I was just playing Lark in the Morning on whistle when it dawned on me that it could be used to help beginners learn to play cuts (or strikes for that matter). All those repeated notes give a chance to repeatedly add cuts or strikes, thus giving the learner a chance to get used to doing them with most of the commonly used fingers.
I'm not saying that is the way to play the tune, but just that this tune seems to lend itself to that sort of practice and is, of course a good tune for the whistler or flutist to use to develop the skill.
I'm wondering if others out here have found similar tunes useful for developing one or another of the technical skills (particularly for whistlers and flutists).
Please let's not wander off on whether or not this is the way to learn or whether actually we should all learn at the master's knee. I accept the latter and (for some students) reject the former, but that's not the issue here. Just tunes and what particular skill they might help a learner develop.
I find it difficult to play Christmas Eve, and make it sound good without rolling many of the notes. So that would be a good one for learning purposes.
Paddy Cronin's. It's a really hoppy tune. The only ornaments I use are trebles, and I don't think rolls really work on the fiddle, but maybe a flutist could pull it off
Seriously, I use them all the time. Can't think of single tune offhand where I don't play at least one roll.
I had a piping teacher once, a great player mind you, who said he tried to use rolls as sparingly as possible because they weren't unique to the pipes, whereas lots of other techniques you can use for the same things are. Interestingly philosophy, but not one I ever took on board as I love the sound and feel of a good roll.
However, if you want to practice some of those other techniques (as you should!), one thing that comes to mind at this second is that a tune like Banish Misfortune is excellent for backstitch runs.
Thanks for all the thoughts. I must admit though that after these last few comments I'm wondering how come nobody mentioned "Riding on a Load of Hay" just so they could comment about a roll in the hay...
And Spear: what is a "backstich run" for goodness sake???
A backstitch is something that takes up the time of a dotted quarter note, so like three beats, where you play the note, a tight triplet, then the note again. Does that makes any sense at all?
Oh and usually the triplet is away from the note... like if you were backstitching on an A you'd play an A, then play a GFE (maybe... I'd need to be playing to tell you exactly..LOL) triplet, then play an A again.
Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
I was just playing Lark in the Morning on whistle when it dawned on me that it could be used to help beginners learn to play cuts (or strikes for that matter). All those repeated notes give a chance to repeatedly add cuts or strikes, thus giving the learner a chance to get used to doing them with most of the commonly used fingers.
I'm not saying that is the way to play the tune, but just that this tune seems to lend itself to that sort of practice and is, of course a good tune for the whistler or flutist to use to develop the skill.
I'm wondering if others out here have found similar tunes useful for developing one or another of the technical skills (particularly for whistlers and flutists).
Please let's not wander off on whether or not this is the way to learn or whether actually we should all learn at the master's knee. I accept the latter and (for some students) reject the former, but that's not the issue here. Just tunes and what particular skill they might help a learner develop.
Thanks.
# Posted on November 21st 2009 by cboody
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
The Mason's Apron (the Kevin Burke setting) for (especially 1st finger) rolls on the fiddle.
# Posted on November 21st 2009 by Henk Bos
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
first bit of the Kid on the mountain for E, Fsharp G rolls, 1st finger, 2nd finger, 3rd finger
# Posted on November 21st 2009 by ...
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
"An Droichead Beag"
& possibly
"The Dance Of The Honeybees"
barndance
June 9th 2001 by Miss Lonelyhearts.
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/130
I think they are fine for beginners, maybe slow & in phrases.
On another thread I just posted "The Black Rogue" Still have fun articulating that one.
# Posted on November 21st 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
I find it difficult to play Christmas Eve, and make it sound good without rolling many of the notes. So that would be a good one for learning purposes.
# Posted on November 21st 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
I find it difficult to any tune and make it sound good without rolling many of the notes.
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by ...
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Some tunes don't benefit from rolls, If you want names, Ask me later
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by Earl Cameron
is it later, yet?
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
I agree, some tunes don't benefit from rolls. They are the ones I find difficult to play.
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by ...
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Ah, llig, always the overachiever!
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Paddy Cronin's. It's a really hoppy tune. The only ornaments I use are trebles, and I don't think rolls really work on the fiddle, but maybe a flutist could pull it off
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by Earl Cameron
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
The Sporting Pitchfork is a good one for rolls.
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by Glass of Beer
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
>The Sporting Pitchfork is a good one for rolls
But rambling is better for tumbles
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
In case he is not around I'll pass on Miss Lonleyhearts' recommended of The Orphan for rolls on flute.
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by David50
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Sorry, she.
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by David50
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
I like sausage rolls.
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Seriously, I use them all the time. Can't think of single tune offhand where I don't play at least one roll.
I had a piping teacher once, a great player mind you, who said he tried to use rolls as sparingly as possible because they weren't unique to the pipes, whereas lots of other techniques you can use for the same things are. Interestingly philosophy, but not one I ever took on board as I love the sound and feel of a good roll.
However, if you want to practice some of those other techniques (as you should!), one thing that comes to mind at this second is that a tune like Banish Misfortune is excellent for backstitch runs.
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
>I love the sound and feel of a good roll.
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Get out of the gutter, Chris!
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Thanks for all the thoughts. I must admit though that after these last few comments I'm wondering how come nobody mentioned "Riding on a Load of Hay" just so they could comment about a roll in the hay...
And Spear: what is a "backstich run" for goodness sake???
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by cboody
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
A run of backstitches ;)
A backstitch is something that takes up the time of a dotted quarter note, so like three beats, where you play the note, a tight triplet, then the note again. Does that makes any sense at all?
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Oh and usually the triplet is away from the note... like if you were backstitching on an A you'd play an A, then play a GFE (maybe... I'd need to be playing to tell you exactly..LOL) triplet, then play an A again.
# Posted on November 22nd 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
That's a beat and a half, equivalent to 3 eighth notes
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by Earl Cameron
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Thanks for the definition. I understand.
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by cboody
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Yeah, Earl, that's what I meant. I was never very good at math. Even counting is taxing.
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Try them in the ryegrass.....
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by banjoburger
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
Yeah I have a secret love for math, nobody understands it.
# Posted on November 24th 2009 by Earl Cameron
Re: Tunes useful for learning various "ornaments"
The Price Of My Pig, LegacyJig.
# Posted on November 24th 2009 by Dick Miles