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!
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.
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 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!)
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.
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.
@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.
My Grandad, Thomas James Tresnan... from Ballymote, Sligo, knew him! Brilliant, isn't he!!!
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.
Lovely music mighty player..
crazy ornamentations. !!!!!!
Wow, this guys on fire!
Great flute playing🇮🇪✅
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!
Great player Thanks for posting! Lovely
a rare talent, love to invite him to perform at the bonniconlon show
Éire Abú...Mo cheol thú Séamus Tansey lad - fear fíor Gaelach cinnte, ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.
Lovely tone
Gurteen, County Sligo.
The Professor. Still as good today as he was then.
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
@Cavanpiper I like just down the street from him and I've never heard anything but nice words from him.
a very very bright player
Well said ....this guy holds all Ireland medals!
Like.. Everyone who plays the flute competes in all Irelands.
God be gratious to his Soul
Sligo... My Grandad was from Ballymote... and my Dad... they said they knew him.
The Seamus Ennis of the flute :D
Damn that crowd was going wild...
I could live to be 400 years old, practicing every day, and still not play anywhere near as well as Seamus Tansey.
Lethal
give it a bang lads
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.
THIS is how it is done
I've two tin whistles, and a dixon keyless polymere flute
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.
Shakeen
New Copperplate
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...
@getduloh Yeah, they look reeeeeaaaaaly into the performance....
Picture of his flute:
celticgrooves.homestead com/CG_Tansey_Seamus_King html
Lovely nordic tapdancing video with some guy playing along to it on a flute. Thanks.
@OakAged72 ...agreed ...good to hear a bit of sense...come to using keys and things would get a bit complicated.
@Psyence1987 live*
I loved it. Got more? Oh, and why's he holding the flute the wrong way around? :P
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
My husband is left handed and he owns a left handed guitar.
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!)
Yeah, I was being sarcastic. What kind of flute do you play?
This is so cool.
Is he playing that flute backwards? It looks like it to me.
I am impressed.
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.
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
Pity we don't hear those who could do as well or better!
post yourself playing like that, dreamer
@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
Lol evryone looks so bored
They're not bored. They are just a studio audience.
I can play that no bother , all you have to do is get in the rhythm yourself
Let's hear it then.
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??