Craymcla’s one hundred and eighty-three comments

Just because something is a counter melody doesn't mean it should be improvised on the spot. You have to know the tune and have a pretty good idea of what you are going to play and that it works within the tune. Or else don't play. Anything less would ... more…

Oysterband also has a bass and cello player. I know they are not really trad anymore, but Chopper has been in the band since their early acoustic and trad days. more…

I am an American one-time member of Comhaltas and have only a tenuous grasp of the situation, so forgive me if I have this wrong. Is Labhras the person who reputedly sold the rights to traditional Irish music. more…

Here is a string tension calculator which may help. more…

I personally like the twin MIchael Holmes (bouzouki) and Brian McDonagh (mandola) attack of Dervish. Their double CD, Live at Palma, is great, in part because the bouzouki is panned hard right and the mandola panned hard left. That makes it easy to hear... more…

"Can anyone think of any famous guitar or bouzouki players that have been strongly influenced by Dónal Lunny?" more…

Oh please!! more…

My experience is NOT that "they usually break". They are just inexpensive tailpieces. Trinity College instruments are great for the price. If you decide to stick with it and want better tone, a new bridge and heavier tailpiece will make a notable impro... more…

Correction. I meant that Brian tunes to CGDG instead of the standard mandola tuning of CGDA. more…

Realistically speaking, no, you can't tune it to GDAE. As Guernsey Pete pointed out, the stings would have to be so heavy that it would not sound very pleasing at all. more…