Hops Irish Music Session. Thursdays, 7pm. All are welcome to the Hops Session, New Mexico’s longest-established Irish-music session, formerly the Blue Dragon Session. Open traditional Irish music session. Fast paced and we play and sing from memory. Hops Brewery, 7222 4th St NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque. On the patio, or inside, as weather allows.
First and Third Saturday Session: These sessions are currently looking for a home.
The Not-So-Fast tune learning session is held every Tuesday at 6 PM at the Manzano Mesa Multi-Generational Center on Elizabeth in Albuquerque. This is a great session for players new to Irish music or who prefer a slower pace.
There are other terrific sessions in Albuquerque and around New Mexico – fast, slow and in-between. For information about them, visit thesession.org and search for sessions in and near Albuquerque, or “Like” the Albuquerque Celtic Music, Arts, and Sessions Facebook page.
New Additions
Castle/Nightengale (Sean Ryan’s)
Wren’s Nest/Langstrom’s Pony, Listen to Wrens’Nest/Langstrom’s Pony: https://youtu.be/GXOkl2-FHnI?si=vGO70JHCK6LBbW7L
Killavil Jig PDF Learn to play Killavil Jig, as taught by Shannon Heaton:
https://youtu.be/dBl7ELZ4od4?si=RhO0UnCHfJI11_Zw
The Ashplant Reel PDF, Learn the Ashplant Reel: https://youtu.be/qg8Boln5ck0?si=G-DBXx5AKftzC2ZU
Man of the House, Maple Leaf, Millner’s Daughter
Red Haired Boy (and Mason’s Apron)
Bucks or Oranmore (with Foxhunter’s and Gravel Walk)
Kildare Fancy/Fairies Hornpipe/Sligo Fancy
Ballydemond Polkas PDF, Listen to how an Irish polka sounds: Ballydesmond Polkas 1-2-3 by Kevin Burke
Original 1st and 3rd Saturday Tunebook
Note to Musicians: Irish music is traditionally learned and shared by ear. Although the written music tells you what notes to play, it does not tell you how to play them. Comhaltas and the Online Academy of Irish Music are both good online resources for learning. There are plenty of examples of Irish musicians playing these tunes on YouTube, often slowly for learners. And, you can adjust the playback speed. Tunes may not be note-for-note the same because there are many versions of tunes and musicians use different ornamentation. You could also purchase a digital version you like from iTunes or elsewhere, and upload it to an app like the Amazing Slow Downer that lets you play back the tune slowly until you’ve learned it.
Wandering the Burren & Friends Celtic Band
To contact us, send an email to rebecca@unm.edu or ssponar07@gmail.com.
Wandering the Burren & Friends Celtic Band 