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July - 'Our music is all instrumental and largely played by ear'

31/7/2026

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​Our group has been continuing to learn and practice traditional Celtic music,.  We are a small group but very keen and there are a variety of instruments being played including fiddle, flute (modern and Irish), Irish whistle, guitar and bodhran.  We don't sing - our music is all instrumental and is largely learned and played by ear.
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We are now discussing a contribution to the end-of-year concert, to entertain the audience and add to the variety of the event.

​Tim Shirley
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April - 'Our drummer now has a traditional Irish bodhran'

30/4/2026

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The group has met twice during April and is continuing to work on several traditional tunes, playing Irish Whistle, harmonica, flute, guitar and drum, and I occasionally get out my concertina as well.  Our drummer now has a traditional Irish bodhran (pronounced "bowran") which is a really good addition to the sound of the group. 

I will be away for a month or so overseas, but the group will continue on the same schedule with Jan Kennedy co-ordinating.  


​Tim Shirley
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March - 'Jigs and Irish Polkas'

28/3/2026

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The group met twice during March and continued to practice and learn jigs and Irish polkas, concentrating on rhythm and learning by ear rather than from musical notation.

We are a small group having fun together making music.

​Tim Shirley
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February - Irish Polkas

27/2/2026

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The first session of this class was held today with 6 attendees. 

We all had fun learning a couple of Irish Polkas on a wide range of instruments, including Irish Whistle, flute, ukelele, drum, guitar and concertina.  There was quite a lot of discussion about techniques and different ways to approach the music. 

There were a couple of people who could not make it today, but they will be with us next time.

​Tim Shirley
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Note time changes ...

2/2/2026

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​New Course!  Learning and Playing Traditional Celtic Tunes commences on Friday 27 February at 1 pm in Room 1.  The time has been changed to 1 to 3pm to allow interested members to attend the Irish music session at ‘The Northo’.  

Following the first session, the course will be held on the 2nd and 4th Fridays from 1 to 3pm in Room 1. 
​
Tim Shirley
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New in 2026!  'Learning and playing traditional Celtic tunes'

24/11/2025

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​Do you enjoy traditional Irish and Celtic music? Come along and learn to play some tunes.

The aim of this course is to learn to play traditional Celtic tunes and to understand the tradition and style of this form of music.

It suitable for people who have at least a basic ability to play their instrument - it will not train musicians from scratch. Although learning from notation is accepted, there will be encouragement to learn and play by ear as that is the traditional way this music was passed on.

​The form of the course will be to choose and learn tunes together, using private practice reinforced by fortnightly U3A meetings.
 
The course will be of interest to people who have suitable folk instruments including violin (fiddle), Irish whistle, flute, mandolin, bodhran, concertina and similar, with a basic level of skill with the instrument and musical notation. It will not be a singing group.

Convenor and Contact details:
Tim Shirley
0417 268 073

Meeting Time and Place:
2nd and 4th Friday 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
U3A Room 1
​
0 Comments

    Learning and playing traditional Celtic tunes

    Do you enjoy traditional Irish and Celtic music? Come along and learn to play some tunes. The aim of this course is to learn to play traditional Celtic tunes and to understand the tradition and style of this form of music. It suitable for people who have at least a basic ability to play their instrument - it will not train musicians from scratch. Although learning from notation is accepted, there will be encouragement to learn and play by ear as that is the traditional way this music was passed on. The form of the course will be to choose and learn tunes together, using private practice reinforced by fortnightly U3A meetings.
     
    The course will be of interest to people who have suitable folk instruments including violin (fiddle), Irish whistle, flute, mandolin, bodhran, concertina and similar, with a basic level of skill with the instrument and musical notation. It will not be a singing group.

    Convenor and Contact Details

    Picture
    Tim Shirley
    ​0417 268 073

    Time and Place

    2nd & 4th Friday
    ​1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    ​
    U3A Room 1

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    Photo Acknowledgement - Bev Lee's North East Artisans 'Red Road Cafe' Collection - March 2019. 'Learning and playing traditional Celtic Tunes' Convenor Tim Shirley is  the flute player in the centre of the photo.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.
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