Just got back 5 minutes ago from seeing Leahy at Cal tech. How in the world does anybody play the fiddle that fast? I think I had better get 6 or 7 decades of practice in this weekend. Maybe I can get beyond perpetual beginner status on fiddle by the end of THIS decade,(I missed the last one).
I'm jazzed and depressed at the same time.
Ran-
What!? You got to go to that!? No fair! I had been looking forward to that for months, and then I realized that my band had a gig on the same day! And that's right after missing Martin Hayes and Denis Cahil too! Oh well.
I haven't heard Leahy, Ran, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. Playing fast isn't everything, though. I'm sure it's possible for you to be just as creative and interesting playing at a slower speed. Not that I've achieved that either--being creative and interesting that is, I can manage the slow speed all right. :>))
There's no harm in being able to play fast but you need a little "light and shade" in a set.
I was going to ask you to give us more info about Leahy but I've found their web site here. http://www.leahymusic.com/
They seem well worth checking out.
Good luck with the practice this weekend. I'll be doing the same.
Oh I like the my slow speeds just fine. Besides, I don't think a metronome will go that fast.
It's not just the speed, but being able to pluck out extra notes with your pinky finger while playing that fast is a pretty kool trick. They do a great rendition of "Czardas" that'll make you want to buy a wagon and become a gypsy.
Ran-
Not only do they leave you breathless with their speed but they all switch instruments (or step dance) between (and during) numbers to show off more of their talents. Great stuff if you like 'a show'. This family's been 'local talent' for years but 'made the big time' with the release of their first album 'Leahy' and later were the opening act for Shania Twain. This past year their lead fiddler Donnell married Natalie MacMaster.
Leahy isn't really my cup of tea, although I've enjoyed their concerts -- but next time I go I'll know to bring ear plugs, boy howdy, do their sound engineers like to turn it up. They sure can play, though. Wish I was half as talented! (Or had worked as hard as they obviously did when they were young and learning!)
Wasn't it her who had Donny Golden and students in one of her videos, all of them stomping about in puddles of water with the water being thrown over their heads? (Riverdance, get it?)
Don't get caught up with the flash; I saw Brian McNammara play the fastest reel, stacato on his pipes- impossibly fast; no iffy notes, sharp and distinct. WAY BIG SIGH!!!
Hi Max,
Nothin' wrong with being creative and fast. Donnell Leahy is just darn good at what he does. My personal ambition it to be able to play fiddle well with other people (session), so fast and overly creative it not in the cards. As it is, it's a little less "Mucking of Geordie's byre" and "Capt. Campbell" and a little more "Silver spire" and "Cooley's reel". I reckon Irish is the way to go hear-abouts.
Get a chance yet to do a little harmonica playin'?
Ran-
Let's face it...fast is fun. It may not be everything, but great pyrotechnics are a blast. At that speed, even when I miss half the notes, no one knows but me and the guys! Donnell is a sheer pleasure, as is watching wife natalie play Tullochgorum as fast as i've ever seen it. Right now, Canadian fiddling is super, along with those two, there's April Verch, Barrachois, and a whole slew of fun tunes. I've seen leahy three times, and will go back for many more!
Donnell Leahy can play just as musically at 150 beats a minute as he can at 40. And he CAN at 40. He is one of the most talented fiddlers/musicians out there, and I'll put him up against anyone else from any genre - irish, french, scottish, classical, you name it. Until you sit in his living room and listen to him practice you haven't heard anything. Don't know why the guy doesn't have a tutorial.
Oh yeah, since I play in Natalie's band I should say she's up there too.. he he he
We saw Natalie play in Hollywood a couple of months ago. Way cool. I don't think she stopped moving the whole time.
A tutorial. I can't imagine learning to play like that from a book and a CD.
Ran-
I don't think Max was saying that playing fast was bad in the case of Donnell Leahy. He was quoting a post from above his post and giving an example of what the previous poster was talking about, was all. No need to jump to Donnell's defense and onto Max's back, guys, when no defense was needed.
I've heard that Donnell Leahy can play his fiddle at lightning-fast speeds, step dance and solve Calculus theorems in his head, ALL at the same time! Wow!
I think playing fast is great IF you're able to do it well. Obviously Leahy, MacMaster et al are able to perform magnificently both slow & fast. Having just seen/heard MacMaster, she plays beautifully regardless of tempo.
Naaa... I think Max is just being supportive of folks like me that probably won't ever be able to play like that. But then I won't play like Martin Hayes either. Alas..too much to learn, and we only get to hang around this earth for 80 or 90 years.
In response to Matty Mac's reply, I thought your tone was fine. My wife's a classical fiddler, and she loves both Donnell and natalie for both speed and tone. Don't get her started on who's best, though, either between those two or some straight classical guys...that discussion will never end, and we'll never win, even when I'm not sure of the point she's making. So who's that hot piper in Natalie's band..I can't remeber his name...Marky mark...Vanilla Matt..? Huh..it slips me.
I know what you're saying, Max, but Donnell has creativity, tone, speed, and AWESOME talent.
Oh, and Donnell may not be that great at Calculus, but his sister Agnes is. She has a degree in mathematics. (She is also the lead stepdancer for Leahy)
'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Just got back 5 minutes ago from seeing Leahy at Cal tech. How in the world does anybody play the fiddle that fast? I think I had better get 6 or 7 decades of practice in this weekend. Maybe I can get beyond perpetual beginner status on fiddle by the end of THIS decade,(I missed the last one).
I'm jazzed and depressed at the same time.
Ran-
# Posted on February 6th 2004 by Ran
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
What!? You got to go to that!? No fair! I had been looking forward to that for months, and then I realized that my band had a gig on the same day! And that's right after missing Martin Hayes and Denis Cahil too! Oh well.
-Max
# Posted on February 6th 2004 by Max Becher
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
I haven't heard Leahy, Ran, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. Playing fast isn't everything, though. I'm sure it's possible for you to be just as creative and interesting playing at a slower speed. Not that I've achieved that either--being creative and interesting that is, I can manage the slow speed all right. :>))
There's no harm in being able to play fast but you need a little "light and shade" in a set.
I was going to ask you to give us more info about Leahy but I've found their web site here.
http://www.leahymusic.com/
They seem well worth checking out.
Good luck with the practice this weekend. I'll be doing the same.
John
# Posted on February 6th 2004 by Johnny Jay
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Oh I like the my slow speeds just fine. Besides, I don't think a metronome will go that fast.
It's not just the speed, but being able to pluck out extra notes with your pinky finger while playing that fast is a pretty kool trick. They do a great rendition of "Czardas" that'll make you want to buy a wagon and become a gypsy.
Ran-
# Posted on February 7th 2004 by Ran
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Not only do they leave you breathless with their speed but they all switch instruments (or step dance) between (and during) numbers to show off more of their talents. Great stuff if you like 'a show'. This family's been 'local talent' for years but 'made the big time' with the release of their first album 'Leahy' and later were the opening act for Shania Twain. This past year their lead fiddler Donnell married Natalie MacMaster.
# Posted on February 7th 2004 by golly
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Leahy isn't really my cup of tea, although I've enjoyed their concerts -- but next time I go I'll know to bring ear plugs, boy howdy, do their sound engineers like to turn it up. They sure can play, though. Wish I was half as talented! (Or had worked as hard as they obviously did when they were young and learning!)
# Posted on February 7th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Hmmmmmmm......Shania Twain........
# Posted on February 7th 2004 by BowHand
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Wasn't it her who had Donny Golden and students in one of her videos, all of them stomping about in puddles of water with the water being thrown over their heads? (Riverdance, get it?)
# Posted on February 7th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
I'm more inclined to put in earplugs when I play. Mediocre fiddling 4 inches from my left ear, ouch!
Zina, what's "boy howdy"? It sounds like a alternative lifestyle country and western band.
Ran-
# Posted on February 7th 2004 by Ran
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
"Playing fast isn't everything, though. I'm sure it's possible for you to be just as creative and interesting playing at a slower speed."
Martin Hayes is the perfect example.
-Max
# Posted on February 7th 2004 by Max Becher
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Don't get caught up with the flash; I saw Brian McNammara play the fastest reel, stacato on his pipes- impossibly fast; no iffy notes, sharp and distinct. WAY BIG SIGH!!!
A long roll- any one show me a long roll
# Posted on February 7th 2004 by I_Fel
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Ye start here, ye go up, ye go back, ye go doun, ye go back.
Easy peasy.
Heh.
-Padraig, the roll-less one!
# Posted on February 7th 2004 by Pádraig
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Hi Max,
Nothin' wrong with being creative and fast. Donnell Leahy is just darn good at what he does. My personal ambition it to be able to play fiddle well with other people (session), so fast and overly creative it not in the cards. As it is, it's a little less "Mucking of Geordie's byre" and "Capt. Campbell" and a little more "Silver spire" and "Cooley's reel". I reckon Irish is the way to go hear-abouts.
Get a chance yet to do a little harmonica playin'?
Ran-
# Posted on February 8th 2004 by Ran
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Let's face it...fast is fun. It may not be everything, but great pyrotechnics are a blast. At that speed, even when I miss half the notes, no one knows but me and the guys! Donnell is a sheer pleasure, as is watching wife natalie play Tullochgorum as fast as i've ever seen it. Right now, Canadian fiddling is super, along with those two, there's April Verch, Barrachois, and a whole slew of fun tunes. I've seen leahy three times, and will go back for many more!
# Posted on February 8th 2004 by Dust Lad
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Donnell Leahy can play just as musically at 150 beats a minute as he can at 40. And he CAN at 40. He is one of the most talented fiddlers/musicians out there, and I'll put him up against anyone else from any genre - irish, french, scottish, classical, you name it. Until you sit in his living room and listen to him practice you haven't heard anything. Don't know why the guy doesn't have a tutorial.
Oh yeah, since I play in Natalie's band I should say she's up there too.. he he he
# Posted on February 8th 2004 by Mattrick
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
We saw Natalie play in Hollywood a couple of months ago. Way cool. I don't think she stopped moving the whole time.
A tutorial. I can't imagine learning to play like that from a book and a CD.
Ran-
# Posted on February 8th 2004 by Ran
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
I don't think Max was saying that playing fast was bad in the case of Donnell Leahy. He was quoting a post from above his post and giving an example of what the previous poster was talking about, was all. No need to jump to Donnell's defense and onto Max's back, guys, when no defense was needed.
# Posted on February 8th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
I've heard that Donnell Leahy can play his fiddle at lightning-fast speeds, step dance and solve Calculus theorems in his head, ALL at the same time! Wow!
# Posted on February 8th 2004 by JMH
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
I think playing fast is great IF you're able to do it well. Obviously Leahy, MacMaster et al are able to perform magnificently both slow & fast. Having just seen/heard MacMaster, she plays beautifully regardless of tempo.
# Posted on February 9th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Naaa... I think Max is just being supportive of folks like me that probably won't ever be able to play like that. But then I won't play like Martin Hayes either. Alas..too much to learn, and we only get to hang around this earth for 80 or 90 years.
# Posted on February 9th 2004 by Ran
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
Sorry, tone of my post wasn't what I intended.
I don't think Donnell is that good at calculus either
Anyone here from Calgary? We're here on a day off, playing tomorrow night...I'im bored.
Matty
# Posted on February 9th 2004 by Mattrick
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
In response to Matty Mac's reply, I thought your tone was fine. My wife's a classical fiddler, and she loves both Donnell and natalie for both speed and tone. Don't get her started on who's best, though, either between those two or some straight classical guys...that discussion will never end, and we'll never win, even when I'm not sure of the point she's making. So who's that hot piper in Natalie's band..I can't remeber his name...Marky mark...Vanilla Matt..? Huh..it slips me.
# Posted on February 10th 2004 by Dust Lad
Re: 'LEAHY' - Holy cow!!
I know what you're saying, Max, but Donnell has creativity, tone, speed, and AWESOME talent.
Oh, and Donnell may not be that great at Calculus, but his sister Agnes is. She has a degree in mathematics. (She is also the lead stepdancer for Leahy)
# Posted on June 18th 2005 by Ben314