I always come home from workshops, and most of the time from concerts, deeply inspired musically. These however are usually short-term inspirations that last at a really high level for a few weeks. What are your long term inspirations? Why are they long-term inspirations rather than short-term?
When people seek me out for lessons I ask them one question before we start: Are you obsessed? If they immediately answer "yes" then I know that they will be more likely to stick with the lessons and become good players. If they hesitate... they usually drop off after a few lessons. My advice is to ask yourself that question. As for where the obsession comes from
My long term inspirations comes from a variety things - a lot of it is personal to me and my experiences with mentors.
Here's some things that have worked for my friends and I:
Get a steady teacher. Consider scoiltrad - you might do a lot worse than take a few lessons with Kevin Glackin. Even if you know some of the tunes he is teaching, he probably has some great suggestions on style. He's easily one of my favorite players of any instrument.
Really good recordings of solo players are an inspiration for me. As are session tapes. The more "live" the music the better. It can be inspirational to just stand at the bar for a few sets and listen to some tunes during the sesh. It's always nice to take a road trip and hear some good tunes. Denver isn't that far away for you, is it?
I'm driven by the urge to be, in 50 or so years, a grumpy old codger firmly entrenched in a thriving trad scene in Cape Town, able to play any tune you care to call.
This requires so much work right now, on so many levels, so there's no time for any fannying about. For example, at this very moment I'm practicing my 'too many bodhrans, not enough booze' scowl. whatcha think: }87(>
I think my original post may have been a bit misleading.... I have some very long-term inspirations (including people, sounds, and knowledge) and goals and am working very dilligently to reach them...yes, I am obsessed. The short-term inspirations help keep me focused on my path, and renew and expand my interests. I 'm just interested in what other people have as long-term inspiration.
Jerball--Denver is a 3 -3.5 hr drive which is a long way for a full-time uni. student (22 cr) with hardly any time outside of class. But, yes really good solo recordings are a huge inspiration as are notes, recordings and pictures from workshops.
My God, Q is channeling Dow! Wait a second...., maybe Q IS Dow, they never seem to be in the same room at the same time!
As for long term inspiration, I imagine sessions in Ireland, how they might be, who might be playing, & think of what might be respected or valued there, in terms of tunes, technique & etiquette. Never fails to light a fire for me.
You may have something there, Em. It would certainly explain all the blackouts, and why people I could've sworn I've never met keep on asking me to play concertina.
First rule of Session Club: You do NOT TALK about Session Club!
The first source of long term inspiration I think of is my first fiddle teacher. Who was he you cry. He was the late great Willie Hunter. Once he asked me why I couldn't play a scale as well as he could. Had I not been practicing? Common sense says keep quiet and nod, alas I did not. I quickly replied that his fiddle was much better than mine. Quickly he borrowed my fiddle, played a reel better than most i've ever heard and put it back in my hand. I was in awe. I just wish I could be that good. Second inspiration has to be that atmosphere when a session is in full flow. Everybody enjoys themselves. No other type of music i've heard does it so well.
Hang on to your hat, esfiddle. Rumor has it that there *will* be a real live actual weekly session in Ft. Collins some time soon, a lot nearer to you than Denver. Listen to Cindy Reich's radio show on the afternoon of the 28th -- should be news of it then, I'd think.
My long term inspiration. Hm. Well, I think it was that one day I read a book on "living a beautiful life", and it connected ideas in my head.
Now, I don't know whether the author, who had all kinds of ideas about how to bring beauty into your life, from art to music to flowers to people, in order to make life more fulfilling and pleasing and happy, quite meant to set off the chain of thoughts in my head that she did (and I rather hope she did), but what I took away from the book is this:
We all have our own ideas of what makes a life "beautiful". Perhaps it's having certain relationships, perhaps it's having certain things of a certain standard around, perhaps it's this that or the other thing. Our ideas of "beautiful" and "fulfilling" often change, our standards for those things often morph and change and go up or down on the list of priorities.
At any rate, though all our lists are so different from any one else's, one thing is for certain: you must consciously decide what things you must have in your life to be happy, fulfilled, and to challenge you. Otherwise you can't reach out for what you want or choose your priorities wisely, you will always have life happening *to* you, you will always be reacting to life rather than interacting with it. (And, by "you", I'm meaning the generic you, and I'm quite aware that other people have other paths to follow -- YMMV, in other words.)
And one day, after reading this book and deciding to *decide* what would make me happy rather than just letting life decide for me, I heard Irish music. I knew that it moved me, I knew that it called to me in some way, not necessarily a mystic, New Age kind of way, but that it connected to something, and I knew that it would make me happy if it was in my life in a visceral and real way.
First I danced to it, then I listened to it for entertainment and pleasure, and then I started playing it.
And I found that it did indeed make me happy to have it in my life.
That one thing (or string of things) is my real long-term inspiration. Sure, the kudos of playing out and the approbation of my peers and mentors is great, the charge of every new challenge is fun and, well, challenging, etc, etc, etc. But the awareness that this is stuff that I find beautiful, that I find necessary to my happiness, is what keeps me going through the frustration of not playing as well as soon as I'd like, the inability to spend as much time on this stuff as I'd like, and all that other stuff.
The actual steps on the journey aren't as important as that it's part of my life at all, really.
Heh. I do go on. Possibly I'm on the opposite schedule from David at the moment -- thinking too much and playing too little!
I was gonna make a crack wrt Q, ie yeah, they're funding the revolution by melting down out of tune Generation whistles (esp key of G) & re-forging them into overpriced out of tune 'designer' whistles that everyone *must* have, as seen on Chiff & Fipple.
But then Zina posted this eloquent little vignette, & I'm quite moved. Not moved enough to not post my Session Club spin-off, but still, very moved. Kudos, Z-babe.
As for David A thinking I'm either Batlady and/or have a new fiddle, that's fine. I'm in rebound mode, so either sounds fine by me anyhoo. (see map feature post!) *grin*
Heh. Er...thanks, i think, Em. Because it occurs to me that I'm a spoiled brat -- isn't it *nice* that I have the luxury of thinking about how to make my life "beautiful"? *grin*
I like to think that if I became financially destitute (again), though, that I'd still have the music to get me through.
Erin, didja see that Tommy Peoples is going to come to Denver April 15-19 and is willing to teach? I think I'm still going to Cody, though, it's been too long since I've seen (and played with) Aimee and Richard and Will...
there is a point in SOME sessions when the players plays stuff that they really have no logical right to given their individual abilities. You can find yourself playing "above yourself" It doesn't happen that often but when it does you won't mistake it. Being there again in the future is my inspiration for playing this stuff.
Wow. All great answers. And I think your long term goals/inspirations can change, too.
When I first started my harp lessons, it was day by day obsession. No big plans no long term goals. I was lucky to come back the next week to my teachers with a part of a tune learned. (well luck had little to do with it actually.)
Now my mid-term goals are to play (fiddle) comfortably in sessions around my area. And in my band as well.
I'm starting to have some longer term goals having to do with giving back to the community (a community I didn't even know existed when I first started) via teaching kids or something like that.
Am I confusing goals with inspirations? Maybe one ends where the other begins. Or inspirations fuel goals. Not sure actually.
Re Zina and the book that talks about bringing beauty into your life. Kind of similar to Thomas Moore's book on finding the sacred in everyday life. I forget the exact title right now.
Oh, I think it's all a vicious circle, Andee -- if you have an obsession, you're going to have goals, and it follows that you'll be inspired when you reach them or by people who have reached them, which only fuels your obsessions...
I'd agree about the Thomas Moore book, too, Andee! In the dead of night, I'm willing to admit that this stuff is more sacred to me than a silly hobby...
Long-term Inspiration
Long-term Inspiration
I always come home from workshops, and most of the time from concerts, deeply inspired musically. These however are usually short-term inspirations that last at a really high level for a few weeks. What are your long term inspirations? Why are they long-term inspirations rather than short-term?
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by esfiddle
Re: Long-term Inspiration
When people seek me out for lessons I ask them one question before we start: Are you obsessed? If they immediately answer "yes" then I know that they will be more likely to stick with the lessons and become good players. If they hesitate... they usually drop off after a few lessons. My advice is to ask yourself that question. As for where the obsession comes from
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: Long-term Inspiration
My long term inspirations comes from a variety things - a lot of it is personal to me and my experiences with mentors.
Here's some things that have worked for my friends and I:
Get a steady teacher. Consider scoiltrad - you might do a lot worse than take a few lessons with Kevin Glackin. Even if you know some of the tunes he is teaching, he probably has some great suggestions on style. He's easily one of my favorite players of any instrument.
http://www.scoiltrad.com
when you go to workshops, record them with a digital camcorder and minidiscs.
Burn CDs of good sessions and solo performances. Play along with them.
Try to acquire the same from other players around the world.
Try to find unaccompanied or lightly accompanied solo, duet, and trio CDs by musicians with well-developed personal styles. Play with them.
Use slow down software to teach yourself the fast and tricky passages.
Keep a watchful eye out for gossip about these kinds of recordings, they merit investigating.
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by Hanley
Re: Long-term Inspiration
Really good recordings of solo players are an inspiration for me. As are session tapes. The more "live" the music the better. It can be inspirational to just stand at the bar for a few sets and listen to some tunes during the sesh. It's always nice to take a road trip and hear some good tunes. Denver isn't that far away for you, is it?
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by jerball
Re: Long-term Inspiration
I'm driven by the urge to be, in 50 or so years, a grumpy old codger firmly entrenched in a thriving trad scene in Cape Town, able to play any tune you care to call.
This requires so much work right now, on so many levels, so there's no time for any fannying about. For example, at this very moment I'm practicing my 'too many bodhrans, not enough booze' scowl. whatcha think: }87(>
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by Q
Re: Long-term Inspiration
I think my original post may have been a bit misleading.... I have some very long-term inspirations (including people, sounds, and knowledge) and goals and am working very dilligently to reach them...yes, I am obsessed. The short-term inspirations help keep me focused on my path, and renew and expand my interests. I 'm just interested in what other people have as long-term inspiration.
Jerball--Denver is a 3 -3.5 hr drive which is a long way for a full-time uni. student (22 cr) with hardly any time outside of class. But, yes really good solo recordings are a huge inspiration as are notes, recordings and pictures from workshops.
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by esfiddle
Re: Long-term Inspiration
My God, Q is channeling Dow! Wait a second...., maybe Q IS Dow, they never seem to be in the same room at the same time!
As for long term inspiration, I imagine sessions in Ireland, how they might be, who might be playing, & think of what might be respected or valued there, in terms of tunes, technique & etiquette. Never fails to light a fire for me.
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by emily_bmore
Re: Long-term Inspiration
You may have something there, Em. It would certainly explain all the blackouts, and why people I could've sworn I've never met keep on asking me to play concertina.
First rule of Session Club: You do NOT TALK about Session Club!
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by Q
Re: Long-term Inspiration
I love the fact that this is music to last me a lifetime; it seems to me there's no bottom, back, or sides to this music.
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by celtobilly
Re: Long-term Inspiration
The first source of long term inspiration I think of is my first fiddle teacher. Who was he you cry. He was the late great Willie Hunter. Once he asked me why I couldn't play a scale as well as he could. Had I not been practicing? Common sense says keep quiet and nod, alas I did not. I quickly replied that his fiddle was much better than mine. Quickly he borrowed my fiddle, played a reel better than most i've ever heard and put it back in my hand. I was in awe. I just wish I could be that good. Second inspiration has to be that atmosphere when a session is in full flow. Everybody enjoys themselves. No other type of music i've heard does it so well.
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by sheltie
Re: Long-term Inspiration
Hang on to your hat, esfiddle. Rumor has it that there *will* be a real live actual weekly session in Ft. Collins some time soon, a lot nearer to you than Denver. Listen to Cindy Reich's radio show on the afternoon of the 28th -- should be news of it then, I'd think.
My long term inspiration. Hm. Well, I think it was that one day I read a book on "living a beautiful life", and it connected ideas in my head.
Now, I don't know whether the author, who had all kinds of ideas about how to bring beauty into your life, from art to music to flowers to people, in order to make life more fulfilling and pleasing and happy, quite meant to set off the chain of thoughts in my head that she did (and I rather hope she did), but what I took away from the book is this:
We all have our own ideas of what makes a life "beautiful". Perhaps it's having certain relationships, perhaps it's having certain things of a certain standard around, perhaps it's this that or the other thing. Our ideas of "beautiful" and "fulfilling" often change, our standards for those things often morph and change and go up or down on the list of priorities.
At any rate, though all our lists are so different from any one else's, one thing is for certain: you must consciously decide what things you must have in your life to be happy, fulfilled, and to challenge you. Otherwise you can't reach out for what you want or choose your priorities wisely, you will always have life happening *to* you, you will always be reacting to life rather than interacting with it. (And, by "you", I'm meaning the generic you, and I'm quite aware that other people have other paths to follow -- YMMV, in other words.)
And one day, after reading this book and deciding to *decide* what would make me happy rather than just letting life decide for me, I heard Irish music. I knew that it moved me, I knew that it called to me in some way, not necessarily a mystic, New Age kind of way, but that it connected to something, and I knew that it would make me happy if it was in my life in a visceral and real way.
First I danced to it, then I listened to it for entertainment and pleasure, and then I started playing it.
And I found that it did indeed make me happy to have it in my life.
That one thing (or string of things) is my real long-term inspiration. Sure, the kudos of playing out and the approbation of my peers and mentors is great, the charge of every new challenge is fun and, well, challenging, etc, etc, etc. But the awareness that this is stuff that I find beautiful, that I find necessary to my happiness, is what keeps me going through the frustration of not playing as well as soon as I'd like, the inability to spend as much time on this stuff as I'd like, and all that other stuff.
The actual steps on the journey aren't as important as that it's part of my life at all, really.
Heh. I do go on. Possibly I'm on the opposite schedule from David at the moment -- thinking too much and playing too little!
Zina
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by Zina Lee
P.S.
David, feel free to dump that cracker of a fiddle my way.
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Long-term Inspiration
I was gonna make a crack wrt Q, ie yeah, they're funding the revolution by melting down out of tune Generation whistles (esp key of G) & re-forging them into overpriced out of tune 'designer' whistles that everyone *must* have, as seen on Chiff & Fipple.
But then Zina posted this eloquent little vignette, & I'm quite moved. Not moved enough to not post my Session Club spin-off, but still, very moved. Kudos, Z-babe.
As for David A thinking I'm either Batlady and/or have a new fiddle, that's fine. I'm in rebound mode, so either sounds fine by me anyhoo. (see map feature post!) *grin*
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by emily_bmore
Re: Long-term Inspiration
Heh. Er...thanks, i think, Em. Because it occurs to me that I'm a spoiled brat -- isn't it *nice* that I have the luxury of thinking about how to make my life "beautiful"? *grin*
I like to think that if I became financially destitute (again), though, that I'd still have the music to get me through.
Erin, didja see that Tommy Peoples is going to come to Denver April 15-19 and is willing to teach? I think I'm still going to Cody, though, it's been too long since I've seen (and played with) Aimee and Richard and Will...
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Long-term Inspiration
there is a point in SOME sessions when the players plays stuff that they really have no logical right to given their individual abilities. You can find yourself playing "above yourself" It doesn't happen that often but when it does you won't mistake it. Being there again in the future is my inspiration for playing this stuff.
...and the sound of Kevin Burke playing a reel!
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by geoffmc
Re: Long-term Inspiration
Not to die young
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by ...
Re: Long-term Inspiration
Wow. All great answers. And I think your long term goals/inspirations can change, too.
When I first started my harp lessons, it was day by day obsession. No big plans no long term goals. I was lucky to come back the next week to my teachers with a part of a tune learned. (well luck had little to do with it actually.)
Now my mid-term goals are to play (fiddle) comfortably in sessions around my area. And in my band as well.
I'm starting to have some longer term goals having to do with giving back to the community (a community I didn't even know existed when I first started) via teaching kids or something like that.
Am I confusing goals with inspirations? Maybe one ends where the other begins. Or inspirations fuel goals. Not sure actually.
Re Zina and the book that talks about bringing beauty into your life. Kind of similar to Thomas Moore's book on finding the sacred in everyday life. I forget the exact title right now.
# Posted on February 23rd 2004 by Andee
Re: Long-term Inspiration
Oh, I think it's all a vicious circle, Andee -- if you have an obsession, you're going to have goals, and it follows that you'll be inspired when you reach them or by people who have reached them, which only fuels your obsessions...
I'd agree about the Thomas Moore book, too, Andee! In the dead of night, I'm willing to admit that this stuff is more sacred to me than a silly hobby...
# Posted on February 24th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Long-term Inspiration
What, you can't see the sacredness of stamp collecting? ;o)
# Posted on February 24th 2004 by Andee