U - Comhaltas Archive

S COMHALTASRevival of theJewsharpin Irish trad musicPer Helge AlnesLahelle 94631KristiansandNorwayIn Fintan Vallely's CompanionWe find that the oldest Jew'sharps found in Ireland is dated tobe from the fourteenth century.The instrument was widespreadand much used from 1600 -1900. In 1861 nine makers ofJ.hs. were registered in Ireland.'B Breathnach (Folk M and D ofI page 39) writes: 'They (theIrish) are at this day muchaddicted on holidays, after thebagpipe, Irish harp or Jew'sharp .. .' (Thomas Dinely, 1681)So - the J.h had a centralposition in Irish trad music forhundreds of years. Today itseems dead in your country. Incertain parts of Norway playingof J.h. still exists in unbrokentraditon. The playing techniqueis - against what one shouldbelieve - rather complicated.One also needs good,handmade harps.As a fiddler and J.h. player Ihave worked much both withNorwegian and Irish tradmusic. For some years one ofmy main interests has been totransfer fiddle tunes to the J.h.(Lots of melodies don't work,and some recomposing ofdetails in others has to bedone). I have given a course onthis subject in our NorwegianJ.h. Society (2004, for advancedplayers). Some of the Irish tunesare so well fitted for the J.h. thatone almost could believe theywere original Jew's harp - tunes.I have written a book on Irishtrad music for the Jew's harp.(13 pages, 31 transcr) and madea CD (homemade).2005 and 2006 I gave thecourse for advanced players.From the music of Ireland"on our little society's annualfestival.Are you interested in letting megive a course (courses) throughyour organisation? Harps,translated and ... booklets canbe made available.If you feel I have overestimated my abilities and thequality of my work, andtherefore have minimal interestfor my inquiry, I hope you willexcuse me.Further info can be sent ifyou wish.Yours sincerelyPer Helge Alnes~@tt~Ln1/G\ &mG\@tnteTreoir photographer EnaDoocey has for many yearsbeen capturing faces and placesat Comhaltas events at homeand abroad.Ena has selected this photofrom the collection for TheB6ithrin na Smaointe set.The three musical stalwartscome from the Traolach MacSuibhne Branch in Cork. Theyare O-r) Dick Tobin, TonyFlannery and Matt Tehan.The Dun Uladh Cultural Centrein Omagh recently had a mostwelcome visitor. This Ulsterbased Comhaltas Centre wasdelighted to welcome PresidentMary McAleese. She praised thegreat work of Dun Uladh overthe years and wished themevery success in the future.35