CONCERTINA FOR BEGINNERS

TECHNIQUE:

Traditional Celtic music is normally played very fast and with a specific rhythm. This is largely due to the music being used for dancing. But also because rural life at the time was very boring and people craved the excitement and frenzy of very fast music. It is good to play fast for dancing and some songs were written specifically for fast playing and only sound good played fast.

But today, in our fast paced hectic world, people crave soothing and relaxing music even more and they do not dance much anymore. Many artists are now playing more slowly, because Celtic music can be just as comforting and healing as any classical or other type of music. Celtic music, when played more slowly, elicits a wider range of emotions and exhibits many flavors that are lost when the music is played fast. If every song is played fast, every song will sound exactly the same.

Reels are usually 4/4 time and are played with the emphasis on the ONE; ONE 234 ONE 234 ONE 234

Jigs are usually 6/8 time and are played with the emphasis on the ONE and FOUR; ONE 23 FOUR 56 ONE 23 FOUR 56 ONE 23 FOUR 56

Hornpipes are usually 4/4 time and are played with a bouncy emphasis on the ONE and THREE; ONE 2 THREE 4 ONE 2 THREE 4 ONE 2 THREE 4