Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I don't think a proper roll is possible on a plectrum instrument, because you need a truly sustained note (not just attack and decay). But they are playing tunes, and having fun with them. They would be welcome at my local session, I think.
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I thought the march came out particularly well in the first clip.
Is the Chinese music shop still opn ein London? I've forgotten it's name, but I went in a couple of times in the late 90s and played some tunes with the owner, a very old chinese man. SOme of the instruments were tunes pretty similar to mandolin/banjo and worked fine. I remember the owner playing along on what looked like a very dodgy snakeskin drum.
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
llig, I was just thinking of something I've heard a mandolin player do that sounded like a roll to me. But it's more like a super fast banjo roll than a fiddle or whistle roll. I don't know if it's really called a roll or what, it's just something I've heard, I don't know much about mandolin technique.
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I agree. They're playing a reel in a rhythm that's closer to a polka. The march (the 2nd tune) comes out ok tho, to my ears. I think if they had a go at playing some polkas in the same style it could sound great.
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I thought their style much more suited to the march than the reel, though both were fun.
I can only imagine how the Poles and Czechs feel about Irish versions of mazurkas and polkas. I don't think many Irish players care that the tunes aren'y 100% true to their central european roots.
it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkOsdVv2gVA
Seems to me I saw another YouTube clip of Irish tunes played on an unusual instrument... something Southeast Asian, maybe?
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
This is lovely, thanks for posting this! I can't wait for these things to make it into sessions (hey, if the banjo and bouzouki can make it...)
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by Marklar
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
no rolls
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
True, it could probably be done though.
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by Marklar
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I don't think a proper roll is possible on a plectrum instrument, because you need a truly sustained note (not just attack and decay). But they are playing tunes, and having fun with them. They would be welcome at my local session, I think.
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
Well, mandolin players seem to be able to pull it off, though I don't understand how.
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by Marklar
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
Here's that other clip I was thinking of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asLxqOV0rbQ
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
Now that is truly strange. I bet he hates ceiling fans.
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by Marklar
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
That is a fire extinguisher on the table at the end of the clip, isn't it?
Why? Is Shamisen playing that risky?
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by john knoss
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
Something Southeast Asian? It seems you don't have a good sense of direction. And an unusual instrument? Oh, I'm sick of American ignorance/arrogance.
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by slainte
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
slainte, I wasn't talking about the shamisen, which of course is Japanese. Everybody knows that.
The "something Southeast Asian" turned out to be an instrument played in Thailand and Laos, the khene (or khaen). See the second YouTube link.
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
Anyone got a clip of a madolin player playing rolls?
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I thought the march came out particularly well in the first clip.
Is the Chinese music shop still opn ein London? I've forgotten it's name, but I went in a couple of times in the late 90s and played some tunes with the owner, a very old chinese man. SOme of the instruments were tunes pretty similar to mandolin/banjo and worked fine. I remember the owner playing along on what looked like a very dodgy snakeskin drum.
- Chris
The
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
It's on Chalk Farm Road, just between Camden Lock and the Roundhouse, but the other side of the road.
Well, one of them is, anyway.
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
Or how about Ray Mann's in Covent Garden ?
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
Anyone got a clip of a drummer playing a tune?
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
heres another clip irish on the thai pin instrument
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-5WEUyWLA&feature=related
# Posted on August 16th 2009 by myparasgon
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
llig, I was just thinking of something I've heard a mandolin player do that sounded like a roll to me. But it's more like a super fast banjo roll than a fiddle or whistle roll. I don't know if it's really called a roll or what, it's just something I've heard, I don't know much about mandolin technique.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by Marklar
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I would have thought the lack of rolls is pretty low down the list of reasons why this isn't good.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by DaveL35
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
What other reasons have you got that it is'nt good then?
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
Don't like the stilted rhythm.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by DaveL35
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I agree. They're playing a reel in a rhythm that's closer to a polka. The march (the 2nd tune) comes out ok tho, to my ears. I think if they had a go at playing some polkas in the same style it could sound great.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by Dow
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I also agree the playing is not perfect--and imperfection is something I know a lot about--but hey, at least it's tunes. It could be worse.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
Given that these guys aren't dedicated Irish trad musicians, I think they did a pretty good job. In any case, this makes my foot tap, so I like it.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by Marklar
Re: it's not the instrument--it's the tune, and the player
I thought their style much more suited to the march than the reel, though both were fun.
I can only imagine how the Poles and Czechs feel about Irish versions of mazurkas and polkas. I don't think many Irish players care that the tunes aren'y 100% true to their central european roots.
- chris
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork