Hannah Harris sits down with fiddler and multi-instrumentalist Katie Grennan for a conversation rooted in Irish traditional music, dance, and lifelong learning. Katie shares how Irish dance shaped her sense of rhythm and phrasing, how she developed her bowing and ornamentation, and why playing for dancers demands a different musical mindset.They also discuss Katie’s work with students of all ages, her approach to teaching feel and lilt, and how learning whistle, banjo, and concertina keeps her musically curious.

Connect with Katie via her website here!

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Key topics

• Katie’s early start on violin and her family’s connection to Ireland.
• How Irish dance shaped her sense of rhythm and her musical style.
• Learning Irish tunes by ear, then refining her playing through focused listening.
• What changes when playing reels at dance tempos, including why Katie pares back ornaments to support the dancer.
• Why fast Irish playing should still sound connected and legato.
• Katie’s teaching approach: learning by ear, finding a bowing plan, listening back, and making music in community.
• How Irish dancers can draw on their movement and sense of rhythm when learning music.
• The joys and challenges of learning whistle, banjo, and concertina.
• Choosing tunes and arranging music with her groups, the Bowtides and Reverie Road.
• Why Irish traditional music offers endless opportunities to learn, play, and discover new tunes.

Timestamps

00:00 — Introducing Katie Grennan
00:59 — Katie’s early musical life and Irish family roots
03:14 — Discovering Irish dance music
06:16 — Bowing patterns and playing at dance tempo
13:48 — Developing musical feel through listening
17:52 — Teaching by ear and building community
21:15 — Teaching musicians with Irish dance backgrounds
23:26 — Exploring whistle, banjo, and concertina
32:32 — Lifelong learning and the endless world of Irish tunes
37:32 — Picking and arranging tunes with her groups
41:57 — Festivals, dance competitions, and upcoming projects

Notable quotes

“I try to sound like the same vibe and character no matter what speed I’m playing at.”

“This is community music. It’s music that’s meant to be shared.”

“There’s always another tune to learn.”