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Instruments
Here are details of instruments Bob plays for concerts and in dances. Details on further instruments demonstrated in his schools performances may be found in Music Works Resource Kit (PDF 868KB).
Uilleann (Irish) Pipes
Possibly the most sophisticated bagpipe developed, the Uilleann Pipes (pronounced 'ill-en' not 'yooleeun') are unique to Ireland. They are bellows blown and unusual in that they have a two octave range, the upper octave being obtained by over-blowing the reed. Quieter than their distant cousin the Scottish War Pipes, they are very much a chamber or indoor instrument and are often found in sessions or groups playing with instruments like the flute and fiddle. They have three drones, all notes of D an octave apart and the full set has three regulators or closed chanters, on which the player can perform chords. They are best suited to the keys of D and G plus their relative minors.Bob plays a half set by Dennis Crowley of Cork (around 1930's?) with a chanter made by Mickey Dunne of Limerick. Bob has studied Uilleann Pipes in Ireland with Martin Nolan and at the annual Tionol (gathering) of pipers in New Zealand with Declan Masterson. For more information about the New Zealand Association Of Uilleann Pipers email Peter Mack on peter.piper@xtra.co.nz
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Fiddle
Bob plays the fiddle or violin for the Flying Feet dances but does not regard it as a concert instrument for himself. "The fiddle has probably been the hardest instrument I have learnt to play, however, it's a great instrument for the dancers". Bob plays a 'European' violin of uncertain pedigree and vintage.The fiddle is widely used for Irish traditional music and Bob has studied fiddle in Ireland with Father Seamus Quinn and Feargal Mac Amhlaiobh.
Flute
The flute commonly used for Irish traditional music is the old style 'simple system' flute, the sort that would have been the standard orchestral flute in the 1830's. Its six open holes correspond to the six open holes on the tin whistle and it is very well suited to tunes in D and G. In more recent years makers have again started to make wooden flutes based on the better models from the last century, many are keyless. Bob plays a keyless flute in D made by Terry McGee of Canberra, Ireland and a Bb keyless flute made by Hammy Hamilton of Ireland. He has studied flute with Mick Hurley in Ireland.
Whistle
The tin or penny whistle comes in many keys, and the current fashion is for low whistles with a range similar to the flute and pipes. A beginner should consider a whistle in D available from most music shops as a fine basis to commence traditional music. Bob plays a narrow bore 'D' whistle by Michael Burke, an 'improved' whistle made by pipemaker Cillian O'Briain, An Ceardlann, An Choill, An Daingean, Co. Chiarrai, Ireland, a Tony Dixon whistle as well as low whistles by Tony Dixon and Overton.
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Harp
A national instrument of Ireland the harp sits somewhere between traditional music and the court music of centuries ago. Bob plays a small harp, or neo Irish harp with 34 strings and a lever system for gaining accidentals/changing key (unlike the orchestral harp which uses a pedal system). Bob plays a 1982 'Clarsach' made by Pilgrim Harps, Stansted House, Tilburstow Hill Road, South Godstone, Surrey RH9 8NA, England.
Guitar
Whilst not considered to be a 'traditional' instrument, the guitar has found its way into traditional music over the last 30 years or so. Bob uses a variety of tunings, the 'open' modal tunings (D, A, D, G, A, D & C, G, D, G, B, D) being often more suited to traditional music. Bob plays a 1978 Maton FG100/6 with an interesting history (he once set it on fire by mistake).
Mandola
Stringed instruments such as this were introduced into the tradition by players such as Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny. The Mandola is like a stretched mandolin, being an octave lower. It's useful in the sense you can play both melody and chordal accompaniments. Bob plays a mandola by a fine Christchurch based luthier Davy Stuart.
Bodhrán
The traditional Irish drum of Ireland. It's a fascinating instrument with great drive and energy. Whilst it's not considered to be a solo instrument, Bob occassionally uses the bodhrán in concerts to accompany songs and 'mouth music'. Bob plays a bodhrán made to his own design by Davy Stuart and also a bodhrán made by Pat Riddet of Golden Bay, New Zealand.