AlBrown’s seven thousand, six hundred and twenty comments

A D major, G major and C major diatonic harmonica can get you pretty much everywhere you need to go in Irish music without having to bend notes, and when the notes don't fit, you can substitute. Cross-harping (or playing in scales that start on a differen... more…

Go to sessions lots and lots, even before you bring your instrument. You learn a lot by listening, and it is a fun way to spend an evening. Sláinte! more…

Hmm, let's see if I understand this. People who prefer to play tunes that are decades, if not centuries, old, on acoustic instruments, may not be up to date on the latest electronic technology. Seems the two things would go hand in hand! 🙂 more…

Yes, a session is unpredictable by its nature. more…

I can't think of any whistle I own that takes less air than the classic Clarke, which is still my favorite of all my whistles. I suggest more practice, and the breath and air management will get easier in time. more…

I did nothing, more's the pity. Health issues with both myself and my wife have swallowed up our musical endeavors. We did see a nice concert on Saturday night--Le Vent Du Nord. Not Irish, but some great trad music, played by masters. more…

Hide their tune books while they are in the rest room? more…

Can't remember the first album I listened to, but I started listening to Brian O'Donovan's Celtic Sojourn show on WGBH out of Boston back in the late 1980s. First albums I bought were the original Solas album, Whisper of a Secret by Deanta, and a Battlef... more…

If you click on my user name and look at my profile, you will find an article I wrote on accompanying Irish music. It includes a brief and simple discussion of the most commonly used modes in the music. It might be useful as a starting point. more…

Good one, Johnny! more…