Matt Cranitch's Workshop: Irish Slow Airs

Virtual Learning Series Spring 2025: Workshop #15
Irish Slow Airs
Instructor: Matt Cranitch
When: Saturday, April 12th @ 3pm ET
Register here:
https://momence.com/s/113322553
...or check out all nineteen of our spring workshops here:
https://rb.gy/7dbeqf

WithIn the Irish tradition, airs can be divided into two categories, namely Slow Airs and Carolan Tunes. SLOW AIRS are the melodies of the songs performed by sean-nós (old-style) singers, mostly in the Irish language. Since the melody lines of these songs follow the phrasing of the texts rather than the framework of fixed time-signatures, these airs generally have a free musical meter.

In this workshop, Matt will talk about this important, but often over-looked facet of Irish traditional music, and will consider the question of playing these beautiful airs on the fiddle. He will pay particular attention to phrasing, timing, and other elements of interpretation and expressiveness such as ornamentation and vibrato, for example.

The best way to learn a slow air is by listening to it being sung or played, with notation being used only as an aid, or for matters relating to bowing. For contextual background, and to hear such airs being performed, Matt’s album of slow airs, Éistigh Seal, is an excellent resource.

Who's this for: This workshop is aimed primarily at fiddlers, but those who play other melody instruments may also attend.
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Will this class be taught by ear, with sheet music, or both? Both

Cost: Pay what it's worth to you. (The checkout page defaults to $25, but that's not the suggested price...choose what works for you. Thanks!)
Video: Registered students will receive the class recording immediately after the class, so feel free to sign up even if you can't attend live.

See you in the virtual classroom soon!