How to Play Bass in Irish Traditional Music, Part 1 - Buiding a Bass line for Síos Chun Na Trá 

This is such a great idea to help people understand bass in traditional Irish music. I respectfully disagree that utilizing tools from other genres should be discouraged . All genres have benefited by some cross-pollination somewhere along the way. I’ve heard it called “folk process”. It really depends on how you use the tools, a matter of taste and competence. Since a lot of Irish trad is in subdivisions of three or six, a jazz waltz such as Coltrane’s My Favorite things can be a masterclass in ways to underpin a 3/4 or 6/8 using the bass. The great Trevor Hutchinson of Lunasa has developed a gorgeous style using a number of outside influences, namely, rock. I toured with Lunasa and had to try to fill those enormous shoes. The bass can deepen the spirit of a tune, even bring out colors previously not considered. And yes, it can also destroy a tune without great care and conscience. I have to say that I have never once been handed a score to read by a guitarist or anyone else. The true skill is learning how to build a structure together, in real time, on the session. This is a bit of a magic trick and demands total focus and huge ears! It’s almost too difficult to explain but I’ll say you start with the key and, if you don’t know the tune, dip your feet in slowly. Listen to what the guitarist plays and repeat it on the next pass. Wash, rinse, repeat. Guitarist sometimes see a bass in a session and get a look of dread. But if you show them that you can follow, that you are listening to their every move, they will slowly turn towards you and enjoy the added power and support. Eventually you can even lead from the bass and “comment” or suggest a new chord direction. Look, there will be mishaps but more often there will be new levels of music. Oh, and do utilize the bow when applicable. This is where some classical background will pay dividends. And lastly, don’t forget the bass is a drum and you can play percussive elements in the manner of a bodhran. Or even the melody! The sky is the limit. It’s all about understanding the music, the people, and the spirit. And don’t mess it up! Check out my pandemic jam with the master John Whelan: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4FcCQKwfKYQ.html

The bass is not audible at all. :-(

Gracias. Estos videos son de gran ayuda para iniciarte en el bajo de la música irlandesa

Very helpful! I look forward to more videos.

Thank you, this was great!

Cannot hear the Bass !

Irish flag 🇮🇪

Can I just mention for those who are scared of using an upright bass. Acoustic guitar basses are amazing. Some say they're too quiet but they're fine for small ensembles and practice. I play one in a folk band and it does get drowned out by the piano a bit, but it is an abnormally large ensemble and we can always use the mic pickup or mic it up for live.

Athho

smh can’t hear the bass

Yeah can’t hear ya man haha

This is folk, not trad.

Man... that's the most boring bass I've heard in my life.

I use headphones and I don't hear the bass at all.