First one I learned as "John Doherty's" (that's a lot of tunes). Someone called it "maids of castlebar" in the comments. Second one is "The Wise Maid"
It's just a mandolin model. Gibson made "f4" mandolins in the early 1900s, and they used to have three "points" on the body. They later streamlined them to just 2, so this is an early (1909/1910) one from the days before Gibson had all kinds of success with mandolins, banjos, and guitars behind them!
There're really two traditions these days, dance speed and session speed. This is obviously the latter, though I also like to play the former. When I used to play ceilidhs in Milwaukee, we were often asked to play the reels faster than this for the step dancers!
I don't mean this to sound snide, but have you heard ceili bands that play for set dancers? They often leave out a lot of ornamentation so that they can play much faster than this in order to keep dancers happy. This usually leaves me saying that as much as I love set dancing, I have no desire to listen to ceili bands when I'm not dancing to them.
Why are you being so critical? This guy is obviously talented and very skilled in what he's playing. If you don't like listening to it, then don't. HAven't you heard of the unwritten law of the craic and sessions - you do not critise! you sit back and take the music and musician for what you hear and show an appreciation for someone who is interested in playing traditional music and traditional tunes. Hats off to this bloke!
The unwritten laws are not followed. Can't even count the number of idiots who claim they're having the craic with me during their highly critical comments. It's something I've learned to simply shrug off. Some people are just pricks.
How can such big hands play what must be the smallest mandolin around? How can such big and long fingers move so fast? This man is like the bumble bee - he defies gravity and science! Beautifully played tunes. Thanks you.
Top Man..well done
dannyfarrel 2 years ago
love ther sound
babyalco 2 years ago
Excellent!
beausmum 3 years ago
This stuff is for reel
orbpupil 3 years ago
What is this song called?
CommanderBly47 3 years ago
First one I learned as "John Doherty's" (that's a lot of tunes). Someone called it "maids of castlebar" in the comments. Second one is "The Wise Maid"
DanBeimborn 3 years ago
what's the name of this tune, I want to learn it on my banjo
JosephEaorle 3 years ago
Well done and great to hear.
Might we have a clue what a "3-point F4" is?
(My money's on either a military jet or something to drink)
notvalidcharacters 4 years ago
It's just a mandolin model. Gibson made "f4" mandolins in the early 1900s, and they used to have three "points" on the body. They later streamlined them to just 2, so this is an early (1909/1910) one from the days before Gibson had all kinds of success with mandolins, banjos, and guitars behind them!
DanBeimborn 4 years ago
I love what you've done with the tunes, especially the backbeat and chords/doublestops. Bravo!
shankandbrisket 4 years ago
wow. very well done. awesome control and clarity despite the speed. you would sound killer on mandola.
fastabulus 4 years ago
youre clearly a very talented player but for the life of me i dont understand why nearly everyone on youtube
wants to play reels and jigs with mandolin at lightning speed,how could you dance to these tunes?slow down
nev278 4 years ago
There're really two traditions these days, dance speed and session speed. This is obviously the latter, though I also like to play the former. When I used to play ceilidhs in Milwaukee, we were often asked to play the reels faster than this for the step dancers!
DanBeimborn 4 years ago
I don't mean this to sound snide, but have you heard ceili bands that play for set dancers? They often leave out a lot of ornamentation so that they can play much faster than this in order to keep dancers happy. This usually leaves me saying that as much as I love set dancing, I have no desire to listen to ceili bands when I'm not dancing to them.
edinnola 4 years ago
Why are you being so critical? This guy is obviously talented and very skilled in what he's playing. If you don't like listening to it, then don't. HAven't you heard of the unwritten law of the craic and sessions - you do not critise! you sit back and take the music and musician for what you hear and show an appreciation for someone who is interested in playing traditional music and traditional tunes. Hats off to this bloke!
redrummagin 4 years ago
The unwritten laws are not followed. Can't even count the number of idiots who claim they're having the craic with me during their highly critical comments. It's something I've learned to simply shrug off. Some people are just pricks.
irishlad6 2 years ago
How can such big hands play what must be the smallest mandolin around? How can such big and long fingers move so fast? This man is like the bumble bee - he defies gravity and science! Beautifully played tunes. Thanks you.
redrummagin 4 years ago
Fluid like a running stream! I love that some pull offs are "pull ups"!
vindownes 4 years ago
awsome
redneckfidler 4 years ago
really great...
CuzenicLionel 5 years ago
Good stuff. The first tune is a version of The Maids of Castlebar but with a variation on part 2 and is called McFarley's
Rickupinoft 5 years ago
Tunes: Maids of Castlebar and the wise maid, am I right? Nice playing.
andelh 5 years ago
That was just wonderful! Thank you!
wvclaylady 5 years ago
Good Job!
SillyWizard 5 years ago