Glengormley School
of Traditional Music
Fiddle Classes
Richard Mulcahy has been playing traditional music since falling in love with it in his late teens.
A late starter, he still considers himself an active learner of the music, constantly seeking out new tunes. Richard regularly attends music workshops with the experts of the fiddle, continually adding to his repertoire, indeed he has attended numerous fantastic summer schools over the years.
Richard plays every week at the Sunday Session in the Crown and Shamrock as well as part of a cross community project each week in the Barron Hall, Glengormley. He also attends other sessions occasionally.
Richard has been involved with the Adult Grupa Cheoil in Glengormley School of Traditional Music, winning the Antrim Fleadh as a group in 2010.
Richard has also taken LCM exams with GSOTM. In 2019, he achieved a Certificate in Traditional Arts Pedagogy (Music) having completed a university course led by Liz Doherty.
Richard has been teaching the beginner fiddle class for a number of years.
Group A
Beginner fiddle week one notes:
Tuning: Possible help with tuning workshop on Saturday 3rd October - more details to follow.
Remembering the notes, try these simple scales on each string:
E f # g # a
A b c# d
D E F# G
G A B C
Please see below for a reminder of the notes on your fiddle and our first tune.
The Keel Row (“Fling” – although this tune is sometimes known as a strathspey or a highland too).
I first heard this very catchy little tune when I lived in Northumberland many years ago. In Northumberland they called it a fling. A very popular version is commonly played in Donegal, I believe in Donegal it is known as a highland. It is also often heard in different keys – we will come to ‘keys’ later this year.
You can use this tune to work on developing a great rhythm.
