Hi Adele,

I've been playing bones nearly 15 years. Until recently I
thought jigs and bones were not so great a combination. That
changed dramatically last year at Bones Fest VII. For this
was the first time I heard others play bones to jigs - and
for me it was a truly awesome and enlightening experience.

Since then (and under the influence of the video resources
below) I have become competent enough to play jigs at our
annual Irish fest sessions which recently included Mary
Bergin and Kevin Henry. Later in the crowded pub, Mr. Henry,
a distinguished Irish-born flute player from Chicago, gave
me a smile and a hearty "the bones player!" which really
made my day.

I realize you are not going to run out today and buy these
videos, but at least the titles below will give you some
excellent recordings to consider in the future. So if the
opportunity presents itself, these videos give superb
examples of how to play bones to jigs.

* "Bodhran & Bones" (instruction video by Mel Mercier)

* "Bones" (instruction video by Aaron Plunkett)

Reviews of these two videos are at the Rhythm Bones Society
Web site:
http://www.rhythmbones.com/video.html

Until Bones Fest VII, I had never been in the same room with
more than one other bones player. Over 50 bones players
attended last summer. At times it sounded like a convention
of locusts. But the two-volume video of the event is perhaps
the most comprehensive collection of individual rhythm bones
playing-styles in existence. I believe you might find the
outstanding jig performances by world-class players Steve
Brown and Mel Mercier of special interest.

* "Bones Fest VII" (Rhythm Bones Society, 2003)

Contact the Rhythm Bones Society to get a copy of the "Bones
Fest VII" video.

Best of luck to you, and hang in there.

Scott Miller
Saint Louis, Missouri
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