Don't really hear of them much these days. Anyone got a new year's resolution or two to share?
OK I'll get the ball rolling.
Music ones first.
I intend to post more on this website - be warned.
I intend - or rather I'm resolved - to practice more, something I haven't done regularly for months.
I intend to go out to sessions, another thing I haven't done for ages.
Not so much a resolution as a reawakening of interest - I'll give the fiddle another blast.
Non-music:
If not a full marathon, run a half, or a twenty or 15 mile race... and maybe do another triathlon. I'm getting a bit old so I will taylor these aspirations as my awareness of my level of fitness transpires.
All of the above is really more of a wish list, if I can do any one of them I'll be happy. For the record I am now running about 8-9 minutes slower over just 5k than my PB.
Next please? - anyone so bold?
(all just a bit of fun BTW)
I resolve to avoid playing music. You see, I have a severe case of shoulder tendonitis that playing exacerbates, and I am told that the more I play, the harder it will be to heal. So I grit my teeth, and stay away as much as I can. I was taking some sean nos singing lessons in the fall, and am thinking of continuing them after the new year. That will allow my to get my music fix without straining the shoulder.
Unfortunately, the only instrument I can play without pain is harmonica, held only with my left hand. But I can tell I am getting better, I did cheat last night for New Years, and while the shoulder was sore, the pain has diminished much more quickly than it would have a couple of months ago.
Al and I may not be in the same boat, but we're paddling the same waters. I count myself lucky if old injuries let me play twice a week, and my running days are just a memory now, so I'm down to a brisk walk. Getting old sucks....
Good on you Danny for diving back into the music and running. Good luck with all of it!
So my only resolution to kick off 2012 is to try to make the decline a little more gradual than the past three years. But I have no reason to be optimistic.
Al, my Dear Husband (aka guitar guy) had the same thing happen last year. (Exacerbated by a marathon St. Paddy's week schedule) He took a couple of months off the guitar so he could heal. Nearly went nuts, but it did go away.
Thanks, kind people. Michele, I'm not sure where you live but there is the Suffolk coastal 10k, 14miler and marathon, all held on the same venue starts seperated by a few minutes. Great event. I think it's the 2nd may bank holiday. not a very good website but it's the best I can do just now http://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/committee.asp?ClubCtteeID=651&ClubID=498
Could possibly get a session in the Eel's Foot Eastbridge afterwards. Our club (kent AC) does a 10 mile road race early feb http://www.kentac.org.uk/sidcup10 but that is road. And cheers Will and Nicholas, wishing all you folks the very best for this brand new year, hoping it will be better than the last one but truly fearing it will be a great deal worse.
After some odd 30 years of fiddling with no injuries, I have recently experienced a growing pain in my bow-hand, which I hope is not the what I think it might be.
Anyhow, I´ve set myself out to try to find new ways to practice in the year to come, maximizing the power of the mind and minimizing whatever might be a strain to the muscular systems....
With regard to music, I want to emulate the attitude of Arturo Tuscanini, who when he was complimented on a concert he had conducted the previous year replied, "Ah, but I was a fool last year."
Oh and on a more positive note, finish the third of three young adult adventure novels that I have been writing. And, if the publishers and God are willing, to sell the first of those novels...
I plan on struggling with my playing just a bit less this year. I have a teacher now, and only two lessons in it's obvious to me I should have had a teacher a year ago. But I'll launch tunes into the ether as I woodshed with my fiddle, and I'll lilt every tune I know as I lace up my sneakers and run though the cold dark winter mornings. May some of this find its way to you.
Al - hope you're back in playing shape soon.
A word to the wise: in my experience, keyboard time tends to aggravate RSI conditions. If you're going to do a lot of writing, you might want to consider speech recognition software.
Al ~ I would recommend finding an Alexander Technique teacher. It may help your injury. I would not be able to still play if I hadn't had lessons. Google it to find out more, if you don't know much about it. Really do look into it. It can be powerful stuff.
My New Year's Resolution is to play my new quenacho lots. It's not a resolution really. It's just every time I pick it up, I know that it will become a major part of my musical existance. I'm looking forward to whacking out some reels on it in a few sessions. Plus, it will have the "he's playing THAT on one of THOSE??!" factor!!
Non-musically ~ I'm gonna try to read something from the I Ching every day. It's a wise book.
They are a set of Northumbrian Pipes made by Tom Green c1975.
They're a seven key set in Blackwood, brass and imitation ivory pitched in concert 'F' with a Shepherd's Plaid bag, which was made by Ray Fisher.
Until last Friday, this set belonged to Ged Foley & I understand, actually featured on several recordings by both The Battlefield Band, The House Band & at least one Patrick Street album.
Anyway, Ged very kindly brought them all the way up here to Ballycastle, Co. Antrim & joined us on Fiddle for our regular session in Tom's. By the way, Ged's a great Fiddler too & he brought us up some lovely Clare Music, perhaps in an effort to put some manners on our Northern Gallowglass style of music!
Anyway, my New Year's Resolution is to try & make some sense of these wee Pipes .... & before you say anything ..... surely better late, than never!
@PTThat's great they got a home, Ged was trying to flog them to me last yr! But jeez too many shiny keys.He really is a good fiddler eh! Not too bad on the guitar either! My new yr resolution is to survive another year! One day at a time! Have fun.
I have resolved not to make any New Year's Resolutions (just like last year and the year before and the year before and the year before and...........)
I'm hoping for more New Year revolutions, particularly against Ireland's new property tax (the undoubted forerunner of the blasted poll tax) and in the environs of Westminster.
On a personal note, I've resolved to get my books up on Kindle (including a brand new edition of 'The Rough Guide to Irish Music', though it'll be called something different for copyright reasons), to get my bike up and fit for use again, to see more gigs and to go back to my whistles before my fingers become too aged to make the moves.
Grow back the missing hair on my head
Double my current earnings
Get an octave mandolin (tied to the previous resolution)
Try and see more of the people that I miss
Six pack abs
quit smoking (still working on the last pack, lol)
Also this year I hope to finally get my bow rehaired
learn all those tunes that I know one part of really well and end up dropping out on the B part
Also I've undertaken several steps to prevent people from stealing my laundry
I resolve to split my brain so that my dumb hand (the left) plays the melody on a hammered dulcimer while the smart one (right) plays the chords. I'm sick and fed up playing just melody on Irish tunes.
"I'm sick and fed up playing just melody on Irish tunes."
Huh? Your bio says you get "stuck playing back up guitar." Now you're sick of the melodies? Maybe spare your session mates the anguish and take up bowling instead....
Nothing ruins a good session quicker than a hammered dulcimer who doesn't play the melodies. There's no hope of anyone else hearing the nuances that make this music what it is.
I don't do new years resolutions anymore. The closest thing to a new years resolution to me is the beginning a of new musical year every birthday. After i go through a week or two cycling through the things i've learned the previous year, i beginning working on new things that i need to fix. This year it's practicing my sight reading for piano, and also being more diligent with song learning for piano. My new fiddle year starts the 25th of December, but there's so many things i need to work on, i don't go by years, i go by skill progress.
My other resolution is to only drink coffee in the morning. So far, I've stuck to it!! I feel better and sleep better already, and it's only the 3rd of January. I'll quit it when i'm used to this routine.
- Argue less with my bandmates.
- Enjoy plenty of good music, three fine festivals to look forward to.
- Accept that I can't keep up with the in-crowd at the sesh as far as the number of tunes is concerned.
New Year's Resolutions anyone?
New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Don't really hear of them much these days. Anyone got a new year's resolution or two to share?
OK I'll get the ball rolling.
Music ones first.
I intend to post more on this website - be warned.
I intend - or rather I'm resolved - to practice more, something I haven't done regularly for months.
I intend to go out to sessions, another thing I haven't done for ages.
Not so much a resolution as a reawakening of interest - I'll give the fiddle another blast.
Non-music:
If not a full marathon, run a half, or a twenty or 15 mile race... and maybe do another triathlon. I'm getting a bit old so I will taylor these aspirations as my awareness of my level of fitness transpires.
All of the above is really more of a wish list, if I can do any one of them I'll be happy. For the record I am now running about 8-9 minutes slower over just 5k than my PB.
Next please? - anyone so bold?
(all just a bit of fun BTW)
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by Rudall the time
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
I resolve to avoid playing music. You see, I have a severe case of shoulder tendonitis that playing exacerbates, and I am told that the more I play, the harder it will be to heal. So I grit my teeth, and stay away as much as I can. I was taking some sean nos singing lessons in the fall, and am thinking of continuing them after the new year. That will allow my to get my music fix without straining the shoulder.
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by AlBrown
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
That's rough Al. Isn't there something you could learn to play which would avoid your shoulder problem?
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by Rudall the time
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
After a cr#p year in 2011 I had already resolved to practice more and get to at least one session on a regular basis
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by Atk
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
1. Try something new. Maybe cyclocross.
2. Learn to flatfoot.
3. Bake more pies and invite people over to eat them. Force them to play music, too.
Danny- Do they have trail marathons in your neck of the woods? Dirt = happy knees
Asphalt = sad knees
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by Michele Sims
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Unfortunately, the only instrument I can play without pain is harmonica, held only with my left hand. But I can tell I am getting better, I did cheat last night for New Years, and while the shoulder was sore, the pain has diminished much more quickly than it would have a couple of months ago.
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by AlBrown
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Al and I may not be in the same boat, but we're paddling the same waters. I count myself lucky if old injuries let me play twice a week, and my running days are just a memory now, so I'm down to a brisk walk. Getting old sucks....
Good on you Danny for diving back into the music and running. Good luck with all of it!
So my only resolution to kick off 2012 is to try to make the decline a little more gradual than the past three years. But I have no reason to be optimistic.
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by Will Harmon
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Al, my Dear Husband (aka guitar guy) had the same thing happen last year. (Exacerbated by a marathon St. Paddy's week schedule) He took a couple of months off the guitar so he could heal. Nearly went nuts, but it did go away.
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by Michele Sims
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
I shall become truly grotesque.
.
Some things are just destiny, resolution doesn't come into it
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by nicholas
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
I shall sing.
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by nicholas
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
After all, Berlusconi can.
.
If he can, I can
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by nicholas
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Thanks, kind people. Michele, I'm not sure where you live but there is the Suffolk coastal 10k, 14miler and marathon, all held on the same venue starts seperated by a few minutes. Great event. I think it's the 2nd may bank holiday. not a very good website but it's the best I can do just now http://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/committee.asp?ClubCtteeID=651&ClubID=498
Could possibly get a session in the Eel's Foot Eastbridge afterwards. Our club (kent AC) does a 10 mile road race early feb http://www.kentac.org.uk/sidcup10 but that is road. And cheers Will and Nicholas, wishing all you folks the very best for this brand new year, hoping it will be better than the last one but truly fearing it will be a great deal worse.
# Posted on January 1st 2012 by Rudall the time
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
After some odd 30 years of fiddling with no injuries, I have recently experienced a growing pain in my bow-hand, which I hope is not the what I think it might be.
Anyhow, I´ve set myself out to try to find new ways to practice in the year to come, maximizing the power of the mind and minimizing whatever might be a strain to the muscular systems....
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by FiddleTramp
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Try to play less badly than last year; do a better job cleaning up
after my dogs ...
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Hup
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
My New Year's resolution is to deploy an array of orbital mirrors, just as soon as I've perfected my mind-control laser.
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by fidkid
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
With regard to music, I want to emulate the attitude of Arturo Tuscanini, who when he was complimented on a concert he had conducted the previous year replied, "Ah, but I was a fool last year."
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Ailin
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
To post less, and to practise more......
....( these things never last )......
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Guernsey Pete
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Oh and on a more positive note, finish the third of three young adult adventure novels that I have been writing. And, if the publishers and God are willing, to sell the first of those novels...
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by AlBrown
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
To Will and Al,
I plan on struggling with my playing just a bit less this year. I have a teacher now, and only two lessons in it's obvious to me I should have had a teacher a year ago. But I'll launch tunes into the ether as I woodshed with my fiddle, and I'll lilt every tune I know as I lace up my sneakers and run though the cold dark winter mornings. May some of this find its way to you.
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by NewToItAll
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
I got a flute. I'll be playing a lot of flute. Not a resolution, though, that's a prediction. Turns out the flute's a lot of fun!
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Al - hope you're back in playing shape soon.
A word to the wise: in my experience, keyboard time tends to aggravate RSI conditions. If you're going to do a lot of writing, you might want to consider speech recognition software.
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Al ~ I would recommend finding an Alexander Technique teacher. It may help your injury. I would not be able to still play if I hadn't had lessons. Google it to find out more, if you don't know much about it. Really do look into it. It can be powerful stuff.
My New Year's Resolution is to play my new quenacho lots. It's not a resolution really. It's just every time I pick it up, I know that it will become a major part of my musical existance. I'm looking forward to whacking out some reels on it in a few sessions. Plus, it will have the "he's playing THAT on one of THOSE??!" factor!!
Non-musically ~ I'm gonna try to read something from the I Ching every day. It's a wise book.
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Jonathan
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Oh yes indeed Rudall, and it's a case of ..... "& now for something completely different!"
I've just acquired these: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2725897750102727105JdYPYU
They are a set of Northumbrian Pipes made by Tom Green c1975.
They're a seven key set in Blackwood, brass and imitation ivory pitched in concert 'F' with a Shepherd's Plaid bag, which was made by Ray Fisher.
Until last Friday, this set belonged to Ged Foley & I understand, actually featured on several recordings by both The Battlefield Band, The House Band & at least one Patrick Street album.
Anyway, Ged very kindly brought them all the way up here to Ballycastle, Co. Antrim & joined us on Fiddle for our regular session in Tom's. By the way, Ged's a great Fiddler too & he brought us up some lovely Clare Music, perhaps in an effort to put some manners on our Northern Gallowglass style of music!
Anyway, my New Year's Resolution is to try & make some sense of these wee Pipes .... & before you say anything ..... surely better late, than never!
Cheers,
Dick
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Ptarmigan
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
@PTThat's great they got a home, Ged was trying to flog them to me last yr! But jeez too many shiny keys.He really is a good fiddler eh! Not too bad on the guitar either!
My new yr resolution is to survive another year! One day at a time! Have fun.
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by piobagusfidil
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Not ! to be using Apostrophes if entirely possible.
lol. jim,,,
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by FIDDLE4
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Well, thank f for that!
Mine is to do my best to be less paranoid, even though the bastards really *are* out to get me.
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by ethical blend
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
I have resolved not to make any New Year's Resolutions (just like last year and the year before and the year before and the year before and...........)
Laurence
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by fauxcelt
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
I'm hoping for more New Year revolutions, particularly against Ireland's new property tax (the undoubted forerunner of the blasted poll tax) and in the environs of Westminster.
On a personal note, I've resolved to get my books up on Kindle (including a brand new edition of 'The Rough Guide to Irish Music', though it'll be called something different for copyright reasons), to get my bike up and fit for use again, to see more gigs and to go back to my whistles before my fingers become too aged to make the moves.
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by MacCruiskeen
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
To Al - best wishes for a full recovery.
To all - best wishes for a healthy and happy 2012
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
ethical blend,,
LOL < even though the bastards really *are* out to get me.>
' Oh no where not ' ; )
jim,,,
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by FIDDLE4
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Grow back the missing hair on my head
Double my current earnings
Get an octave mandolin (tied to the previous resolution)
Try and see more of the people that I miss
Six pack abs
quit smoking (still working on the last pack, lol)
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Earl Cameron
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
Also this year I hope to finally get my bow rehaired
learn all those tunes that I know one part of really well and end up dropping out on the B part
Also I've undertaken several steps to prevent people from stealing my laundry
# Posted on January 2nd 2012 by Earl Cameron
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
I resolve to split my brain so that my dumb hand (the left) plays the melody on a hammered dulcimer while the smart one (right) plays the chords. I'm sick and fed up playing just melody on Irish tunes.
# Posted on January 3rd 2012 by jrathbun
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
"I'm sick and fed up playing just melody on Irish tunes."
Huh? Your bio says you get "stuck playing back up guitar." Now you're sick of the melodies? Maybe spare your session mates the anguish and take up bowling instead....
Nothing ruins a good session quicker than a hammered dulcimer who doesn't play the melodies. There's no hope of anyone else hearing the nuances that make this music what it is.
# Posted on January 3rd 2012 by Will Harmon
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
I don't do new years resolutions anymore. The closest thing to a new years resolution to me is the beginning a of new musical year every birthday. After i go through a week or two cycling through the things i've learned the previous year, i beginning working on new things that i need to fix. This year it's practicing my sight reading for piano, and also being more diligent with song learning for piano. My new fiddle year starts the 25th of December, but there's so many things i need to work on, i don't go by years, i go by skill progress.
# Posted on January 3rd 2012 by fiddlelearner
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
1. get a colonoscopy
2. surf more
3. more love making
4. learn to play that #@& *&%# accordion
not necessarily in that order
# Posted on January 3rd 2012 by croxton
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
My other resolution is to only drink coffee in the morning. So far, I've stuck to it!! I feel better and sleep better already, and it's only the 3rd of January. I'll quit it when i'm used to this routine.
# Posted on January 3rd 2012 by Jonathan
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
- Argue less with my bandmates.
- Enjoy plenty of good music, three fine festivals to look forward to.
- Accept that I can't keep up with the in-crowd at the sesh as far as the number of tunes is concerned.
# Posted on January 3rd 2012 by kuec
Re: New Year's Resolutions anyone?
getting driving
be healthier
more mandolin practice
# Posted on January 3rd 2012 by palethinboy