Loftus Jones (O’Carolan, Ireland)

The 18th-century harpist O’Carolan was one of Irish’s greatest and most beloved composers. In pieces such as O’Carolan’s Concerto, Carolan’s Draught, and this one, we hear the classical influence on Carolan’s composing. Loftus Jones is one of his most ambitious and brilliantly constructed works. In the lessons, I work through the basic melody with a focus on “thinking” chords. The arrangement especially is a great lesson in expressing a chord progression more fully from a relatively complex melody. This requires taking some liberties with the melody but, in so doing, creating an arrangement that is still fully compatible with the basic tune. The result is a more fully expressed development of the chord progression. I recorded “Loftus” with Elke Baker and Robin Bullock on A Cold Winter’s Day (2022) - the second tune, after The Winter Has Past: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGgZGiyxfFI

Here's What You Get:

$38 (Sheet music PLUS all video lessons)

Sheet music for Melody and Arrangement. Ken talks through the tune, chord choices, hammering patterns, backups, embellishments, arranging, play-throughs, and more on his dulcimer (shot from above so that you can see what he's doing).

Video Lessons Included:

• Basic Tune
• Hammering for Melody (A part)
• Hammering for Melody (B part)
• Chord Progression
• Arranging Ideas (A Part-Meas 1-8)
• Arranging Ideas (A Part-Meas 9-16)
• Arranging Ideas (A Part) Play-through
• Arranging Ideas (B part-Meas 19-26)
• Arranging Ideas (B part-Meas 27-34)
• Arranging Ideas (B part-Meas 35-end)
• Arranging Ideas (B part) Play-through
• Play-through

Approximate Length: 83 minutes

***Videos can be streamed, downloaded, or viewed in the Gumroad App on mobile devices. Watch your email for instructions after purchase***

It's like having private mini-tutorials from Ken that you can watch over and over!

NOTE: Even if you already own the sheet music, your purchase ensures that you receive the latest updated versions, and future additions to new arranging ideas, backups and so forth as Ken experiments and develops his playing of the tune.

Thank you for your support - I hope you enjoy the tune! Please do not share your purchased music and videos.

Recorded at Fenchurch Music Studio, Baltimore MD for the Sandbridge Hammered Dulcimer Retreat