Waiting in the Wings...

Dear Reader –

It’s that time of the year where you either don’t want the summer to end, or you’re craving the return of some routine…

The Big Thing

Like it or not however, I was in town yesterday and it’s clear that the back-to-school buzz is ON…

So - in response to the many questions I have had over the last few weeks about piano lessons, here are some answers…

Yes - we have availability (although with the start of school approaching lesson slots are being snapped up).
Yes - we have space in both Strandhill and Rathcormac.
Yes - these lessons are for both children and adults.
Yes - you or your child will learn piano through playing songs you know and like.
And yes - if I haven’t answered all your questions you can find out more here (or just email me).

Where else but Sligo?

One more yes to start this section - YES it is our main priority that students enjoy their lessons.

It’s also important to us that students progress and improve, but at the end of the day music is meant to be a hobby, something fun, a positive addition to your life and we do our best to make sure that happens.

One lady who embodies this philosophy is my teaching colleague Annette Hayden (pictured below). Regular readers will have heard of Annette before but today I’d like to relay a story from January’s Theme Night #31.

It was Annette’s first time on stage with us - she was playing one of her other instruments, the piano accordion, on Travelling Soldier. Wednesday night went great, but on Thursday she was actually teaching in Strandhill and was delayed by a student. What’s more, I had moved the song to earlier in the set and in the Theme Night mayhem had forgotten to let her know.

So through no fault of her own, Annette arrived in to the Hawk’s Well just as the song had started. I could see her side-stage with the accordion, debating whether to come on or not. She decided to stay put but rather than express her disappointment at missing her moment on stage, she stood in the wings with a big smile on her face, playing along with the band as if she was on with the rest of us.

And that’s Annette - she just loves her music and is as happy playing for herself or for an audience. What’s more, she has the knack of transferring that love to her students, and so it’s no surprise that she is in huge demand as one of our teachers.

What’s New?

1. HOW TO LEARN SOMETHING PROPERLY: Since we’re on the subject of learning the piano - here’s a blog I wrote 18 months ago on nailing those hard parts.

2. SECOND CAPTAINS OUTDOING THEMSELVES: My podcasting friends have recorded some amazing interviews as part of a series for RTE Radio 1 this summer. Check out their chats with iconic American broadcaster Conan O’Brien and Irish playwright Enda Walsh.

3. ONE EARLY PIANO STUDENT: I told a story online last week about the challenges I faced with one of my first piano students and it got a big reaction. Read it on Facebook or Instagram.

Finally…

One of the most requested songs in piano lessons last year - it will be one of the 60+ songs added to the teaching curriculum this year.

Till next time - Kieran.

The return of the slow set!

Dear Reader –

Don’t tell me we don’t deal with the important issues in this letter…

The Big Thing

Theme Night #32 preparation starts in earnest this week.

The “shitty first draft” of the setlist has been discarded in favour of something a bit more coherent, the many ideas that have been floating around for months are being whittled down to a select few, and the ever delicate singer to song matching process has begun.

One man who has confirmed he will be with us for at least a few nights during the run (and is already in training!) is pictured below - read on to find out more about the unique part he will play…

Where else but Sligo?

How could you present a show titled The Power of Love without at least a mention of the institution which was at the heart of so many love stories over the years - the slow set?!

Apparently they’re not a thing any more, but readers of a certain age will remember all too well that the success of a night out will often have been defined by what came to pass in those crucial few minutes when the DJ decided to ‘slow things down for a while’.

And so today dear reader, with just over 7 weeks to go until the first show, I’m asking for your help.

Because with the help of ‘The Love Doctor’ himself - DJ Scruffy Duffy - in Theme Night #32 we will be paying tribute to this iconic feature of life in Ireland for many years.

We’re putting together a short nostalgic medley which will be brought to life by Scruffy and the band - and I would love to hear from you today with the names of the songs that just cannot be left out!

What’s New?

1. THE MOST REQUESTED SONG IN PIANO LESSONS LAST YEAR: 15 secs of it here. We are currently enrolling for this September - 60 new songs currently being added to the curriculum.

2. STUDIO DAYS: Was out with Luke Devaney yesterday doing some recording - and once again - he is so good! If you’re looking to record some music do yourself a favour and check out The Blue Room Recording Studio.

3. MORE MATTERS OF THE HEART: It’s been a big few months for my long-time friend and colleague - Ken ‘Tonto’ McDonald. He told us all about it on this month’s episode of In The Lamplight.

Finally…

A staple of the slow set in the late ‘80s - go on - ask her for a dance!

Till next time - Kieran.

Last year's BIG lesson...

Dear Reader –

It’s August - which means the calm before the September storm…

The Big Thing

My website just got a spring (summer) clean - and it’s a bit like updating your CV - one of these moments when you realise that there has been quite a bit happening over the last few years!

Please go check it out - there are loads of sparkling new pics and videos, and all the up-to-date information you need on all the various bits and pieces I get up to.

It is such an exciting few months ahead - with Theme Night #32 in Sligo and Ballyshannon, a brand-new Teenage Theme Night programme, and loads of new plans for the upcoming piano teaching term.

All the info you need is right here…

Where else but Sligo?

My teaching team and I learned lots from all the piano lessons we taught last year, but there was one lesson that stood out above the rest.

And that is…that the biggest factor in determining whether a child practises the piano or not is….wait for it…the song they’re learning at the time. If they like it they practise, if they don’t…well then that’s where the fights can start!

My colleagues and I are always clear that we are happy to write out any song that a student wishes to learn, to a level that suits them. However, it’s easier for students to have all those songs laid out in one place, and so this year, instead of having 10 song choices in each of our eight levels, we will have 20.

More choice = more practice = more fun = more improvement.

You can read more about my teaching philosophy here, and if you or anyone you know would like to either take up or get back into the piano this year, we are currently enrolling for September lessons, so please send an email to pianowithkieran@gmail.com today!

What’s New?

1. TEENAGE THEME NIGHT #29 VIDS: Have a look at all the videos from May’s show here.

2. RICK BEATO: Almost 4M people subscribe to his YouTube channel, so that means there are over 8B who don’t! If you’re one of those, here’s just one of Rick Beato’s many fantastic music videos - in this case explaining what makes the 30-second Beatles song ‘The End’ so good.

3. UNIFORMITY AND JUXTAPOSITION: So clever! A quick look at 12 artists who use various mixtures of happiness and sadness to get their message across.

Finally…

Alannah and Annie from May’s Teenage Theme Night #29.
Two fantastic individual voices…but just wait for the sound they create together...

Till next time - Kieran.

Walk Between The Raindrops

Dear Reader –

Sometimes in a summer like this you just do what you can!
It’s the title of a great song too though - see below…

The Big Thing

Our term of summer piano lessons finishes this week. It has been lovely to hear from the new students about how much they have enjoyed the lessons and what they can play on the piano now after only a few weeks.

We’ll be getting to work straight away on the timetable for September.
More to come in the next few weeks, but we do have availability, so if you or someone you know would like to try out our unique way of learning piano, you can find out more here.

Where else but Sligo?

Yet again Sligo Jazz produced the goods in it’s own uplifting way last week. And although it’s always difficult to get to every single gig, I got to a few.

On Tuesday the warmth shown by the Hawk’s Well audience to local pianist Nils Kavanagh was wonderful. As was the joy and sense of fun (and incredible playing) that Nils and his trio brought to the gig.

On Wednesday it was just fantastic to see so many young musicians come together under the umbrella of the Sligo Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra. The quality of the gig made me text Niamh Crowley immediately to ask her when she was free to get stuck into the arrangements for a Big Band Theme Night!

But of course Sligo Jazz is not just about the gigs. The learning experience for all students is just as important and this year especially I got to see behind the scenes how the team try to ensure the best possible experience for every single student.

Finally, my wife asked me if the atmosphere she sensed from Friday’s gig was the same as all jazz gigs? I answered by saying although it’s probably not unique to this festival, I do know that Sligo is at the top of the list for many jazz musicians when it comes to summer schools on which they would like to work. Why? Because of the spirit and atmosphere that goes with it. And that comes right from the top - congrats once again to Eddie, Therese, Mimi and to the green-shirted gang of volunteers.

Click here for a look of what goes on in just one of the festival’s six days…

What’s New?

1. SINÉAD O’CONNOR: There’s one man I always read in sad times like these. Here’s what he wrote last week.

2. STEPHEN ST CULTURAL PLAZA: Usually in August I’d be telling you about the upcoming Summerfest gigs. It’s not going ahead this year due to building works, but it has been great to hear lots of talk around Sligo this week of how amazing the new Stephen St. Cultural Plaza is going to look.

3. MORE CLASSY GAA ACTIVITY: Pic by Piaras Ó Mídheach of Sportsfile from the aftermath of last Sunday’s All-Ireland final.

Finally…

More from The Nightfly after last week’s letter - it might lighten the mood after our somewhat wet July…

Till next time - Kieran.

What we strive for...

Dear Reader –

This week always brings back memories of (possibly!) my favourite gig.

The Big Thing

It’s Sligo Jazz week! The biggest ever apparently in terms of student numbers. Isn’t that brilliant? Nearly 20 years old and still setting records.

And Liane Carroll is back. I was looking back at some old letters from this time of year - and each time the song I featured to show off Sligo Jazz was this one. I can’t wait to hear Liane again, I’m looking forward to meeting all the students, and most of all I’m looking forward to those surprising nuggets of wisdom I always take away from the week.

Sligo pianist and Teenage Theme Night graduate Nils Kavanagh kicks off proceedings tonight - and all you need to know about a great week of music in Sligo is here.

Where else but Sligo?

Someone asked me recently about my favourite ever gig to play. What a question! Surprisingly however, there was one that immediately came to mind.

Sligo Jazz 2018 - Thursday 26 July - almost 5 years to the day. Malcolm Edmonstone’s (pictured below, left) big-band arrangement of Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly. The stage overflowing with world-class musicians. Getting the shout to play piano while Malcolm conducted from the keyboard. Dashing home at 7pm to get an extra 30 mins of practice in before the show. Dashing back to the HWT for 8. Conflicting feelings of ‘don’t mess this up’ and ‘go out and enjoy it’.

Thankfully the second won out. The feeling was like that which I imagine surfers get when aboard a great wave. Just let this keep going. The blanket laid out by the band made it feel like nothing could go wrong. I could play anything and it would sound good. The audience at one with the band. The generosity of others. Feelings of optimism and hope. Anything is possible. What a night.

Thank you Eddie Lee (pictured below, right) for making it happen.

Here’s a taste of what went on that night…

What’s New?

1. JAMES NELSON: Back in Sligo by popular demand. Just James, a piano, stories and songs. Tickets here - incredible value!

2. MOYCULLEN GAA: My son’s U10 team got an almighty shellacking from their Moycullen (Galway) equivalents in Castlebar last weekend. In fairness to the lads they acquitted themselves well and got a lot from it despite this. One of the Moycullen coaches addressed us afterwards and was so impressive - firstly to make the gesture of coming over and secondly with the words he used to pick our lads up. They’re doing something right down there.

3. WHAT WE STRIVE FOR: For the musicians out there…this is the game for which we sign up.

Finally…

Also from Sligo Jazz 2018 - a living breathing example of no. 3 above.
Oh and here’s the recorded version.

Till next time - Kieran.

We missed you Steve!

Dear Reader –

What do the following songs have in common?
Hotel California (The Eagles), Come Together (The Beatles) and Baker St (Gerry Rafferty).
*Answer in the Where Else But Sligo section below…

The Big Thing

I’m afraid that this week all the big things are still in the oven.
A HUGE few months of big things coming up though - they’re nearly cooked!

Where else but Sligo?

The last time I was in the Iveagh Gardens was as a student playing an illicit early morning game of soccer after a night out. So it was nice to return legitimately and at a reasonable time of the evening to see The Waterboys last week.

My friend is a massive fan and spent most of the gig either with his eyes closed, excitedly pointing out things we could all see or singing raucously, so his analytical powers were possibly limited on the night! He asked me on the way home what I thought of the gig.

I told him three things - it was lovely to hear Mike Scott’s lyrics so crystal clear, James Hallawell on piano and keyboards stole the show, and Fisherman’s Blues is one of those rare songs (like the ones listed above) which contains an instrumental section that is possibly more important to the song than the vocal melody. Steve Wickham I hope you are enjoying your summer in Sligo but we missed you!

Oh and one more thing that amused me - they played This is the Sea early in the set and when I heard the chorus line ‘That was the river, this is the sea’, I immediately thought of the classic GAA distinction - ‘That was league, this is championship’!

What’s New?

1. MICKEY’S JAZZ CLUB: Every Sunday 5-7pm in The Dunes. We had another great gig there last week and host Mike Nielsen has some great musicians lined up for the next few weeks. Go support!

2. WHAM! “An irresistible pop nostalgia trip” - so says Variety magazine - but it’s also a heart-warming tale of friendship and musical success. This new documentary is available on Netflix.

3. NEW CRANKIE! The latest video from Cathy Jordan and Peter Crann on their mission to create an audio visual archive of one traditional Irish song from all 32 counties using Crankie.

Finally…

George Michael went on to have a stellar career after leaving Wham of course, and this is my favourite footage of him - I love the intensity at which this rehearsal is conducted. You can feel the power of the drums even through the medium of a screen. And Bowie is looking effortlessly cool as ever.

Till next time - Kieran.

Leaving It All Behind...

Dear Reader –

That’s exactly what I have been doing over the last little while. I’ve enjoyed doing lots of reading - so some of my favourite books and quotes below for you today…

The Big Thing

Firstly the books…the first five are fiction and the last four non-fiction.

• Tara Westover - Educated

• Tom Hanks - The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece

• Jeremy Denk - Every Good Boy Does Fine

• Khaled Hosseini - A Thousand Splendid Suns

• Barbara Kingsolver - The Poisonwood Bible

• Seth Godin - The Song of Significance

• Susan Cain - Quiet

• Guy Spier - The Education of a Value Investor

• Mason Currey - Daily Rituals

Where else but Sligo?

Big news this week from one of our Theme Night favourites - this coming October Sandy Kelly will not only release her first studio album in 30 years (sharing a title with this email), but also a self-penned autobiography.

Sandy was on our podcast in March 2021 (the only guest so far for whom we needed two episodes) and told some amazing stories about her life and career - so the book in particular is something I’m very much looking forward to. But Sandy’s unique way of connecting with a song means the album should be special too - the first single from it is featured further down this page.

What’s New?

1. QUOTE 1: “Some people are more certain of everything than I am of anything”.

2. QUOTE 2: “There’s no limit to what you can do if you don’t mind who gets the credit”.

3. FUNDRAISING GIG THIS THURSDAY: Musicians and poets see below…all for a great cause!

Finally…

Answers to last week’s questions first…

a) C, D.

b) Bb major.

And for this week’s song - it’s Sandy’s new single - also featuring her 8 yr-old grandson Frank - who is already making his second appearance in a music video! Regular readers might remember his first…

Till next time - Kieran.

Blue-Sky Thinking

Dear Reader –

Part of the reason to write this letter is to share with you the best thoughts or ideas I come across each week…and last week there were lots!

The Big Thing

6 of the best one-liners from last week’s reading list - not all meant to be taken seriously!

“People will always stop you doing the right thing if it’s unconventional”.

“Never lease a car unless you're rich or the manufacturer is subsidizing the lease”.

“I began to experience the most powerful advantage of money: the ability to think of things besides money.”

“Hold your hands like you've just dropped a marble”.

“When something is cheap, buy the best, it's much more satisfying”.

“You can miss a person every day, and still be glad that they are no longer in your life.”

Where else but Sligo?

I always think of 2002 when All-Ireland football Quarter-Final weekend comes around, and last weekend was no different. The 8 best teams in the country going at it in Croke Park - as a footballer it’s where you want to be.

These highlights are neither clear or comprehensive, but they do give a glimpse into the fervour that swept Sligo that year when we could genuinely compete with the best teams in the country. Hopefully a return to these days is not too far away.

What’s New?

1. TABBY CALLAGHAN joined us on In The Lamplight last month and my does he have a story to tell. Fighting with Liam Gallagher, a cameo as himself on Hollyoaks and the tricky transition he faced after life in the X Factor goldfish bowl. This was a fascinating chat. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

2. THE 24 CAUSES OF HUMAN MISJUDGEMENT: By Famed investor Charlie Munger. So many great insights in it. Read it here, or listen to his speech here.

3. NILS KAVANAGH: Teenage Theme Night Graduate and Irish Young Jazz Musician of the year Nils Kavanagh is embarking on his first tour this summer. Includes a Sligo gig as part of SJP on July 25. Tickets here.

Finally…

Fantastic vocal on this from Aoife Grennan at the Francie Lenehan gig recently. I hadn’t heard the song since it was released in 1996 and it was interesting to experience it again through the ears of a musician rather than a fan. A few tricky chords and key changes.
For anyone interested here are two questions on it - the first one is easier than the second…

a) In what key is the verse in? And the chorus?

b) What is the 7th chord in the chorus? Happens for the first time at 0:45.

Answers next week.

Till next time - Kieran.