Hi Irish Jack.
My Mum used to play the accordian when I was a kid (when dinosaurs roamed the earth). It was one of the first instruments that I ever tried to play, but at age 5, it was simply too big, so I learnt the harmonica (mouth organ) instead.
My wife is a gaelic music-lover. She has 8 folk harps of all sizes. A couple of years ago, we went to Galway for a couple of weeks to oversee a chap there who was building a new harp for her. She took one of her other harps so that I could get some photos of her playing it, to send back to the manufacturer in the USA.
We found a ruined castle and set it all up. She wore traditional Irish clothes and and down and started playing. Within moments, three coaches pulled up and loads of American tourists jumped out and started taking photos. "Do you speak English, Coleen?" asked one of them.
My wife has a wicked sense of humour (and she can speak Irish Gaelic), so she answered in Gaelic. "Ooh", said the group, and clicked away merrily. They then did the traditional exercise of talking slowly and loudly to make her understand that they wanted to take photos while she played. One of them tried to mime harp-playing to give her the idea.
My wife started playing. Only it was the Frank Sinatra song "My Way". She then switched into some Bruce Springsteen and finally went into some Bon Jovi numbers. All played as Irish Jigs.
They eventually got in their coach and drove off, never realising the joke.
Why did she play that music? Well all of them come from New Jersey, just like my wife, American that she is...
One thing we have found is that as long as my wife carries a harp, we never have to buy our own drinks in Ireland. I carry a bodhran (a sort of Irish drum) and accompany her for some of the jigs and reels. That gets me all the diet cokes I can drink!
Irish Jack, do you play in pubs or clubs?
Fred, dig the skins!
Haha, i love the Harmonica and the harp, anything traditional
and i'm used to being around them a lot as i get invited to many different places i'm also well used to the bodhran being around me, i also used to be in a Band, but then i moved. and yes on Saint Patricks day i make a journey into the pub with my accordion and yes your right, as long as your wife carries a harp you never have to pay for a drink, same with me, last time i went they kept giving me cola, and i didn't have to pay for any of it haha.
i also take part in the "Fleadh Ceoil" ask your wife about that if your not sure, i'm sure she could tell you. Its a famous Irish competition and you can bring any instrument with you, they also deal with harps so if your wife hasn't gone i suggest she should go, if you need any more info i will try and get you some
Galway's a great place as well, friendly people down there. You should try the accordion again, its well worth giving it a go, because if you can crack it, you'll do very well.
Kind Regards
Jack.
