Category Archives: Video Clip

Martin Doyle plays O’Neill’s March and Return from Fingal

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Happy New Year to all!

Our good friend Anurakta O’Neill recently found a forgotten video clip from Martin Doyle’s trip to New Zealand in December of 2014. Martin was visiting Anurakta at his workshop in Christchurch and he asked Martin if he knew the famous O’Neill’s March. Martin proceeded to play that tune and was then prompted to talk about another tune that he had played earlier in the day called Return from Fingal. This second tune relates to the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 AD and the subsequent death of the famed Irish High King Brian Boru. As usual, Martin brought the magic and it was a lovely wee interlude for those present. Martin is playing one of his own traditional style keyless D flutes that is made from cocus wood.

For more video clips of Martin and other musicians playing Martin Doyle flutes, kindly visit Martin Doyle’s YouTube channel.

N’dehou – simpler than a simple system flute

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Question: Is there any kind of flute or whistle that is simpler than a simple system flute?

Answer: Well, as it turns out, yes there is. Known as the N’dehou, it is an end blown single note Pygmy flute that is made of bamboo.

Question: What can be done with one note?

Answer: One could mimic birds I suppose, but it turns out that, in the hands of the right person, much can be accomplished with a single note flute. A great exponent of the N’dehou is the Cameroonian composer, writer, and musicologist Francis Bebey (1929-2001). In the video below he demonstrates what a creative musician with a N’dehou might be capable of. In his words, it is a form of conversation that takes place between the flute and the player.

How joyful!