Piano Guidance
Photo by RODNAE Productions Pexels Logo Photo: RODNAE Productions

What is an Irish Fada?

The fada – a slanting line over a vowel – is a way of indicating a particular pronunciation or meaning in Irish. Seán is the Irish version of John whereas sean means old.

What should a jumper not do when landing?
What should a jumper not do when landing?

Athletes should refrain from falling on their hands or back when landing, as their jump distance decreases significantly. Long jumpers aim to land...

Read More »
What color is C major?
What color is C major?

Musical Key Colours and Characteristics. C Major - The key of childhood. Innocently happy and as pure as an angel. It's colour is azure. Apr 8, 2020

Read More »

The fada – a slanting line over a vowel – is a way of indicating a particular pronunciation or meaning in Irish. Seán is the Irish version of John whereas sean means old.

On Monday the fada had a new meaning: affronted.

That, at least, is how Irish language activists, celebrities and a government minister greeted news that the National Transport Authority (NTA) was refusing to include the acute accent on names of commuters using Leap cards, a type of public transport pass. The state agency blamed a “technical limitation” for its rendering of Bríd as Brid, Sinéad as Sinead, Séamus as Seamus and a host of other errors. “There is no real excuse for it,” Liam Ó Maonlaí, the frontman of the rock group Hothouse Flowers, told Irish media. “Pretty much all printing technology has the capacity to print fadas. A lot of people in Ireland view this language as something to be ashamed of. It is a pity.” Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, a broadcaster, said the NTA’s excuse was “rubbish” and said private companies and state agencies had an obligation to get the language right. “I have three computers and they all take the fada. My name is my name. There is no excuse – whether public or private – if they want your business or you’re paying your taxes, that is your name. If you respect that person, then you have to respect their name.” Seán Kyne, the minister of state for the Irish language, said all state bodies were obliged to provide services in Irish and English. “The assertion that the inclusion of fadas on Irish names is not possible because of technical difficulties does not, in my view, make sense.” The NTA’s policy emerged after the transport minister, Shane Ross, complained that the son of a constituent wanted his Leap card to have the proper spelling of his name. The agency responded that it hoped to resolve the technical issue “at a suitable opportunity in the future”. The Irish language withered and almost vanished under British rule before making a comeback in recent decades. It remains unpopular with many schoolchildren who are obliged to study it. Some parents reportedly pressure psychologists to help students obtain exemptions by citing purported stress or anxiety caused by studying the language.

Are music lessons necessary?
Are music lessons necessary?

Music helps develop math and language skills that give kids an edge in school and life. According to the National Association for Music Education,...

Read More »
How do you know your shifting?
How do you know your shifting?

There are certain symptoms when you're trying to shift that will let you know that you're getting close. Some of these symptoms include feeling...

Read More »

What is it called when you put nails in a piano?

A tack piano (also known as a harpsipiano, jangle piano, and junk piano) is an altered version of an ordinary piano, in which objects such as thumbtacks or nails are placed on the felt-padded hammers of the instrument at the point where the hammers hit the strings, giving the instrument a tinny, more percussive sound.

en.wikipedia.org - Tack piano - Wikipedia

Musical instrument

Thumbtacks such as these are sometimes pushed in the hammers of a piano to give the instrument a more percussive sound Piano hammers to which metal strips have been glued to give the special sound A tack piano (also known as a harpsipiano, jangle piano, and junk piano) is an altered version of an ordinary piano, in which objects such as thumbtacks or nails are placed on the felt-padded hammers of the instrument at the point where the hammers hit the strings, giving the instrument a tinny, more percussive sound. It is used to evoke the feeling of a honky-tonk piano.[1] Tack pianos are commonly associated with ragtime pieces, often appearing in Hollywood Western saloon scenes featuring old upright pianos.[2] The instrument was originally used for classical music performances as a substitute for a harpsichord.[3]

Honky-tonk piano [ edit ]

A honky-tonk piano has a similar tone as a tack piano, however, the method of obtaining its sound is different, and simply involves one or more strings of each key being slightly detuned, without the use of tacks. The resultant sound produces acoustic beats in a manner similar to undulating organ stops.[1]

References [ edit ]

Are musicians higher IQ?
Are musicians higher IQ?

The researchers also found that, overall, the musicians had higher IQ scores than the non-musicians, supporting recent studies that intensive...

Read More »
Does perpetual license expire?
Does perpetual license expire?

For Avid Sibelius, Pro Tools, and Media Composer, a perpetual license is a license that does not expire. Jan 19, 2022

Read More »
Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide
Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.

Learn More »
Why is it better to study alone?
Why is it better to study alone?

Studying alone allows you to set the perfect study environment so you get the most out of studying. Studying alone also allows you to use the study...

Read More »
What key is the saddest?
What key is the saddest?

D minor This is our second story in our series on the characteristics of musical keys. We started with the “people's key,” C major. From there it's...

Read More »