Yooval, this probably does not answer your question. By coincidence I have been reading a related topic;
"How to Rate One's Own Playing?"
July 2nd 2002 by Zina Lee http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/692/
I'm not a fiddler, but if you can find an Irish wife who grew up heavily involved in step-dancing, that's a great guage. When I'm practicing and my reels sound like reels, jigs like jigs, hornpipes like hornpipes, etc. she starts to bounce a bit and he feet start stepping. That's when I know I'm in the right general area. So I recommend you find an Irish step-dancing wife immediately.
Does it sound like dance music? (Jimmy B has a pretty good index there.)
When you play with other people, do good things happen?
Your perception of what is 'good' will change with your progress. And early on, you may be a bit...optimistic, shall we say. But it is a journey, and there is no end, no gold standard. Unfortunately, there is no display on the fiddle that tells you when you've gained a level. It's all about ambiguity.
Randall Bays had a question on his website once for figuring out which class was appropriate (beginner, intermediate, advanced) that I thought was amusing:
I was going to respond with to Kennedy's post then I noticed I had strayed into another fiddle discussion. But the whistlers and pipers have arrived so:
I'll try and bring the topic back on track . I would start by recording yourself playing. You can track progress by saving those recordings and listening to yourself improve!
If you're not too afraid to. I'm terrified of recording my playing. Don't want to discourage myself.
Seriously, although I was joking about finding an Irish step-dancing wife, there's something to be said about having a friend, a significant other, a family member, etc. who is familiar with trad in some way or another. By familiar I mean that if they are not a trad player themselves, they can at least tell the difference between a reel and a jig, or have some cultural attachment to the music, an avid interest, is a dancer, or whatever. When someone like that can recognize a tune you're playing, or hear a tune you know being played and be able to say "hey, don't you know that tune?" that's a level of achievement right there.
The point is, surround yourself with trad folks, or at least have a close connection with one or two, and they will provide you with all the guage you need.
Yooval - I guess one way is to step outside yourself. Would you buy
your own album? If you heard someone playing exactly like you
in the seat next to you at a session would you say "nice tunes", or move
to a different chair?
If you really can't tell, then it means you haven't been listening long enough
to good players - or maybe ... You need reference points to educate your
ears.
Random_notes: Thank you for posting the link to that old thread! I wonder if that was one of the first discussions Llig Leahcim ever participated in?
I especially love the insight in this gem: "In the 17th century, whole string sections of orchestras were made up of amateurs, playing music now considered too difficult for anyone who is not a professional."
The answer is so very easy. You are never good enough to not want to be better. It's that simple. Always aim to improve. In the mean time play well with others and don't worry much about it. Enjoy music. It's not a contest.
I think that was one of the first discussions I participated in. I've just read it again. I think shanty says it all. It's not a contest. And people who think it is, even on a subconcious level, never ever make good players.
Just a small caveat to that - it looks to me like quite a lot of young people start out thinking it's a contest. Quite a lot then grow out of it and make very nice players.
Yooval, your question may be answered by playing with other people. The operative word being play. Improvement comes through listening closely & becoming comfortable (familiar) with your instrument. I don't know if you play music with anyone else. If not, hopefully you may find at least 1 other player to session with. It's why we play tunes.
grades for irish fiddle
grades for irish fiddle
hello,
as a self-taught student of irish fiddle I wanted to know how should I gauge my level of accomplishment, are there any specific standards?
thank you very much
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Yooval
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I would say if you can start off a set and people recognize what tune you're playing, that might be seen a good sign
its not so good when they ask "what tune was that?" and you have to say "The Banshee"
oops!
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Nate Ryan
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Yooval, this probably does not answer your question. By coincidence I have been reading a related topic;
"How to Rate One's Own Playing?"
July 2nd 2002 by Zina Lee
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/692/
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I'm not a fiddler, but if you can find an Irish wife who grew up heavily involved in step-dancing, that's a great guage. When I'm practicing and my reels sound like reels, jigs like jigs, hornpipes like hornpipes, etc. she starts to bounce a bit and he feet start stepping. That's when I know I'm in the right general area. So I recommend you find an Irish step-dancing wife immediately.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Jimmy B
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I'd say that's up to those around you. You can "guage" your accomplishment by the reception your playing does or doesn't ellicit.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by skin&bow
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Does it sound like dance music? (Jimmy B has a pretty good index there.)
When you play with other people, do good things happen?
Your perception of what is 'good' will change with your progress. And early on, you may be a bit...optimistic, shall we say. But it is a journey, and there is no end, no gold standard. Unfortunately, there is no display on the fiddle that tells you when you've gained a level. It's all about ambiguity.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Michele Sims
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Randall Bays had a question on his website once for figuring out which class was appropriate (beginner, intermediate, advanced) that I thought was amusing:
You can play "The Bucks" at 112 bpm.
1. yes
2. no
3. huh?
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by kennedy
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Do you think I should put up an ad on Gumtree? "Irish step dancing wife wanted. Must also cook, clean, and do the laundry."
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Surely this site would be a better spot than Gumtree to look for an Irish step-dancing wife...
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Pat Mustard
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Haha.... Are you offering?
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I could sure use a step-dancing wife to help me get my slip jigs in order. If she'll do the laundry, even better
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Pat Mustard
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I am sure she would get more than your slip jigs in order.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I bet she'd even help you straighten out your hornpipe.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I was going to say something along those lines but was worried I'd get suspended
If the hornpipe was straightened out too much, I think I'd be reelin'...
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Pat Mustard
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I was going to respond with to Kennedy's post then I noticed I had strayed into another fiddle discussion. But the whistlers and pipers have arrived so:
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by David50
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I prefer hornpipes with swing. Far more bounce that way.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I just noticed the discussion below this one is in fact titled "The big hornpipes."
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I should exit this discussion... If I get started with musical innuendo this is all going to go downhill very rapidly...
Must... resist... urges... to make dirty jokes... about ... uilleann pipes...
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Pat Mustard
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Don't hold back, man. Let it all hang out.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Jeremy, I didn't realize mentioning my wife would lead to this. Please don't ban me.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Jimmy B
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I try to keep up with "The" SS but none of us can hold a candle to her...let alone a hornpipe.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I'll try and bring the topic back on track
. I would start by recording yourself playing. You can track progress by saving those recordings and listening to yourself improve!
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by jasten
Re: grades for irish fiddle
If you're not too afraid to. I'm terrified of recording my playing. Don't want to discourage myself.
Seriously, although I was joking about finding an Irish step-dancing wife, there's something to be said about having a friend, a significant other, a family member, etc. who is familiar with trad in some way or another. By familiar I mean that if they are not a trad player themselves, they can at least tell the difference between a reel and a jig, or have some cultural attachment to the music, an avid interest, is a dancer, or whatever. When someone like that can recognize a tune you're playing, or hear a tune you know being played and be able to say "hey, don't you know that tune?" that's a level of achievement right there.
The point is, surround yourself with trad folks, or at least have a close connection with one or two, and they will provide you with all the guage you need.
# Posted on October 28th 2009 by Jimmy B
Re: grades for irish fiddle
"I try to keep up with "The" SS but none of us can hold a candle to her..."
hmmm.....
# Posted on October 29th 2009 by mutatis mutandis
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Yooval - I guess one way is to step outside yourself. Would you buy
your own album? If you heard someone playing exactly like you
in the seat next to you at a session would you say "nice tunes", or move
to a different chair?
If you really can't tell, then it means you haven't been listening long enough
to good players - or maybe ... You need reference points to educate your
ears.
# Posted on October 29th 2009 by Hup
Re: grades for irish fiddle
BTW I wouldn't buy my own album, but I'm ok to sit beside in a session
# Posted on October 29th 2009 by Hup
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Er...cheers for the compliment SWFL but if it's me you're talking about, I ain't that good.
# Posted on October 29th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Random_notes: Thank you for posting the link to that old thread! I wonder if that was one of the first discussions Llig Leahcim ever participated in?
I especially love the insight in this gem: "In the 17th century, whole string sections of orchestras were made up of amateurs, playing music now considered too difficult for anyone who is not a professional."
Positively brilliant.
# Posted on October 29th 2009 by browndog
Re: grades for irish fiddle
The answer is so very easy. You are never good enough to not want to be better. It's that simple. Always aim to improve. In the mean time play well with others and don't worry much about it. Enjoy music. It's not a contest.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by shanty
Re: grades for irish fiddle
I think that was one of the first discussions I participated in. I've just read it again. I think shanty says it all. It's not a contest. And people who think it is, even on a subconcious level, never ever make good players.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by ...
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Just a small caveat to that - it looks to me like quite a lot of young people start out thinking it's a contest. Quite a lot then grow out of it and make very nice players.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by ethical blend
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Yes
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by ...
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Youngsters thinking things are a contest has been around since single-celled animals starting getting it together.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by David50
Re: grades for irish fiddle
The correct term is of course "Gradys"
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: grades for irish fiddle
Yooval, your question may be answered by playing with other people. The operative word being play. Improvement comes through listening closely & becoming comfortable (familiar) with your instrument. I don't know if you play music with anyone else. If not, hopefully you may find at least 1 other player to session with. It's why we play tunes.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by Ben Steen