I am from one of those areas in the states where the closest Fleadh is about 500 miles away. Anyway, I'm planning on going to my first Fleadh this year and my daughter who is 12 is going to compete in fiddle. I've read the rules and know the tunes she's going to be working on, but can someone give us a good description of what playing fiddle at a fleadh is like?
Do you play into a microphone?
Do you pause between tunes?
What makes a good fleadh tune and a good showing, performance?
Hi Eva,
Best of luck to your daughter. No, you don't play into a microphone. When they call your name you go up with your fiddle unpacked and sit in the chair in front of the adjudicators, with your fiddle down. They might write a bit and then look up at you and nod. That is your que to start. Take your time in starting. Stop after the first tune and wait for the nod. When you're done playing everyone will clap and you get up and go sit in the audiance.
Just have fun. Going and playing the fleadh can be pretty nerve-wracking, and if you get super-serious about it it takes a lot away from the experience, I think. I remember in Clonmel this past year, for instance there were a couple of nerve meltdowns in the flute competition. I'd just say go, focus on having a good time and having a bunch of good tune sessions and consider the competition itself almost secondary. I think it helps to clear the air psychologically and can definitely be heard in the playing. At the end of the day remember, its one person's opinion of someone's playing on a particular day.
First time Fleadh
First time Fleadh
I am from one of those areas in the states where the closest Fleadh is about 500 miles away. Anyway, I'm planning on going to my first Fleadh this year and my daughter who is 12 is going to compete in fiddle. I've read the rules and know the tunes she's going to be working on, but can someone give us a good description of what playing fiddle at a fleadh is like?
Do you play into a microphone?
Do you pause between tunes?
What makes a good fleadh tune and a good showing, performance?
Eva
# Posted on January 25th 2005 by fiddlekitty
Re: First time Fleadh
Hi Eva,
Best of luck to your daughter. No, you don't play into a microphone. When they call your name you go up with your fiddle unpacked and sit in the chair in front of the adjudicators, with your fiddle down. They might write a bit and then look up at you and nod. That is your que to start. Take your time in starting. Stop after the first tune and wait for the nod. When you're done playing everyone will clap and you get up and go sit in the audiance.
Good luck, and don't rush it!!
# Posted on January 25th 2005 by act
Re: First time Fleadh
Just have fun. Going and playing the fleadh can be pretty nerve-wracking, and if you get super-serious about it it takes a lot away from the experience, I think. I remember in Clonmel this past year, for instance there were a couple of nerve meltdowns in the flute competition. I'd just say go, focus on having a good time and having a bunch of good tune sessions and consider the competition itself almost secondary. I think it helps to clear the air psychologically and can definitely be heard in the playing. At the end of the day remember, its one person's opinion of someone's playing on a particular day.
Good Luck
Rob
# Posted on January 25th 2005 by RobBBQ