From the author of The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle comes a work for players of all melody instruments that probes deeply into the art of variation in traditional Irish dance music. At the heart of Down the Back Lane are the accompanying audio recordings. The author plays eight traditional tunes on Irish flute and tin whistle, each three timesthrough, complete with beautiful variations. He notates each performance inmeticulous detail and offers insightful comments on each one. We get a rare and intimate view into the intuitive musical mind of a masterful player, along with extensive information on ornamentation, phrasing, articulation, dynamics and much more.Though the author plays the tunes on flute and whistle, he has carefully designed the book to be useful to players of all melody instruments.

Grey Larsen, in the 150 Gems collections, has given us a most welcome follow-up to his encyclopedic volume, The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (Mel Bay Publications, 2003) and The Essential Tin Whistle Toolbox (Mel Bay Publications, 2004). The Gems feature not only meticulously-selected tunes, but represent the first major offerings that use Larsen's innovative system of notating Irish ornamentation. These books and online audio will help players gain a deeper understanding of the Irish musical tradition as well as provide new material to enhance the experience of the solo player and Irish session participant alike. Includes access to online audio.

Grey Larsen, in the 150 Gems collection, has given us a most welcome follow-up to his encyclopedic volume, The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (Mel Bay Publications, 2003) and The Essential Tin Whistle Toolbox (Mel Bay Publications, 2004). The Gems feature not only meticulously-selected tunes, but represent the first major offerings that use Larsen's innovative system of notating Irish ornamentation. This book and online audio will help players gain a deeper understanding of the Irish musical tradition as well as provide new material to enhance the experience of the solo player and Irish session participant alike.

From the author of The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle, comes 300 Gems of Irish Music for All Instruments. These 300 tunes, selected from among the author's favorites, are notated in a style that makes them accessible to players of fiddle, flute, whistle, accordion, concertina, harp, keyboard, guitar, mandolin, banjo, uilleann pipes - to all melody players.Here you will find some of the most beautiful tunes in the storehouse of Irish music - session standards and rare treasures alike - tunes that will help both the performer and the Irish session participant build a vibrant and varied repertoire.Many of the transcriptions pay homage to recordings by famous Irish musicians and groups such as Matt Molloy (of the Chieftains), Martin Hayes, Sharon Shannon, Mary Bergin, Kevin Burke, James Kelly, Willie Clancy, Altan, the Bothy Band and the Mulcahy Family, as well as to early 20th century recordings from revered Irish masters Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran, Dennis Murphy, Bobby Casey, Paddy Canny and others.

The tin whistle has an alluring voice — yearning, melancholy, joyous, playful — both youthful and ancient. Its music can sound like wind, birdsong, flowing water. With this book, you can learn to make beautiful whistle music: even if you’ve never played a musical instrument even if you don’t read music no matter how young or old you are First Lessons® Tin Whistle is for beginners and for those who have tried to play the whistle (also known as a pennywhistle) but need more help. This book leaves no stone unturned, offering valuable insights and detailed instruction you won’t find anywhere else — expert guidance that will smooth your way and steer you clear of the pitfalls newcomers often encounter. In addition to music notation, this book offers two highly accessible alternatives: A much-improved tablature system Suit Code — a new and inventive fingering shorthand using the suits of the deck of cards With this book you’ll get: Access to audio and video downloads 23 tunes from Irish, Scottish, Northumbrian, Welsh, English, Breton and African American traditions, along with melodies from Beethoven and Dvorák An introduction to Irish tin whistle ornamentation Grey Larsen is a master musician who performs and teaches internationally. He has played the whistle since the 1970’s and has written nine books, including the best-seller The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle. The author recommends using a tin whistle in the key of D with this book.

Here are 34 easy-to-play folk, popular and classical favorites arranged for tin whistle (also known as pennywhistle) or Irish flute. Chords are included for guitar, keyboard, or other accompaniment instrument. Also included with this book: • Access to online audio for all 34 songs, with tin whistle, Irish flute, piano, and guitar • Three duet arrangements If you don’t read music, you can still use this book! In addition to music notation, there is a specially designed tablature for tin whistle and Irish flute. What makes these tune arrangements easy? • They are played in the lower two octaves of the whistle and flute’s range, ascending no higher than B in the second octave. • They are in easy tin whistle and Irish flute keys, such as: D major, G major, E minor and B minor. No metal keys are needed on the Irish flute. • They use only eight notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C and C#. • They are also easy to play on soprano and tenor recorder, modern flute, and piccolo. Grey Larsen is a master musician who performs and teaches internationally. He has played tin whistle and Irish flute since the 1970s and has written nine books, including First Lessons Tin Whistle and the best-seller, The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle. The author recommends using a tin whistle in D or a standard Irish flute (with or without keys) with this book. You can also use soprano and tenor recorders, modern flute, and piccolo. However, the tablature in this book uses only tin whistle and Irish flute fingerings.

Here are 30 easy-to-play Christmas favorites arranged for tin whistle (also known as pennywhistle) and Irish flute. Chords are included for guitar, keyboard, or other accompaniment instrument. Also included with this book: Access to audio downloads for all 30 songs, with tin whistle, Irish flute and guitar Three duet arrangements If you don’t read music, you can still use this book! In addition to music notation, there is a specially-designed tablature for tin whistle and Irish flute. What makes these tune arrangements easy? They are played in the lower two octaves of the whistle and flute’s range, ascending no higher than B in the second octave. They are in easy tin whistle and Irish flute keys: D major, G major, E minor and B minor. No metal keys are needed on the Irish flute. They use only eight notes: D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C and C♯. They are also easy to play on soprano and tenor recorder, modern flute and piccolo. The author recommends using a tin whistle in D or a standard Irish flute (with or without keys) with this book. You can also use soprano and tenor recorders, modern flute and piccolo. However, the tablature in this book uses only tin whistle and Irish flute fingerings.

Volume III of Playing Outside the Lines is the third of a comprehensive four-part Irish flute method book series offering beginning to advanced Irish traditional flute instruction for Boehm and simple system flutists in graduated books, chapters, and exercises. Building on the foundation provided in the first two books of the series, Volume III dives into more complicated Irish traditional flute ornamentation such as rolls, short rolls, crans, and breath-ornament techniques. Volume III contains ornamentation fingering charts; advanced ornamentation options, explanations, and placement guidelines; 62 accompanying audio tracks; and more than 170 exercises. Playing Outside the Lines is the first Irish flute method book series of its kind, containing more than 600 technical exercises, rich and nuanced discussions of Irish flute style and cultural context, previously undocumented techniques, side-by-side explanations for Boehm and simple system flutists (as well as information for musicians transitioning between the two instruments), audio excerpts, simple system flute care and purchasing information, and resources for further study. By the end of the four-part series, Boehm and simple system flutists of any background will have the tools necessary to play Irish music with a deep understanding of the tradition as well as with individual creativity. “A fantastic bible of Irish flute playing. Harrison is a very meticulous and thorough author.” —Viviana Guzman, The Flute View Magazine “An invaluable resource for any flutist.” —Brook Ferguson, Principal Flutist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra “Leslie Anne Harrison’s Playing Outside the Lines is a marvelous gift to all interested in Irish music. Her clear and detailed writing is a huge boon to those embracing the traditional Irish flute and is truly enlightening to those (like me) who want to delve into this music while playing the Boehm flute. From tiniest detail to largest form, Leslie Anne Harrison is there every step of the way. Playing Outside the Lines is a major contribution to flute pedagogy.” —Robert Dick, Performer and Author of The Other Flute

An important anthology of Irish and Celtic solos for the 5-string banjo featuring a comprehensive, scholarly treatise on the history, techniques, and etiquette of playing the banjo in the Celtic tradition. Includes segments on tuning, pick preferences, and tablature reading followed by 101 jigs, slides, polkas, slip jigs, reels, hornpipes, strathspeys, O'Carolan tunes, plus a special section of North American Celtic tunes. A generous collection of photos of Irish folk musicians, street scenes, and archaeological sites further enhances this fabulous book. All of the solos included here are written in 5-string banjo tablature only with a few tunes set in unusual banjo tunings. the appendices provide a sizable glossary and a wealth of information regarding soloists and groups playing Celtic music, Irish festivals, music publications, on-line computer resources, cultural organizations, and more. If you are serious about playing Celtic music on the 5-string banjo, or if you don't play the banjo but simply want to expand your knowledge of the Celtic music tradition-you owe yourself this book. the first-ever CD collection of Irish and Celtic music for 5-string banjo provides 68 lovely melodies and demonstrates revolutionary techniques for playing highly ornamented tunes and rolling back-up. Recorded in stereo with virtuosos Gabriel Donohue (steel- and nylon-string guitar and piano) and Robbie Walsh (bodhran- frame drum played with a stick), the five-string banjo is out front and plays through each melody in real-life tempo with authentic Celtic chordal and rhythmic backing. the recording features the music of all Six Celtic Nations and includes jigs, reels, hornpipes, slides, polkas, marches, country dances, larides, andros, slipjigs, strathspeys, airs and O'Carolan tunes. 35 songs in the book are not on the CD.

Volume I of Playing Outside the Lines is the first of a comprehensive four-part method book series offering beginning to advanced Irish traditional flute instruction for Boehm and simple system flutists in graduated books, chapters, and exercises. Volume I provides foundations for playing within the framework of Irish traditional music and the basis for the remaining three volumes of the series. This four-part series is the first of its kind, containing more than 600 technical exercises, rich and nuanced discussions of Irish flute style and cultural context, previously undocumented techniques, side-by-side explanations for Boehm and simple system flutists (as well as information for musicians transitioning between the two instruments), audio excerpts, simple system flute care and purchasing information, and resources for further study. By the end of the four-part series, Boehm and simple system flutists of any background will have the tools necessary to play Irish music with a deep understanding of the tradition as well as with individual creativity. Brook Ferguson, Principal Flutist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, calls Playing Outside the Lines "an invaluable resource for any flutist." Renowned performer and author Robert Dick says, "Leslie Anne Harrison’s Playing Outside the Lines is a marvelous gift to all interested in Irish music. Her clear and detailed writing is a huge boon to those embracing the traditional Irish flute and is truly enlightening to those (like me) who want to delve into this music while playing the Boehm flute. From tiniest detail to largest form, Leslie Anne Harrison is there every step of the way. Playing Outside the Lines is a major contribution to flute pedagogy." Includes access to online audio.