Question on Bill Ochs' book...

Jason Paul · Post by **Jason Paul** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:14 pm

The McCullough vs Larsen thread spurred this question.

A couple of days ago I ordered Bill Ochs' book (along with some more whistles

). It should be here later this week.

Anyway, is there anything in the book that I may have to re-learn later? Does it teach anything that might lead to a poor or ineffective technique that I may have to break later?

I'm guessing it's a pretty simple book, but I'm just curious.

Thanks,
Jason

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:23 pm

Bill won't lead you astray.

Cynth · Post by **Cynth** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:29 pm

I haven't used that book but I have always heard it spoken of very highly, if that's of any help. Never a negative comment that I can recall.

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:03 pm

The Bill Ochs book is excellent.

It does start very simply, but it leads you through a pretty good introduction to ornamentation, and it's got some good tunes.

It's the only tutor I'm aware of that doesn't assume you know at least a little bit of how to read music from the start.

--James

Jason Paul · Post by **Jason Paul** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:19 pm

Thanks all, sounds like I done good.

Thanks,
Jason

PhilO · Post by **PhilO** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:40 pm

I started with it and never had to "unlearn" anything. Good starter, nice range of tunes at various levels and intuitive.

Philo

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:09 pm

It starts VERY simply, and in a relatively small book gets you right up into playing full fledged jigs, reels, hornpipes, etc. Bill is a wonderful teacher and a real scholar of Irish trad music. He won't steer you wrong at all.

dfernandez77 · Post by **dfernandez77** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:56 pm

Bill Och's book is great. And it's easily understood. There are a couple decisions you will have to make for yourself eventually (like pinkie up vs. pinkie down) - but altogether it's a great tutor.

If you are like me, you will end up with a couple tunes among the first dozen you learn that are like a pair of perfectly worn jeans - they always feel good. Imagine if everyone just picked up a whistle and played something like The Quaker's Wife if they were feeling grumpy. You're always 20 seconds away from a smile on your face - or at least an improved attitude.

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 3:10 pm

I think the Ochs book is an excellent tutor for starting out.

My only wish is that I'd put it aside and started listening to irish musicians sooner. Though I thought it did a good job of showing me the techncial mechanics of rolls, cuts, taps, etc, I found that I really didn't start understanding this more until I started using my ear in a much more concetrated way listening to actual musicians playing actual music, as opposed to a tutor book. But for your first year or two, I think it's an incredible book.

Also, if your goal is to play in sessions, I wouldn't try to learn every tune in the book, like I did. L.E. McCullough's "121 Favorite Irish session tunes" may be better for that once you get some rudimentary mastery of the instrument.