Bittersweet Musicans

Yesterday was the last day of classes. Part of me was clearly jumping for joy, however I could've sat and played the Bodhran all night. Taking the Arts in Ireland course was one of the best academic choices I've made in a while and could very easily be the highlight of my academic career. Of course the class itself was not academically challenging, but learning to play a traditional Irish instrument and participating in a session on the last day of class, quickly earned the title for best class ever, hands down!

We have been playing the Bodhran for about 6 weeks, and the class only met on Tuesday nights for three hours. Padhraic, our instructor is a fantastic Bodhran player and very enthusiastic teacher. He should write Hallmark cards because he is so encouraging, always saying we're "brilliant, grand, and deadly," and applauding us for catching on so quickly.

A few weeks ago, Padhraic taught us a pretty difficult beat that I just wasn't picking up. I stayed after class for some one-on-one and he quickly helped me get it. We sat together and played a few beats on the Bodhran and I just fell in love with the drum, Irish music, and just about everything Irish. I haven't been playing a musical instrument for a while and it feels great to produce some good beats after being absent from my piano for so long. To my surprise, Padhraic went online and found a pub in Portland that holds traditional Irish music sessions and he wants me to get a Bodhran and go play! eeeks, better watch out! I'm flattered but not brave enough to go play just yet. The director of our program here teamed up with Padhraic to encourage me to bring Irish music back home...we shall see.

Last night, for our last class, Padhraic brought in a guitar player, an fiddle player and an accordion player and we had our very own session. Padhraic played his banjo while we joined in with our Bodhrans. It was unbelievably cool, I didn't want it to end. But if we didn't end I would only have one arm! Wow, lots of quick playing really takes a toll on the arm and wrist!

I'm looking forward to continuing the Bodhran, but for now I have to focus on the visual arts component of the art history class. I'm doubtful it will be as great, but I'm sure it will be great!

I took my first exam today for my history class. It went very well and now I'm focused on my exam for sociology tomorrow. After class I head to the airport for my first experience with Ryanair and SPAIN! I'm so excited to head to a new country and of course to see Ali! It's so weird to be without my roommates here in Dublin, but it's so exciting that I get to travel around Europe to visit them. Ali has planned the weekend in Malaga, then we head to Cordoba for the week because she has class :( I'll fly home on wednesday just in time to welcome Mom and Bob to Ireland!

Here is a video of a Bodhran solo (Click) so you can get a taste of what it's like. You'll see his hand sliding down the back of the drum which is the technique used to make all sorts of different sounds.