A grand storyteller as well. I made a collage of photographs for Tommy McGann's new pub in Boston, MA. and when he saw my photo of Seamus he said I'll put it over here.
Seamus was actually known not to play the silver keys! In fact, quite later on (from the time this clip was recorded), he manually removed the keywork from his flute, sawing off the block mounts. Guys, really: Seamus plays a keyless flute, and plays it well!
@TheeElusivePimpernel Seamus was also a very good air player...and may still well be He has a lovely tone ...like many of the older players such as Peter Horan!
A guitar is usually strung upside down or is made for someone left handed. A flute is not usually made left handed. I know several left handed flute players and they do not hold their instruments that way. They hold it traditionally. I would think it would be much more difficult to learn to play a flute the way Mr. Tansey. It says a lot about his skill. As I said before, I am impressed. As soon as they start making a left handed flute, I am sure leftys will start buying them.
If you don’t use the keys (you don’t need them for most of the Irish repertoire, and he’s not using them in this clip) and just use the open holes, then it’s not an issue. I haven’t seen any left handed silver flutes made yet, but there are a few Irish flute makers that do lefty models now.
It seems like a lot of really good Irish flute players are left-handed. I read somewhere that you're not supposed to switch the flute around, though, despite the fact that it doesn't seem to make a difference. I play Irish flute (badly) and I'm left handed, but I hold it the "right way." Maybe I should switch it and see if it'll help or just screw me up more...
You can get new flutes like this to order from a few modern makers. Remember that he was probably playing an older model and that he had a really fine tone ...probably in the top two or three trad players...at leastof those I have come across from those years.
You don't have to be insulting when you reply. I was just curious as to why he was playing backwards. Not to mention, I said I was impressed. Read the whole post before you make a fool of yourself.
As always, great playing, with crisp notation but a really musical feel. Shame for me that the video image and sound are out of sync so I can't quite appreciate his fingering and ornamentation (and how to copy it!)
Does anyone know the details of the original TV programme? Looks like 1960s or early 70s. One of the other people seated at the front is Darach O'Cathain (sp?), a lovely Gaelic singer in the Sean Nos style.
i also play left handed, but i'm pretty new to the flute (i've been playing whistle left handed for a while). does the fact that the embouchure hole is often off center negatively impact a lefty players ability or make it harder to play in any way? i've been having trouble developing an embouchure that both produces a good sound and doesn't exhaust my lung capacity too quickly.
@vampav8trix "They" do make left-handed flutes these days. But Mr. Tansey isn't playing a new model - it's a right-hander - look at the keys. And it says nothing whatsoever about skill. It makes no difference whether you play it left or right if you're not using the keys.
@KireiKittyGirlLissa Be careful about ''switching''....when you say you play''badly'' changing your hold may not improve matters ..get a good (honest!) teacher....anyway what's wrong with your playin??!! TG
Rest in peace Seamus, Irelands greatest and most influential flute player. Who will inspire generations to come. 🪄♥️🙏
This is the master at work. Genius playing. I love Tansey.
Lovely music mighty player..
A grand storyteller as well. I made a collage of photographs for Tommy McGann's new pub in Boston, MA. and when he saw my photo of Seamus he said I'll put it over here.
My Grandad, Thomas James Tresnan... from Ballymote, Sligo, knew him! Brilliant, isn't he!!!
Wow, this guys on fire!
crazy ornamentations. !!!!!!
The Professor. Still as good today as he was then.
Great flute playing🇮🇪✅
Lovely tone
Seamus was actually known not to play the silver keys!
In fact, quite later on (from the time this clip was recorded), he manually removed the keywork from his flute, sawing off the block mounts.
Guys, really: Seamus plays a keyless flute, and plays it well!
a rare talent, love to invite him to perform at the bonniconlon show
Great player Thanks for posting! Lovely
Well said ....this guy holds all Ireland medals!
Like.. Everyone who plays the flute competes in all Irelands.
God be gratious to his Soul
Éire Abú...Mo cheol thú Séamus Tansey lad - fear fíor Gaelach cinnte, ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.
If i could play just even that song. I would never put my flute down and id play it everywhere i go. That was fucking amazing
@TheeElusivePimpernel Seamus was also a very good air player...and may still well be
He has a lovely tone ...like many of the older players such as Peter Horan!
a very very bright player
Lovely nordic tapdancing video with some guy playing along to it on a flute. Thanks.
Sligo... My Grandad was from Ballymote... and my Dad... they said they knew him.
The Seamus Ennis of the flute :D
@Cavanpiper I like just down the street from him and I've never heard anything but nice words from him.
A guitar is usually strung upside down or is made for someone left handed. A flute is not usually made left handed. I know several left handed flute players and they do not hold their instruments that way. They hold it traditionally. I would think it would be much more difficult to learn to play a flute the way Mr. Tansey. It says a lot about his skill. As I said before, I am impressed. As soon as they start making a left handed flute, I am sure leftys will start buying them.
If you don’t use the keys (you don’t need them for most of the Irish repertoire, and he’s not using them in this clip) and just use the open holes, then it’s not an issue. I haven’t seen any left handed silver flutes made yet, but there are a few Irish flute makers that do lefty models now.
Damn that crowd was going wild...
THIS is how it is done
I loved it. Got more? Oh, and why's he holding the flute the wrong way around? :P
Gurteen, County Sligo.
It seems like a lot of really good Irish flute players are left-handed. I read somewhere that you're not supposed to switch the flute around, though, despite the fact that it doesn't seem to make a difference. I play Irish flute (badly) and I'm left handed, but I hold it the "right way." Maybe I should switch it and see if it'll help or just screw me up more...
give it a bang lads
I could live to be 400 years old, practicing every day, and still not play anywhere near as well as Seamus Tansey.
You can get new flutes like this to order from a few modern makers. Remember that he was probably playing an older model and that he had a really fine tone ...probably in the top two or three trad players...at leastof those I have come across from those years.
I've two tin whistles, and a dixon keyless polymere flute
Shakeen
New Copperplate
Lethal
Picture of his flute:
celticgrooves.homestead com/CG_Tansey_Seamus_King html
@getduloh Yeah, they look reeeeeaaaaaly into the performance....
@OakAged72 ...agreed ...good to hear a bit of sense...come to using keys and things would get a bit complicated.
You don't have to be insulting when you reply. I was just curious as to why he was playing backwards. Not to mention, I said I was impressed. Read the whole post before you make a fool of yourself.
what town was Seamus from? i love his style of playing if i were to guess i'd say somewhere in the west?
Because he's left handed, I play like him
Gabrie Sa what county is he from
@@evandillon9576 sligo in Ireland
This is so cool.
Is he playing that flute backwards? It looks like it to me.
I am impressed.
@Psyence1987 live*
My husband is left handed and he owns a left handed guitar.
As always, great playing, with crisp notation but a really musical feel. Shame for me that the video image and sound are out of sync so I can't quite appreciate his fingering and ornamentation (and how to copy it!)
Does anyone know the details of the original TV programme? Looks like 1960s or early 70s. One of the other people seated at the front is Darach O'Cathain (sp?), a lovely Gaelic singer in the Sean Nos style.
Programme was presented by Tony Mc Mahon....1973
Yeah, I was being sarcastic. What kind of flute do you play?
post yourself playing like that, dreamer
Pity we don't hear those who could do as well or better!
i also play left handed, but i'm pretty new to the flute (i've been playing whistle left handed for a while). does the fact that the embouchure hole is often off center negatively impact a lefty players ability or make it harder to play in any way? i've been having trouble developing an embouchure that both produces a good sound and doesn't exhaust my lung capacity too quickly.
Trouble developing an embouchure. ....??
Welcome to flute playing.
@vampav8trix
"They" do make left-handed flutes these days. But Mr. Tansey isn't playing a new model - it's a right-hander - look at the keys. And it says nothing whatsoever about skill. It makes no difference whether you play it left or right if you're not using the keys.
@KireiKittyGirlLissa Be careful about ''switching''....when you say you play''badly'' changing your hold may not improve matters ..get a good (honest!) teacher....anyway what's wrong with your playin??!! TG
I can play that no bother , all you have to do is get in the rhythm yourself
Let's hear it then.
Lol evryone looks so bored
They're not bored. They are just a studio audience.
A mismatch between instrument and melos, however technically skilled
It sucks he has to flap his finger so much
That awkward moment when your Irish and you suck at flute:(
Have you no ears? That's Seamus Tansey dude.
Who 's better??