We've been having this discussion for a while now. Some players want this to be played solemnly and slowly, some at a more brisk march tempo, others say it's a polka and needs to move along. Is there any consensus on how this great tune ought to be played?
All three ways you describe are correct. It can be played as a regular march or a slow march. It's also been adapted to be played as a polka for dancing. All correct, depending on circumstances.
"Is there any consensus on how this great tune ought to be played?"
mandogal ~ you are tossing your wrenches about.
It is a great tune though. Have not tried it as a polka yet.
we play it fairly slowly once, and then 2nd time around we always up-the-pace. Has quite a nice effect (or sometimes, twice slowly, then fast for the 3rd round...ye get the general idea anyways!)
Picture this...Coming across the brow of a heather strewn hill is a column of marching men all carrying pikes. The tune they are marching to is 'The Battle of Augrim'. That's the speed that suits the tune best.
I usually play it as a polka, but I don't think that there's a right or wrong way to play it. One little thing I stole from Mike McHale is to play Aughrim a bit slower than normal and then go into the Cornerhouse Reel. This reel is derived from Aughrim and goes quite nicely after it. Of course this arrangement can be switched if Ilig leahcim were playing
I found some dots of it that say to play it at reel tempo...weird. I usually play it at a march speed, sometimes polka as well. As lots of people have said, it probably doesn't matter!
"Battle of Aurghim" ~ the name I have always heard ~ is sometimes 'Return from . . .' or 'After the . . .' The tune could reasonably be considered a march, in fact the retreat.
You can begin with a rush into the valley, pushing forward with great gusto. On, & on, & on. Until, with blood still coursing through you, everyone who survives begins the return home; with no great haste.
Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
We've been having this discussion for a while now. Some players want this to be played solemnly and slowly, some at a more brisk march tempo, others say it's a polka and needs to move along. Is there any consensus on how this great tune ought to be played?
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Mandogal
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
All three ways you describe are correct. It can be played as a regular march or a slow march. It's also been adapted to be played as a polka for dancing. All correct, depending on circumstances.
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Seosamh Ui Sinan
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
PS you all just need to agree on how you're going to play it together!
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Seosamh Ui Sinan
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
"Is there any consensus on how this great tune ought to be played?"
mandogal ~ you are tossing your wrenches about.
It is a great tune though. Have not tried it as a polka yet.
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
I have not heard how Micho plays 'Battle'
I am certain it is grand.
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
we play it fairly slowly once, and then 2nd time around we always up-the-pace. Has quite a nice effect (or sometimes, twice slowly, then fast for the 3rd round...ye get the general idea anyways!)
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by andy69
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
I think I'd prefer that set the other way round
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
Martin Byrnes played it as a polka---it has a nice bounce in the melody when it's sped up like that.
# Posted on November 7th 2008 by kennedy
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
Picture this...Coming across the brow of a heather strewn hill is a column of marching men all carrying pikes. The tune they are marching to is 'The Battle of Augrim'. That's the speed that suits the tune best.
# Posted on November 8th 2008 by Free Reed
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
Nice one free reed.
# Posted on November 8th 2008 by piobagusfidil
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
I usually play it as a polka, but I don't think that there's a right or wrong way to play it. One little thing I stole from Mike McHale is to play Aughrim a bit slower than normal and then go into the Cornerhouse Reel. This reel is derived from Aughrim and goes quite nicely after it. Of course this arrangement can be switched if Ilig leahcim were playing
# Posted on November 8th 2008 by rob_handel
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
I found some dots of it that say to play it at reel tempo...weird. I usually play it at a march speed, sometimes polka as well. As lots of people have said, it probably doesn't matter!
# Posted on November 8th 2008 by Glass of Beer
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
"Battle of Aurghim" ~ the name I have always heard ~ is sometimes 'Return from . . .' or 'After the . . .' The tune could reasonably be considered a march, in fact the retreat.
You can begin with a rush into the valley, pushing forward with great gusto. On, & on, & on. Until, with blood still coursing through you, everyone who survives begins the return home; with no great haste.
Then a polka or reel.
# Posted on November 8th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: Battle of Aughrim -- speed?
Depends if they are going to the battle, or coming back.
# Posted on November 10th 2008 by geoffwright