AlBrown’s seven thousand, six hundred and twenty-six comments

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…

The popularity of specific tunes seems to ebb and flood over time. People play the heck out of them, get sick of them, stop playing them for years, and then someone says, "remember those old tunes we used to love?" and they start playing them again. Since... more…

Simple is better. Play the tune clearly and with feeling, and let the melody speak for itself. more…

If public venues keep falling through, take turns hosting the session in each other's kitchens. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. more…