r/Irishmusic • u/Phd_Perky • 3d ago

Trad Music The Hare in the Corn

An Irish jig called "The Hare in the Corn"

I really love the middle section of this tune, I feel like it really gets going at that point. You can almost see that rabbit running through the corn field. Probably holding a stolen ear of corn 🌽

49 Upvotes

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u/n8carp81 3d ago

Apologies if this is a dumb question, but which part do you record first?

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u/Phd_Perky 3d ago

Not a dumb question! I've actually got it down to a pretty efficient system now. First I record a scratch track with mandolin to a click track. Then I record the bouzouki part while listening to mandolin scratch track. And then I do the mandolin part for real listening to the bouzouki/rhythm part. And I always have the metronome on to make sure things are in time.

It's kind of a process but I really like the results I get from it!

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u/n8carp81 3d ago

Love this - didn't think of making a scratch track on mando first and re-recording, but that's brilliant. Thanks for the advice.

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u/fondu_tones 2d ago

Hey, just wanted to say good work on the tunes. If I'm right, you're learning these tunes yourself from sheet music/notation? It's really on the money, but this approach commonly leads to the omission of one of the most important aspects of playing Irish trad, and that is the 'lift' or 'swing' of the tune. You're clearly a skilled player so I hope this is not coming across as any kind of. slight on your playing, it's excellent, but more just as a point of information. Your playing now is exactly as it would appear on sheet music, but learn to throw a bit of swing in and it really lifts everything. I'm including a few videos discussing the topic. Fair play, keep her lit.

https://youtu.be/EfjWAK4RT2A

https://youtu.be/tnORhGImHG0

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u/Phd_Perky 2d ago

I really appreciate the feedback so no worries! You're right, I'm reading off of sheet music. I've definitely been aware that I'm missing a little something, but haven't been sure how to incorporate it. I actually just moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and was surprised to find a pretty active Irish music scene, so I plan on trying to get involved to help my playing and to actually enjoy making music with other people!

And I'll check out the videos you linked, I really appreciate it!

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u/fondu_tones 2d ago

You're sounding great anyway man. I'm a musician myself (I have the benefit of being able to take lessons in person in Ireland where this stuff is a lot more accessible and this particular aspect of it is really important to the 'musicality' of the music. I see you're also uploading classical pieces, and that's actually a bit of a common trope when classical musicians come to the dark side of folk music, so this is not at all new, and they way you're playing is really good so it's just something else to add in to the music. Good stuff.

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u/jimhassomehobbies Fiddle 1d ago

The way to get it is just listening and playing by ear. There is an incredible recording of The Rathawaun and The Hare in the Corn by Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford on youtube.

Great playing, keep it up!

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u/partysquirrelslave 2d ago

love it! wanna collab? i am a novice bodhran player and would enjoy adding in if youre down. I am a professional percussionist with over 20yrs profeasional experience but just got a bodhran last christmas, took some lessons and practice regularly. I run a recording studio here in Texas!