Past Cruinniú Classes
The Gulf Coast Cruinniu has offered the following classes in the past. This list is provided so you may get a sense of what to expect.
Note that 2020 and 2021 Cruinniús were virtual due to the pandemic.
This class is for the intermediate to advanced bodhrán player. Attendees will review the anatomy and brief history of the Irish frame drum, how to properly hold and strike the bodhrán, how to incorporate the back hand for tonal variations, and drills to work on basic stroke and tone types. Tune types will include jigs, reels, hornpipes, slip jigs, and polkas. We will also have a segment about deciding what to play to accompany tunes once you have the basics of the instrument under your belt, and a segment for student requests. Bring your instrument, tipper, recording device, something to take notes, and all your goals and questions!
2021 – Anna Colliton
2022 – Cara Wildman
2023 – Cara Wildman
The class will cover chord theory along with various voicings, and how you can use all of this creatively to help tell a story when backing; providing much greater color to a song or set of tunes. DGDAD/GDAD tuning is not required but that is the tuning that this course will primarily focus on.
2021 – Frances Cunningham
Fiddle
Been playing fiddle for a while but ready to delve a bit deeper into the techniques and intricacies of trad? In this class, we’ll use tunes as “case studies” to talk about topics which often create bumps in the road for players moving from intermediate to advanced levels and beyond. Content will be tailored to the needs and interests of students, but you can expect to dig into ornamentation, bowings, technique tricks, and tips, tune type/structure and basic theory, learning by ear, set making, bow arm flexibility, and the elusive concept of lilt. Please bring your questions and problems to class! We’ll do some musical diagnostics to help get you “tuned up”. All tunes will be taught by ear and slow/fast recordings will be provided during the class.
2020 – Liz Carrol
2021 – Liz Knowles, Randal Bays
2022 – Caitlin Warbelow
2023 – Caitlin Warbelow
This introductory course is designed for those who already play the violin but are new to Irish music and want to explore a new musical language. Students should have at least two years of playing experience and be able to play easily in the keys of D, G, C, and A. Irish traditional music is an aural tradition, and we will start from square one with learning by ear – a skill that we’ll build on throughout the weekend.
We’ll cover a variety of common tune types so that students leave with a varied and practical repertoire. As we learn each tune, we’ll incorporate ornamentation and bowing that helps to capture the characteristic sound of Irish fiddling, as well as talk about how to transfer these ideas to new tunes on your own.
Students will learn all techniques and tunes by watching and listening, as this is an essential part of learning to play authentically. Sheet music and additional resources will be provided afterwards to help you keep practicing.
2021 – Eimear Arkins
2022 – Katie Geringer
2023 – Katie Geringer
The Intermediate / advanced flute class is for students who play very regularly at this level, who are skilled enough to pick up tunes by ear, and able to play tunes in a variety of rhythms, with at least basic ornamentation
2020 – Nuala Kennedy
2021 – Kevin Crawford
2022 – Kevin Crawford
2023 – Sean Gavin, Michael Stribling
We will focus on both tune and and song accompaniment using a variety of approaches. For guitarists we will try out some different tunings (standard, DADGAD, and others) and we’ll explore the different rhythmic and harmonic possibilities that they afford. Particular emphasis will be placed on chord voicings and rhythm-hand techniques.
Participants don’t have to be singers and most of what we cover will also be applicable to ‘tune’ accompaniment. Similarly, participants who don’t play guitar will be welcome to come and learn some new songs. This is a class for guitarists, guitarists who also sing, and singers who play guitar.
2020 – John Doyle
2021 – John Doyle
2022 – Eamon O’Leary
2023 – John Doyle
This class is for harpers who are comfortable playing at a reasonable tempo and play with correct basic technique. This class will explore how to play Irish tunes. It will look at the phrasing and techniques that make a tune sound Irish. Pieces will be chosen from a selection of Irish traditional dance tunes, airs and harpers’ tunes from the 17th and 18th centuries, tailored to suit intermediate to advanced players. Elements of Irish style and ideas for accompanying other instruments will also be discussed. We will use listening as a way to get a feel for the Irish sound. Written music will be provided.
2020 – Gráinne Hambly
2021 – Gráinne Hambly
2022 – Therese Honey
2023 – Sue Richards
Intermediate / Advanced Mandolin
This class will focus on getting the feel, pulse and flow of Irish music into your mandolin playing. We’ll work on both fretting and picking hand techniques to develop the distinctive rhythmic forms that deliver the pulse of the music. Building on those key basics, we’ll focus on musicality — we’ll look at phrasing and ornamentation, using dynamics and variation, applying the unique qualities of the mandolin to the music. MP3 recordings and transcriptions of the tunes we’ll be working with will be made available well in advance of the workshop. Students should arrive with a basic grasp of these tunes so that we can use them to explore and apply techniques for expressing Irish music on the mandolin.
2020 – Marla Fibish
2021 – Marla Fibish
2022 – Marla Fibish
2023 – mandolins were welcomed in banjo class
This class is for students who are skilled enough to play tunes in a variety of rhythms (jigs, reels, hornpipes etc), with good technique and at a reasonable tempo. New tunes will be taught, with time spent on ornamentation, breathing, style and repertoire, and a strong emphasis on the rhythm and phrasing in the music. Tunes will be taught aurally, so bring a D whistle and recording device. Sheet music can be provided for those that need it.
2020 – Kevin Crawford
2021 – Joanie Madden
2022 – Cillian Vallely
2023 – whistles welcomed in flute class
Sean-nós dancing is a traditional form of percussive dance. It is a style characterized by its grounded footwork and rhythmic patterns that can stand alone or act as accompaniment in a session or music performance. It helps develop balance, coordination, and above all, it’s great fun! Depending on skill level, students will learn foundational technique and timing, then work to develop accurate sequential movement patterns, step combinations, and rhythms. There will also be experimental moments to connect pattern materials to other forms of Irish dance like set dancing and the technical tricks found in step dancing.
2021 – Danielle Enblom
2023 – Angelika Eleni
Máirtín gets no more joy out of life than the telling of stories. In this class he will use Irish Myths and urban legends to demonstrate and teach two main ideas of the Yarnspinner: that of the Mask of the Storyteller and The Game between listener and teller, which are crucial elements to anyone telling stories at any level. He will also impart how to make a story your own, along with discussions about important nuances in storytelling such as presentation and cadence of speech. You may be asked to take the stage during class if you are so inclined.
Máirtín will also give a short survey of Irish mythology in which he will dip into works like The Ulster Cycle, The Fenian Cycle, the 12th century writings, the International Traveling Folktale, and maybe even a few the lesser known Fairy stories in his own inimitable and highly entertaining style.
2023 – Máirtín de Cógáin
Find your Irish singing as our instructor shares some favorite songs from their wide repertoire.
2021 – Nula Kennedy
The intermediate / advanced banjo class will be suitable for students who can pick up tunes by ear and in a variety of time signatures (jigs, reels, hornpipes). It may be helpful too for students to have a recording device and ABC notation can be supplied if needed. Work on the rhythm and phrasing of the tune as the learning process starts, and then really drill down into all the fun stuff like ornamentation, chords, dynamics and texture.
2021 – Theresa O’Grady
2023 – Theresa O’Grady
Whether you are just learning your first few piping tunes, or maybe it’s time for new triplets and backstitches to use in your favorite reels and jigs, this piping class will have something in it for all levels! The class will focus on core fundamentals of piping, including ergonomics, technique instruction for varying levels of proficiency, and how to approach making tunes “fit” right on the pipes!
2023 – Michael Stribling, Sean Gavin