This year I am determined to address my total lack of slow air playing by knuckling down and getting to grips with a handful of airs including the much maligned Coolin.
Aisling Geal, Blind Mary, Leaving Lerwick Harbour, Esther Stevenson of Embleton and Taimse im Chodladh are some lovely tunes to play. I assume that you are not a piper!
Bizarre and contrary as it sounds, my New Year's musical resolution is to set about learning to play the piano accordion properly. You may rest assured, though, I won't be playing Irish tunes on it or bringing it to Irish sessions.
My resolution is to start playing regular again. I doodle with the same tunes on my bamboo flute for convenience, but serious practice on my wooden flute has been very rare these days.
I plan to quit my job this year and move… so hopefully working for myself will allow more practice time as well.
In another forum that I am a member of, we are going to try and learn a tune every week and support each other in working on variations, accompaniments etc.
Mine is to get my fingers moving as fast on tenor banjo as they are on mandolin. I'm S T R E T C H I N G my fingers! ! ! Oh and uh learn a bunch of new tunes of course.
As I f discovered long ago, NO resolutions. In their place - Earnest Hopes, which don't have associated self-recrimination... so, in that spirit (musically) - better tone, better chops, better understanding... better get started.
Good one, drone. I periodically revisit my short- and long-range musical goals to see how I'm doing. But there's no 365-day timer on these goals, not even a clear sense of when short-range blurs into long-range. And I prefer to be patient with myself--play music every day, focus on the positive while addressing what needs improvement, and enjoy the process.
I'm pretty happy with my fiddle playing, but I want to put a keener edge on my sense of timing--a lifelong pursuit, eh? And since I'm playing more Appalachian, Bluegrass, and Swing music, I'm revisiting doublestops, positions up the neck, shifting, and vibrato. Curious to see what if anything from all that spills over into playing Irish traditional music.
Playing lots more on mandolin lately, just enjoying tunes, but always mindful that I want to sound smoother, and then get faster. In the long run, I'd like to be able to relax on mando at 132 to 140 bpm. Am inspired by the likes of Mike Marshall and Chris Thile sounding so free and easy at up to 172 bpm (give a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYfL2l_trV8). Sigh.
And then there's a desperate need to make more time for flute. Oooph. Where's the embouchure I had last year?
The older I get, the more it feels like the hours spent playing music are not deducted from my quota. Hope you all feel the same.
LOL, they're not playing it as a diddley tune. Their version of it harks back to Appalachia and veers into bluejazz or that nameless fusion of swingjazzfolk in which virtuosity trumps musicality.
(I posted the previous link only as a glimpse of smoothness at 186,000 miles per second, not as a musical role model.)
Ah that's a lovely version of Fisher's Hornpipe. There's also a great recording of it on their album 'Into the Cauldron'.
I always thought that the tune was written by an Englishman in the Eighteenth century. James Fishar was his name. Had something to do with the opera or ballet at Covent Garden I believe. I also think he may have written it as a competition entry. So it is neither a diddley or an American tune. Does anyone know anything more about James Fishar?
My resolution is to improve my version of the Peanut Vendor on the classical guitar. I guess that's a real example of how not to play diddley music . . .
I hadn't heard of James Fishar. The version of Fisher's Hornpipe played (well) by Planxty on their album "The Well Below The Valley" is IMO nicer than the one(s) usually played, as on the clip submitted above by llig.
I didn't care for that one. Years ago I lived for a few months in Athens and sometimes had paper bags etc. on the floor of my rather Spartan (!?) room. At night cockroaches would investigate and rustle them assiduously. That bluegrass-related clip reminded me of them: there was the same dry scuttling of extremities over sounding matter, the same highly disconcerting feeling of being banged up with hyperactive alien life-forms operating solely by automatic reflex and wound up to go on and zot around the place indefinitely, a bit like the skeletons in "Jason And The Argonauts" or something.
This is not to say the estimable musicians are cockroaches, don't get me wrong...I just didn't care for the music itself.
I resolve to stop rolling my eyes when someone starts The Harvest Home hornpipe. Really. Seriously. I'm really going to give it a shot this year. I've even got anti-allergy medicine before sessions in case I breakout in Harvest Home hives.
Incidentally, did you know they call cockroaches Palmetto Bugs in Florida? When I first moved here I'd get into with folks. "No, that's a *#^$ cockroach! I don't care what you call it!"
SWFL Fiddler, if you have to resist the temptation to roll your eyes when someone starts playing Harvest Home, maybe you need to get square eyes instead of round eyes.
SWFL Fiddler - I saw a good natural history programme about your part of the world the other night. Burmese Pythons, alligators, Nile Monitor Lizards, Madagascar green geckos, King Snakes, iguanas, freshwater turtles, the lot.
I have resolved to appease the dancers, and myself and come up with new solidreel sets with predictable tunes, that everyone can play good an loud and quickly and together, which I hope will put an end to their (dancer's) long faces, and keep myself entertained at the same time. (I am going to say this over and over to myself as well, until I believe it to be true)
SWFL here's a two for one, I will trade you the Home Ruler and Kitty's whatitsname for Harvest Home sound good?
Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Musical Resolutions for the New Year
This year I am determined to address my total lack of slow air playing by knuckling down and getting to grips with a handful of airs including the much maligned Coolin.
# Posted on December 26th 2009 by Patkiwi
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Aisling Geal, Blind Mary, Leaving Lerwick Harbour, Esther Stevenson of Embleton and Taimse im Chodladh are some lovely tunes to play. I assume that you are not a piper!
# Posted on December 26th 2009 by gam
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
You assume correctly gam, I am, however, married to one.
# Posted on December 26th 2009 by Patkiwi
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Bizarre and contrary as it sounds, my New Year's musical resolution is to set about learning to play the piano accordion properly. You may rest assured, though, I won't be playing Irish tunes on it or bringing it to Irish sessions.
# Posted on December 26th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
My 2010 resolution is to get out and join other players more.
Mary
# Posted on December 26th 2009 by Antikhntr
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Mine is to stop posting on this discussion board
# Posted on December 26th 2009 by The Tune Composer
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Same resolution as last year, learn more tunes (although the list has changed, no sense relearning the same ones as last year, ha ha).
# Posted on December 26th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Same as last year.
Never got round to doing them.
I *did* change my socks, though.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
I've a good friend who owns a studio, so when I get the money, mine is to try and record an album...
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by JosephC
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
My resolution is to learn a few tunes really well, and not try and learn a whole bunch and play them like crap.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by boxielady
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
My resolution is to start playing regular again. I doodle with the same tunes on my bamboo flute for convenience, but serious practice on my wooden flute has been very rare these days.
I plan to quit my job this year and move… so hopefully working for myself will allow more practice time as well.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by StephenR
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Oh Gam, Leaving Lerwick Harbour is a fantastic tune! It's been a while, and I think I need to dust it off! Thanks for the reminder!
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by nofrets
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Try and play a bit every day. I get bored playing on my own. Perhaps I should keep the instrument out to inspire me.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by minijackpot
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
My resolution is to slow down when practising/playing alone so I can really hear what am playing.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by sashiko calico
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.
- Oscar Wilde
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
In another forum that I am a member of, we are going to try and learn a tune every week and support each other in working on variations, accompaniments etc.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by knithryn
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Mine is to get my fingers moving as fast on tenor banjo as they are on mandolin. I'm S T R E T C H I N G my fingers! ! ! Oh and uh learn a bunch of new tunes of course.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by Fishmonger
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
I'm going to learn and practice regularly until I can join in at a local session. My flute is already starting to sound good.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by The_Lumsden
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
The partial lunians here will be pleased that my resolution involves improving my singing skills
.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by iamleeg
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Resolution 1: Play more flute
Resolution 2: Buy less flutes
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by ethical blend
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
As I f discovered long ago, NO resolutions. In their place - Earnest Hopes, which don't have associated self-recrimination... so, in that spirit (musically) - better tone, better chops, better understanding... better get started.
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by drone
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Ethical: fewer flutes?
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by iamleeg
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Get a powerful low D on flute - that speaks when I want it to speak.
Continue the long process of learning bow control on fiddle -
5 years now
Decide whether or not to continue on with concertina - probably
I don't have enough time to keep all 3 instruments going
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by Hup
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Good one, drone. I periodically revisit my short- and long-range musical goals to see how I'm doing. But there's no 365-day timer on these goals, not even a clear sense of when short-range blurs into long-range. And I prefer to be patient with myself--play music every day, focus on the positive while addressing what needs improvement, and enjoy the process.
I'm pretty happy with my fiddle playing, but I want to put a keener edge on my sense of timing--a lifelong pursuit, eh? And since I'm playing more Appalachian, Bluegrass, and Swing music, I'm revisiting doublestops, positions up the neck, shifting, and vibrato. Curious to see what if anything from all that spills over into playing Irish traditional music.
Playing lots more on mandolin lately, just enjoying tunes, but always mindful that I want to sound smoother, and then get faster. In the long run, I'd like to be able to relax on mando at 132 to 140 bpm. Am inspired by the likes of Mike Marshall and Chris Thile sounding so free and easy at up to 172 bpm (give a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYfL2l_trV8). Sigh.
And then there's a desperate need to make more time for flute. Oooph. Where's the embouchure I had last year?
The older I get, the more it feels like the hours spent playing music are not deducted from my quota. Hope you all feel the same.
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by Will Harmon
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Or how not to play diddley tunes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afzl3A8o7vE&feature=related
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by ...
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
LOL, they're not playing it as a diddley tune. Their version of it harks back to Appalachia and veers into bluejazz or that nameless fusion of swingjazzfolk in which virtuosity trumps musicality.
(I posted the previous link only as a glimpse of smoothness at 186,000 miles per second, not as a musical role model.)
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by Will Harmon
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
And FWIW, I'd rather listen to Marshall and Thile play around with Fisher's Hornpipe than hear one more bluegrass breakdown version of it....
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by Will Harmon
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Ah that's a lovely version of Fisher's Hornpipe. There's also a great recording of it on their album 'Into the Cauldron'.
I always thought that the tune was written by an Englishman in the Eighteenth century. James Fishar was his name. Had something to do with the opera or ballet at Covent Garden I believe. I also think he may have written it as a competition entry. So it is neither a diddley or an American tune. Does anyone know anything more about James Fishar?
My resolution is to improve my version of the Peanut Vendor on the classical guitar. I guess that's a real example of how not to play diddley music . . .
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by McDermott
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Try to play a little more fiddle without playing less concertina.
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by snorre
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
@iamleeg: no, not less flutes. Heaven forbid. But I am going to try to *buy* less of them. There's always that one more ...
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by ethical blend
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
I hadn't heard of James Fishar. The version of Fisher's Hornpipe played (well) by Planxty on their album "The Well Below The Valley" is IMO nicer than the one(s) usually played, as on the clip submitted above by llig.
I didn't care for that one. Years ago I lived for a few months in Athens and sometimes had paper bags etc. on the floor of my rather Spartan (!?) room. At night cockroaches would investigate and rustle them assiduously. That bluegrass-related clip reminded me of them: there was the same dry scuttling of extremities over sounding matter, the same highly disconcerting feeling of being banged up with hyperactive alien life-forms operating solely by automatic reflex and wound up to go on and zot around the place indefinitely, a bit like the skeletons in "Jason And The Argonauts" or something.
This is not to say the estimable musicians are cockroaches, don't get me wrong...I just didn't care for the music itself.
I thought I'd just, er, *share* this with you...
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
I have resolved not to make any New Year's resolutions.
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Ha ha Nicholas I love your story about the cockroaches. What was in the paper bags?
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by McDermott
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Cigarette butts, mostly. Not food. But cockroaches eat cigarette butts: I've watched them doing it.
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
They're probably after the saliva in them. A paper bag is a strange place to put a cigarette butt.
# Posted on December 28th 2009 by McDermott
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
I'd never thought of that...
# Posted on December 29th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
I resolve to stop rolling my eyes when someone starts The Harvest Home hornpipe. Really. Seriously. I'm really going to give it a shot this year. I've even got anti-allergy medicine before sessions in case I breakout in Harvest Home hives.
Incidentally, did you know they call cockroaches Palmetto Bugs in Florida? When I first moved here I'd get into with folks. "No, that's a *#^$ cockroach! I don't care what you call it!"
# Posted on December 29th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
I resolve to stop rolling my eyes
# Posted on December 29th 2009 by Bren
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
SWFL Fiddler, if you have to resist the temptation to roll your eyes when someone starts playing Harvest Home, maybe you need to get square eyes instead of round eyes.
# Posted on December 29th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
damn - that made me roll my eyes
# Posted on December 29th 2009 by airport
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
SWFL Fiddler - I saw a good natural history programme about your part of the world the other night. Burmese Pythons, alligators, Nile Monitor Lizards, Madagascar green geckos, King Snakes, iguanas, freshwater turtles, the lot.
I assume you can eat them...
# Posted on December 29th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Those lizards can roll their eyes all right
# Posted on December 30th 2009 by Bren
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
Do any of these lizards like to lounge in the local bars?
# Posted on December 31st 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Musical Resolutions for the New Year
I have resolved to appease the dancers, and myself and come up with new solidreel sets with predictable tunes, that everyone can play good an loud and quickly and together, which I hope will put an end to their (dancer's) long faces, and keep myself entertained at the same time. (I am going to say this over and over to myself as well, until I believe it to be true)
SWFL here's a two for one, I will trade you the Home Ruler and Kitty's whatitsname for Harvest Home sound good?
# Posted on January 2nd 2010 by SandyBottoms