Traditional Irish Music

I play several instruments, including the Uilleann Pipes, Tenor Banjo, Octave Mandolin, Pennywhistle, Irish Flute, Drop-D Guitar backup, Hammer Dulcimer, and most recently, Anglo Concertina. I am active in the local Irish session scene, playing in pubs at least two nights a week. Please click here for my latest rate sheet if you are looking for traditional Irish music for your wedding or special event. I also teach, both in person and over the internet using Skype, please click here for student comments and endorsements. Please click here to email me with any questions, comments, or suggestions for the site.

Please come visit my new tune teaching videos site:

WWW.TRADLESSONS.COM

Client and Student Endorsements
Learning Traditional Irish 
Music in San Diego
San Diego Irish Tune Swap
Sessions in Southern California
Live Session Recordings
House of Ireland Class
Software for Traditional Music
Digital Audio Recorders for Sessions
Blarney Stone Pub Tunebook
The Field Pub Tunebook
O'Neill's Music of Ireland Online
Playing for Irish Step Dancers
Session Dynamics by Chris Smith
"Traditional Sessions Keep Irish Music Alive"
Irish Flute/Whistle Comparisons
Listen to me play: (MP3 files)
Taimse me Codhladh - Flute
Banish Misfortune - Whistle
As The Rain Sets In - Uilleann Pipes
The Groves - Anglo Concertina

Michael giving a Uilleann pipes demo.
Photo by Gar Travis

Uilleann Pipes
Kirk Lynch
Uilleann Obsession
SoCal Pipers Club
Tenor Banjo
Octave Mandolin
DADGAD Guitar
Drop-D Guitar
Whistle
Chiff and Fipple
WhistleThis!
Irish Flute
Terry McGee Flutes
Hamilton Flutes
Anglo Concertina
Concertina.net
Bob Tedrow Concertinas
Frank Edgley Concertinas
Carroll Concertinas
Noel Hill
Hammer Dulcimer
Pubs Sessions in San Diego
The Field
Blarney Stone Pub
The Ould Sod
Thornton's
Workshops and Events

Past events where I've taught classes or workshops. Please contact me via email if you would like to have me teach at your event:

Great American Irish Fair, June 2008 - Uilleann piping demos

San Diego Folk Heritage Sam Hinton Festival, June 2008 - "Guitar Backup for Irish Sessions" workshop

Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club Tionol, October 2007, "Beginning Uilleann Piping" afternoon workshop

California Traditional Music Solstice Festival, June 2007 - "Irish Session Guitar Backup Bootcamp" workshop

California Traditional Music Solstice Festival, June 2007 - "Beginning/Intermediate Anglo Concertina" workshop

California Traditional Music Solstice Festival, June 2006 - "Irish Session Guitar Backup Bootcamp" workshop

California Traditional Music Solstice Festival, June 2006 - "Beginning/Intermediate Anglo Concertina" workshop

Instrument Recommendations

I play and highly recommend following builder's instruments:

Pennywhistle: Michael Copeland, Michael Burke, Colin Goldie

Irish Flute: Gilles Lehart, Terry McGee, Colin Hamilton

Uilleann Pipes: Kirk Lynch, Quinn and Koehler, Seth Gallagher

Mandolin: Flatiron, Breedlove

Octave Mandolin: Stefan Sobell

Guitar: Martin, Seagull, Larrivee

Tenor Banjo: Halshaw Music - Sully's Banjos

Hammer Dulcimer: Dusty Strings

Anglo Concertina: Bob Tedrow, Frank Edgley, Wally Carroll