Last night in a small banjo & mandolin class/group at comhaltas we had 5 adults (all the kids practicing in bands).
And we were learning "the Gander in the Pratie Hole".
we'd got to the second half. And I was just starting to say (again) how the dots should never be taken all that seriously for any of these tunes although they can be useful references/approximations. Specifically for this tune in the second half, hovering around the high d, well here...
And here we got a little derailed (deranged?). I started off by asking:
"what do you hear yourself playing along with when you play?"
blank faces: "you mean like the other players?"
Me, just starting to feel a little uneasy: "No, I mean like when you are playing on your own, say at home. What do you hear yourself playing along with?"
now the faces are blank AND a little worried.
"I mean what instument"..."E.g. when I play I hear the tune played in my head on an accordeon that I play along with..."
Ok.
So everyone else in the room thought I was mad. But it never occured to me that everyone didn't hear some internal music that they played along with.
Am I the only one who does hear an inner accordeon/fiddle/whatever?
I "sing" the melody in my head - which is a bit strange as I can't normally reach the high notes!
If I'm concentrating on rythmn then I "play" drums in my head.
Whoa dude, far out. 4/20 was yesterday, take it easy there.
No but seriously, what an interesting question. Never thought about it before. I don't consciously play along with anything in my head, but I know when I'm not doing it right and should correct myself. This doesn't occur because I have failed to play along properly with something playing in my head already, however, it just sort of happens.
I'd say it's an idealized version of the tune as I would like to play it myself, on my fiddle, however it doesn't play along in my head at the same time I am playing, that doesn't happen. What does happen is when I play something that doesn't match the idealized Platonic form of the tune (if you will) which is in my head.
SWFL, does that mean that my playing is just the distorted shadow on the wall, and out there in the real and parallel universe I actually sound like Liz Carroll's more talented older sister?
I don't accompany myself on an imaginary instrument when I play, but I play reels in my head at walking pace when walking along (two paces to a bar), and come to think of it, that probably is an accordion. You need to get worried when the imaginary accompaniment is being played by your imaginary friend, and you start saving a seat for him/her at sessions and buying an extra drink!
I can't wait to meet Chris' imaginary accordion playing friend!!
Seriously, I think of an idealized version of the tune, how I would like to play it or how certain pipers who's playing I quite like would play it. If my timing starts going t*ts up, I try to think what would X (I'm not gonna say here who it is) do. And then I still don't play it anywhere near how I (or X or anyone good) would like to play it.
My inner voices, well my musical ones, stick to Mellotron and Vulcan Arse Flute. This contrasts nicely with the Indian Harmonium, banjolele, Stylophone and glockenspiel that I'm actually playing most of the time.
(Anyway ITM's not supposed to have an inner voice. It's supposed to be all melody in unis.
I suppose a backer of some sort playing block chords and a bit of a bass line -e.g. a piano- may inadvertantly imply the occasional inner voice but traditionally they are not there. And if they do they are probably puting in too many K blunt diminished 27ths)
I don't think I *play along* to imaginary instruments. But the instrument I am playing in my head might not be the one that is physically in my hands. So, when I play the mandolin, I might imagine I am playing the pipes or the fiddle or concertina - maybe even the accordion. This might be because I have very few tunes
learned from other mandolin players. This doesn't happen so often when I play the whistle or the fiddle - probably because I am more accustomed to hearing the tunes played on these instruments.
No doubt, the mandolin purists would say that by trying to (not hat I consciously *try* to) emulate other instruments, I am not exploring and exploiting the full potential of the mandolin. But I feel it is my way of getting as close as possible (such as my non-trad background and technical limitations allow) to the essence of the music.
I sometimes wonder whether your musical *intent* can come through in your playing. Take, for example, an instrument such as a mandolin, which has distinct limitations with respect to the ornamentation and articulation used in Irish traditional music: If you 'feel' a glissando or a roll or a long, sustained note, is that feeling perceptible to the listener, even though the player only approximates the actuality? (Of course, a roll *is* physically possible on a mandolin, but it's not easy and I can't do it - and, in all likelihood, it would sound less at home in a jig or reel that some kind of simpler triplet-based ornament).
I think Llig might just be winning the war, at least online. Just mention the B-word, and people start slapping each other with their handbags. Brilliant.
I have an idealised performance going on in my head on a constant loop, Usually another fiddler i've heard playing the tune. Actually Chris I don't know how people learn
without "playing along" to something. (Then again we might both be mad.)
yes, cocus, I am deeply ashamed. so ashamed....I can't tell you. When I play tunes not only do I imagine bodhrans but bones too. Imagine. And even shaky eggs there in the background. There's no hope, no hope.
Wow, cocus. Was that really necessary? This was an interesting, friendly, and even jokey thread and then some eedjit has to come along and start the flame-throwing. Only on the internet.....
"slapping each other with handbags" - LOL that was brilliant.
The tunes in my head I practice with are often aural remembrances of recorded tunes or favorite players - My mental library has become quite large, and have had several fantasy sessions with some of the best players of all time - mighty good craic to be found in my own head.
I sing through my instrument, so I dont 'hear' any other instruments. I thought Id better check this so I just picked up a fiddle, yes I am 'singing' the tune to myself , vocalising it, which is probably why I sometimes make funny faces when I play LOL.
It's usually a fiddle for me, since i play banjo (& I'm really just a frustrated fiddler). What's that? Oh, my inner fiddler thinks i should've stuck to competitive speed shoelace tying. Hey, who asked you, anyway? Oh I do SO hate it when the meds run out...
Great question! Never really thought about it until now. Usually, I hear renditions as fiddle, harp or piano. Occasionally I hear the tune as the sweet tinkle of a wind up music box. Rarely do I play with pipers, but I still hear some tunes in the piper mode. I don't know why, maybe I'm channeling from the spirits.
Haha. Brilliant question. When I play, I always try to give it my best shot, to make it sound as good as I can, most of my concentration goes in to that.
If I think about it now, I usually imagine myself playing alongside the person who taught me the tune, or the recording I learnt it from, but I never hear the sound of that person's instrument.
No imaginary other instruments, just me. I spent many years noodling (badly) along with recordings and pretending to be in the band, so now I really enjoy the solitude.
When I was a kid getting violin lessons I used to have this strong feeling that each individual note in the musical scale had it's own personality, and every melody was some kind of conversation, or even argument, between the different personalities. And you should understand that the personalities were constant; the A above middle C always had the same personality regardless of the particular melody it appeared in.
Even at the time I thought this was some kind of incipient psychotic tendency; I knew it was weird but the sensation was very real nonetheless. Maybe some form of syneasthesia? I think I've grown out of it. By comparison, imaginary internal bodhrán accompaniment seems perfectly reasonable to me.
"Sometimes I hear the unmistakable rumbling of a bagpipe's bass drone. Usually after I've been eating beans and hardboiled egg."
what key are you tuned in? I'm A flat
I don't hear instruments. I feel emotions. Then I interpret them. Unless I'm reading music. Then I just play it at first when I sight read. But I like this! Invariably, I'll hear lots of invisible sounds the next time I play. Thank you for embedding this in my mind!
My little voices say things like:
'Get that right the next time around the B part.'
'Oh, God, we are going to another part, which I don't remember.'
'I thought I had that right, but since everyone else played it differently, I guess not.'
More of an inner nag!
When I was a young trumpet player, I used to hear Dizzy Gillespie in my head, but heard "blat blat blat" coming from the horn.
I've long thought that one of the problems people often have with playing this music (It could be any music I suppose, but I only have a reference for this music) is that instead of listening to what they are actually playing, they are listening to something entirely different in their heads.
I guess I don't hear other instruments. Most of the time when I am practicing alone I am thinking about all kinds of things. Maybe it's the person or people I have played the tune with, the title of the tune and how it relates, what type of tune it is, what tune would be good coming next, and just the peace and happiness I am enjoying having found the music in this lifetime. Lots of times its a rememberance of where I learned the tune.
No instruments, tho, and I find it interesting that others have that inner session going on. I never would have thought that might be occuring.
I don't hear "musical voices" when I'm playing. I hear what I'm playing and, if there are others around, what they are playing. For a while I thought that if I could do something else at the same time I was playing tunes, I would be a great player. I used to try to read the newspaper while I played.
Sometimes, when I'm not playing, I "hear" tunes. If they're Irish tunes, usually I hear a pipe, fiddle, or accordion. I suppose that's because those are the instruments I have played most with. If its classical, I hear either a piano or the whole orchestra if its a big old symphony. If its jazz, I hear a trombone or a tenor sax. For rock and roll, its electric guitars and, in some cases organs.
Its an interesting question. It got me thinking about my memories of some tunes. I can still hear Denis Murphy playing Lady on the Island from Star Above the Garter. I think this was the first tune I felt like I really learned - that when I played it, it sounded like I wanted it to sound. Sorry, not exactly on the subject, but a good memory for me.
When playing by myself I'm thinking about timing, phrasing and varying/exploring the ornamentation/phrasing whilst thinking about the musicality of it all, trying to keep it tasteful. When I stop thinking; I'm playing more tastefully and I listen as a spectator might but don't get critical with myself until I stop. If I'm well and truly in the zone I just keep playing saving the analysis until next time.
When playing with others or along with recordings; I'm listening to what's happening, noting where we diverge and adjusting my playing to round it off which is maybe not the best for nailing a tune but it's about music in the here & now that the accompanist in me perhaps is always looking to make whole.
When I'm accompanying on guitar is where I have my weird head stuff happening, my inner voice and more spookily, the inner voice of others (no kidding caller? baby arse it is then) but thats the stuff for a different thread (over on the psychic channel maybe, lol).
llig wrote:
>I've long thought that one of the problems people often have >with playing this music (It could be any music I suppose, but I >only have a reference for this music) is that instead of >listening to what they are actually playing, they are listening to >something entirely different in their heads
You've picked me up wrong Llig.
I don't hear the tune on the accordeon instaed of what I'm playing. I hear how I would like the tune to be played and what I hear on top of that.
I don't find it any harder to listen to myself & the inner accordeon than I do to listen to myself & my mates when I'm playing with them.
It wasn't always an accordeon I heard, it used to be a fiddle. I know when it changed for me. I was in a pub in Glasgow and a fellow by the name of Laurence sitting facing me played a couple of tunes quietly on his box. I've never thought of orheard music in the same light since. Never heard playing I thought better in concert, session or on cd.
Doubtless there will have been countless equally fine performances in the lives of other people, but that was it for me.
The accordeon I usually hear though isn't usually played in the style of this player. But it the very different, though mighty fine, style of Bernie Greene, a very sadly missed friend.
I never knew anyone that was more fun to play with than Bernie. Usually I hear the accordeon in his playful style. I particularly love the long notes he would sometimes hold through phrases. Long notes are something that the banjo really misses out on.
oh dash it:
>I don't hear the tune on the accordeon instaed of what I'm >playing. I hear how I would like the tune to be played and >what I hear on top of that.
You are listening to your self and an imaginary player? I suppose it's better than hearing only the imaginary player, but I still can't think it could be anything other than a distraction.
Mind you, if you are playing the banjo, perhaps the distraction is a godsend?
So, if you are playing the banjo, but hear an accordeon, why not give up the banjo and learn to play the accordeon fo real?
When running through a tune that I am learning in my head but not playing I hear something like whatever I am learning it from. Then comes a stage where so long as I can hear the next phrase in my head my fingers usually find the right notes; at that point I am hearing someting more generalised, a cross between what I am doing on flute and the 'source' and it influences how I play (e.g. pipes vs mandolin would have a different effect). If I get to the stage of playing without needing to hear the next phrase I start getting a choice as to what to listen to for real or in my head. Not too good at paying attention to more than one thing at a time though, but getting better.
I got a birthday card from my family earlier this year saying get yourself an accordeon. I have a touched up c#'d Hohner coming sometime soon (hopefully). Meantime a friend gave me a loan of an old cc# honer a couple of months ago.
Actually you are right about the godsend too. I don't like the sound of a banjo on its own, only with other instruments. And that's the way I hear it
Of course when I'm playing with other players, it is them is listening too. But if I start a set, I'm playing with the accordeon before the others join in: here we go Bernie, don't let a triffling thing let death stop you from helping me out now.
The bodhran quip for for Llig btw...[cocus...we'll miss you!]
Actually, I realized a few month's ago that I was listening to "nothing " -- in the sense that I was hearing something along the lines of an 'idealized' version of what I was actually playing, but not what I was actually playing. In the last while I've come to realize that, in fact, *really* hearing what you're playing is insanely hard work...but maybe it gets easier as you get out of bad (really self deluding) habits and learn to be constantly making adjustments, rather than mental excuses.
I have no room for other instruments in my head because it's a hard enough job just dealing with the one under my chin! (And I owe that change of direction to some advice repeated ad naseum from a member on this board.)
I almost always imagine the chords for the tune i am playing(my mother constantly played the piano during me being at home) but i find it next to impossible tp play them
I have anothr problem as that i can't diffrentiate between good and bad players as i imagine other musicians joining in at parts for imphasis!!!!!!
After reading through all of the comments on this discussion thread, I am reminded of the old jokes about inner voices inside your head, i.e., "What are all of the voices saying?" and "Do they agree or disagree?"
When people ask me either question as a joke, I tell them that I hear music instead of voices. The only time when I don't hear music inside my head is when I am actually playing music--either by myself or with a group. When I am actually playing music either by myself or with a group, the only sounds I hear are the music which I am playing.
There doesn't seem to be enough room inside my head for me to be actually playing music and hearing music inside my head at the same time. Either that, or I don't have enough brain cells left to be able to do both things at the same time.
Also, I have noticed that it takes more brain cells to play melody and accompany myself at the same time than it does just to accompany someone else who is playing the melody.
Inner Musical Voices
Inner Musical Voices
Well it was like this...
Last night in a small banjo & mandolin class/group at comhaltas we had 5 adults (all the kids practicing in bands).
And we were learning "the Gander in the Pratie Hole".
we'd got to the second half. And I was just starting to say (again) how the dots should never be taken all that seriously for any of these tunes although they can be useful references/approximations. Specifically for this tune in the second half, hovering around the high d, well here...
And here we got a little derailed (deranged?). I started off by asking:
"what do you hear yourself playing along with when you play?"
blank faces: "you mean like the other players?"
Me, just starting to feel a little uneasy: "No, I mean like when you are playing on your own, say at home. What do you hear yourself playing along with?"
now the faces are blank AND a little worried.
"I mean what instument"..."E.g. when I play I hear the tune played in my head on an accordeon that I play along with..."
Ok.
So everyone else in the room thought I was mad. But it never occured to me that everyone didn't hear some internal music that they played along with.
Am I the only one who does hear an inner accordeon/fiddle/whatever?
Anyone?
Am I completely out on my own?
- chris
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Nice question. Mines another set of pipes!
Ged
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by gedpipes
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Cillian Vallely &/or his brother Niall.
Matt Molloy
depends on the tune
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Chris....
I'm ashamed to admit this --- A BODHRAN!
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I "sing" the melody in my head - which is a bit strange as I can't normally reach the high notes!
If I'm concentrating on rythmn then I "play" drums in my head.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Fiona A
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Whoa dude, far out. 4/20 was yesterday, take it easy there.
No but seriously, what an interesting question. Never thought about it before. I don't consciously play along with anything in my head, but I know when I'm not doing it right and should correct myself. This doesn't occur because I have failed to play along properly with something playing in my head already, however, it just sort of happens.
I'd say it's an idealized version of the tune as I would like to play it myself, on my fiddle, however it doesn't play along in my head at the same time I am playing, that doesn't happen. What does happen is when I play something that doesn't match the idealized Platonic form of the tune (if you will) which is in my head.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I mean, what does happen is the alarm goes off when I don't match the idealized form.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Inner Musical Voices
SWFL...have you been drinking before noon again? ;)
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Inner Musical Voices
SWFL, does that mean that my playing is just the distorted shadow on the wall, and out there in the real and parallel universe I actually sound like Liz Carroll's more talented older sister?
I feel much better now.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Michele Sims
Re: Inner Musical Voices
And chris, I do this all the time. In my head, I've got a great backup band whose cast changes depending on the day and the tunes.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Michele Sims
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I don't accompany myself on an imaginary instrument when I play, but I play reels in my head at walking pace when walking along (two paces to a bar), and come to think of it, that probably is an accordion. You need to get worried when the imaginary accompaniment is being played by your imaginary friend, and you start saving a seat for him/her at sessions and buying an extra drink!
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by RichardB
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I try and listen to my internal banjo
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Nate Ryan
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I can't wait to meet Chris' imaginary accordion playing friend!!
Seriously, I think of an idealized version of the tune, how I would like to play it or how certain pipers who's playing I quite like would play it. If my timing starts going t*ts up, I try to think what would X (I'm not gonna say here who it is) do. And then I still don't play it anywhere near how I (or X or anyone good) would like to play it.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Inner Musical Voices
My inner voices, well my musical ones, stick to Mellotron and Vulcan Arse Flute. This contrasts nicely with the Indian Harmonium, banjolele, Stylophone and glockenspiel that I'm actually playing most of the time.
(Anyway ITM's not supposed to have an inner voice. It's supposed to be all melody in unis.
I suppose a backer of some sort playing block chords and a bit of a bass line -e.g. a piano- may inadvertantly imply the occasional inner voice but traditionally they are not there. And if they do they are probably puting in too many K blunt diminished 27ths)
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Krick Stahlschwanz
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I don't think I *play along* to imaginary instruments. But the instrument I am playing in my head might not be the one that is physically in my hands. So, when I play the mandolin, I might imagine I am playing the pipes or the fiddle or concertina - maybe even the accordion. This might be because I have very few tunes
learned from other mandolin players. This doesn't happen so often when I play the whistle or the fiddle - probably because I am more accustomed to hearing the tunes played on these instruments.
No doubt, the mandolin purists would say that by trying to (not hat I consciously *try* to) emulate other instruments, I am not exploring and exploiting the full potential of the mandolin. But I feel it is my way of getting as close as possible (such as my non-trad background and technical limitations allow) to the essence of the music.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I sometimes wonder whether your musical *intent* can come through in your playing. Take, for example, an instrument such as a mandolin, which has distinct limitations with respect to the ornamentation and articulation used in Irish traditional music: If you 'feel' a glissando or a roll or a long, sustained note, is that feeling perceptible to the listener, even though the player only approximates the actuality? (Of course, a roll *is* physically possible on a mandolin, but it's not easy and I can't do it - and, in all likelihood, it would sound less at home in a jig or reel that some kind of simpler triplet-based ornament).
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Inner Musical Voices
mtodd: just coffee, and too much of it, as usual!
Batlady: You may be onto something there. Plato's idealized tune forms...hmm...
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Never thought about it, but it's probably a 'lilted' version of the tune.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by minijackpot
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I think Llig might just be winning the war, at least online. Just mention the B-word, and people start slapping each other with their handbags. Brilliant.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Dragut Reis
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Depends on the tune but quite often a banjo!
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I have an idealised performance going on in my head on a constant loop, Usually another fiddler i've heard playing the tune. Actually Chris I don't know how people learn
without "playing along" to something. (Then again we might both be mad.)
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by sashiko calico
Re: Inner Musical Voices
yes, cocus, I am deeply ashamed. so ashamed....I can't tell you. When I play tunes not only do I imagine bodhrans but bones too. Imagine. And even shaky eggs there in the background. There's no hope, no hope.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Wow, cocus. Was that really necessary? This was an interesting, friendly, and even jokey thread and then some eedjit has to come along and start the flame-throwing. Only on the internet.....
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Thanks Silver. You said it better than I. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must rummage around in my handbag for a kleenex.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Inner Musical Voices
"Depends on the tune but quite often a banjo!"
Ah!, No Cause For Alarm..I always knew you were a man of pluck! ;) good on you.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Inner Musical Voices
"slapping each other with handbags" - LOL that was brilliant.
The tunes in my head I practice with are often aural remembrances of recorded tunes or favorite players - My mental library has become quite large, and have had several fantasy sessions with some of the best players of all time - mighty good craic to be found in my own head.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Seconded! Brilliant mental imagery. Suggestive of Monty Python when they'd dress like wifeys and smack each other up with their purses.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I sing through my instrument, so I dont 'hear' any other instruments. I thought Id better check this so I just picked up a fiddle, yes I am 'singing' the tune to myself , vocalising it, which is probably why I sometimes make funny faces when I play LOL.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by piobagusfidil
Re: Inner Musical Voices
SWFL...not in Canada...we're more like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpxQp3Hy5nk
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Sometimes 'They' are musical, more often 'They' make snide remarks. What I really want to know is if the people in my head bothering any of you?
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Inner Musical Voices
ARE bothering
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Oh mtodd, and I thought you were so rugged!
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Inner Musical Voices
It's usually a fiddle for me, since i play banjo (& I'm really just a frustrated fiddler). What's that? Oh, my inner fiddler thinks i should've stuck to competitive speed shoelace tying. Hey, who asked you, anyway? Oh I do SO hate it when the meds run out...
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by jaychoons
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Great question! Never really thought about it until now. Usually, I hear renditions as fiddle, harp or piano. Occasionally I hear the tune as the sweet tinkle of a wind up music box. Rarely do I play with pipers, but I still hear some tunes in the piper mode. I don't know why, maybe I'm channeling from the spirits.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Leendah
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I hear my spouse yelling for me to do something that I've forgotten to do.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Haha. Brilliant question. When I play, I always try to give it my best shot, to make it sound as good as I can, most of my concentration goes in to that.
If I think about it now, I usually imagine myself playing alongside the person who taught me the tune, or the recording I learnt it from, but I never hear the sound of that person's instrument.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by WobblingFiddle
Re: Inner Musical Voices
No imaginary other instruments, just me. I spent many years noodling (badly) along with recordings and pretending to be in the band, so now I really enjoy the solitude.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by John Galt
Re: Inner Musical Voices
When I was a kid getting violin lessons I used to have this strong feeling that each individual note in the musical scale had it's own personality, and every melody was some kind of conversation, or even argument, between the different personalities. And you should understand that the personalities were constant; the A above middle C always had the same personality regardless of the particular melody it appeared in.
Even at the time I thought this was some kind of incipient psychotic tendency; I knew it was weird but the sensation was very real nonetheless. Maybe some form of syneasthesia? I think I've grown out of it. By comparison, imaginary internal bodhrán accompaniment seems perfectly reasonable to me.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Hammurabi Breathnach
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Sometimes I hear the unmistakable rumbling of a bagpipe's bass drone. Usually after I've been eating beans and hardboiled egg.
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by Hammurabi Breathnach
Re: Inner Musical Voices
"Sometimes I hear the unmistakable rumbling of a bagpipe's bass drone. Usually after I've been eating beans and hardboiled egg."
what key are you tuned in? I'm A flat
# Posted on April 21st 2009 by WobblingFiddle
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I don't hear instruments. I feel emotions. Then I interpret them. Unless I'm reading music. Then I just play it at first when I sight read. But I like this! Invariably, I'll hear lots of invisible sounds the next time I play. Thank you for embedding this in my mind!
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by Fiddlechick7
Re: Inner Musical Voices
My little voices say things like:
'Get that right the next time around the B part.'
'Oh, God, we are going to another part, which I don't remember.'
'I thought I had that right, but since everyone else played it differently, I guess not.'
More of an inner nag!
When I was a young trumpet player, I used to hear Dizzy Gillespie in my head, but heard "blat blat blat" coming from the horn.
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I've long thought that one of the problems people often have with playing this music (It could be any music I suppose, but I only have a reference for this music) is that instead of listening to what they are actually playing, they are listening to something entirely different in their heads.
Thanks all of you for confirming my worst fears.
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Music of the spheres
Angels singing
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by Bredna
Re: Inner Musical Voices
wow, llig, if that is your *worst* fear, then life is probably ok
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by Reverend
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I guess I don't hear other instruments. Most of the time when I am practicing alone I am thinking about all kinds of things. Maybe it's the person or people I have played the tune with, the title of the tune and how it relates, what type of tune it is, what tune would be good coming next, and just the peace and happiness I am enjoying having found the music in this lifetime. Lots of times its a rememberance of where I learned the tune.
No instruments, tho, and I find it interesting that others have that inner session going on. I never would have thought that might be occuring.
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by feardearg
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I don't hear "musical voices" when I'm playing. I hear what I'm playing and, if there are others around, what they are playing. For a while I thought that if I could do something else at the same time I was playing tunes, I would be a great player. I used to try to read the newspaper while I played.
Sometimes, when I'm not playing, I "hear" tunes. If they're Irish tunes, usually I hear a pipe, fiddle, or accordion. I suppose that's because those are the instruments I have played most with. If its classical, I hear either a piano or the whole orchestra if its a big old symphony. If its jazz, I hear a trombone or a tenor sax. For rock and roll, its electric guitars and, in some cases organs.
Its an interesting question. It got me thinking about my memories of some tunes. I can still hear Denis Murphy playing Lady on the Island from Star Above the Garter. I think this was the first tune I felt like I really learned - that when I played it, it sounded like I wanted it to sound. Sorry, not exactly on the subject, but a good memory for me.
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by John Culhane
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Durn Llig, I hate you. That's exactly what I meant to say.
I listen to myself when I play by myself. When I play with others, I listen to them and to myself to make sure happy music time is happening.
Isn't that the prime directive of being a musician, to listen? Hopefully to the music you are playing, not internal hallucinations?
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Inner Musical Voices
SWFL Fiddler I don't get the 4/20 reference. What is special about the 20th of april?
- chris
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Listening & more listening.
When playing by myself I'm thinking about timing, phrasing and varying/exploring the ornamentation/phrasing whilst thinking about the musicality of it all, trying to keep it tasteful. When I stop thinking; I'm playing more tastefully and I listen as a spectator might but don't get critical with myself until I stop. If I'm well and truly in the zone I just keep playing saving the analysis until next time.
When playing with others or along with recordings; I'm listening to what's happening, noting where we diverge and adjusting my playing to round it off which is maybe not the best for nailing a tune but it's about music in the here & now that the accompanist in me perhaps is always looking to make whole.
When I'm accompanying on guitar is where I have my weird head stuff happening, my inner voice and more spookily, the inner voice of others (no kidding caller? baby arse it is then) but thats the stuff for a different thread (over on the psychic channel maybe, lol).
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by Solidmahog
Re: Inner Musical Voices
>I can't wait to meet Chris' imaginary accordion playing friend!!
You wouldn't like him Emily. He is a typical accordeon player: very pushy... when he isn't out on the pull
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I thought there would be no replies to this as everyone politely looked the other way.
- chris
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
llig wrote:
>I've long thought that one of the problems people often have >with playing this music (It could be any music I suppose, but I >only have a reference for this music) is that instead of >listening to what they are actually playing, they are listening to >something entirely different in their heads
You've picked me up wrong Llig.
I don't hear the tune on the accordeon instaed of what I'm playing. I hear how I would like the tune to be played and what I hear on top of that.
I don't find it any harder to listen to myself & the inner accordeon than I do to listen to myself & my mates when I'm playing with them.
It wasn't always an accordeon I heard, it used to be a fiddle. I know when it changed for me. I was in a pub in Glasgow and a fellow by the name of Laurence sitting facing me played a couple of tunes quietly on his box. I've never thought of orheard music in the same light since. Never heard playing I thought better in concert, session or on cd.
Doubtless there will have been countless equally fine performances in the lives of other people, but that was it for me.
The accordeon I usually hear though isn't usually played in the style of this player. But it the very different, though mighty fine, style of Bernie Greene, a very sadly missed friend.
I never knew anyone that was more fun to play with than Bernie. Usually I hear the accordeon in his playful style. I particularly love the long notes he would sometimes hold through phrases. Long notes are something that the banjo really misses out on.
- chris
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
>I thought there would be no replies to this as everyone >politely looked the other way
by which I meant the opening post and not the woeful accordeon player joke
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
oh dash it:
>I don't hear the tune on the accordeon instaed of what I'm >playing. I hear how I would like the tune to be played and >what I hear on top of that.
should be ".. and what I play on top of that."
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
You are listening to your self and an imaginary player? I suppose it's better than hearing only the imaginary player, but I still can't think it could be anything other than a distraction.
Mind you, if you are playing the banjo, perhaps the distraction is a godsend?
So, if you are playing the banjo, but hear an accordeon, why not give up the banjo and learn to play the accordeon fo real?
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: Inner Musical Voices
When running through a tune that I am learning in my head but not playing I hear something like whatever I am learning it from. Then comes a stage where so long as I can hear the next phrase in my head my fingers usually find the right notes; at that point I am hearing someting more generalised, a cross between what I am doing on flute and the 'source' and it influences how I play (e.g. pipes vs mandolin would have a different effect). If I get to the stage of playing without needing to hear the next phrase I start getting a choice as to what to listen to for real or in my head. Not too good at paying attention to more than one thing at a time though, but getting better.
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by David50
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I am learning the accordeon Llig.
I got a birthday card from my family earlier this year saying get yourself an accordeon. I have a touched up c#'d Hohner coming sometime soon (hopefully). Meantime a friend gave me a loan of an old cc# honer a couple of months ago.
Actually you are right about the godsend too. I don't like the sound of a banjo on its own, only with other instruments. And that's the way I hear it
Of course when I'm playing with other players, it is them is listening too. But if I start a set, I'm playing with the accordeon before the others join in: here we go Bernie, don't let a triffling thing let death stop you from helping me out now.
- chris
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
ha, good answer
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: Inner Musical Voices
The bodhran quip for for Llig btw...[cocus...we'll miss you!]
Actually, I realized a few month's ago that I was listening to "nothing " -- in the sense that I was hearing something along the lines of an 'idealized' version of what I was actually playing, but not what I was actually playing. In the last while I've come to realize that, in fact, *really* hearing what you're playing is insanely hard work...but maybe it gets easier as you get out of bad (really self deluding) habits and learn to be constantly making adjustments, rather than mental excuses.
I have no room for other instruments in my head because it's a hard enough job just dealing with the one under my chin! (And I owe that change of direction to some advice repeated ad naseum from a member on this board.)
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by skin&bow
Re: Inner Musical Voices
chris, 4/20:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090421/ap_on_re_us/us_pot_holiday
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Right, thanks SWFL Fiddler
- chris
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
That article mentions my hometown. Nice.
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Inner Musical Voices
What part of Oakland, BTW? What time period? If this forum is all too public, go ahead and e mail me.
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Inner Musical Voices
I almost always imagine the chords for the tune i am playing(my mother constantly played the piano during me being at home) but i find it next to impossible tp play them
I have anothr problem as that i can't diffrentiate between good and bad players as i imagine other musicians joining in at parts for imphasis!!!!!!
# Posted on April 22nd 2009 by Reelyconkored
Re: Inner Musical Voices
We've had a guy show up specifically to PLAY his imaginary instrument.
# Posted on April 24th 2009 by polkageist
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Sometimes when I play I imagine voices shouting "For fecks sake put the bluudy banjo down" over and over.
I know I'm imagining it as the voices cease as soon as I stop playing, just like the accordeon does.
- chris
# Posted on April 24th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Inner Musical Voices
After reading through all of the comments on this discussion thread, I am reminded of the old jokes about inner voices inside your head, i.e., "What are all of the voices saying?" and "Do they agree or disagree?"
When people ask me either question as a joke, I tell them that I hear music instead of voices. The only time when I don't hear music inside my head is when I am actually playing music--either by myself or with a group. When I am actually playing music either by myself or with a group, the only sounds I hear are the music which I am playing.
There doesn't seem to be enough room inside my head for me to be actually playing music and hearing music inside my head at the same time. Either that, or I don't have enough brain cells left to be able to do both things at the same time.
# Posted on April 24th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Inner Musical Voices
Also, I have noticed that it takes more brain cells to play melody and accompany myself at the same time than it does just to accompany someone else who is playing the melody.
# Posted on April 24th 2009 by fauxcelt