Definitions: (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery b : a revealing scene or moment
What moments (if any ? maybe I?m just daft) in your fiddling have had a sudden and striking effect on your playing ability and enthusiasm?
I've just spent the weekend at Wiston Lodge with Glasgow Fiddle Workshop. Gordon Duncan was one of the tutors. It was soooh brilliant I'm struggling to put it into words. Quite often you see someone's technique and for them it's really effective, but not something you could apply yourself. However, Gordon showed us a way of playing fast in the bottom half of the bow using only wrist movement... and I've been able to use that very effectively already. Actually, someone may have shown me that before as it seems quite simple, but maybe I just wasn't ready for it then. He makes playing look incredibly relaxed and easy, as opposed to some who look like they're working up into a frenzy - but his sound is just as energetic.
Anyway - to get to the moment of my epiphany - I've been trying really hard to get up to speed recently using common session tunes. On Saturday night, we went round the room and everyone picked a couple of tunes for us all to play - it was quite a mixed level group. I chose the Rizla and a couple of other reels. Gordon was sitting just behind me, and the other advanced players were sitting next to me as well. We played at a shocking rate of knots and I only made a couple of mistakes. It was totally exhilarating. Five minutes or so of totally being caught up in the playing at a level I've been aspiring to reach for about a year. I was on a high for about 2 hours afterwards... actually I'm still buzzing a bit now.
Just wanted to share that. The only downside is that these moments only come along every so often, so I guess I'll have to wait a while and practise hard till the next one comes along.
Hey, congratulations Drizzt! Moments like that are what make the periods of slogging worth while.
I've had two epiphanies that affected me that way. One was discovering that if I've listened to a recorded version of a fiddle tune often enough and carefully enough, my body unconsciously "knows" how to play it in the same way. Maybe not 1/50th as well ;) but at least I know the fingering, and pretty often the bowing, to use. That enables me to practice the tune with more oomph, and according to my usual practice audience (my husband, who's a writer and rattles away on his computer while I play) considerably improves my ability to play the tune. I discovered this after listening about 95 times to Aly Bain's cd Fully Rigged --- suddenly I could play Da Full Rigged Ship and Da New Rigged Ship in an approximation of his style. (A *pale* approximation, but that's ok.) So I use that knowledge, and boy does it make a difference.
The other was watching Kevin Burke play in Celtic Fiddle Festival about 10 days ago. His bow are is totally loose and relaxed, and he does most of his stellar stuff with small, gentle movements. What an amazing exeriece to watch! Especially compared to watching Christian Lemaitre, whose whole right side was almost rigid. I'm working now at loosening up my own bow arm, and it's helped a lot.
May another such moment come your way before you expect it!
Sara
I too had a moment of epiphany at Wiston at the weekend. It happened about 30 seconds into the very first lesson...there I was, sitting in the Intermediate class, when I thought "What the hell am I doing here?!" The moment was immediately followed by a swift mass exodus of about 10 of us so-called Intermediates, who realised we had ideas above our station and headed across the hall to the Improving Beginners, where we belonged!
Once we had made that decision, it was a great weekend!
Drizzt - I too attended the fantastic Wiston weekend. I have been playing for only 6 months, and was one of the 4 Improving Beginers that became 14, when Alidowney and the others came flooding into join us!! I had reservations before the weekend of being completely out my depth. However to my great enjoyment, players from all levels wanted to make myself and the others, of similar ability feel welcome. This included the 'round the room' session. It was a great idea, until it was my turn! Ahhh, I chose an easy Waltz that i think i can get the notes right, most of the time. I played and hoped others would join in and drown out my mistakes, have no idea if they did, it was all a blur!!! But as you say the buzz you get from doing this lasted the rest of the night!!
The whole weekend was outstanding and can't wait till it happens all again! Maybe i'll know a more interesting tune for the session next time!! Thanks to all involved!!
deyrick - i also thought the round the room session was superb as i said. maybe we should employ that more strictly on wednesday nights in lauries - that way everyone HAS to play. and it was great that so many of knew the same tunes so we could all join in at different speeds.
also - delighted that you and alidownie use this site too - even tho i'm not sure who you's both are very bad for names me - as i iliustrated very embarassingly above.
I will introduce you all to each other on Wednesday, don't you worry. And Deyrick and Ali - you did great! Never feel you are less welcome than others purely because of your playing ability. It's the craick that counts. We all have to start somewhere and I remember how difficult it was. I was so impressed by your playing Deyrick - every single note perfectly in tune - stick in there, you have the talent. Here's to the next weekend!
EPIPHANY
EPIPHANY
Definitions: (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery b : a revealing scene or moment
What moments (if any ? maybe I?m just daft) in your fiddling have had a sudden and striking effect on your playing ability and enthusiasm?
I've just spent the weekend at Wiston Lodge with Glasgow Fiddle Workshop. Gordon Duncan was one of the tutors. It was soooh brilliant I'm struggling to put it into words. Quite often you see someone's technique and for them it's really effective, but not something you could apply yourself. However, Gordon showed us a way of playing fast in the bottom half of the bow using only wrist movement... and I've been able to use that very effectively already. Actually, someone may have shown me that before as it seems quite simple, but maybe I just wasn't ready for it then. He makes playing look incredibly relaxed and easy, as opposed to some who look like they're working up into a frenzy - but his sound is just as energetic.
Anyway - to get to the moment of my epiphany - I've been trying really hard to get up to speed recently using common session tunes. On Saturday night, we went round the room and everyone picked a couple of tunes for us all to play - it was quite a mixed level group. I chose the Rizla and a couple of other reels. Gordon was sitting just behind me, and the other advanced players were sitting next to me as well. We played at a shocking rate of knots and I only made a couple of mistakes. It was totally exhilarating. Five minutes or so of totally being caught up in the playing at a level I've been aspiring to reach for about a year. I was on a high for about 2 hours afterwards... actually I'm still buzzing a bit now.
Just wanted to share that. The only downside is that these moments only come along every so often, so I guess I'll have to wait a while and practise hard till the next one comes along.
# Posted on March 21st 2004 by drizzt
Re: EPIPHANY
Many apologies - senility is setting in fast. It wasn't Gordon Duncan - it was Gordon Gunn - how daft can one person get. Apologies Gordon!
# Posted on March 21st 2004 by drizzt
Re: EPIPHANY
Good for you, drizzt! What fun -- always great to feel that you're getting somewhere (instead of banging your head against the wall)!
# Posted on March 21st 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: EPIPHANY
Thank God for that.
A brilliant Piper and Fiddler is too much to bear.
TTFN
PP
# Posted on March 22nd 2004 by Pied Piper
Re: EPIPHANY
Hey, congratulations Drizzt! Moments like that are what make the periods of slogging worth while.
I've had two epiphanies that affected me that way. One was discovering that if I've listened to a recorded version of a fiddle tune often enough and carefully enough, my body unconsciously "knows" how to play it in the same way. Maybe not 1/50th as well ;) but at least I know the fingering, and pretty often the bowing, to use. That enables me to practice the tune with more oomph, and according to my usual practice audience (my husband, who's a writer and rattles away on his computer while I play) considerably improves my ability to play the tune. I discovered this after listening about 95 times to Aly Bain's cd Fully Rigged --- suddenly I could play Da Full Rigged Ship and Da New Rigged Ship in an approximation of his style. (A *pale* approximation, but that's ok.) So I use that knowledge, and boy does it make a difference.
The other was watching Kevin Burke play in Celtic Fiddle Festival about 10 days ago. His bow are is totally loose and relaxed, and he does most of his stellar stuff with small, gentle movements. What an amazing exeriece to watch! Especially compared to watching Christian Lemaitre, whose whole right side was almost rigid. I'm working now at loosening up my own bow arm, and it's helped a lot.
May another such moment come your way before you expect it!
Sara
# Posted on March 22nd 2004 by sara g
Re: EPIPHANY
Reminds me of a line from Host of the Air--"and he sat and played in a dream, and thought not of evil chance..."
# Posted on March 22nd 2004 by windybaer
Re: EPIPHANY
I too had a moment of epiphany at Wiston at the weekend. It happened about 30 seconds into the very first lesson...there I was, sitting in the Intermediate class, when I thought "What the hell am I doing here?!" The moment was immediately followed by a swift mass exodus of about 10 of us so-called Intermediates, who realised we had ideas above our station and headed across the hall to the Improving Beginners, where we belonged!
Once we had made that decision, it was a great weekend!
# Posted on March 22nd 2004 by aliblue
Re: Howth
Stunned David A - totally stunned.
What's that an extract of?
(Excuse my literary ignorance if it's some great classic.)
# Posted on March 22nd 2004 by drizzt
Re: EPIPHANY
Yes, it all rather makes up for the bunnies... ;)
Alidowney -- LOL! Oh, how I know that feeling!
# Posted on March 22nd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: EPIPHANY
I had an Epiphone once.
But I gave it to someone I met in a tramcar.
Dave
# Posted on March 23rd 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: EPIPHANY
Drizzt - I too attended the fantastic Wiston weekend. I have been playing for only 6 months, and was one of the 4 Improving Beginers that became 14, when Alidowney and the others came flooding into join us!! I had reservations before the weekend of being completely out my depth. However to my great enjoyment, players from all levels wanted to make myself and the others, of similar ability feel welcome. This included the 'round the room' session. It was a great idea, until it was my turn! Ahhh, I chose an easy Waltz that i think i can get the notes right, most of the time. I played and hoped others would join in and drown out my mistakes, have no idea if they did, it was all a blur!!! But as you say the buzz you get from doing this lasted the rest of the night!!
The whole weekend was outstanding and can't wait till it happens all again! Maybe i'll know a more interesting tune for the session next time!! Thanks to all involved!!
# Posted on March 23rd 2004 by deyrick
Re:round the room session
deyrick - i also thought the round the room session was superb as i said. maybe we should employ that more strictly on wednesday nights in lauries - that way everyone HAS to play. and it was great that so many of knew the same tunes so we could all join in at different speeds.
also - delighted that you and alidownie use this site too - even tho i'm not sure who you's both are
very bad for names me - as i iliustrated very embarassingly above.
cu all wednesday
sandra
# Posted on March 23rd 2004 by drizzt
Re: EPIPHANY
I will introduce you all to each other on Wednesday, don't you worry. And Deyrick and Ali - you did great! Never feel you are less welcome than others purely because of your playing ability. It's the craick that counts. We all have to start somewhere and I remember how difficult it was. I was so impressed by your playing Deyrick - every single note perfectly in tune - stick in there, you have the talent. Here's to the next weekend!
# Posted on March 23rd 2004 by Fi