Supporting the Spirit of Traditional Celtic Music

Traditionally, a Celtic music "Sessiun" [session] is a gathering of like-minded musicians playing a variety of folk instruments and normally lead by a person who coordinates the events, so that a certain style and mode is maintained. Naturally, many differing sessiun groups are possible, depending upon the leader, and these events can be set up almost anywhere. This site is designed to provide support for these grass-root "get-togethers" to help folk get a start in playing Celtic music using inexpensive instruments like the diatonic harmonicas.

Getting to know the Harmonica/Part 1: The first harmonica was created in 1821. They are extremely versatile in playing all types of music. For most Celtic tunes just four keys of diatonic harmonicas are all that is required. These are "D, G, A, and C."

TUNE/SONG/TOPIC [Specifically for the diatonic harmonicas]

Are You Sleeping Maggie? : This tune/song is one of the 100 songs and poems that Robert Tannahill wrote during his short, 36 years of life. Robert was born on June 3rd 1774 and died on the 17th of May in 1810. This tune can be played slowly or fast equally well, and there have been many variations of the theme about a young man's pleas to his lover to let him into her bedroom.

The video performance link shown to the right was with a staged event in 2009 with a "Night with the Keltic Dead" staring David Sparks, Earnie Taft, Mark Kenneth and Shaun-Patrick O. Young.

Dunmore Lasses : A Scots-Irish tune believed to come out of the Sligo county area in the northern part of Ireland. A lively tune with a certain amount of mystery to it. Takes some practice to learn how to play this tune on the Low-D Diatonic harmonica, but it's really worth it.

Gilbert Lightfoot : In keeping with the mission to bring out Celtic music that is in the traditions of our Celtic dead, this little "piper" tune is really pretty. Barry N. Taylor is accomplished internet musician who created this "made public" tune in honour of his uncle who served in Canada's Queens Own Rifles during World War II.

Grenadier and the Lady : This tune is believed to have been written in the mid to late 15th century. Also known as the "Nightingale." This tune has a very haunting sound, and reflects the somber mood of a grenadier promising to return to a young maiden with whom he has met in his travels. One gets the impression that both know this will never happen.

Kellswater : Also known as "Bonnie Kellswater." Most folk play this tune and song with a more "country pasture" feeling, but I couldn't help but get the impression that there was a "sea-faring" feel within this tune, and this is way I play it in this arrangement. This is what makes playing traditional Celtic music fun. There are as many ways to play these tunes as there are musicians to play them.

MacPherson's Lament [1] : It is recorded that in November 1700, in Scotland, Jamie MacPherson was caught, tried as an Egyptian (Gypsy), [as well as a "freebooter" (pirate)] and hung. According to accounts, he was an accomplished fiddle player and was allowed to play his "rant" upon the gallows just before his hanging. These three tunes were immortalized by Robert Burns, and the more popular tune has become known as "MacPherson's Lament."

David Sparks and Earnie Taft with Mark Kenneth also performed this tune during a "Night with the Keltic Dead" in 2009. [2] [I did a little backup for these "real" musicians with my low-D diatonic harmonica during that performance.]

Rights of Man : Thomas Paine was born in Thetford, England on January 29, 1737. In 1774 it was just by chance that he met Benjamin Franklin who helped Thomas emigrate to Philadelphia. He joined the Continental Army, but was not that good of a soldier. Instead, he created a pamphlet series known as The Crisis (1776-83) which helped to inspire the Continental Army. By today’s comparison, the pamphlet series was as popular then as those who watch the Super Bowl today.

However, Thomas did not continue the American cause after 1783. He returned to Europe to pursue other ventures that included developing a smokeless candle and the design of an iron bridge. He also continued his journalism pursuits as well, and as a criticism of the French Revolution, he wrote The Rights of Man (1791-92). After fleeing to France, he was again imprisoned and it was Thomas Jefferson who spoke on his behalf, and got him to return to America. He died with few in attendance at his funeral in New York City on June 8th, 1809 at the age of 72.

Sailor and the Maid : This traditional "Sea-Faring" tune is about a young maiden who disguises herself as a cabin boy in order to join a ship's crew to go out to sea. A very lively tune and made famous for the "A" harmonica by Jean Jacques Milteau. The KelticDead plays this tune on a "A" Key harmonica with a "hornpipe" feel about it. Three parts to the tune and a lot of fun jazzin' it up once you get them down.

Scarborough Fair : While the name of this cryptic song suggests that it might have its origins in the coastal town of Scarborough, England in Yorkshire, the tune is actually an evolution of verses that stem from an older Scottish ballad called the “Elfin Knight,” as well as from other parts of ballads such as the “Riddles Wisely Expounded.” [Francis James Child. Collection of Ballads published as The English and Scottish Popular Ballads between 1882 and 1898.] There are many variations of the verses, and this tune was made popular in recent times by many folk and country singers, including the singing duet of Simon and Garfunkel in the 1960s.

I've always loved how Simon & Garfunkle did this tune, and I found a nice version of their duet on YouTube.

SiBeg, SiMor : Upon leaving Alderford at the age of 21, Turlough OCarolan (1670-1738) visited Squire Reynolds at his house at Lough Scur. Mr. Reynolds was not very impressed by Carolan's musical abilities and asked Turlough if he could compose music. When Turlough said he did not, Mr. Reynolds told Carolan that he might make a better hand of his tongue than of his fingers. As Reynolds had planned to leave for a few days, he suggested that Carolan create a tune about a story that was told in the local area of a great battle that was fought in ancient times between two, sacred hills (si) between the kings of the fairies (sidhe, shee folk). Sigh Beg, Sigh Mor [Also, Si Beg, Si Mor] has become one of OCarolan's most famous tunes. I play this tune on a Hohner, "G" Big River Harp.

SiBeg, SiMor [2] : I made this second version of OCarolan's most famous tune with a slightly different twist on the Hohner Big River Harp [Key of G].

Star of the County Down : This traditional Irish tune is often described as the shining example of what Celtic music is all about. As told within the stanzas of the more, well known version of the song that comes with the tune, it is the story about a young man who sees a beautiful colleen while walking one morning in the month of July, and he immediately falls in love with her. When he asks a passerby as to who the brown-haired beauty might be, he is told she is young Rose (Rosie) McCann, the Star of the County Down.