STUDIES IN ANCIENT IRISH SONG
by Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell
For practice in lyrical playing and melodic interpretation on the Tuba Studies in Ancient Irish Folksong serves several purposes for the brass student.
One is to give younger players an introduction to lyrical playing which will help prepare them for the greater demands made by the Bordogni and Concone etudes.
Another is to challenge more advanced players with the techniques of phrasing and dynamic control required for pleasing melodic interpretation. They can be also used as part of one's warm-up routine once some of the etudes become more familiar, providing players of all levels with beautiful, flowing melodies to warm-up the "musical" part of our playing that sometimes is overlooked in a daily routine.
The performer should feel free to add dynamics to the ones already provided in the etudes. Breath marks are not provided, however, so that one may have more of a challenge in interpreting the phrases.
Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell teaches low brass, composition and music theory at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. In addition to his years of research of Irish folk music, he is an active composer and performer.