Tunes, Tradition and Teamwork with Tara Connaghan

Show Notes

‘I realized I was playing what I thought was expected of me, rather than playing music because I loved it.’

Irish traditional folk musician Tara Connaghan shares how inheriting her late sister’s fiddle sparked her musical path, how a blunt wake-up call from her teacher cured her ‘lazy practicing’ habits, and how a semester abroad in Finland reminded her never to let her repertoire slip.

We explore the social rules and unspoken courtesies of traditional Irish music sessions, the fear of embarrassment that holds adult learners back and how a profound conversation with traditional music elder Danny Meehan inspired Tara to stop playing for approval and start enjoying her own music.

Tara also introduces her project and podcast, In Tune with Tradition, created to help adult learners navigate session etiquette, overcome performance anxiety and find community in group music-making.

The 60-Second Practice: Trying to fake practice during 60-second car rides and how her teacher’s tough love sparked a fierce, lifelong dedication to mastering tunes.
University Repertoire Shock and The Finnish Pub Session: Feeling like ‘the weakest link’ during her early days at university, going on a 20-year quest to learn every tune, and how a St Patrick’s Day gig in Finland taught Tara that unused tunes quickly evaporate.
From Construction Company to Creative Calling: Parachuting in to manage her late father’s essential electrical services construction firm for ten years before stepping away to preserve her sanity and return to music.
Danny Meehan’s Wisdom and Playing Your Own Music: How a gentle observation from an 80-year-old traditional fiddle legend helped Tara realize she was playing to meet external expectations rather than for pure joy.
Demystifying Session Etiquette and In Tune with Tradition: Why adult learners are risk-averse to embarrassment, and how Tara’s podcast and framework help musicians understand the unspoken customs, courtesies and teamwork of session playing.