Can anyone enlighten me as the the rhythmic format of Strathspeys? Now playing/learning quite a few of them and it strikes me that the places that the 'snaps' come are different in each tune. Does that mean there are lots of different types (for different types of dances?) - or is there no rigid rule? Or are lots written/played incorrectly?! I've looked back at previous Strathspey discussions but haven't found an answer to this. Thanks in anticipation.......
Some players prefer not to accentuate the 'snap' so much, depending on the tune, much the same way as the 'dotted' rhtyhm sometimes get changed in hornpipes, and they 'become' reels for some players. Also check out Alasdair Fraser at
how I play strathspeys...I do not know how to explain this in flute language...
pickup note..up bow...next note swift down..next three notes up bow coming off the string on the third up bow and landing on the down bow...this is sometimes called a driven bow or arrow stroke, and is used to accentuate the "snap" that Jim speaks of...for the 16th notes, I like to think of making them sound like a kid tripping down the stairs...not quite even, but not quite out of time either...maybe let the first note in the series hang a little, and follow with the other notes, while still keeping the tempo alive...hope this helps some...
Thanks all so far - but what I'm really looking for is the theory behind the rhythm - I can play them OK (I think) but it's the differences between them that has me foxed.
Anyway looking forward to hearing the samples suggested when my speakers are returned!
dotted quaver followed by semiquaver,dotted quaver followed by semiquaver, then reverse the rythym to semiquaver, dotted quaver....this was known in old English music halls to give a tune "instant Scotch"...the "Scotch Snap"...
Does anybody know any recording on which a good number of strathspeys are played on flute or whistle? Frankie Kennedy does just one on "Ceol Aduaidh" with Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh. Iain MacDonald does a couple of strathspeys on flute and low whistle on "The First Harvest" with Iain MacFarlane. Rory Campbell also does with Deaf Shepherd but a just a few on low and high whistles.
Some northern flute players often record strathspeys but as highlands. I tend to play them in a Scottish way, but Paul O'Shaughnessy and Harry Bradley recently set me right, explaining Donegal highlands should be played in a more relaxed way.
Check out "BUDDY MACMASTER" CD'S ( CAPE BRETON FIDDLER) HERE IN CAPE BRETON , HE IS CONSIDERED A GREAT STRATHSPEY PLAYER. DANCERS REALLY LIKE HIS
"LIFT" AND " PHRASING"
SINCE I BEGAN PLAYING THE FIDDLE, I HAVE NOTICED THAT NOT ALL PLAYERS WILL PLAY THE TUNE EXACTLY AS WRITTEN. THIS IS OK , IF PLAYING SOLO.
AN EXAMPLE OF CAPE BRETON FIDDLE STRATHSPEY PLAYING IN A GROUP SETTING CAN BE HEARD ON
ALBUMS (CD) BY " THE CAPE BRETON SYMPHONY"
GREAT PLAYERS SUCH AS BUDDY MACMASTER, SANDY MACINTYRE, JERRY HOLLAND, AND W INSTON " SCOTTY" FITZGERALD HAVE PLAYED IN THIS GROUP.
Strathspeys ......help!
Strathspeys ......help!
Can anyone enlighten me as the the rhythmic format of Strathspeys? Now playing/learning quite a few of them and it strikes me that the places that the 'snaps' come are different in each tune. Does that mean there are lots of different types (for different types of dances?) - or is there no rigid rule? Or are lots written/played incorrectly?! I've looked back at previous Strathspey discussions but haven't found an answer to this. Thanks in anticipation.......
# Posted on March 13th 2005 by The Archivist
Re: Strathspeys ......help!
A couple of people gave me some advice: http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display.php/1746/comments I'm now gradually getting used to playing strathspeys and find Twin Fiddler is right.
It's a bit tricky, but "The Braes of Tulliemet" really sounds cool on flute.
# Posted on March 13th 2005 by slainte
Re: Strathspeys ......help!
An example of the 'snap' at
http://www.worldfiddlemusic.co.uk/video/lairdpart1.wmv and
http://www.worldfiddlemusic.co.uk/video/lairdpart2.wmv
Some players prefer not to accentuate the 'snap' so much, depending on the tune, much the same way as the 'dotted' rhtyhm sometimes get changed in hornpipes, and they 'become' reels for some players. Also check out Alasdair Fraser at
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000589CG/102-4632681-6553738?v=glance#product-details
for some cracking strathspey samples.
Jim Dorans
# Posted on March 13th 2005 by Worldfiddler
Re: Strathspeys ......help!
how I play strathspeys...I do not know how to explain this in flute language...
pickup note..up bow...next note swift down..next three notes up bow coming off the string on the third up bow and landing on the down bow...this is sometimes called a driven bow or arrow stroke, and is used to accentuate the "snap" that Jim speaks of...for the 16th notes, I like to think of making them sound like a kid tripping down the stairs...not quite even, but not quite out of time either...maybe let the first note in the series hang a little, and follow with the other notes, while still keeping the tempo alive...hope this helps some...
# Posted on March 13th 2005 by Sunnybear
Re: Strathspeys ......help!
Thanks all so far - but what I'm really looking for is the theory behind the rhythm - I can play them OK (I think) but it's the differences between them that has me foxed.
Anyway looking forward to hearing the samples suggested when my speakers are returned!
# Posted on March 14th 2005 by The Archivist
Re: Strathspeys ......help!
dotted quaver followed by semiquaver,dotted quaver followed by semiquaver, then reverse the rythym to semiquaver, dotted quaver....this was known in old English music halls to give a tune "instant Scotch"...the "Scotch Snap"...
sort of like dum dee dum dee dee dum dum
does that help?
# Posted on March 14th 2005 by Sunnybear
Re: Strathspeys ......help!
another Scottish idea is to play the triplets syncopated, even if they are written "straight"...
# Posted on March 14th 2005 by Sunnybear
Re: Strathspeys ......help!
Does anybody know any recording on which a good number of strathspeys are played on flute or whistle? Frankie Kennedy does just one on "Ceol Aduaidh" with Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh. Iain MacDonald does a couple of strathspeys on flute and low whistle on "The First Harvest" with Iain MacFarlane. Rory Campbell also does with Deaf Shepherd but a just a few on low and high whistles.
Some northern flute players often record strathspeys but as highlands. I tend to play them in a Scottish way, but Paul O'Shaughnessy and Harry Bradley recently set me right, explaining Donegal highlands should be played in a more relaxed way.
# Posted on March 14th 2005 by slainte
Re: Strathspeys ......help!
The wonderful harper Sue Richards, from the Washington, DC area, playfully describes a strathspey as "a hornpipe with the hiccups". Works for me!
# Posted on March 21st 2005 by Graewulf
Re: Strathspeys ......help!
Check out "BUDDY MACMASTER" CD'S ( CAPE BRETON FIDDLER) HERE IN CAPE BRETON , HE IS CONSIDERED A GREAT STRATHSPEY PLAYER. DANCERS REALLY LIKE HIS
"LIFT" AND " PHRASING"
SINCE I BEGAN PLAYING THE FIDDLE, I HAVE NOTICED THAT NOT ALL PLAYERS WILL PLAY THE TUNE EXACTLY AS WRITTEN. THIS IS OK , IF PLAYING SOLO.
AN EXAMPLE OF CAPE BRETON FIDDLE STRATHSPEY PLAYING IN A GROUP SETTING CAN BE HEARD ON
ALBUMS (CD) BY " THE CAPE BRETON SYMPHONY"
GREAT PLAYERS SUCH AS BUDDY MACMASTER, SANDY MACINTYRE, JERRY HOLLAND, AND W INSTON " SCOTTY" FITZGERALD HAVE PLAYED IN THIS GROUP.
# Posted on March 24th 2005 by winkie