If anyone can offer any input concerning my playing, I'd much appreciate it. I'm totally new with nothing to go by aside from the recordings I've heard. I'm intent on improving, and want to make sure I can nip any bad habits early on. Also, if anyone can suggest a few more tunes that I should learn early on, I'd appreciate it.
Sorry Devinomatic, it seems you need to 'log on' or 'sign up' and I just don't want my details added to any more boxes... Welcome to the clan and best of luck with your progress...
I take it you have a teacher, someone to guide you? I would ask you to take the tone slowly and work in some swell, the differences in bellows pressure that help to define beats, bars and phrasing.
Let's take it simple so I might be able to explain, this take on it as our basis:
X: 1
T: Kesh, The
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
R: jig
K: Gmaj
|: G3 GAB | A3 ABd | edd gdd | edB dBA |
GAG GAB | ABA AB/c/d | edd gdB | AGF G3 :|
B3 dBd | ege dBA | B3 BAG | ABA AF/G/A |
BcB dB/c/d | e/f/ge dBd |g3 aga | bgf g3 :|
If we start with the beginning, that initial start of the first measure and phrase, G3, should have a bit more punch than the rest of the phrase, a 'goose' worth. Then the GAB, the G is the main punch of those 3 notes, so it has a tad more volume and definition. This is 'articulation', like language, when you speak for effect or with emotion the emphasis and consonants help to define clearly the rhythm and meaning of your words, your phrases, and the sentences you use. The next bar is just a touch down from the first, so there is your first two bar phrase... The A3 has more umph than the following three notes, ABd... Here I'm going to show the pulse you want, just using the first four measure phrase, but realize I'm exaggerating for effect, a rough introduction to the dynamics of pulse ~
"N" = primary pulse, volume, squeeze / 'N' = secondary pulse / and the letter alone the third, but not huge differences, of course the first note of the 4 bars can have a tad more than that which starts the third bar ~
I know, I'm nuts, but this is dance music, about dancing, and that pulse help them find their way. I once was blind but now I see, the fiddler showed the way...
You can also pop those repeating ds, for example, again an exaggerations for effect, but using silence, like using a hard consonant 't' or 'tut' ~ measure 3:
| ed/z/d/z/ gd/z/d/z/ | ~ just hit the key like it was on fire and burned you, make the note "pop", bubble... Also a bit of silence before the start of a phrase helps to lift and emphasize the first note ~ | edB dBA/z/ | GAG GAB | ~
Those are only ideas... You need to try them slow, as you want a good steady roll and a complete tune rather than stopping at some point and giving them a try. Speed will come once you are comfortable doing these things and hearing them slow to start. It is my experience, whatever the instrument, that if you can't manage it slow you aren't managing it fast, the speed is just covering up the clumsiness and the mistakes, as it can do.
Here's some great ear training, one you could emulate, suck and draw, and well worth a purchase to add to your collection, and a nice set to learn of old standards:
Your constructive input really means a lot to me. I just sat here and played with articulation and focusing the emphasis, and it makes the whole thing sound a lot more musical. I can certainly see how playing it with more pulse at a quick tempo becomes a real challenge, hehe
It seems that the notes with the most emphasis tend to land on the beats where a comping instrument like a guitar would accent their chord changes. If I picture it this way, it makes it more simple to find where the accents lie.
Say hello to your bro and give him a scratch behind the ears... I hope he hasn't the same problem a similar friend once had ~ the farts... But then in your case you can still squeeze a concertina and hold your breath at the same time...
You might also try slowing down. At that speed, you seem to be hanging on for dear life. Your phrasing seems to be forced on you by the need to keep up with the tempo you've set rather than how you might hear it in your head.
Well done for putting this up! I have a couple of vids I put on youtube, and I've found the feedback from people here really helpful. It also just helps you to focus, knowing that potentially hundreds of people might look at your effort.
I'm not a tina-squeezer, so detailed comments would be pointless, but I second the opinions (much like those that were given to me!) that at this stage you should be playing it much slower.
So many of this forget this, but it does seem to be the case that we can, with experience, speed up a slow but proper pulse much more easily than we can correct the rhythm of playing that is full-speed but off-pulse and fuzzy.
I think that is sometimes one of the main benefits of a real teacher, something of which I have unfortunately only had a limited experience. Someone who knows what they are doing can stop us from overreaching ourselves. But perhaps being willing to put our efforts up for all to see may help in a similar way.
First tune - critique?
First tune - critique?
Hi everyone,
I began learning to play ITM about a month ago, as well as concertina. I've posted a quick recording of my playing here:
http://devincardosi.imeem.com/music/TG6s5yh_/the_kesh_jig/?ct=266Aa9
If anyone can offer any input concerning my playing, I'd much appreciate it. I'm totally new with nothing to go by aside from the recordings I've heard. I'm intent on improving, and want to make sure I can nip any bad habits early on. Also, if anyone can suggest a few more tunes that I should learn early on, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks in advance, everyone!
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by devinomatic
Re: First tune - critique?
Sorry Devinomatic, it seems you need to 'log on' or 'sign up' and I just don't want my details added to any more boxes... Welcome to the clan and best of luck with your progress...
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: First tune - critique?
My apologies.. imeem must have started requiring this just recently. Here's a working link.
http://myspace.com/devincardosi
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by devinomatic
Re: First tune - critique?
It's not bad at all for only a months playing!
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by tnoumarap
Re: First tune - critique?
Sounds alright to me.
I like the other 2 tracks as well
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by Wurzel
Re: First tune - critique?
Thanks ~ it got my toes tapping...
I take it you have a teacher, someone to guide you? I would ask you to take the tone slowly and work in some swell, the differences in bellows pressure that help to define beats, bars and phrasing.
Let's take it simple so I might be able to explain, this take on it as our basis:
X: 1
T: Kesh, The
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
R: jig
K: Gmaj
|: G3 GAB | A3 ABd | edd gdd | edB dBA |
GAG GAB | ABA AB/c/d | edd gdB | AGF G3 :|
B3 dBd | ege dBA | B3 BAG | ABA AF/G/A |
BcB dB/c/d | e/f/ge dBd |g3 aga | bgf g3 :|
If we start with the beginning, that initial start of the first measure and phrase, G3, should have a bit more punch than the rest of the phrase, a 'goose' worth. Then the GAB, the G is the main punch of those 3 notes, so it has a tad more volume and definition. This is 'articulation', like language, when you speak for effect or with emotion the emphasis and consonants help to define clearly the rhythm and meaning of your words, your phrases, and the sentences you use. The next bar is just a touch down from the first, so there is your first two bar phrase... The A3 has more umph than the following three notes, ABd... Here I'm going to show the pulse you want, just using the first four measure phrase, but realize I'm exaggerating for effect, a rough introduction to the dynamics of pulse ~
"N" = primary pulse, volume, squeeze / 'N' = secondary pulse / and the letter alone the third, but not huge differences, of course the first note of the 4 bars can have a tad more than that which starts the third bar ~
|: "G"zz Gzz | 'A'zz Azz | "e"zz gzz | 'e'zz dzz |
I know, I'm nuts, but this is dance music, about dancing, and that pulse help them find their way. I once was blind but now I see, the fiddler showed the way...
You can also pop those repeating ds, for example, again an exaggerations for effect, but using silence, like using a hard consonant 't' or 'tut' ~ measure 3:
| ed/z/d/z/ gd/z/d/z/ | ~ just hit the key like it was on fire and burned you, make the note "pop", bubble... Also a bit of silence before the start of a phrase helps to lift and emphasize the first note ~ | edB dBA/z/ | GAG GAB | ~
Those are only ideas... You need to try them slow, as you want a good steady roll and a complete tune rather than stopping at some point and giving them a try. Speed will come once you are comfortable doing these things and hearing them slow to start. It is my experience, whatever the instrument, that if you can't manage it slow you aren't managing it fast, the speed is just covering up the clumsiness and the mistakes, as it can do.
Nice work for only a month...
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: First tune - critique?
Oh yeah, you and your brother make a cute pair. I definitely see the family resemblance...
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: First tune - critique?
Here's some great ear training, one you could emulate, suck and draw, and well worth a purchase to add to your collection, and a nice set to learn of old standards:
"Brendan Power: New Irish Harmonica"
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/857
Track 11: The Connaghtman's Rambles / My Darling Asleep / The Kesh
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: First tune - critique?
Your constructive input really means a lot to me. I just sat here and played with articulation and focusing the emphasis, and it makes the whole thing sound a lot more musical. I can certainly see how playing it with more pulse at a quick tempo becomes a real challenge, hehe
It seems that the notes with the most emphasis tend to land on the beats where a comping instrument like a guitar would accent their chord changes. If I picture it this way, it makes it more simple to find where the accents lie.
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by devinomatic
Re: First tune - critique?
Nice work,it took me a month to find out how to hold my instrument.
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by mick_the_tool
Re: First tune - critique?
It also makes it dance, and that is a kick...
Say hello to your bro and give him a scratch behind the ears... I hope he hasn't the same problem a similar friend once had ~ the farts... But then in your case you can still squeeze a concertina and hold your breath at the same time...
Best of luck ~ all will come with patience...
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: First tune - critique?
You might also try slowing down. At that speed, you seem to be hanging on for dear life. Your phrasing seems to be forced on you by the need to keep up with the tempo you've set rather than how you might hear it in your head.
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by GaryAMartin
Re: First tune - critique?
Well done for putting this up! I have a couple of vids I put on youtube, and I've found the feedback from people here really helpful. It also just helps you to focus, knowing that potentially hundreds of people might look at your effort.
I'm not a tina-squeezer, so detailed comments would be pointless, but I second the opinions (much like those that were given to me!) that at this stage you should be playing it much slower.
So many of this forget this, but it does seem to be the case that we can, with experience, speed up a slow but proper pulse much more easily than we can correct the rhythm of playing that is full-speed but off-pulse and fuzzy.
I think that is sometimes one of the main benefits of a real teacher, something of which I have unfortunately only had a limited experience. Someone who knows what they are doing can stop us from overreaching ourselves. But perhaps being willing to put our efforts up for all to see may help in a similar way.
# Posted on April 5th 2007 by Lingpupa
Re: First tune - critique?
You can play like that after only a month? I could barely even do a scale on my fiddle after that much time. Boy, I took up the wrong instrument.
Hope you're enjoying it. Concertinas look like a lot of fun to play.
# Posted on April 5th 2007 by kennedy
Re: First tune - critique?
As a matter of interest, what make/type of concertina are you using?
# Posted on April 5th 2007 by len