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Irish Mandolin
Rick Cunningham

Bio: Rick Cunningham
For over 25 years, Rick has played Irish music in the southern U.S. on mandolin, button accordion, bouzouki, guitar, and whistle.  A veteran of many traditional Irish bands during this time, he was a founding member of regional favorites Redhill and The Craicers, as well as having played with Legacy and Henri’s Notions, and is a perennial member of The Lone Star Ceili Band  in Dallas, Texas.

A longtime advocate of Irish and Scottish music on the mandolin, Rick won First Place Senior Solo Mandolin at the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil in 2006 and competed in the 2006 All Ireland.  Workshops he has given include those at The North Texas Irish Fest, Mississippi Celticfest, and the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat.

Course Description:
This workshop will explore the role of the mandolin in traditional Irish music.  Special emphasis will be given to what sets Irish music apart from Old Time, Bluegrass, and other musical forms that may be familiar to mandolin players, as well as what to listen for in the playing of traditional music to help the player provide the needed “lilt” in his own playing. 

Though Irish music is often played solely for the enjoyment of the players, it is primarily dance music, and several dance rhythms and types of tunes will be covered:  Jig, reel, hornpipe, and polka. Additionally, the ornamentation that is vital to Irish music will be stressed, as techniques from the fiddle, pipes, and other instruments in the Irish tradition may be adapted to the mandolin.

Extra supplies fee: none

Please bring: Mandolin, tuner, and recording device if you wish.

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