I feel like such an expert.

[BoneQuint]

Someone gave me some sheet music with a 2/4 tune in G on it. I played through it a bit and though, "oh, it's a hornpipe" from the shape of the melody (it was written in straight sixteenth notes). I felt knowledgeable. But there was also one note I didn't like. I decided to change it, and it sounded better to me. Then I thought, "who the heck am I to change a traditional tune to fit my whims?" Then I thought, "let's see if I can find other versions of it." So I found it in O'Neill's, and there it was, written with that same one note changed the way I had changed it. So, I feel like I may have developed at least a bit of feel for this Irish music stuff. And I also feel the style is not arbitrary, it has a consistency which can be learned.

[AlBrown]

Good for you. it is always good to hit milestones like that, and get your confidence boosted. Now, don't start getting a swelled head!

[fearfaoin]

You know what experts often do?
Make bones instructional DVDs.