MConn Says:
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 @4:33:25 PM

I've heard this tune before, but hearing the banjo gave a wonderful touch! I love Celtic music!

tklassen Says:
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 @5:52:17 PM

Tom, I bought the book and the CD and had a great time learning the tunes, I posted 2 on my spot here that were based on your arrangements.  I found it very challenging to try to get the lilt of the music after hard driving bluegrass and your CD and the BBC virtual session sure were a bonanza to get things together.  The toughest tune for me was the Salamanca, it  took awhile like learning another language but worth the effort.  Thanks again for introducing them to me.

Tom Hanway Says:
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 @5:38:09 AM

Michael - Thank you for the kind remarks.  Celtic music really is wonderful to play and it has historic connections to bluegrass and old-time music.  Some of it is deceptively simple and it's not all about speed, as this tune demonstrates.  I have some simple tunes in my book, which can be learned even by beginners, while they are learning bluegrass rolls, back-up and lead breaks.  It's a learnable style, and I give some back-up exercises.  Tom - I'm glad my book has helped you to get started playing tunes and having the craic.  'The Salamanca' goes really well with 'Ships are Sailing', either before or after it.  It's an advanced tune, with all the triplets and up-the-neck work.  Thank you both for listening and commenting.

Nelson Says:
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 @2:52:02 PM

Lovely.

Banjophobic Says:
Friday, February 22, 2008 @10:33:01 AM

Beautiful melody! Im going to learn that tune after hearing you play it. Loved the banjos tone too-very mellow and sweet.

Don Borchelt Says:
Saturday, November 22, 2008 @6:11:03 PM

Very pretty indeed. 

Tom Hanway Says:
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 @5:36:45 AM

Thanks everybody for listening.  This type of legato-harp plucking is in stark contrast to an approach that emulates the sound of a tenor banjo at all times, which I do not do.  I used a metal violin mute on the bridge and a special bridge to get the ancient vibe of the "clairseach" or Irish harp.  Its metal wire strings were plucked with the fingernails, and did not sound like today's mellower nylon-stringed harps, played with the fleshy parts of the fingers.