Hello all, I am about to go to my first fleadh ( the midlands region), I will be playing the tenor banjo in the 15 - 18 competition. I don’t want to phrase it as "what are these people looking for?" because i don’t want to change my playing style. Rather my question is there anything I really shouldn’t do?
I have various improvisations, but I never add parts to the tune or move away from the flow of the tune, i tend to use ornaments such as triplets and banjo cross picking. Also what about speed, will they be pissed if I race, or will they penalise if I go to slow? I am guessing u need to get into the swing of hornpipes?, and make sure u accent certain phrases in jigs?
And about tunes will they want to hear something new? Or will I be alright if I say played farewell to Ireland?
i just need some help in what should i expect from the adjudicators, whether it be advice on my playing or on etiquette and the attitude I convey.
Or should I just relax have a few drinks and have a bloody good time.
Well, I did my first county fleadh last year (banjo). People said afterwards that I could have got to the all-ireland if I slowed down. I rushed the tunes and made a mess of it. So don't play too fast. A steady rhythm is more important. Keep your own style and don't try to copy someone else. Listen to recordings of your selected tunes and picked up some melodic variations or else think up some yourself. As for tunes, well, you're not graded on tune choice as far as I know and it's more your ability to do something with the tunes and change it around a little.
One thing I will say is, if you don't get through, it is one of the best learning experiences. I learned a lot from not getting out of the Dublin fleadh and know to play slower this time and work on some more variations.
I'm not a big fan of competitions, i only went in for one fleadh-years ago- but as far as i remember tune choice is something you are marked on,. . .but that was for the flute, it could be different for the banjo.
Ádh-mór agus bain sult!!
I once tried the fleadh thing, also on flute, and I remember the comment sheet saying something like "well played, not a good tune for competition." I don't know what would be a good tune and why one that I chose was bad, I've wondered about that occasionally.
Well you're trying to please an adjudicator and if he doesn't like the tune it's a pity because you won't know what to aim for. Just play as you play best and feel most comfortable. There are plenty of fantastic players who never won fleadhanna so as long as you don't take it seriously, it'll be a good bit of fun.
I'd say at the 15-18 GB Fleadh, you need to impress them with the fact that you know what traditional music should sound like, so don't go too fast, because unless you're really good, the chances are you'll flatten out any characteristic style you might have. Stick to older, well-known, but not overplayed tunes, and make sure they suit your instrument. New tunes, and too much syncopated ornamentation, will probably raise disapproving eyebrows. Good luck, and try to enjoy it. I wouldn't turn up with a pint, mind you. You 'll have to wait for the All Ireland
Greg, go to http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#comhaltas where you can listen to the pronounciation of "Fleadh" and various other words from the Irish language.
Good luck Stacey, and don't forget to have fun while you play. Just pretend the judge is not there and enjoy yourself!!! No matter how you do, you will become a better player for having tried.
I have to say those tunes you've chosen are probably a bit too well-known for competition tunes. I once got criticised in a fleadh for my choice of tune, if you play tunes that are really well-known then it looks like you haven't bothered to source your tunes or put much thought into it.
Keep it steady, not too fast. If you play fast you will have absolutely no chance.
They usually expect you to play the tune fairly straight first time through, then put some slight variations in 2nd time through. Steer away from synchopation.
Try and relax and not take it too seriously, but remember, in Comhaltas, it's not the taking part that counts, it's the winning!
Syncopation...The same as it means in other music!
I was listening to Barney the other day,
He does a lovely version of last nights fun, and also The Blackthorn.
I'd do those reels instead of Farewell to Eireann.
Don't the Dubliners do Queen of the fair - thats a nice jig!
Mike McGolderick, Lunasa, Flook. Calico, Solas all do loads of syncopated tunes.....its really quite modern and I deffo wouldnt advise it if you actually want to the win the comp...on the other hand - if you wanted to lose....
But it doesnt just mean play the tune straight - syncopation doesnt tend to be in Irish trad that much - more the modern tunes and some scottish tunes as well...
Syncopation ( pronounced SINK-o-PAY-shun) is hearing the beat when you don't expect to. When notes begin before or after a strong beat, you have syncopation.
Notes do not always fall on the beat. The next two examples use the same melody, but different rhythms. The first melody uses syncopation. The second melody does not.
Could you hear the difference? Remember that both examples used the same melody, but different rhythms. The first melody was more interesting because the notes did not always fall on the beat. Syncopation made it sound more interesting.
Syncopation tickles the ear with beats that are heard in unexpected places.
Now you know all about syncopation go out and tickle some ears!!!
Fleadh advice/ tunes
Fleadh advice/ tunes
Hello all, I am about to go to my first fleadh ( the midlands region), I will be playing the tenor banjo in the 15 - 18 competition. I don’t want to phrase it as "what are these people looking for?" because i don’t want to change my playing style. Rather my question is there anything I really shouldn’t do?
I have various improvisations, but I never add parts to the tune or move away from the flow of the tune, i tend to use ornaments such as triplets and banjo cross picking. Also what about speed, will they be pissed if I race, or will they penalise if I go to slow? I am guessing u need to get into the swing of hornpipes?, and make sure u accent certain phrases in jigs?
And about tunes will they want to hear something new? Or will I be alright if I say played farewell to Ireland?
i just need some help in what should i expect from the adjudicators, whether it be advice on my playing or on etiquette and the attitude I convey.
Or should I just relax have a few drinks and have a bloody good time.
slainte
Stacey McMullen
# Posted on March 22nd 2007 by S.McMullen
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Well, I did my first county fleadh last year (banjo). People said afterwards that I could have got to the all-ireland if I slowed down. I rushed the tunes and made a mess of it. So don't play too fast. A steady rhythm is more important. Keep your own style and don't try to copy someone else. Listen to recordings of your selected tunes and picked up some melodic variations or else think up some yourself. As for tunes, well, you're not graded on tune choice as far as I know and it's more your ability to do something with the tunes and change it around a little.
One thing I will say is, if you don't get through, it is one of the best learning experiences. I learned a lot from not getting out of the Dublin fleadh and know to play slower this time and work on some more variations.
Good luck all the same!
# Posted on March 22nd 2007 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
I'm not a big fan of competitions, i only went in for one fleadh-years ago- but as far as i remember tune choice is something you are marked on,. . .but that was for the flute, it could be different for the banjo.
Ádh-mór agus bain sult!!
# Posted on March 22nd 2007 by double bass
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
I once tried the fleadh thing, also on flute, and I remember the comment sheet saying something like "well played, not a good tune for competition." I don't know what would be a good tune and why one that I chose was bad, I've wondered about that occasionally.
# Posted on March 22nd 2007 by seisflutes
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Well you're trying to please an adjudicator and if he doesn't like the tune it's a pity because you won't know what to aim for. Just play as you play best and feel most comfortable. There are plenty of fantastic players who never won fleadhanna so as long as you don't take it seriously, it'll be a good bit of fun.
# Posted on March 22nd 2007 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
I'd say at the 15-18 GB Fleadh, you need to impress them with the fact that you know what traditional music should sound like, so don't go too fast, because unless you're really good, the chances are you'll flatten out any characteristic style you might have. Stick to older, well-known, but not overplayed tunes, and make sure they suit your instrument. New tunes, and too much syncopated ornamentation, will probably raise disapproving eyebrows. Good luck, and try to enjoy it. I wouldn't turn up with a pint, mind you. You 'll have to wait for the All Ireland
# Posted on March 22nd 2007 by Robert Ryan
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
im thinking tune wise, i want to play reel, farewell to erin, hornpipe cheif o neils and jig erm im undecided what jig.
in the 15-18 do they still want variation?
# Posted on March 22nd 2007 by S.McMullen
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Remember S,
there are more banjo players then Barney!
Don't play only his tunes..(ie tunes he has recorded!)
# Posted on March 23rd 2007 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
How do you pronounce "fleadh"? flee? flay? something else?
# Posted on March 23rd 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Greg, go to http://comhaltas.ie/glossary#comhaltas where you can listen to the pronounciation of "Fleadh" and various other words from the Irish language.
# Posted on March 23rd 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Good luck Stacey, and don't forget to have fun while you play. Just pretend the judge is not there and enjoy yourself!!! No matter how you do, you will become a better player for having tried.
# Posted on March 23rd 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
I have to say those tunes you've chosen are probably a bit too well-known for competition tunes. I once got criticised in a fleadh for my choice of tune, if you play tunes that are really well-known then it looks like you haven't bothered to source your tunes or put much thought into it.
Keep it steady, not too fast. If you play fast you will have absolutely no chance.
They usually expect you to play the tune fairly straight first time through, then put some slight variations in 2nd time through. Steer away from synchopation.
Try and relax and not take it too seriously, but remember, in Comhaltas, it's not the taking part that counts, it's the winning!
# Posted on March 23rd 2007 by Fiddlebabe
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Greg - Walt Disney: "When I see an Elephant ... Fleadh"
# Posted on March 23rd 2007 by Ptarmigan
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Get a good "GUITARIST" and make sure he don't speed you up!!! Fiddle-e aye da fleadh dee doh!!
Good Luck and I'll buy you a pint if you win!!
Mikk
# Posted on March 23rd 2007 by mikk
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Get a good "GUITARIST"...
???
Is that sort of like a 'mojo' for a banjo player?
# Posted on March 24th 2007 by ragaman
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
by syncopation what do you mean in terms of irish music?
# Posted on March 24th 2007 by S.McMullen
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Syncopation...The same as it means in other music!
I was listening to Barney the other day,
He does a lovely version of last nights fun, and also The Blackthorn.
I'd do those reels instead of Farewell to Eireann.
Don't the Dubliners do Queen of the fair - thats a nice jig!
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Mike McGolderick, Lunasa, Flook. Calico, Solas all do loads of syncopated tunes.....its really quite modern and I deffo wouldnt advise it if you actually want to the win the comp...on the other hand - if you wanted to lose....
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by bb
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
yeh but what does it actaully mean what are they doing? i just dont get musical terms.
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by S.McMullen
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
does without syncopation just mean play the tune straight?
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by S.McMullen
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
I'm not great at theory either - so I cant explain what I'm doing - I know when I'm doing it - just cant explain it.
Anyone know how to explain syncopation?
# Posted on March 27th 2007 by bb
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
But it doesnt just mean play the tune straight - syncopation doesnt tend to be in Irish trad that much - more the modern tunes and some scottish tunes as well...
# Posted on March 27th 2007 by bb
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
but what actaully is it lol, the definition is accenting the offbeats, has anyone got some prime examples?
# Posted on March 27th 2007 by S.McMullen
Re: Fleadh advice/ tunes
Syncopation ( pronounced SINK-o-PAY-shun) is hearing the beat when you don't expect to. When notes begin before or after a strong beat, you have syncopation.
Listen to this rhythm in Example 1. http://www.empire.k12.ca.us/capistrano/Mike/capmusic/rhythm/syncopation/EXAMPLE1.MID
The notes fall on the beats. This is not syncopation.
Now listen to Example 2.
http://www.empire.k12.ca.us/capistrano/Mike/capmusic/rhythm/syncopation/EXAMPLE2.MID
The notes fall off the beats. This is syncopation.
Notes do not always fall on the beat. The next two examples use the same melody, but different rhythms. The first melody uses syncopation. The second melody does not.
Melody with syncopation.
http://www.empire.k12.ca.us/capistrano/Mike/capmusic/rhythm/syncopation/DANIEL.MID
Melody without syncopation.
http://www.empire.k12.ca.us/capistrano/Mike/capmusic/rhythm/syncopation/DAN2RHP.MID
Could you hear the difference? Remember that both examples used the same melody, but different rhythms. The first melody was more interesting because the notes did not always fall on the beat. Syncopation made it sound more interesting.
Syncopation tickles the ear with beats that are heard in unexpected places.
Now you know all about syncopation go out and tickle some ears!!!
# Posted on March 29th 2007 by mikk