Tutorial 82! West Mabou Reel.
Heyo everyone! We’ve got the “West Mabou Reel” for ya, a classic Cape Breton tune đ I’ve been hearing this tune forever because it’s been recorded many, many times and it’s a corker reel! It’s hard to have a jam or dance out here without hearing this tune, so I’m glad to have a tutorial…
Read MoreTutorial 81! Memories Of Herbie & Agnes Cheverie.
I remember hearing this for the first time in my Dad’s living room after he wrote it and I knew it was a special tune, because it gave me goosebumps! I also know how much Herbie and Agnes meant to Dad, so it makes the tune even more special (straight from the heart). This is…
Read MoreTutorial 80! La Belle Catherine.
A Quebecois anthem! I’ve always loved this tune (I believe the first person I heard play it was Andre Brunet), because it’s so happy and cheery! And with the French “feet” (which I attempted in the preview recording), it’s a toe tapper for sure. This is a tune for all levels (ambitious beginners included), but…
Read MoreTutorial 77! The Mystery Inch.
I’ve been meaning to learn (+ teach) this tune for AGES (at least 2 years) since I stumbled across it. It’s one of the coolest tunes on the go, in my opinion (which means it’s a little tricky, so use your patience on this one)! It was written by David Kosky and first recorded on…
Read MoreTutorial 76! Reel de Nez Piques.
In honour of 6 Hearts upcoming tour to Louisiana (taking off tomorrow ????), I thought I’d take a crack at teaching this boppy lil Cajun tune! It’s so great and makes me smile (and the folks you play it for too :)). It was written by Michael Doucet (legendary Cajun player + composer) and I…
Read MoreTutorial 75! Flash Away The Pressing Gang.
“Flash Away The Pressing Gang”, “Slash Away The Pressing Gang”, “Road To Lisdoonvarna”… I’ve found a few different names for this tune – do you have anymore solid info than me?! đ I learned this tune from my cousin Elmer, who learned it from a Solas album (Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers – great album),…
Read MoreTutorial 74! Dusky Meadow.
Finally, another strathspey! We really dive into this one đ I couldn’t find much about this tune, other than it’s a trad Cape Breton strathspey. I believe I first heard it on “Fine, Thank You Very Much” (Ashley MacIsaac). There’s a bunch of other great recordings; Andrea Beaton, Beolach, Troy MacGillvray + Shane Cook, and…
Read MoreTutorial 73! L’Air Mignonne.
A Quebecois tune for ye’s! I love this one. Funny enough, I first heard this Canadian tune from my IMAR pals in the UK (that’s just the way it goes sometimes). If you haven’t heard their version, please go and listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFalXoDhurA It’s a tune for all levels (especially because it was written slow, like…
Read MoreTutorial 69! Farewell To Whalley Range
âFarewell To Whalley Rangeâ, written by Michael McGoldrick has to be one of the coolest jigs⊠A slip jig in F# minor ?? I first heard this tune on âUpside Downâ, an album featuring Sharon Shannon, Michael McGoldrick, Dezi Donnelly & Jim Murrayâso friggen good (the tune was probably recorded on a hundred other albumsâŠ) …
Read MoreTutorial 67! The Triangle
I had a number of requests to do a tutorial for âThe Triangleâ (written by Jake + Koady, recorded in the âPour Overâ set on The East Pointers âWhat We Leave Behindâ album) ? I remember hearing Koadâs banjo ringinâ backstage (which we heard often â did you know he warmed up for at least…
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