A Mel Bay Publications, Inc. Webzine
February 2010 · Bimonthly
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In this issue: Single String Style: Part 1 | Playing with the Relaxed Hand: Enda Scahill | Back to the Roots (and Fifths) | When 'Not' to Lay the Thumb to the Five
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Playing with the Relaxed Hand: Enda Scahillby Michael Keyes The 2009 O'Flaherty Retreat in Midlothian, TX was a special treat for me because the banjo class was taught by Enda Scahill, someone I consider to be one of the top players in the world and also one of the best teachers. Enda's skill and musicality are undeniable (see videos below) but what you notice most about his playing is how relaxed he is. In fact, Enda gave a general topics class on relaxation at the retreat and he encouraged us to relax in class. “One of the main problems musicians have when they play difficult parts” Enda stated, “is the they don't breathe.” When you don't breathe, you can't relax because it takes a lot of energy and muscle power to hold your breath. We all get nervous at times when we play and there are several things you can do to combat this tendency. The most important thing is to realize that you are tense and holding your breath is one of the easiest ways to tell. But why relax? The main physiological reason for relaxation is that it makes you more efficient if you are only using those muscles that are needed and the rest are not interfering with whatever performance action you are doing. Tense muscles not only slow down your hand, but they put you in an less advantageous posture and you tire out easily which makes your music less precise - i.e. you get sloppy. The other reason is more neuropsychological. It is much harder to get involved in the music if you are tense. How many times have you had the experience that you are struggling to play tunes that you know very well? At these times you are most likely very tense for some reason (reasons include performance anxiety, outside concerns, etc.) and you are not able to get into that groove that is so satisfying when you play music. If you survey the tension in your shoulders, back and hand as you play, you can teach yourself to let go and relax. With relaxation comes better music. For an Irish tenor banjo player (and a whole lot of others) a relaxed right hand is the goal. Enda has some very specific ideas about the right hand. He likes the “natural grip” in which you extend your arm parallel to the ground and relax your hand. Your thumb should be resting on your first finger at about the first joint. Put the pick in between the thumb and finger and you have (basically) the “natural grip.” A little adjustment might be needed but you will get the idea when you watch the video. Enda likes the wrist stroke. Look at the video of his hand and you will see that he keeps the same angle of attack and the same stroke on all four strings. In addition he is moving the hand as a unit from the wrist with the center of gravity between the knuckles and the wrist, not at the pick. If you use the pick ass the center of gravity, you will find that you are using an arm stroke in addition to the wrist stroke. His hand to banjo angle is ideal for the stroke and takes a little experimentation to achieve. If the neck of your banjo is near your ear or your knee, it is probably wrong. He also uses the McTwist at times during fast passages. I don't think he even noticed this until I pointed it out. It is subtle but it is there. Personally I think that it is a natural movement that all banjo players use to some extent. Enda talks about relaxation in this video. Here is a video of his hand playing a series of difficult passages from one of his showpieces. While what he plays on the last video is pretty advanced, he keeps the same relaxed hand throughout. He is driving through the strings with triplets and fast string changes and is doing so because he is not tense. Here is Enda at the instructor concert at the O'Flaherty Retreat playing a schottishe and a reel, Colonel Fraser. Note how relaxed he is.
I am including the ABCs for you to use with the Concertina.net Convert-a-tron (http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html) X: 1 References Enda Scahill can be found on the web at http://www.endascahill.com/Enda_Scahill/Enda_Scahill_Home.html. If you get a chance to hear him or take a lesson, I urge you do to so. He is also in the BrockMcGuire band http://www.brockmcguireband.com/. Enda a multiple All Ireland champion in banjo and mandolin. The next O'Flaherty Retreat is October 29-31 so sign up early to get the best rooms. http://www.oflahertyretreat.org About the Author His medical practice is in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. You can email him at mikeyes@charter.net if you wish to discuss some aspect of the Irish tenor banjo or go to his web site at www.mikekeyes.com.
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Mike Keyes, a native of Franklin, Tennessee, has played tenor banjo since 1957 and over the years has learned to play five string banjo, mandolin, and guitar. He earned his way through college and medical school playing in bluegrass and dixieland bands and currently plays in the Irish band "Drowsy Maggie." He is an expert in sports performance and has written a book and over 200 articles on the subject.