Like languages you find that you only have to head out in your car for about half an hour or so and people talk different (Well especially in England). So i was wondering is this what happens to tunes when they are taken to different parts of the world and re-aranged to suite the players "accent".
I know people will argue it depends on what instument is paying the tune but lets imagine a Button Accordion playing say "Haste To The Wedding" in Scotland and then another Button Accordion playing it in South England. It will have regional differences for some reason. Just something that i've always pondered.
It definitely does happen with the music if you compare the differences between Sliabh Luachra polkas played in Munster and polkas from Sligo/leitrim for example. Another example would be reels played in the energetic Sligo style as opposed to the more laid back styles of East Clare.
I know that traditional Shetland fiddlers bow many tunes differently from most Irish players eg. the "one down three up" during a reel, for example. There are also rhythmic differences and a few ornaments such as the "Cape Breton stop" - no prizes for guessing where that hails from(!)
You can really hear a huge difference between traditional dance tunes from Texas as opposed to New England or the Appalachians. Whooops..... wrong tradition.
i'm sure tune accents are more pronounced in ireland than in america, though there is regionalism, as local players influence the repertoire.
this might not directly be an accent thing, but a "word choice' instead... i'm not sure if they do this other places, but in chicago, they like to play foxhunter's reel in the key of A, so as to discourage the box players from joining in. if somebody starts it in g, its very likely that after the second time they'll play it twice more in A. it's not a nice thing to do, but i sure do love playing it in A on the concertina better than in G! i dont think i can even play it in G anymore.
Daiv, I don't think the key Foxhunter's commonly is played in around these parts is such to discourage box players - I think it's because so many fiddle players find that tune easier in A and you're outnumbered
Tunes in Ireland are in danger of loosing their regional 'accents'. As more and more recordings are easier to access, CD's, iPods etc the music learned through this media is leading to a new generation playing a generic style of Irish trad.
I think music has to be visually and orally passed on through human intercourse in order to save the regional styles we have.
I hope more indigenious players are doing what they can to preserve regional differences. I am new to celtic music, and presently listening to early 78s of irish musicians as well as contemporaries. I realize there are intersections and overlap between regions, but its really more compelling to emphasize the differences I think. I agree that visual and aural methods can pass on information that tabulation and even recordings cannot. But, I wouldn't discount either if they were all you have of a tune. I would expect a 5 year student to maybe be tempted to blend everything into one generic celtoid style, but a 30 year veteran dedicated to rendering a regional style should have no problem ignoring ipods, CDs, and other influences. Sometimes our utes just have to explore and experiment, and I don't think it precludes them from pursuing a specific style later, if they want.
i find that this happens all the time....
its cos irish music is so flexible all the different types of variations and ornamentations allow for different 'dialects'
Do tunes have regional accents?
Do tunes have regional accents?
Like languages you find that you only have to head out in your car for about half an hour or so and people talk different (Well especially in England). So i was wondering is this what happens to tunes when they are taken to different parts of the world and re-aranged to suite the players "accent".
I know people will argue it depends on what instument is paying the tune but lets imagine a Button Accordion playing say "Haste To The Wedding" in Scotland and then another Button Accordion playing it in South England. It will have regional differences for some reason. Just something that i've always pondered.
# Posted on May 7th 2007 by upmine3
Re: Do tunes have regional accents?
It definitely does happen with the music if you compare the differences between Sliabh Luachra polkas played in Munster and polkas from Sligo/leitrim for example. Another example would be reels played in the energetic Sligo style as opposed to the more laid back styles of East Clare.
# Posted on May 7th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Do tunes have regional accents?
I know that traditional Shetland fiddlers bow many tunes differently from most Irish players eg. the "one down three up" during a reel, for example. There are also rhythmic differences and a few ornaments such as the "Cape Breton stop" - no prizes for guessing where that hails from(!)
Peace, S
# Posted on May 7th 2007 by Swift
Re: Do tunes have regional accents?
You can really hear a huge difference between traditional dance tunes from Texas as opposed to New England or the Appalachians. Whooops..... wrong tradition.
# Posted on May 8th 2007 by morning star
Re: Do tunes have regional accents?
i'm sure tune accents are more pronounced in ireland than in america, though there is regionalism, as local players influence the repertoire.
this might not directly be an accent thing, but a "word choice' instead... i'm not sure if they do this other places, but in chicago, they like to play foxhunter's reel in the key of A, so as to discourage the box players from joining in. if somebody starts it in g, its very likely that after the second time they'll play it twice more in A. it's not a nice thing to do, but i sure do love playing it in A on the concertina better than in G! i dont think i can even play it in G anymore.
# Posted on May 8th 2007 by daiv
Re: Do tunes have regional accents?
Daiv, I don't think the key Foxhunter's commonly is played in around these parts is such to discourage box players - I think it's because so many fiddle players find that tune easier in A and you're outnumbered
# Posted on May 8th 2007 by reenactor
Re: Do tunes have regional accents?
Tunes in Ireland are in danger of loosing their regional 'accents'. As more and more recordings are easier to access, CD's, iPods etc the music learned through this media is leading to a new generation playing a generic style of Irish trad.
I think music has to be visually and orally passed on through human intercourse in order to save the regional styles we have.
# Posted on May 8th 2007 by iwerzon
Re: Do tunes have regional accents?
I hope more indigenious players are doing what they can to preserve regional differences. I am new to celtic music, and presently listening to early 78s of irish musicians as well as contemporaries. I realize there are intersections and overlap between regions, but its really more compelling to emphasize the differences I think. I agree that visual and aural methods can pass on information that tabulation and even recordings cannot. But, I wouldn't discount either if they were all you have of a tune. I would expect a 5 year student to maybe be tempted to blend everything into one generic celtoid style, but a 30 year veteran dedicated to rendering a regional style should have no problem ignoring ipods, CDs, and other influences. Sometimes our utes just have to explore and experiment, and I don't think it precludes them from pursuing a specific style later, if they want.
Jim
# Posted on May 8th 2007 by jhol111964
Re: Do tunes have regional accents?
i find that this happens all the time....
its cos irish music is so flexible all the different types of variations and ornamentations allow for different 'dialects'
# Posted on May 8th 2007 by saxwhistle
Re: Do tunes have regional accents?
Of course they do ! But who cares, can I cop it? Sure I can ! Look at me, I'm from any place in Ireland you want... easy!
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by Cammy