Learning in a Celtic Community: An Exploration of Informal Music Learning and Adult Amateur Musicians

Abstract

Abstract This on-going ethnographic study focuses on adult music learning by examining motivations and successful learning strategies favored by 6 players in one weekly Celtic pub session. There were 2 women and 4 men, the average age of participants was 45, and each had been learning Celtic Traditional Music (CTM) between six and 16years. Three had learned to play an instrument at school but had discontinued playing their school instruments after graduation. Participants were attracted to CTM and traditional instruments for various reasons, and learned through the medium ofitunesj rather than scales and exercises. Because CTM is an aural/oral culture, participants valued learning "by ear," but did regard written notation as a useful aid, particularly as a mnemonic strategy. We conducted session documentation through photo, video, cyberspace information and audio recording balanced against in-depth interviews. Research questions included: What were the various attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of session participants regarding learning traditional Irish/Celtic music? What are the characteristics of learning that occurred in this informal setting? What are the implications for lifelong music learning and formal music education? Information about this kind of informal learning practice has implications for formal school instrumental learning.