Dear Reader –
A week of hope for our industry and our country. I was in Blacklion at the weekend and was driving up to the village. Suddenly I realised that I had some time to myself and the door of Frank Eddie’s pub was open. I had the most wonderful half hour at the bar accompanied only by what you see in the picture below.
How about you? Please feel free to send on any nice moments you had since the big announcement last Friday.
All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
OK - as promised, here are some details on Adult piano classes. Starting very soon. I have had some big teaching aha moments in the last few weeks and have tailored my adult programme accordingly. So - if you’re looking to play piano in a natural and independent way, while learning to hear and understand music as the pros do, I would love to help you. Here’s what I can offer…
- A clearly structured, step-by-step approach to learning the piano by ear. Suitable for all levels (including beginners).
- Includes a constantly updating library of 100+ songs, ear training challenges, finger exercises and theory courses.
- A workbook and access to online videos.
- Monthly meet-ups with myself and other students with opportunity to learn, ask questions and maybe even play for each other.
- Access to an online community Facebook Group.
- 1-1 lessons not included but an optional extra.
Click here for more details.
Where else but Sligo?
On Monday March 9th 2020, I packed up the gear and walked out of Connolly’s after a great gig with Seamie (below, left), John Joe Kelly and Cathal Roche. We knew things were going to get a bit hairy for a while, but not one of us thought it might be the guts of two years before we got back.
But it was. More than 22 months of Monday nights at home. So when Paul O’Donnell rang me last Friday to ask us to start up the gig again, I was excited. Hugely so. Looking forward to my fingers and ears heading once again to their weekly Seamie workout. To pints of Miwadi Orange and packets of Bacon Fries. To Dirty Old Town, Bumble Boogie and the Lower East SideStep. To seeing Vanessa, Stuey and Declan (x2) in their regular spots at the bar. To John the Map and Brian McDonagh. Rita and Fred. Godfrey’s service.
And it turned out to be just as magnificent as I hoped. I always love playing with Gerry (middle, below). We got a warm round of applause when we walked in and plenty more after each song. Another step on the road back. We surprised ourselves with how much we remembered and how much it took out of us.
It reminded me of what they say about old friends however - even if you haven’t been in touch for a while you can quickly pick up where you left off. And it felt like that last night - our good buddy the Monday Connolly’s gig. And as Seamie said at the end ‘I think I can say fairly confidently that we’ll see ye next week’.
What’s New?
UPCOMING THEME NIGHTS: It’s a huge relief to be able to plan again, and so in the next month I look forward to announcing details of Theme Night #29 and Teenage Theme Night #25. Subscribers to this letter will hear this news first, as well as have an opportunity to buy tickets before anyone else. If you’re not already subscribed, you can do so here.
WORDLE: Possibly late to the party here but this is a great simple daily puzzle to exercise the mind.
BOOK RECS: Check this out. Notes and ratings on over 300 books from one of my favourite authors.
Finally…
A regular Monday night tune of ours…forgot about it last night but no doubt we’ll play it in the weeks to come!
Till next time - Kieran.
