eleventh learning session ended on Saturday Oct. 18th instead of Tuesday Oct. 21st as scheduled because there was just no way we’d find a pub that wasn’t packed on the 21st. Why? The KC Royals were in the World Series!
- Reels (9/16)
- Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms
- Reel: St. Anne’s Reel (D) & tune share
- Reel: Exile of Erin (Dmix) / Musical Priest (Bdor)
- Double Jigs (9/23)
- Bodhrán Jig Rhythms
- Jig: Newport Lass (D) & tune share
- Jigs: Drummond Castle (Aaeol) / Pipe on the Hob (Ador)
- Hornpipes (9/30)
- Bodhrán: Hornpipe & Reel Rhythms
- Hornpipe: Kansas City Hornpipe (D) & tune share
- Hornpipe: Smokey Chimney (D|A)
- Slip Jigs (10/7)
- Bodhrán: Slip Jig & Jig Rhythms
- Slip Jig: Give Us a Drink of Water (G) & tune share
- Slip Jig: Snowy Path (D)
- Double Jigs (10/14)
- Bodhrán: Review of Rythms
- Jigs: Haunted House (G) & tune share
- Jigs: Jig of the Dead (Eaeol) / Halloween Jig (Baeol)
- Graduation Session (10/18 due to KC Royals in World Series!)
LS10: 7/15/14 – 8/26/14 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
As of LS10 we dropped the student solos. Instead, we provide time at each meeting to those who would like to share a tune they are working on, which was Meg’s great idea.
- Reels (7/15)
- Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms
- Reel: Mountain Road (D) & tune share
- Reels: Mulqueen’s (D) / Morning Dew (Edor)
- Double Jigs (7/22)
- Bodhrán Jig Rhythms
- Jig: Donnybrook Fair (D) & tune share
- Jigs: Haste to the Wedding (D) / Bride’s Favorite (G)
- Hornpipes (7/29)
- Bodhrán: Hornpipe & Reel Rhythms
- Hornpipe: Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine (Ador) & tune share
- Hornpipe: Madame Bonaparte (G) / Boys of Blue Hill (D)
- Slip Jigs (8/5)
- Bodhrán: Slip Jig & Jig Rhythms
- Slip Jig: Drops of Brandy (D) & tune share
- Slip Jig: Hardiman the Fiddler (Dmix)
- Reels (8/12)
- Bodhrán: Review of Rhythms
- Tunes: Review of LS10 tunes & tune share
- Reels: Earl’s Chair (Edor) / Sligo Maid (Ador)
- Graduation Session (8/26)
LS9: 5/20/14 – 6/24/14 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
- Reels (5/20)
- Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms
- Silver Spear (D)
- Wind that Shakes the Barley (D)
- Double Jigs (5/27)
- Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms
- Father O’Flynn’s Jig (D)
- Rose in the Heather (D)
- Hornpipes (6/3)
- Bodhrán: Hornpipe Rhythms
- Rights of Man (Eaeol)
- Humours of Tullycrine (Ador)
- Slip Jigs (6/10)
- Bodhrán: Slip Jig Rhythms
- Kid on the Mountain (Eaeol)
- Waltz/Air (6/17)
- Bodhrán: Review of Rhythms
- Si Bheag Si Mhor (D)
- Méiltí Cheann Dubhrann (Am) [“Blue Hills of Antrim”]
- Graduation Session (6/24)
LS8: 3/25/14 – 4/29/14 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
Starting with LS8 we initiated student solos as a learning tool. Each student would play one solo at some time during the six-week session.
- Reels (3/25)
- Bodhrán: Reels Rhythms
- The Maid(s) of Mt. Kisco (Ador)
- The Wise Maid (D)
- Single Jigs & March (4/1)
- Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms
- Hag in the churn (Ador)
- Smash the Windows (D)
- Leslie’s March (D)
- Reels (4/8)
- Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms
- Toss the Feathers (Eaeol)
- Jenny’s Chickens (Baeol) / The Boyne Hunt (D)
- Slip Jigs (4/15)
- Bodhrán class cancelled
- Drops of Brandy (D)
- Elizabeth Kelly’s Delight (Ador)
- Jigs (4/22)
- Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms
- Langstrom’s Pony (Amix)
- Banks of Lough Gowna (Baeol)
- Graduation Session (4/29)
LS7: 1/21/14 – 2/25/14 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
In the 2014 learning sessions we divided the classes into one hour partitions: with a bodhrán class, a beginners tune learning class, and an advanced tune learning class. Note that the number of tunes is now almost reasonable.
- Reels (1/21)
- Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms
- Congress Reel (Ador)
- Chicago Reel (Ador)
- Double Jigs (1/28)
- Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms
- Gander in/at the Pratie Hole (D)
- Calliope House (D)
- Hornpipes (2/4)
- Bodhrán: Hornpipe Rhythms
- Madame Bonaparte (G)
- Kansas City Hornpipe (D)
- Single Jigs (2/11)
- Bodhrán: Single Jig Rhythms
- Child of My Heart (Aaeol)
- Bank of Turf (D)
- Polkas (2/18)
- Bodhrán: Polka Rhythms
- Glen Cottage (Edor)
- Maggie in the Woods (G) / Bill Sullivan’s (A)
- Graduation Session (2/25)
Past Learning Session Tunes (from 2013):
We began the KC Learning Sessions in January 2013. At that time I had not yet set up SLowplayers.org, and tunes were collected in booklets. I provided brief backgrounds for each tune, and tried to input some humor. I also chose far too many tunes to cover at each meeting — as is really obvious from the list below — and so, as we continued, gradually began to reduce the number of tunes taught during each six-week cycle. I now think that in six hours of class a mere six tunes would be more than enough for those at an advance beginner level. As I was overly enthusiastic at the beginning, there are too many tunes listed below to learn in a year (six two-hour learning sessions running for six-weeks). Below are the tunes we presented, in the first year — LS1 to LS6. If you are thinking of starting your own Learning Session (or Slow Session) any of the tunes below would be good, but choose fewer tunes than listed here. Also, the learning sessions are not cumulative, so the number of each learning session is given just for convenience of reference.
LS6: 11/12/13 to 12/17/13 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
As of LS6 we introduced the bodhrán class and added an hour of teaching time.
- Reels & Waltz (11/12)
- 5pm to 8pm
- Bodhrán: Reel Rhythms
- Reels: Christmas Eve (G), Red Haired Boy (A)
- Waltz: Ashokan Farewell (D)
- Double Jigs (11/19)
- 5pm to 8pm
- Bodhrán: Jig Rhythms
- Blarney Pilgrim (G), The Frost Is All Over (D)
- Waltz, Hornpipe, Marches/Carols (11/26)
- 5pm to 8pm
- Bodhrán: Hornpipe Rhythms
- Hornpipe: Smokey Chimney (D|A)
- Waltz: Arran Boat (Edor)
- Marches/Carols: Good King Wenceslas (G), May God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Eaeol)
- Slip Jigs & Waltz (12/3)
- 5pm to 8pm
- Bodhrán: Slip Jig Rhythms
- Slip Jigs: The Snowy Path (D), A Fig for a Kiss (G)
- Waltz: Crested Hens (Edor)
- Strathspey (12/10)
- 5pm to 8pm
- Bodhrán: Review Rhythms
- Christmas Day in da Mornin’ (D)
- Graduation Session (12/16)
LS5: 9/17/13 – 10/22/13 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
- Double Jigs (9/17)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Haunted House (G), Halloween Jig (Baeol), Mooncoin (Amix)
- Double Jigs (9/24)
- 6pm -8pm
- Morrison’s (Edor), Maids of Selma (G), Mist Covered Mountains (Ador)
- Reels (10/1)
- 6pm – 8pm
- John Brennan’s (D), Drunken Landlady (Edor)
- Reels (10/8)
- 6pm to 8pm
- Far From Home (G), Da Rood ta Houll (D), The Bonnie Isle O’Wallsay (A|Amix)
- Hornpipe, Barndance, Slip Jig (10/15)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Hornpipe: Harvest Home (D)
- Barndance: Apple Hornpipe (D)
- Slip Jig: Drops of Brandy (D)
- Graduation Session (10/22)
LS4: 7/23/13 – 8/27/13 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
As of LS4 we began having a graduation session at a local pub with friends and family. This also meant that the total number of tunes was reduced.
- Reels (7/23)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Drowsy Maggie (Edor), Spootiskerry (G), Willafjord (D)
- Double Jigs (7/30)
- 6pm to 8pm
- Banish Misfortune (Dmix), My Darling Asleep (D)
- Hornpipes (8/6)
- 6pm to 8pm
- An Comhra Donn (D), Navvy on the Line (G), King of the Fairies (Edor)
- Polka and Waltz (8/13)
- 6pm to 8pm
- Polka: Cuil Aodha (A), The £42 Cheque (D)
- Waltz: Danny Boy
- Slip Jig and Waltz (8/20)
- 6pm to 8pm
- Slip Jig: Foxhunters (D)
- Waltz: Tabhair Dom Do Lámh (G)
- Graduation Session (8/27)
LS3: 5/28/13 – 7/2/13 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
Half way through LS3 it started to sink in that we needed to pare down the number of tunes even further, and work on different teaching techniques.
- Reels (5/28)
- 6pm to 8pm
- Old Copper Plate (Ador), Sligo Maid (Ador), Monaghan Twig (Amix)
- Double Jigs (6/4)
- 6pm to 8pm
- When Sick is it Tea You Want? (D), The Old Favorite (G), Willie McGee’s (A)
- Hornpipes (6/11)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine (Ador), Chief O’Neill’s Favourite (D), Boys of Bluehill (D)
- Slip Jigs (6/18)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Dever the Dancer (Edor)
- Polkas (6/25)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Ger the Rigger (A), Maids of Ardagh (D)
- Single Jigs (7/2)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Miller’s Maggot (G)
LS2: 3/26/13 – 4/30/13 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
Though we picked fewer tune this time through, it is still too many.
- Reels (3/26)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Reels: Cup of Tea (Edor), Humors of Tulla (D), Rakish Paddy (Dmix)
- Double Jigs (4/2)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Double Jigs: Behind the Haystack (D), Jerry’s Beaver Hat (D), The Kesh (G)
- Hornpipes (4/9)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Hornpipes: Soldier’s Joy (D), Harvest Home (D)
- Reels (4/16)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Reels: The Banshee (G), Cooley’s Reel (Edor), Father Kelly’s (G), Merry Blacksmith (D)
- Polkas (4/23)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Polkas: Balleydesmond Polkas #1 (Ador), Balleydesmond Polkas #2 (Ador), Balleydesmond Polkas #3 (Ador)
- Slides (4/30)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Slides: Star Above the Garter (G), Chase Me Charlie (Amix)
LS1: 1/22/13 to 2/26/14 @ KCIC in Union Station (KCMO)
I had wanted to do a learning session in KC for some time. When my friend David Agee said he would join me so we could co-teach the learning session, I set it up with the KC Irish Center in December of 2012. The first learning session in January 2013 was a bit uneven in my opinion, and I set out a crazy number of tunes! I had picked four tunes per meeting, but by the fourth meeting I was told that it was “overwhelming.” I chose only two for the last meeting.
- Reels (1/22)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Reels: Wind that Shakes the Barley (D), Silver Spear (D), Mountain Road (D), Maid Behind the Bar (D)
- Double Jigs (1/29)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Jigs: Father O’Flynn’s Jig (D), Lilting Banshee (Ador), Out on the Ocean (G), Tripping Up the Stairs (D)
- Hornpipes (2/5)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Hornpipes: Boys of Bluehill (D), Off to California (G), Rights of Man (Eaeol), An Comhra Donn (D)
- Slip Jigs (2/5)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Slip Jigs: The Butterfly (Edor), Hardiman the Fiddler (Dmix), Kid on the Mountain (Eaeol), A Fig for a Kiss (G)
- Polkas (2/12)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Polkas: Breeches Full of Stitches (A), Sean (John) Ryan’s Polka (D), Denis Murphy’s Polka (D), Egan’s Polka (D)
- Slides (2/19)
- 6pm – 8pm
- Slides: Padraig O’Keefe’s #2 (D), Merrily Kiss the Quaker’s Wife (G)
One Comment
Fantastic resource !