Hello, y'all, and welcome to the
Exploring Irish Traditional Music!
(OLLI - Fall 2026)
We'll use this page to share lesson plans, links, and anything else that may be relevant to this course.
If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an e-mail at
DIRECTIONS TO LOWE MILL STUDIO
Please contact me at 256-503-2027 when you arrive.
Please arrive arround 10:25 a.m. for a timely start and finish.
Class Fee: $37.50 for facilities and materials
Can be paid via:
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Cash
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Check (made out to The Irish Drum Center)
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credit card (link)
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PayPal (akruspe@me.com, please send as "Friends & Family")
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Venmo (@andrewkruspe)
☞Session 1: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
-Introduction
-Fundamentals of Irish Traditional Music, Part 1
-What it is
-Basic Instrumentation
-Basic Tune Form
-Basic Song Forms
-Basic Styles- Tunes and Songs
-Reels
-Jigs
-Polkas
-Slip jigs
-Slow Airs
-Songs
-Sean Nós
-Ballad
-Drinking/Pub Songs
-Political/Historical
Google Slide Presentations for Today's Session:
Link to Robbie Walsh's Playlists:
https://open.spotify.com/user/robbiewalsh?si=jM4zU08nSuahADe379pEmw&utm_source=copy-link
☞Session 2: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
-Hands On w/ the Drums- How to Play a Reel
-In this session, we'll use the bodhrán (Irish traditional frame drum) to learn how to play a simple Irish reel
☞Session 3: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
-Fundamentals of Irish Traditional Music, Part 2
-Performance Settings
-Sessions
-Concerts
-Dance Shows/Other Productions
Link to Google Slides presentation
-Sets, Forms
Link to Google Slides presentation
☞Session 4: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
-Hands On w/ the Drums- How to Play a Jig
-In this session, we'll use the bodhrán (Irish traditional frame drum) to learn how to play a simple Irish jig
☞Session 5: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
-A Bit of History, Bands, and Notable Artists
-A Brief History of Trad
-A Guide to Some of the Notable Bands in This Genre
-A Guide to Some of the Notable Artists in This Genre