Was at a concert the other night of five ITM musicians (including singer) who played/sang with much speed and energy. Afterward, I mentioned to my husband that they seemed awfully young. I think the flute player was 25 and the rest seemed pretty darn close. He replied that music (meaning cutting edge music) was a young man’s/woman’s game.
Made me wonder, of course, if he was right. I heard criticism about a veteran player once that ‘he still plays the stuff he was playing 20 years ago’ with the addendum that new and better musicians have moved beyond that to new tunes and new techniques.
I dunno if I agree. Speed and energy don’t always equate to good music, and a good musician continues to follow wherever the music take him/her, age notwithstanding.
You said it yourself. Speed and energy don’t always equate to good music.
Last night myself and a couple of other members of this site played along with some of the very best players within the tradition. These people didn't play particularly fast, but they played with such clarity and class that they really brought the tunes to life, almost seemingly without trying. And these were not young players. It does seem to me to be more of a young player's thing to play fast, thinking (in some circles) that means good playing. That said, I don't like playing which is to slow either.
Oh, and the range of tunes which were played last night was breathtaking. I only knew about half of them. So that remark ‘he still plays the stuff he was playing 20 years ago’ does not necessarily apply to older players.
I wouldn't worry too much about these remarks.
i've always been grateful i was musically inclined rather than sport inclined, because every year that passes i get BETTER at playing , and deeper into music.
u can always learn from everyone tho-the younger amongst us can teach us. they can learn from their elders as well.
isnt it fun!
if you're playing for money youth is probably a distinct advantage as prevailing popular taste seems to favour fast flashy music that requires stamina more than taste.
The accordion player in our band is 65. He knows almost every old tune ever written and is learning all the new ones.
You can actually hear 50 years of tradition when he plays.
And as for speed? He can still leave all us thirty/forty somethings in the dust.
I'll tell you what's a young man's game...it's this business of staying up past midnight playing in sessions when I have to work the next day. I don't have the energy for that kind of lifestyle anymore!
There are a good number of them, Will. There is Ceol in Carroll Gardens on Sunday, Spike Hill in Williamsburg on Monday, and I know there are others, but I can't remember them exactly right now. There are some good ones in Queens as well. I can dig up a whole list for you if you like.
Re: Young man's game? i.e. no young women allowed?
I am in my mid 50s, but am still a tune-manget. I am always on the lookout for new tunes to play (and even learn some of them).
I don't think they are really cutting edge on tunes (the youngsters all play the same tunes) - and volume and notes per minute are not really cutting-edge - people have been doing that for quite a long time.
Geoff is right. Playing tunes at 90mph isn't cutting edge at all. Listen to Johnny Doran or Patsy Touhy play. Those guys could squeeze in as many notes per second as any top class player today, young or old.
On second thought, they could probably squeeze in even more notes since they would be doing mad things with the regulators whilst playing the chanter at warp speed.
At three local jam sessions, I work regularly with musicians who are old enough to be my parents and I am amazed by some of the things they are able to still play. I am in my forties and have been playing music since I was seven.
Young man's game?
Young man's game?
Was at a concert the other night of five ITM musicians (including singer) who played/sang with much speed and energy. Afterward, I mentioned to my husband that they seemed awfully young. I think the flute player was 25 and the rest seemed pretty darn close. He replied that music (meaning cutting edge music) was a young man’s/woman’s game.
Made me wonder, of course, if he was right. I heard criticism about a veteran player once that ‘he still plays the stuff he was playing 20 years ago’ with the addendum that new and better musicians have moved beyond that to new tunes and new techniques.
I dunno if I agree. Speed and energy don’t always equate to good music, and a good musician continues to follow wherever the music take him/her, age notwithstanding.
But I still wonder if he had a point. Or not.
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by Mandogal
Re: Young man's game?
Touring is a young person's game.
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Young man's game?
This sort of power belongs to the old and wise though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N9oc_b6utI
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Young man's game?
You said it yourself. Speed and energy don’t always equate to good music.
Last night myself and a couple of other members of this site played along with some of the very best players within the tradition. These people didn't play particularly fast, but they played with such clarity and class that they really brought the tunes to life, almost seemingly without trying. And these were not young players. It does seem to me to be more of a young player's thing to play fast, thinking (in some circles) that means good playing. That said, I don't like playing which is to slow either.
Oh, and the range of tunes which were played last night was breathtaking. I only knew about half of them. So that remark ‘he still plays the stuff he was playing 20 years ago’ does not necessarily apply to older players.
I wouldn't worry too much about these remarks.
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by Rudall the time
Re: Young man's game?
BTW Danny Meehan still tours.
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by Rudall the time
Re: Young man's game?
i've always been grateful i was musically inclined rather than sport inclined, because every year that passes i get BETTER at playing , and deeper into music.
u can always learn from everyone tho-the younger amongst us can teach us. they can learn from their elders as well.
isnt it fun!
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by hakanozel
Re: Young man's game?
if you're playing for money youth is probably a distinct advantage as prevailing popular taste seems to favour fast flashy music that requires stamina more than taste.
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by millionyears_bc
Re: Young man's game?
Popularity seems tied to youth, at least that is how I try to rationalize it in my aged condition.....
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: Young man's game?
The accordion player in our band is 65. He knows almost every old tune ever written and is learning all the new ones.
You can actually hear 50 years of tradition when he plays.
And as for speed? He can still leave all us thirty/forty somethings in the dust.
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by CleverName
Re: Young man's game?
I'll tell you what's a young man's game...it's this business of staying up past midnight playing in sessions when I have to work the next day. I don't have the energy for that kind of lifestyle anymore!
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by kennedy
Re: Young man's game?
Hey Kennedy--what time is it now?
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Young man's game?
Yeah, I know. I went all the way out to Brooklyn this time. Too much good music in this town.
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by kennedy
Re: Young man's game?
Oooooohhh, where are the good sessions in Brooklyn? My brother lives not far from the B. Bridge on that side of the river.
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Young man's game?
There are a good number of them, Will. There is Ceol in Carroll Gardens on Sunday, Spike Hill in Williamsburg on Monday, and I know there are others, but I can't remember them exactly right now. There are some good ones in Queens as well. I can dig up a whole list for you if you like.
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by kennedy
Re: Young man's game?
Well, if I ever find the time to visit my brother, I'll want that list. But not in the near future. Too busy and can't afford the trip just now.
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Young man's game? i.e. no young women allowed?
I am in my mid 50s, but am still a tune-manget. I am always on the lookout for new tunes to play (and even learn some of them).
I don't think they are really cutting edge on tunes (the youngsters all play the same tunes) - and volume and notes per minute are not really cutting-edge - people have been doing that for quite a long time.
# Posted on May 20th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: Young man's game?
Geoff is right. Playing tunes at 90mph isn't cutting edge at all. Listen to Johnny Doran or Patsy Touhy play. Those guys could squeeze in as many notes per second as any top class player today, young or old.
# Posted on May 21st 2008 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Young man's game?
On second thought, they could probably squeeze in even more notes since they would be doing mad things with the regulators whilst playing the chanter at warp speed.
# Posted on May 21st 2008 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Young man's game?
At three local jam sessions, I work regularly with musicians who are old enough to be my parents and I am amazed by some of the things they are able to still play. I am in my forties and have been playing music since I was seven.
# Posted on May 21st 2008 by fauxcelt