I'm ok - not as good as I should be, from the amount of years i've been forcing tunes out of those yokes, that they should wish to do *my* bidding.
But there's got to be, out there, a few people, on this website, who have a Sense of Destiny, to know that you will be a Chosen Player. Let this be your time to submit the odd paragraph, stick in the odd link. C'mon, now - we're all mates here!
Don't deny yer friends!
or ---- let's hear about how easy/diff it is for learners to progress!
i've informed the folks at Comhaltas of the correct spelling of my name so they can get a head start on filling out all the appropriate forms and plaques for the 2004 all ireland senior whistle champion. And ditto for the flute in 2005. I'd be happy to sign autographs now for anybody who is interested.
oh ma gawd: that's not a whistle i've been holding, but a crack pipe!
I just won the All Living Room flute championship (my wife assured me that not only was I the only flute player in the room, but I was also by far the best). My 5 year old son came in a close second on his whistle on which he can play exactly two notes (C# and B) - luckily, he plays them very loudly which he thinks is highly important.
Im as good as I can be. I've played with The Chieftains on stage before but that by no means me , Paddy and the boys can make an album together. I think I play resonable, but the important thing is I am satisfied with how I play. So if you don't like it, tough. Haha!
Where is it, Ciaran Carson's Last Night Fun, or where? The story (I'll paraphrase) about the fiddle competition, and the first fiddler takes the stage, and he's decked out in suit with satin trim and silk tie, hair slicked back, high-shine shoes, one of those orchestry lookin' black cases, out of which comes a byootiful, immaculate violin, all polished and clean. And he launches into a reel, and oh but he's a terrible, desperate player.
And the next fiddler comes out, a tweed suit, no tie, a respectable hair cut, sensible walking shoes in good repair, a well-traveled case, and a similarly well-used fiddle, so much so that the judges hold out some hope that at least he's practiced.. And he launches into a reel, and the music, if you could call it that, is something most unpleasant and desperate.
And the third and last competitor shuffles on stage, a coat of rags over a stained shirt, dirty trousers, hair like sea foam on a gale, toes peeking through the shoes, and a tattered burlap bag reeking of smoke from which he draws a dark, rosin-caked fiddle. Now here's the stuff, nod the judges, a man of the pure drop himself. And after taking the chair, adjusting his bow, and closing his eyes, he launches into a reel, and b'gawd he's desperate too!
Eh, poor oul' Dan, none of us have really answered the question you asked, eh? 8>) I'll try to do better when there's a bit more time, though it'll be a tale of Learner's Progress from me...
I play better than a monkey. Well, sort of. But I guarantee nobody has collected more sheet music tunes than me. And one day I will learn to play them, unless something good comes on TV...
Ran-
I humbly submit that I have just released my first album, which includes a tune called the Achill Air.
After playing it at Georgetown Festival last week, this lady comes up and buys it. Says she "That slow air is beautiful. My mother would like that to go out to" to which I replied that Achill was half way round the world, thinking she'd like to visit! Then she explained for real what you're all imagining, like she's not been well for a long time, she's not getting better, and er ....
Some recommendation eh? Enough to take someone over the edge. So that's the only info I can give you on how I play!
I am perfectly positive that no living or un-living guitar player can match me, but only if absolutely no one is listening to me. You see, audience makes me nervous.
Hm... I also started washing my sweet potatoes some time ago... Have to think over my behavioral patterns...
Come on! Such modesty from you all, what are you afraid of? Personally, still a beginner but coming along at a good pace. Never going to be as good as the other fiddlers I've met at sessions but then they have 20 or 30 years on me. If I'm not scared of playing with them, I figure I must think myself pretty good. Most of you play at sessions, on stage or have recorded some music, you must think you're pretty good and I reckon you're likely every bit as good as you think, so go on, be proud and say (post) it!
The very first posting I made made on this web site was in reply to a question, "How do you rate yourself?"
I replied,"Only twats rate themselves".
After much complaints about what the word twat meens over the pond, (It meens more or less an idiot here) everybody forgot why I posted that reply in the first place.
Soon I've been playing the fiddle for one year, and all I can say is that I'm very satisfied with my playing. I am far from "very good", but I keep getting better and I keep learning new tunes, so...
...also, nobody has complained when I've been playing it in public.
I knew I'd done something silly last night after a few beers in the Blythe - and this is it! Thanks for your patient and humorous replies. I note, thankfully, that no-one has replied about how brilliant they are. Obviously you guys know that the music speaks for itself. Well done and thanks.
Last night I put in an extra beat somewhere in The Roaring Barmaid, causing the guitarist on my right to stumble over the rhythm, who in turn confused the bodhran basher to trip, and it all came apart. Who puts an extra beat in a simple jig?? 7/8! - WTF?
I think I'm doing OK, as a relative novice, but I am blessed and cursed to be knocking around with and learning from some phenomenal talents. Just about anyone's going to suck if they have to use the likes of Mark Conyard and Brian Kelly as a guide.
For example, I thought I could play the Swedish Jig on mandolin quite well.. right up until last night when Mark gave the most awesome imaginable rendition of that tune on mandolin (which I got on tape! Yee-hah!), and so now I realise that I, in fact, can't play it half as well as I thought.
Still, so long as I feel I'm improving over time, that's the main thing. I'll get there some day.
It's like the line from the old Bob Dylan song.. "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.." by which I think he means he thought he know it all at one time but realises that he's so much to learn still.
Likewise, I got so good very quickly --a bit like like Zina's recent reference to beginners before they reach an intermediate stage (Whatever do all these labels mean?)--- then I realised that, though I could play a few tunes, I still knew next to nothing. Even worse, I had days when I couldn't even play what I already learned (Still have these occasionally, especially after a few pints :>)) )
After a good few years, "I've got to admit, It's getting better" (From Sgt Pepper- sorry I'm a child of the sixties) but there's still lots to learn and I'll never achieve everything. I think it's all about your own enjoyment, at the end of the day.
Further to my last comment...If we enjoy our music, we're much better off than many better players who find the whole thing a drudge and are just going through the motions. I've known some great players who have got so "scunnered" that they don't even play at all now. That's really sad.
When I was a pup I entered the County Down fleadh with my mandolin and won. It is also true that I was the only entrant. There wasn't even a seperate category for mandolins so I entered the Comhaltas Hall of Fame as County Down Under 16 Miscellaneous Champion. I then went on to the Ulster Fleadh where I made a complete twat of myself. Still, they can never take my title away from me. Please refer to me in all future postings as Mr Miscellaneous.
I think I'm absolutely brilliant, and probably the oldest female flute player in Ireland so who cares if eveyone else thinks I'm suffering from delusions of brilliance!!
Can read the tadpoles, transpose, remember tunes by the thousand, talk and play, make up sets on the hoof, have made a pretty penny at it since leaving school - just above average.
Can lead sessions, can play in odd keys, play loudly, be rude to bodhranistra, guitarists and singers, can wind people up, can drink etc - top class.
As a budding musician, I guess I would rate myself at the "Twat" (Mr. GIll's def, please!) level. Several friends will appreciate the humour of this.
However, I have mastered 2 things since starting:
1. I always keep the bow hair down.
2. First mastered tune: 4 minutes 33 seconds. I've been asked to join the Celtic Fiddle Festival to perform that w/ them. It will also appear on their next disc.
It's always encouraging to a beginner when they get that first tune perfectly under their belts. I am in your debt Danny for posting that tune as well as Jeremy for the midi file etc.
My problem is that when I'm practicing it sounds good to me; and when I listen to myself on a recording it sounds abysmal. Oh, the power of self-hypnosis!
I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently.
Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row.
I woo women with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing, I can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook Thirty-Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru.
Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets, I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I'm bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances free of charge.
I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy evening wear. I don't perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail. I have been caller number nine and have won the weekend passes. Last summer I toured New Jersey with a traveling centrifugal-force demonstration. I bat 400.
My deft floral arrangements have earned me fame in international botany circles. Children trust me.
I can hurl tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy. I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. I know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. I have performed several covert operations with the CIA. I sleep once a week; when I do sleep, I sleep in a chair. While on vacation in Canada, I successfully negotiated with a group of terrorists who had seized a small bakery. The laws of physics do not apply to me.
I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid. On weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami. Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. I have made extraordinary four course meals using only a mouli and a toaster oven.
I breed prizewinning clams. I have won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the Kremlin.
I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and I have spoken with Elvis.
But I can't seem to get my fingers around "Tam Lin"
Your entire post was the entrance essay written by a student applying to NYU (he was accepted). It is quite ubiquitous on the net. Search on "deft floral arrangements" (use google) to find a few links to it.
Thanks Eliot - I got it at least 10th hand. It did seem an appropriate response to the question asked here as well. Seems like NYU sets a pretty high standard...
Beginner whistle player here at 41. Started 5 months ago and am playing about 12 tunes. My teacher is impressed that I can half-hole with relative easy, I look at him with furrowed curiosity. I think I should be better of course, but I suppose squeezing in practice amongst my 3 1/2 year old boy is a feat unto itself. Being a grown-up, I treated myself to two Michael Burke whistles so that when I squeek and squawk at least its bearable. Next on the agenda, slow sessions soon- that is if I can master this horrible stage fright!
Welcome to the stage Jenn! A friendly slow session is the perfect place to get over the jitters--everyone's allowed to squawk and fumble. So don't wait to lose the butterflies before you go--just go anyway, and have fun.
Sorry about that Joyce! I couldn’t help that joke!
Now back to the serious thread were!
How good I am?
As a musician I think I fit in the standards of a normal ITM player, despite the up’s and down’s trough this 12 years, the evolution is positive comparing with top players from the CD’s because that is sadly my ITM world, although I’ve learned to understand and fight my limitations to get as better I can be honestly!
I remember some years back in the early days as a muso of asking a truth opinion to a great Portuguese traditional muso Amadeu Magalhâes who plays twelve instruments and I consider the biggest influence in my life, a big friend of mine and the most recent member of the band I’m playing in, this same question. - How good I am?
Well the answer I got was every “small” and “big” mistake and other stuff I was doing, and you don’t imagine the repercussion that “fairly and straight” answer to my question did on me?
I felt like being the worst muso in the face of the earth and I assume that was needed much courage to ask that, but sometimes is good to know this tings and noting like asking that to a “grand” player.
After that I started to work the double on my fiddle instead of getting myself in the most depressing wreck.
Tough I still remember that day!
A muso must accept what he plays, but even more important is that he understands what he is in reality, and doing with the music the healthiest activity in his hand.
I’ve always kept humble in relation with other musician’s and people in general because in my point of view is the most reasonable approach/behaviour and even if you are “grand” you must be humble to keep “grand”.
I’ve seen very good muso’s being arrogant with other muso’s and destroying their good status and musical relations.
I reckon you're not being entirely honest, pitnekit :~}
...reading between the lines, I divine that you're more than just an ordinary player. If you are still going to Ireland, please make sure it does 2 things:
1) Makes your playing even better - very important.
and
2) Improves your English - not very important - but don't worry too much about my comments - my Portuguese is almost non-existent...almost..
Well, Mr Danny, how good do I think I am? Very good, I'd say, in all honesty. I'm going to go against the tradition of the humility / false modesty thing that seems to flourish in I.T., just for a change. I'm a good player of the fiddle / violin, and I honestly would not concede anything to any of the "famous" boys and girls in the scene, past or present (OK, maybe one or two exceptions there ....) .... but in general terms of of technique, style, knowlege of the the music, feeling, versatlity, I am more than happy with what I do (and so are my listeners).
Now, I bet there are quite a few readers there who are thinking along the lines of, "What a big-headed git! How dare he compare his playing to [insert name here] ! ....All I can say is, if you're famous (in the I.T. scene), you're probably a good player as well... if you're not famous, then few will know just how good you really are....
So ... before any of you lash into me ... meet me .. have a listen ... have a few tunes with me ... hopefully this side of the pond!
Jim - I was so hoping that in your steamin' drunk normal Friday evening condition you'd have staggered past this wee obstruction of a post. But yer attention has rested here long enough that ye feel ye might forestall gettin' totally blotto, an' share some hard gotten wisdom with us - The wisdom certainly not derived of the Desiderata. If i thought for a second you were serious... I'd have been ten times more vitriolic.
Well, let's face the reality that such a collossal genius as yersell never misses a trick to display your limitless talents to a gasping, awaiting, public. I, as temporary thesession butler, have to make you aware that there have been several female (and male!) suicide attempts since your last post, how fickle is your public. Don't you feel any sense of responsibility to these people in your charge, man?
I have two musical careers running on parallel tracks - classical, and Irish trad. If the locomotive on the Irish trad track ever draws level with the one on the classical track (which has been running for far longer), then I'll be well satisfied.
Trevor
BTW, I ought to mention that the "locomotive" on the classical track is the cello that I've been playing in orchestras for most of my life.
I'm grateful now that I never learnt the classical violin, as there must be a lot of stuff I didn't have to unlearn when I started the fiddle 3 years ago.
Trevor
How good d'you think you are?
How good d'you think you are?
Me?
I'm ok - not as good as I should be, from the amount of years i've been forcing tunes out of those yokes, that they should wish to do *my* bidding.
But there's got to be, out there, a few people, on this website, who have a Sense of Destiny, to know that you will be a Chosen Player. Let this be your time to submit the odd paragraph, stick in the odd link. C'mon, now - we're all mates here!
Don't deny yer friends!
or ---- let's hear about how easy/diff it is for learners to progress!
Autobiographies please!
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Danny, if that isn't a cue for a Comment from Michael Gill, I don't know what is
Trevor
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by lazyhound
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Forgot to add:
http://www.worldtrans.org/pos/monkey.html
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Before or after the porter takes hold?
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Will CPT
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I'm terrible and getting worse by the minute.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by glauber
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Second, even.
-Padraig
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Pádraig
Re: How good d'you think you are?
i've informed the folks at Comhaltas of the correct spelling of my name so they can get a head start on filling out all the appropriate forms and plaques for the 2004 all ireland senior whistle champion. And ditto for the flute in 2005. I'd be happy to sign autographs now for anybody who is interested.
oh ma gawd: that's not a whistle i've been holding, but a crack pipe!
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Brendan
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I was better than when I started thinking about it.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by windybaer
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I play as well as I do, which is no worse than before the better player struck up, nor no better than before the worse player did likewise.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Tish
Re: How good d'you think you are?
they tell me that i used to be good- but that was before i started doing the odd musical here and there..
tomorrow, tomorrow *twictch* i love ya, tomorrow *twitch twitch*
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Cri'
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I just won the All Living Room flute championship (my wife assured me that not only was I the only flute player in the room, but I was also by far the best). My 5 year old son came in a close second on his whistle on which he can play exactly two notes (C# and B) - luckily, he plays them very loudly which he thinks is highly important.
Eric
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Jayhawk
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Im as good as I can be. I've played with The Chieftains on stage before but that by no means me , Paddy and the boys can make an album together. I think I play resonable, but the important thing is I am satisfied with how I play. So if you don't like it, tough. Haha!
Johnathan
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Harper_Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Also, Comhaltas, please spell my name Johnathan and not Jonathan, thanks.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Harper_Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Where is it, Ciaran Carson's Last Night Fun, or where? The story (I'll paraphrase) about the fiddle competition, and the first fiddler takes the stage, and he's decked out in suit with satin trim and silk tie, hair slicked back, high-shine shoes, one of those orchestry lookin' black cases, out of which comes a byootiful, immaculate violin, all polished and clean. And he launches into a reel, and oh but he's a terrible, desperate player.
And the next fiddler comes out, a tweed suit, no tie, a respectable hair cut, sensible walking shoes in good repair, a well-traveled case, and a similarly well-used fiddle, so much so that the judges hold out some hope that at least he's practiced.. And he launches into a reel, and the music, if you could call it that, is something most unpleasant and desperate.
And the third and last competitor shuffles on stage, a coat of rags over a stained shirt, dirty trousers, hair like sea foam on a gale, toes peeking through the shoes, and a tattered burlap bag reeking of smoke from which he draws a dark, rosin-caked fiddle. Now here's the stuff, nod the judges, a man of the pure drop himself. And after taking the chair, adjusting his bow, and closing his eyes, he launches into a reel, and b'gawd he's desperate too!
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Will CPT
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Eh, poor oul' Dan, none of us have really answered the question you asked, eh? 8>) I'll try to do better when there's a bit more time, though it'll be a tale of Learner's Progress from me...
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Tish
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I play better than a monkey. Well, sort of. But I guarantee nobody has collected more sheet music tunes than me. And one day I will learn to play them, unless something good comes on TV...
Ran-
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Ran
Re: How good d'you think you are?
A Dhomhniaill, a chara!
That's very teasing of you!
I humbly submit that I have just released my first album, which includes a tune called the Achill Air.
After playing it at Georgetown Festival last week, this lady comes up and buys it. Says she "That slow air is beautiful. My mother would like that to go out to" to which I replied that Achill was half way round the world, thinking she'd like to visit! Then she explained for real what you're all imagining, like she's not been well for a long time, she's not getting better, and er ....
Some recommendation eh? Enough to take someone over the edge. So that's the only info I can give you on how I play!
Brianx
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by briantheflute
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Doh!
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Brendan
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I am perfectly positive that no living or un-living guitar player can match me, but only if absolutely no one is listening to me. You see, audience makes me nervous.
Hm... I also started washing my sweet potatoes some time ago... Have to think over my behavioral patterns...
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by EastPole
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I try not to think!!!!!
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Sarah the Flute
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I'm the best whistle player in my house!
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Twiz
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I'm good enough to enjoy it, but not so good that I could be arrogant about it.
Is *good* only about playing the notes in order, or is it about what tune you play when.
I played O'Carolans Farewell the night the landlady of the pub died, and we all cried in our beer.
Dave
(actually I love Tish's description above - about yer own level being unchanged by those around - good on yer Tish)
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Come on! Such modesty from you all, what are you afraid of? Personally, still a beginner but coming along at a good pace. Never going to be as good as the other fiddlers I've met at sessions but then they have 20 or 30 years on me. If I'm not scared of playing with them, I figure I must think myself pretty good. Most of you play at sessions, on stage or have recorded some music, you must think you're pretty good and I reckon you're likely every bit as good as you think, so go on, be proud and say (post) it!
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Cath
Re: How good d'you think you are?
The very first posting I made made on this web site was in reply to a question, "How do you rate yourself?"
I replied,"Only twats rate themselves".
After much complaints about what the word twat meens over the pond, (It meens more or less an idiot here) everybody forgot why I posted that reply in the first place.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by llig leahcim
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Soon I've been playing the fiddle for one year, and all I can say is that I'm very satisfied with my playing. I am far from "very good", but I keep getting better and I keep learning new tunes, so...
...also, nobody has complained when I've been playing it in public.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Pontus Adefjord
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I knew I'd done something silly last night after a few beers in the Blythe - and this is it! Thanks for your patient and humorous replies. I note, thankfully, that no-one has replied about how brilliant they are. Obviously you guys know that the music speaks for itself. Well done and thanks.
danny
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
As galling as it may be to admit, I suck.
Last night I put in an extra beat somewhere in The Roaring Barmaid, causing the guitarist on my right to stumble over the rhythm, who in turn confused the bodhran basher to trip, and it all came apart. Who puts an extra beat in a simple jig?? 7/8! - WTF?
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Q
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I think I'm doing OK, as a relative novice, but I am blessed and cursed to be knocking around with and learning from some phenomenal talents. Just about anyone's going to suck if they have to use the likes of Mark Conyard and Brian Kelly as a guide.
For example, I thought I could play the Swedish Jig on mandolin quite well.. right up until last night when Mark gave the most awesome imaginable rendition of that tune on mandolin (which I got on tape! Yee-hah!), and so now I realise that I, in fact, can't play it half as well as I thought.
Still, so long as I feel I'm improving over time, that's the main thing. I'll get there some day.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by ReubenH
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Q - you're not supposed to suck - try blowing.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
It's like the line from the old Bob Dylan song.. "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.." by which I think he means he thought he know it all at one time but realises that he's so much to learn still.
Likewise, I got so good very quickly --a bit like like Zina's recent reference to beginners before they reach an intermediate stage (Whatever do all these labels mean?)--- then I realised that, though I could play a few tunes, I still knew next to nothing. Even worse, I had days when I couldn't even play what I already learned (Still have these occasionally, especially after a few pints :>)) )
After a good few years, "I've got to admit, It's getting better" (From Sgt Pepper- sorry I'm a child of the sixties) but there's still lots to learn and I'll never achieve everything. I think it's all about your own enjoyment, at the end of the day.
John
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Johannes J
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Thanks, Dave! A special goodnight to you
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Tish
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Further to my last comment...If we enjoy our music, we're much better off than many better players who find the whole thing a drudge and are just going through the motions. I've known some great players who have got so "scunnered" that they don't even play at all now. That's really sad.
John
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Johannes J
Re: How good d'you think you are?
When I was a pup I entered the County Down fleadh with my mandolin and won. It is also true that I was the only entrant. There wasn't even a seperate category for mandolins so I entered the Comhaltas Hall of Fame as County Down Under 16 Miscellaneous Champion. I then went on to the Ulster Fleadh where I made a complete twat of myself. Still, they can never take my title away from me. Please refer to me in all future postings as Mr Miscellaneous.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by sergeant fox
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I say three cheers for Mr Gill - he hit the nail right on the nail.
(don't write in and say "head" - it's a quote)
Dave
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I think I'm absolutely brilliant, and probably the oldest female flute player in Ireland so who cares if eveyone else thinks I'm suffering from delusions of brilliance!!
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by MollyB
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Can read the tadpoles, transpose, remember tunes by the thousand, talk and play, make up sets on the hoof, have made a pretty penny at it since leaving school - just above average.
Can lead sessions, can play in odd keys, play loudly, be rude to bodhranistra, guitarists and singers, can wind people up, can drink etc - top class.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by geoffwright
Re: How good d'you think you are?
As a budding musician, I guess I would rate myself at the "Twat" (Mr. GIll's def, please!) level. Several friends will appreciate the humour of this.
However, I have mastered 2 things since starting:
1. I always keep the bow hair down.
2. First mastered tune: 4 minutes 33 seconds. I've been asked to join the Celtic Fiddle Festival to perform that w/ them. It will also appear on their next disc.
It's always encouraging to a beginner when they get that first tune perfectly under their belts. I am in your debt Danny for posting that tune as well as Jeremy for the midi file etc.
Deb.
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: How good d'you think you are?
My problem is that when I'm practicing it sounds good to me; and when I listen to myself on a recording it sounds abysmal. Oh, the power of self-hypnosis!
# Posted on January 22nd 2004 by rog
Re: How good d'you think you are?
It actually depends. I'm pretty lousy on flute, but me and my imaginary buddies have a hell of a rock band!
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by glauber
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Lousy.-
Turned out yesterday that I'm good at making up funny songs for a school teachers' gettogether.
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by kuec
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Hey Glauber, I hear you are a lovely flute player from a very reliable source : )
Joyce
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by JMH
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Yeah, when I listen to myself on the mini-disc, I just want to vomit sometimes.........but I do think I get an A for effort.
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by JMH
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Well I’m still trying to put that “Candid” video here at the session.org
Marco
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by pitnekit
Re: How good d'you think you are?
In that case the bathroom is good…..for practicing!….of course……LOL
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by pitnekit
Re: How good d'you think you are?
How good do I think I am?...
I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently.
Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row.
I woo women with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing, I can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook Thirty-Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru.
Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets, I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I'm bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances free of charge.
I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy evening wear. I don't perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail. I have been caller number nine and have won the weekend passes. Last summer I toured New Jersey with a traveling centrifugal-force demonstration. I bat 400.
My deft floral arrangements have earned me fame in international botany circles. Children trust me.
I can hurl tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy. I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. I know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. I have performed several covert operations with the CIA. I sleep once a week; when I do sleep, I sleep in a chair. While on vacation in Canada, I successfully negotiated with a group of terrorists who had seized a small bakery. The laws of physics do not apply to me.
I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid. On weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami. Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. I have made extraordinary four course meals using only a mouli and a toaster oven.
I breed prizewinning clams. I have won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the Kremlin.
I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and I have spoken with Elvis.
But I can't seem to get my fingers around "Tam Lin"
(apologies to whoever the original author was)
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Grego, will you marry me???
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Joyce said: "Hey Glauber, I hear you are a lovely flute player from a very reliable source"
Yes, but was she talking about my flute playing?
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by glauber
Re: How good d'you think you are?
"The older I get, the better I was", to quote American folk music icon Art Theime.
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Tusong200
To Grego ...
Your entire post was the entrance essay written by a student applying to NYU (he was accepted). It is quite ubiquitous on the net. Search on "deft floral arrangements" (use google) to find a few links to it.
--Eliot
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Eliot
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Thanks Eliot - I got it at least 10th hand. It did seem an appropriate response to the question asked here as well. Seems like NYU sets a pretty high standard...
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I'd love to be as good as Geoffwright.
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Wot - so you can be rude to bodhranists?
:~}
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Or anyone else not up to my standards
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Beginner whistle player here at 41. Started 5 months ago and am playing about 12 tunes. My teacher is impressed that I can half-hole with relative easy, I look at him with furrowed curiosity. I think I should be better of course, but I suppose squeezing in practice amongst my 3 1/2 year old boy is a feat unto itself. Being a grown-up, I treated myself to two Michael Burke whistles so that when I squeek and squawk at least its bearable. Next on the agenda, slow sessions soon- that is if I can master this horrible stage fright!
cheers
Jenn
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by jenaceae
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Welcome to the stage Jenn! A friendly slow session is the perfect place to get over the jitters--everyone's allowed to squawk and fumble. So don't wait to lose the butterflies before you go--just go anyway, and have fun.
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Will CPT
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Eskimo.
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by glenn
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Sasquatch.
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Pádraig
Re: How good d'you think you are?
If God knew me, he would be envious.
I once made a mistake: I thought that i made a mistake but I didn't!
LOL ;-}
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by fiel
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Sorry about that Joyce! I couldn’t help that joke!
Now back to the serious thread were!
How good I am?
As a musician I think I fit in the standards of a normal ITM player, despite the up’s and down’s trough this 12 years, the evolution is positive comparing with top players from the CD’s because that is sadly my ITM world, although I’ve learned to understand and fight my limitations to get as better I can be honestly!
I remember some years back in the early days as a muso of asking a truth opinion to a great Portuguese traditional muso Amadeu Magalhâes who plays twelve instruments and I consider the biggest influence in my life, a big friend of mine and the most recent member of the band I’m playing in, this same question. - How good I am?
Well the answer I got was every “small” and “big” mistake and other stuff I was doing, and you don’t imagine the repercussion that “fairly and straight” answer to my question did on me?
I felt like being the worst muso in the face of the earth and I assume that was needed much courage to ask that, but sometimes is good to know this tings and noting like asking that to a “grand” player.
After that I started to work the double on my fiddle instead of getting myself in the most depressing wreck.
Tough I still remember that day!
A muso must accept what he plays, but even more important is that he understands what he is in reality, and doing with the music the healthiest activity in his hand.
I’ve always kept humble in relation with other musician’s and people in general because in my point of view is the most reasonable approach/behaviour and even if you are “grand” you must be humble to keep “grand”.
I’ve seen very good muso’s being arrogant with other muso’s and destroying their good status and musical relations.
This is also part of being good muso too!
At lasts an honest post from my part.
Marco
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by pitnekit
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I reckon you're not being entirely honest, pitnekit :~}
...reading between the lines, I divine that you're more than just an ordinary player. If you are still going to Ireland, please make sure it does 2 things:
1) Makes your playing even better - very important.
and
2) Improves your English - not very important - but don't worry too much about my comments - my Portuguese is almost non-existent...almost..
danny.
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Well, Mr Danny, how good do I think I am? Very good, I'd say, in all honesty. I'm going to go against the tradition of the humility / false modesty thing that seems to flourish in I.T., just for a change. I'm a good player of the fiddle / violin, and I honestly would not concede anything to any of the "famous" boys and girls in the scene, past or present (OK, maybe one or two exceptions there ....) .... but in general terms of of technique, style, knowlege of the the music, feeling, versatlity, I am more than happy with what I do (and so are my listeners).
Now, I bet there are quite a few readers there who are thinking along the lines of, "What a big-headed git! How dare he compare his playing to [insert name here] ! ....All I can say is, if you're famous (in the I.T. scene), you're probably a good player as well... if you're not famous, then few will know just how good you really are....
So ... before any of you lash into me ... meet me .. have a listen ... have a few tunes with me ... hopefully this side of the pond!
Jim
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Worldfiddler
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Jim - I was so hoping that in your steamin' drunk normal Friday evening condition you'd have staggered past this wee obstruction of a post. But yer attention has rested here long enough that ye feel ye might forestall gettin' totally blotto, an' share some hard gotten wisdom with us - The wisdom certainly not derived of the Desiderata. If i thought for a second you were serious... I'd have been ten times more vitriolic.
Well, let's face the reality that such a collossal genius as yersell never misses a trick to display your limitless talents to a gasping, awaiting, public. I, as temporary thesession butler, have to make you aware that there have been several female (and male!) suicide attempts since your last post, how fickle is your public. Don't you feel any sense of responsibility to these people in your charge, man?
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Butler?
hmmm
MacAiodh, will you see Mr Dorans to his lodging?
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Pádraig
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Oh sh**....just re-read my last post ... with a hangover ....sorry folks....I can be a bit silly sometimes after a few whiskies.
Jim
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Worldfiddler
Re: How good d'you think you are?
no worries Jim - same here!
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: How good d'you think you are?
Now that's when you share the "Bush" medicine, or Dr. Jameson's potion! Recovery assured!
Bx
# Posted on January 23rd 2004 by briantheflute
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I would be a superb player if I didn't make so many damned mistakes!
# Posted on January 24th 2004 by whistlemanhimself
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I reckon I'm as good as anyone who hears me thinks I am.
# Posted on January 24th 2004 by Ottery
Re: How good d'you think you are?
David, I assume you first ascertain that said little old ladies do wish to cross the road in the direction you take them
TRevor
# Posted on January 24th 2004 by lazyhound
Re: How good d'you think you are?
I have two musical careers running on parallel tracks - classical, and Irish trad. If the locomotive on the Irish trad track ever draws level with the one on the classical track (which has been running for far longer), then I'll be well satisfied.
Trevor
# Posted on January 25th 2004 by lazyhound
Re: How good d'you think you are?
BTW, I ought to mention that the "locomotive" on the classical track is the cello that I've been playing in orchestras for most of my life.
I'm grateful now that I never learnt the classical violin, as there must be a lot of stuff I didn't have to unlearn when I started the fiddle 3 years ago.
Trevor
# Posted on January 25th 2004 by lazyhound