[NSP] Halsway playaround
HALSWAY SUNDAY PLAYAROUND So many have commented on the Sunday evening being a successful element of the piping weekend, that I wonder if we ought to reduce some of the tuition session and introduce another informal play period. Any comments? Alan Corkett -Original Message- From: Mike and Enid Walton [mailto:mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk] Sent: 12 March 2009 05:16 To: Dartmouth NSP Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas I suppose it's a problem you face whenever playing music not from your own tradition. It took a melodeon workshop in Ireland to make me realise that I had a local style of box playing, and that I want to keep it ! If it's an Irish reel or jig, it normally goes on the whistle now. Some polkas fit well on the box though. With the pipes, it's a question of whether we stick to the style for the area where the pipes came from, or just use them for our own local music, in our own local style. I play lots of Northumbrian tunes, but also nationally common tunes (including Jimmy sorry Jamie sorry Jimmy Allen) and I played Dorset Four Hand Reel on Sunday. I'm trying to learn the Worcestershire Hornpipe. Yes, I really enjoyed Halsway, especially the informal session / play-a-round on Sunday. I was struggling at times during the tutorials though. I wish my sight-reading was better ! Mike - Original Message - From: Paul Rhodes oxpi...@hotmail.com To: Dartmouth NSP nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:08 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas Hi Mike, This is a forum for the Northumbrian Pipes and the traditional music of the north east, and as such is often very interesting and informative. It helps us all to work on playing the pipes well and to figure out how we can improve our playing in the Northumbrian tradition. But please don't ask the northerners how we should play tunes in our own area! We can be proud of our own tradition here, which is rich and thriving even if we don't shout quite so loud. Let the northerners do the ranting, we can enjoy playing them however we like. Wasn't Halsway great as always? All the best, Paul Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:23:19 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas So we've had a long discussion about rants, reels, polkas. I'm sure that those resident in the North-East should continue to play these tunes with a good traditional rant rhythm. What about those pipers like me, resident in the far south ? Some of the tunes we play on the pipes (Salmontails, Winster Gallop for instance) are common across the whole country, and are played as polkas hereabouts. When I introduce some other North Eastern tunes, even if I had the ability to ensure they started as rants, the other mujsicians around me would probably turn them into polkas. Yet tunes have always historically drifted across the country, into Ireland and Scotland and back, etc such than you often can't tell where they started ! It also begs the question as to whether, as a southerner, I should be trying to play them as rants at all ! Mike To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html __ Beyond Hotmail see what else you can do with Windows Live. [1]Find out more! -- References 1. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665375/direct/01/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.10/1996 - Release Date: 03/11/09 20:42:00
[NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes
Yes, I think Colin hit the nail on the head when he referred to people just getting on with it! Nobody taught me to play like that, I absorbed it from those around me. I couldn't really start to define exactly what I do. Talking of absorbing from those around you, my own misty-eyed period is the 1970s at the Sallyport where a dapper gentleman would rattle through Peacock variation sets with swagger, confidence, lyricism and rippling technique. Wonder where he is now?? ;-) Chris From: Anthony Robb [mailto:anth...@robbpipes.com] Sent: 12 March 2009 13:34 To: tim.ro...@btconnect.com; NSP List; Chris Ormston Subject: Re: [NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes Hello Chris and all, Talking sense as usual bonny lad. You are absolutely right in that the tree trunk of the piping tradition is as you describe it but there are branches too. My reply to Tim R crossed with yours in the ether, but we are virtually saying the same thing. A couple of points though: 1. When a piper does hit the rant groove it is absolutely delicious! Clean, crisp and stunning - you've done this yourself at the Bridge of Aln sessions and they rocked! 2. There are inevitable similarities between the north Northumberland bands and those over the border especially in choice of line up, but the only band to follow the Shand type sound was Robert Whitelaw and the Danelaw Band. These were certainly popular but not the full story. Oh how I wish videos had been around as I watched Will Taylor dancing Morpeth Rant to John Daggs' Tillside Trio. It was as far removed from Scottish dance or music as any proud Northumbrian could wish As aye Anthony From: Chris Ormston ch...@chrisormston.com Subject: [NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes To: tim.ro...@btconnect.com, NSP List nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Date: Thursday, 12 March, 2009, 11:50 AM Hi All, I agree with Anthony on the importance of recognising regional styles, and that dance and music go hand in hand. I think it's important to remember, though, that the North Northumberland style is much more to do with Scottish country dance music, and was heavily influenced by Jimmy Shand. I admire and respect the music of the fiddlers and moothie players Anthony has cited, but see it as a separate tradition. The piping tradition is different, with a separate repertoire that shows off the pipes to their best, which, over the past couple of hundred years has developed a focus on listening/performance rather than dance. As my recent article in the NPS Magazine suggested, the piping tradition is a post-Industrial Revolution one, with its hotbed in South-East Northumberland. The style of the preferred tunes in the North of the county does not always sit well on the pipes, particularly the Burnt Potato tunes which a sizeable number of people now think are Northumbrian. I'm not suggesting that there weren't pipers participating in the N Northumberland scene, but it's interesting that the pedigree (I hate that term - please suggest another) of the prominent pipers in the North of the county can be traced back to Newsham. The music in the North seems to me to be a fiddle/accordeon tradition in which pipers participated rather than led. There are parallels in Ireland where uilleann pipers may join in with all sorts of reels , jigs etc in sessions, but the hard core repertoire is seen as the big 5-plus part piping jigs like frieze Britches and the Gold Ring. Discuss!!! Chris Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:13:14 + To: [1]...@cs.dartmouth.edu From: [2]tim.ro...@btconnect.com Subject: [NSP] Moving away from the First 30 tunes Hi Anthony, Obviously I don't have your knowledge and background of Northumbrian music, so I don't have the same depth of feeling for these matters that you do. My purpose in following the threads on this group is to get an understanding of piping as it is, and was, from experienced people like you, and this is an incredibly rich source of knowledge. Because there is such a diverse range of opinions, often based on historical or geographical connections, often deeply held, the picture is rich and colourful. Long may that continue. You are perhaps correct that the direct relevance of masonry to the first 30 tunes is had to see, and maybe a new title was appropriate, but as a thread of thought I felt it was pertinent, and indeed the mason's decision was perhaps food for thought. I don't think there is any wish to gloss over
[NSP] Re: was Re: First 30 tunes
Hi Anthony. I'm sorry this is several steps late, I've only just got to read the latest batch. Tim's comment was right, really, I wasn't intending getting too hooked up on the masonry, my story was meant only to illustrate the difficulty of treating material which has passed through many hands before the present, each of which may have changed it, or not, according to their own tastes, and of judging what's now valid, or desirable, in the course of those changes the light of present tastes. Thanks for the CD recommendation. I'm another Deep South... well, deepest East Midlands-ish!... musician - any recommendations of source would be gratefully accepted, please, anyone. Best wishes, Richard. Anthony Robb wrote: Sorry to butt in folks, especially since I'm not sure what the exact context is! As the subject matter is the First 30 tunes the relevance of Victorian / Medieval masonry escapes me. I do get the impression, Richard, that you might be regarding these tunes as treasures from an earlier age. Let me reassure you that many of these pieces were still being played by a strong cohort of traditional musicians in north Northumberland in a style which pleased them and fitted their needs extremely well. It is the lack of appreciation of this and the fact that they played their reels with a phrasing that was neither march, polka or reel. This pulse fitted the dance step of choice, the Rant, so perfectly that they referred to the tunes themselves as rants. This was far more than a social pastime for the likes of Will Atkinson whose payment from The Tanner Hops made his, Bella's and their 10 bairns lives, much more bearable. It is the glossing over of this unique heritage that drives me to bring it to a wider audience. If you haven't already done so buy Will Atkinson's wonderful CD and you'll see what I mean. Regards Anthony --- On Wed, 11/3/09, Richard York rich...@lizards.force9.co.uk wrote: From: Richard York rich...@lizards.force9.co.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: First 30 tunes To: NSP group nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Date: Wednesday, 11 March, 2009, 8:48 PM In a way, that's the least important part of the story :) It struck me at the time what a parallel it was with our treatment of music which comes to us from before our time, or at least before deadly accurate sound recording, whether it's medieval or anything else. But to answer your question, Tim, if I remember aright, he treated them each variously according to how much was evident from the original form, how much damage the dear Victorians had done, and in what condition and how stable each was. Perhaps that's relevant too. Best wishes, Richard. tim rolls BT wrote: Hi Richard, Don't leave us hanging what did he choose to do? Tim - Original Message - From: Richard York [1]rich...@lizards.force9.co.uk To: NSP group [2]...@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 6:10 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: First 30 tunes Some years ago I met a man who was responsible for some work on the musicians carvings in Beverley Minster, most famous of course being the pipers. His quandary was whether to simply clean them up as they were, or to restore them to what the Victorians had imposed on them, mistakes and all, or to try to restore them to what he thought the medieval carvers had intended, though that last was now very impossible to do with any certainty, given changes in their condition over time, so he'd be imposing on them. And whatever he did would be right for some people, wrong for others, and whatever he did they'd never be as they once used to be. Or he could simply leave them to fall to bits by themselves. Richard. Anthony Robb wrote: ... There is much room for personal interpretation on top of this basic style difference. Letting people hear these differences is important. As for so-called bad habits these must surely be/have been pleasing to the players themselves at some point and are therefore valid in their own right even if others may find them displeasing. Copying these personal idiosyncracies is one thing, and each player can decide this for themselves, ignoring the regional accent completely is another thing altogether! I would say go for it Colin, a person with your background can not help but make a valuable contribution to the body of piping knowledge. As aye Anthony To get on or off this list see list information at [3]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html --- -
[NSP] Re: Halsway playaround
I have enjoyed Halsway for the past three years now and think the tuition format is just right, I don't think it should be reduced at all. Isn't there time on the Saturday afternoon for playaround? It may be a lifetime of pub sessions to blame but I've always found morning sessions to be slow to get going and somehow not so relaxing. Surely part of the fun of the Sunday evening was the presence of other players and singers, would they be available for a morning session? Geoff Mew -Original Message- From: Alan Corkett [mailto:a...@bcorkett.freeserve.co.uk] Sent: 13 March 2009 07:47 To: Mike and Enid Walton Cc: NSP LIST Subject: [NSP] Halsway playaround HALSWAY SUNDAY PLAYAROUND So many have commented on the Sunday evening being a successful element of the piping weekend, that I wonder if we ought to reduce some of the tuition session and introduce another informal play period. Any comments? Alan Corkett -Original Message- From: Mike and Enid Walton [mailto:mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk] Sent: 12 March 2009 05:16 To: Dartmouth NSP Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas I suppose it's a problem you face whenever playing music not from your own tradition. It took a melodeon workshop in Ireland to make me realise that I had a local style of box playing, and that I want to keep it ! If it's an Irish reel or jig, it normally goes on the whistle now. Some polkas fit well on the box though. With the pipes, it's a question of whether we stick to the style for the area where the pipes came from, or just use them for our own local music, in our own local style. I play lots of Northumbrian tunes, but also nationally common tunes (including Jimmy sorry Jamie sorry Jimmy Allen) and I played Dorset Four Hand Reel on Sunday. I'm trying to learn the Worcestershire Hornpipe. Yes, I really enjoyed Halsway, especially the informal session / play-a-round on Sunday. I was struggling at times during the tutorials though. I wish my sight-reading was better ! Mike - Original Message - From: Paul Rhodes oxpi...@hotmail.com To: Dartmouth NSP nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:08 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas Hi Mike, This is a forum for the Northumbrian Pipes and the traditional music of the north east, and as such is often very interesting and informative. It helps us all to work on playing the pipes well and to figure out how we can improve our playing in the Northumbrian tradition. But please don't ask the northerners how we should play tunes in our own area! We can be proud of our own tradition here, which is rich and thriving even if we don't shout quite so loud. Let the northerners do the ranting, we can enjoy playing them however we like. Wasn't Halsway great as always? All the best, Paul Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:23:19 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas So we've had a long discussion about rants, reels, polkas. I'm sure that those resident in the North-East should continue to play these tunes with a good traditional rant rhythm. What about those pipers like me, resident in the far south ? Some of the tunes we play on the pipes (Salmontails, Winster Gallop for instance) are common across the whole country, and are played as polkas hereabouts. When I introduce some other North Eastern tunes, even if I had the ability to ensure they started as rants, the other mujsicians around me would probably turn them into polkas. Yet tunes have always historically drifted across the country, into Ireland and Scotland and back, etc such than you often can't tell where they started ! It also begs the question as to whether, as a southerner, I should be trying to play them as rants at all ! Mike To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html __ Beyond Hotmail see what else you can do with Windows Live. [1]Find out more! -- References 1. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665375/direct/01/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.10/1996 - Release Date: 03/11/09 20:42:00 ** This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. It may be confidential and also legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Under the Regulation of Investigatory
[NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes
Touche! Stiff fingers now but I still do'em for private amusement! Anthony --- On Fri, 13/3/09, Chris Ormston ch...@chrisormston.com wrote: From: Chris Ormston ch...@chrisormston.com Subject: [NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes To: 'Anthony Robb' anth...@robbpipes.com, tim.ro...@btconnect.com, 'NSP List' nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Date: Friday, 13 March, 2009, 7:52 AM Yes, I think Colin hit the nail on the head when he referred to people just getting on with it! Nobody taught me to play like that, I absorbed it from those around me. I couldn't really start to define exactly what I do. Talking of absorbing from those around you, my own misty-eyed period is the 1970s at the Sallyport where a dapper gentleman would rattle through Peacock variation sets with swagger, confidence, lyricism and rippling technique. Wonder where he is now?? ;-) Chris From: Anthony Robb [mailto:[1]anth...@robbpipes.com] Sent: 12 March 2009 13:34 To: [2]tim.ro...@btconnect.com; NSP List; Chris Ormston Subject: Re: [NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes Hello Chris and all, Talking sense as usual bonny lad. You are absolutely right in that the tree trunk of the piping tradition is as you describe it but there are branches too. My reply to Tim R crossed with yours in the ether, but we are virtually saying the same thing. A couple of points though: 1. When a piper does hit the rant groove it is absolutely delicious! Clean, crisp and stunning - you've done this yourself at the Bridge of Aln sessions and they rocked! 2. There are inevitable similarities between the north Northumberland bands and those over the border especially in choice of line up, but the only band to follow the Shand type sound was Robert Whitelaw and the Danelaw Band. These were certainly popular but not the full story. Oh how I wish videos had been around as I watched Will Taylor dancing Morpeth Rant to John Daggs' Tillside Trio. It was as far removed from Scottish dance or music as any proud Northumbrian could wish As aye Anthony From: Chris Ormston [3]ch...@chrisormston.com Subject: [NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes To: [4]tim.ro...@btconnect.com, NSP List [5]...@cs.dartmouth.edu Date: Thursday, 12 March, 2009, 11:50 AM Hi All, I agree with Anthony on the importance of recognising regional styles, and that dance and music go hand in hand. I think it's important to remember, though, that the North Northumberland style is much more to do with Scottish country dance music, and was heavily influenced by Jimmy Shand. I admire and respect the music of the fiddlers and moothie players Anthony has cited, but see it as a separate tradition. The piping tradition is different, with a separate repertoire that shows off the pipes to their best, which, over the past couple of hundred years has developed a focus on listening/performance rather than dance. As my recent article in the NPS Magazine suggested, the piping tradition is a post-Industrial Revolution one, with its hotbed in South-East Northumberland. The style of the preferred tunes in the North of the county does not always sit well on the pipes, particularly the Burnt Potato tunes which a sizeable number of people now think are Northumbrian. I'm not suggesting that there weren't pipers participating in the N Northumberland scene, but it's interesting that the pedigree (I hate that term - please suggest another) of the prominent pipers in the North of the county can be traced back to Newsham. The music in the North seems to me to be a fiddle/accordeon tradition in which pipers participated rather than led. There are parallels in Ireland where uilleann pipers may join in with all sorts of reels , jigs etc in sessions, but the hard core repertoire is seen as the big 5-plus part piping jigs like frieze Britches and the Gold Ring. Discuss!!! Chris Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:13:14 + To: [1][6]...@cs.dartmouth.edu From: [2][7]tim.ro...@btconnect.com Subject: [NSP] Moving away from the First 30 tunes Hi Anthony, Obviously I don't have your knowledge and background of Northumbrian music, so I don't have the same depth of feeling for these matters that you do. My purpose in following the threads
[NSP] Re: Halsway playaround
Hi Alan, I also thought the Sunday session was a high point, but I would certainly not like to see tuition time reduced. I value highly the tuition time and, although it requires sutained concentration and is cumulatively tiring, it is a time when a combination of enormous expertise is available, together with time to consolidate learning. The tuition (quality and quantity) is one of my primary reasons for going to Halsway. I do rather like Geoffrey's suggestion of an additional informal session on the Saturday afternoon, though. It was a great weekend - thanks again. Richard Original Message From: a...@bcorkett.freeserve.co.uk Date: 13/03/2009 7:47 To: Mike and Enid Waltonmikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Cc: NSP LISTnsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Halsway playaround HALSWAY SUNDAY PLAYAROUND So many have commented on the Sunday evening being a successful element of the piping weekend, that I wonder if we ought to reduce some of the tuition session and introduce another informal play period. Any comments? Alan Corkett -Original Message- From: Mike and Enid Walton [mailto:mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk] Sent: 12 March 2009 05:16 To: Dartmouth NSP Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas I suppose it's a problem you face whenever playing music not from your own tradition. It took a melodeon workshop in Ireland to make me realise that I had a local style of box playing, and that I want to keep it ! If it's an Irish reel or jig, it normally goes on the whistle now. Some polkas fit well on the box though. With the pipes, it's a question of whether we stick to the style for the area where the pipes came from, or just use them for our own local music, in our own local style. I play lots of Northumbrian tunes, but also nationally common tunes (including Jimmy sorry Jamie sorry Jimmy Allen) and I played Dorset Four Hand Reel on Sunday. I'm trying to learn the Worcestershire Hornpipe. Yes, I really enjoyed Halsway, especially the informal session / play-a-round on Sunday. I was struggling at times during the tutorials though. I wish my sight-reading was better ! Mike - Original Message - From: Paul Rhodes oxpi...@hotmail.com To: Dartmouth NSP nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:08 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas Hi Mike, This is a forum for the Northumbrian Pipes and the traditional music of the north east, and as such is often very interesting and informative. It helps us all to work on playing the pipes well and to figure out how we can improve our playing in the Northumbrian tradition. But please don't ask the northerners how we should play tunes in our own area! We can be proud of our own tradition here, which is rich and thriving even if we don't shout quite so loud. Let the northerners do the ranting, we can enjoy playing them however we like. Wasn't Halsway great as always? All the best, Paul Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:23:19 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas So we've had a long discussion about rants, reels, polkas. I'm sure that those resident in the North-East should continue to play these tunes with a good traditional rant rhythm. What about those pipers like me, resident in the far south ? Some of the tunes we play on the pipes (Salmontails, Winster Gallop for instance) are common across the whole country, and are played as polkas hereabouts. When I introduce some other North Eastern tunes, even if I had the ability to ensure they started as rants, the other mujsicians around me would probably turn them into polkas. Yet tunes have always historically drifted across the country, into Ireland and Scotland and back, etc such than you often can't tell where they started ! It also begs the question as to whether, as a southerner, I should be trying to play them as rants at all ! Mike To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html __ Beyond Hotmail see what else you can do with Windows Live. [1] Find out more! -- References 1. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665375/direct/01/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.10/1996 - Release Date: 03/11/09 20:42:00 Fancy a job? - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/jobs/ __
[NSP] Re: Halsway playaround
I have to admit, as a not all that good player that I like the slow piping session on Saturday afternoon and would be sad to see it replaced by a more general one. It's also nice to have a fresh air break after lunch on Saturday. Some years there has been a more arranged sort of play around after supper on the Friday evening to get us played into the weekend. I've thought that was a good idea. Dru On 13 Mar 2009, at 09:20, richard.hea...@tiscali.co.uk wrote: Hi Alan, I also thought the Sunday session was a high point, but I would certainly not like to see tuition time reduced. I value highly the tuition time and, although it requires sutained concentration and is cumulatively tiring, it is a time when a combination of enormous expertise is available, together with time to consolidate learning. The tuition (quality and quantity) is one of my primary reasons for going to Halsway. I do rather like Geoffrey's suggestion of an additional informal session on the Saturday afternoon, though. It was a great weekend - thanks again. Richard Original Message From: a...@bcorkett.freeserve.co.uk Date: 13/03/2009 7:47 To: Mike and Enid Waltonmikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Cc: NSP LISTnsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subj: [NSP] Halsway playaround HALSWAY SUNDAY PLAYAROUND So many have commented on the Sunday evening being a successful element of the piping weekend, that I wonder if we ought to reduce some of the tuition session and introduce another informal play period. Any comments? Alan Corkett -Original Message- From: Mike and Enid Walton [mailto:mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk] Sent: 12 March 2009 05:16 To: Dartmouth NSP Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas I suppose it's a problem you face whenever playing music not from your own tradition. It took a melodeon workshop in Ireland to make me realise that I had a local style of box playing, and that I want to keep it ! If it's an Irish reel or jig, it normally goes on the whistle now. Some polkas fit well on the box though. With the pipes, it's a question of whether we stick to the style for the area where the pipes came from, or just use them for our own local music, in our own local style. I play lots of Northumbrian tunes, but also nationally common tunes (including Jimmy sorry Jamie sorry Jimmy Allen) and I played Dorset Four Hand Reel on Sunday. I'm trying to learn the Worcestershire Hornpipe. Yes, I really enjoyed Halsway, especially the informal session / play-a-round on Sunday. I was struggling at times during the tutorials though. I wish my sight-reading was better ! Mike - Original Message - From: Paul Rhodes oxpi...@hotmail.com To: Dartmouth NSP nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:08 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas Hi Mike, This is a forum for the Northumbrian Pipes and the traditional music of the north east, and as such is often very interesting and informative. It helps us all to work on playing the pipes well and to figure out how we can improve our playing in the Northumbrian tradition. But please don't ask the northerners how we should play tunes in our own area! We can be proud of our own tradition here, which is rich and thriving even if we don't shout quite so loud. Let the northerners do the ranting, we can enjoy playing them however we like. Wasn't Halsway great as always? All the best, Paul Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:23:19 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas So we've had a long discussion about rants, reels, polkas. I'm sure that those resident in the North-East should continue to play these tunes with a good traditional rant rhythm. What about those pipers like me, resident in the far south ? Some of the tunes we play on the pipes (Salmontails, Winster Gallop for instance) are common across the whole country, and are played as polkas hereabouts. When I introduce some other North Eastern tunes, even if I had the ability to ensure they started as rants, the other mujsicians around me would probably turn them into polkas. Yet tunes have always historically drifted across the country, into Ireland and Scotland and back, etc such than you often can't tell where they started ! It also begs the question as to whether, as a southerner, I should be trying to play them as rants at all ! Mike To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html __ Beyond Hotmail see what else you can do with Windows Live. [1] Find out more! -- References 1. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665375/direct/01/ -- -- No
[NSP] Re: Halsway playaround
Alan, I think this would be a bad idea - the tuition is crucial to getting people thinking intensively about piping. The playarounds are better in consequence. John -Original Message- From: nsp-request+j.gibbons=ic.ac...@cs.dartmouth.edu [mailto:nsp-request+j.gibbons=ic.ac...@cs.dartmouth.edu] On Behalf Of Alan Corkett Sent: 13 March 2009 07:47 To: Mike and Enid Walton Cc: NSP LIST Subject: [NSP] Halsway playaround HALSWAY SUNDAY PLAYAROUND So many have commented on the Sunday evening being a successful element of the piping weekend, that I wonder if we ought to reduce some of the tuition session and introduce another informal play period. Any comments? Alan Corkett -Original Message- From: Mike and Enid Walton [mailto:mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk] Sent: 12 March 2009 05:16 To: Dartmouth NSP Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas I suppose it's a problem you face whenever playing music not from your own tradition. It took a melodeon workshop in Ireland to make me realise that I had a local style of box playing, and that I want to keep it ! If it's an Irish reel or jig, it normally goes on the whistle now. Some polkas fit well on the box though. With the pipes, it's a question of whether we stick to the style for the area where the pipes came from, or just use them for our own local music, in our own local style. I play lots of Northumbrian tunes, but also nationally common tunes (including Jimmy sorry Jamie sorry Jimmy Allen) and I played Dorset Four Hand Reel on Sunday. I'm trying to learn the Worcestershire Hornpipe. Yes, I really enjoyed Halsway, especially the informal session / play-a-round on Sunday. I was struggling at times during the tutorials though. I wish my sight-reading was better ! Mike - Original Message - From: Paul Rhodes oxpi...@hotmail.com To: Dartmouth NSP nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:08 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas Hi Mike, This is a forum for the Northumbrian Pipes and the traditional music of the north east, and as such is often very interesting and informative. It helps us all to work on playing the pipes well and to figure out how we can improve our playing in the Northumbrian tradition. But please don't ask the northerners how we should play tunes in our own area! We can be proud of our own tradition here, which is rich and thriving even if we don't shout quite so loud. Let the northerners do the ranting, we can enjoy playing them however we like. Wasn't Halsway great as always? All the best, Paul Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:23:19 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas So we've had a long discussion about rants, reels, polkas. I'm sure that those resident in the North-East should continue to play these tunes with a good traditional rant rhythm. What about those pipers like me, resident in the far south ? Some of the tunes we play on the pipes (Salmontails, Winster Gallop for instance) are common across the whole country, and are played as polkas hereabouts. When I introduce some other North Eastern tunes, even if I had the ability to ensure they started as rants, the other mujsicians around me would probably turn them into polkas. Yet tunes have always historically drifted across the country, into Ireland and Scotland and back, etc such than you often can't tell where they started ! It also begs the question as to whether, as a southerner, I should be trying to play them as rants at all ! Mike To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html __ Beyond Hotmail see what else you can do with Windows Live. [1]Find out more! -- References 1. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665375/direct/01/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.10/1996 - Release Date: 03/11/09 20:42:00
[NSP] Re: J Allen (and Rants)
Dont Forget Jimmy's younger brother - Woody B On 13 Mar 2009 at 9:59, Helen Fish wrote: Jimmy Allen was the husband of Babs, of course. Doh, don't you guys know anything? Helen To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Halsway playaround
Halsway Playaround Sorry if I was being provocative about less tuition! Naturally we can insert more informal playing Saturday afternoon for those who wish to do this. In fact Ben from Wales introduced this when he came several years ago, unfortunately has not attended last two events. Alan -Original Message- From: Gibbons, John [mailto:j.gibb...@imperial.ac.uk] Sent: 13 March 2009 10:50 To: 'Alan Corkett'; Mike and Enid Walton Cc: NSP LIST Subject: [NSP] Re: Halsway playaround Alan, I think this would be a bad idea - the tuition is crucial to getting people thinking intensively about piping. The playarounds are better in consequence. John - To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Spelling of names
If you read Note 8 in the new edition of Vickers you'll find 13 different spellings of Jack Lattin's name, and some other unrelated titles which became attached to his tune. Who cares? Well, I care enough to note them as they are the labels attached to the versions referred to, but other than that, I'd rather discuss the tune. And more than that, I'd rather play it. It was the one that got me hooked, and Chris Ormston and Anthony Robb were there in the room in Rothbury when it happened. 1985, I think, or was it 1733? Wull Allan would have been around, but Jamie was still a twinkle in his Dad's eye. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes
No, it was me who was being flippant! Oh the joys of aging! Often I rely on the hours of practice I put in as a kid to keep me going. I find it's not the technical or physical demands of the Peacock repertoire that are challenging (as the same musical shapes occur in different variation sets), but remembering the order of the bloody variations!!! In dark moments I wonder whether the good old repertoire is valued any more, except by a few remaining diehards. It was much easier in the days before employment, kids, German Pointers (are you a pointer or are you just pleased to see me?) and computers. In those days we could just get on with playing, rather than wasting valuable rehearsal time discussing it online, the bus fare to the Sallyport was three farthings and you still had change for a pennorth of chips, footballs were made of leather that got heavier when wet and the laced-up bit hurt when you headed it... Regarding bands, did you not mean Willie Whitelaw and his Waves of Toryism? Chris __ Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:18:44 -0700 From: anth...@robbpipes.com Subject: Re: [NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes To: tim.ro...@btconnect.com; nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu; ch...@chrisormston.com Hi Chris Gave a rather flippant reply to an important question earlier. Before answering it can I just point out that its Robert Whitehead with the Danelaw Band, not Whitelaw as I mistakenly called him - oops, better get it right!!! Yes, where has that piper gone? I would like to think to a location where the music still demands hours of commitment, vast experience, good musicality but not the physical dexterity demanded by such a repertoire. Getting the notes out is challenge enough for old fingers, putting in that extra needed to keep them flowing, rhythmic and accurate, thereby doing the tunes justice is just a bridge too far these days. I've heard offerings in the past couple of years which fail on some if not all of these counts (your goodself excepted of course) and it is quite educational in terms of making me stick to what I'm reasonably good at! Anthony --- On Fri, 13/3/09, Chris Ormston ch...@chrisormston.com wrote: From: Chris Ormston ch...@chrisormston.com Subject: [NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes To: 'Anthony Robb' anth...@robbpipes.com, tim.ro...@btconnect.com, 'NSP List' nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Date: Friday, 13 March, 2009, 7:52 AM Yes, I think Colin hit the nail on the head when he referred to people just getting on with it! Nobody taught me to play like that, I absorbed it from those around me. I couldn't really start to define exactly what I do. Talking of absorbing from those around you, my own misty-eyed period is the 1970s at the Sallyport where a dapper gentleman would rattle through Peacock variation sets with swagger, confidence, lyricism and rippling technique. Wonder where he is now?? ;-) Chris From: Anthony Robb [mailto:anth...@robbpipes.com] Sent: 12 March 2009 13:34 To: tim.ro...@btconnect.com; NSP List; Chris Ormston Subject: Re: [NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes Hello Chris and all, Talking sense as usual bonny lad. You are absolutely right in that the tree trunk of the piping tradition is as you describe it but there are branches too. My reply to Tim R crossed with yours in the ether, but we are virtually saying the same thing. A couple of points though: 1. When a piper does hit the rant groove it is absolutely delicious! Clean, crisp and stunning - you've done this yourself at the Bridge of Aln sessions and they rocked! 2. There are inevitable similarities between the north Northumberland bands and those over the border especially in choice of line up, but the only band to follow the Shand type sound was Robert Whitelaw and the Danelaw Band. These were certainly popular but not the full story. Oh how I wish videos had been around as I watched Will Taylor dancing Morpeth Rant to John Daggs' Tillside Trio. It was as far removed from Scottish dance or music as any proud Northumbrian could wish As aye Anthony From: Chris Ormston ch...@chrisormston.com Subject: [NSP] Re: Moving away from the First 30 tunes To: tim.ro...@btconnect.com, NSP List nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Date: Thursday, 12 March, 2009, 11:50 AM Hi All, I agree with Anthony on the importance of recognising regional styles, and that dance and music go hand in hand. I think it's important to remember, though, that the North Northumberland style is
[NSP] Re: Spelling of names
And then there's the electronic version Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:50:21 + To: theborderpi...@googlemail.com; nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: j.gibb...@imperial.ac.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Spelling of names Couldn't have been before 1731, as Jack was yet to dance his way to world stardom... I'm very impressed the tune - or at least the new title - spread so wide, so quickly. Or was he already famous when still a live teenager? John -Original Message- From: nsp-request+j.gibbons=ic.ac...@cs.dartmouth.edu [mailto:nsp-request+j.gibbons=ic.ac...@cs.dartmouth.edu] On Behalf Of Matt Seattle Sent: 13 March 2009 12:31 To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subject: [NSP] Re: Spelling of names If you read Note 8 in the new edition of Vickers you'll find 13 different spellings of Jack Lattin's name, and some other unrelated titles which became attached to his tune. Who cares? Well, I care enough to note them as they are the labels attached to the versions referred to, but other than that, I'd rather discuss the tune. And more than that, I'd rather play it. It was the one that got me hooked, and Chris Ormston and Anthony Robb were there in the room in Rothbury when it happened. 1985, I think, or was it 1733? Wull Allan would have been around, but Jamie was still a twinkle in his Dad's eye. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html --
[NSP] Re: J Allen (and Rants)
Frivolously off topic, but I keep an Allen key in the bottom of my chanter. Undoes the grub screw retaining the chanter, and I'd lose it if I kept it anywhere else. No doubt it aids tone and stability too. Francis On 13 Mar 2009, at 14:17, Chris Ormston wrote: Or his Irish cousin, Dave - had a bit of trouble with the fingering though!! Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:19:53 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: barr...@nspipes.co.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: J Allen (and Rants) Dont Forget Jimmy's younger brother - Woody B On 13 Mar 2009 at 9:59, Helen Fish wrote: Jimmy Allen was the husband of Babs, of course. Doh, don't you guys know anything? Helen To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html --
[NSP] Guidwife of Peebles
I apologise for the layout of this message: it's a reply to Matt's post on Guidwife of Peebles which I sent to him by mistake, instead of the the list. I have copied and pasted it so maybe it won't look too good! One day I'll get the hang of these lists (maybe). Matt Seattle wrote: It's my arrangement for Border pipes of a fiddle composition by Nathaniel Gow (originally in Bb and with a larger range), and never a song to my knowledge. I thought it sounded much like some of your arrangements, the 'song' idea was a complete guess. I recorded it on Out of the Flames; I knew I'd heard it somewhere... in fact, that's where I learnt it,a good few years ago now, then found it in the book. it has a personal association for me with Sharon Goodacre, late wife of Julian Goodacre of Peebles, Yes, indeed, very much so. and no, it is not characteristic of Border pipe repertoire, if by that we mean the variation sets of the Dixon-Peacock line of transmission, which (to me) represent the Golden Thread of Border piping, which (to me) encompasses open- and closed-end chanters. Maybe not but it's a nice tune which sits well on the pipes and is easy to play (unless you're a highland piper); nobody on the course had come across it before. I taught some Peacock sets, Guidwife was offered as something different. I once gave Jim Richmond a copy of this arrangement and he included it in the said tutor, with no acknowledgement of his direct source. Such is life! Cheers Richard -- Richard Evans To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas
Hi All, And guess what Anthony? We played the Dorset Four-Hand Reel in the session at Halsway last Sunday, so 'what goes around comes around', as they say. As to the shape of the Halsway course, I agree with the other correspondents on this. The Sunday session is brilliant because we are all relaxed after a weekend of music and enjoying each others company. Also, inviting the 'locals' in is wonderful; they are such inspiring musicians and singers. I like the fact that there is free time on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Like Mike, I find the tutor sessions tiring, but always very stimulating and would not wish them to be reduced in any way. All the best, Paul Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:16:17 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas I suppose it's a problem you face whenever playing music not from your own tradition. It took a melodeon workshop in Ireland to make me realise that I had a local style of box playing, and that I want to keep it ! If it's an Irish reel or jig, it normally goes on the whistle now. Some polkas fit well on the box though. With the pipes, it's a question of whether we stick to the style for the area where the pipes came from, or just use them for our own local music, in our own local style. I play lots of Northumbrian tunes, but also nationally common tunes (including Jimmy sorry Jamie sorry Jimmy Allen) and I played Dorset Four Hand Reel on Sunday. I'm trying to learn the Worcestershire Hornpipe. Yes, I really enjoyed Halsway, especially the informal session / play-a-round on Sunday. I was struggling at times during the tutorials though. I wish my sight-reading was better ! Mike - Original Message - From: Paul Rhodes oxpi...@hotmail.com To: Dartmouth NSP nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:08 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas Hi Mike, This is a forum for the Northumbrian Pipes and the traditional music of the north east, and as such is often very interesting and informative. It helps us all to work on playing the pipes well and to figure out how we can improve our playing in the Northumbrian tradition. But please don't ask the northerners how we should play tunes in our own area! We can be proud of our own tradition here, which is rich and thriving even if we don't shout quite so loud. Let the northerners do the ranting, we can enjoy playing them however we like. Wasn't Halsway great as always? All the best, Paul Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:23:19 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas So we've had a long discussion about rants, reels, polkas. I'm sure that those resident in the North-East should continue to play these tunes with a good traditional rant rhythm. What about those pipers like me, resident in the far south ? Some of the tunes we play on the pipes (Salmontails, Winster Gallop for instance) are common across the whole country, and are played as polkas hereabouts. When I introduce some other North Eastern tunes, even if I had the ability to ensure they started as rants, the other mujsicians around me would probably turn them into polkas. Yet tunes have always historically drifted across the country, into Ireland and Scotland and back, etc such than you often can't tell where they started ! It also begs the question as to whether, as a southerner, I should be trying to play them as rants at all ! Mike To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html __ Beyond Hotmail see what else you can do with Windows Live. [1]Find out more! -- References 1. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665375/direct/01/ --- - No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.10/1996 - Release Date: 03/11/09 20:42:00 __ Windows Live just got better. [1]Find out more! -- References 1. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665375/direct/01/
[NSP] NPS March / April NL
Dear NPS members (and apologies to others) The March NL has been posted today, Fri 13th - I just hope that doesn't affect the speed with which it reaches members. Susan Craven - the new editor - is to be commended for a first issue packed with information features. Also to be commended are the super-efficient band of packers - some regular and some new to the job - which meant that the posting operation was one of the fastest ever. Julia Say NPS Hon Sec. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: J Allen (and Rants)
And the celebrated Hill tune the Allen Quay -Original Message- From: Barry Say [mailto:barr...@nspipes.co.uk] Sent: 13 March 2009 11:20 To: Dartmouth NSP Subject: [NSP] Re: J Allen (and Rants) Dont Forget Jimmy's younger brother - Woody B On 13 Mar 2009 at 9:59, Helen Fish wrote: Jimmy Allen was the husband of Babs, of course. Doh, don't you guys know anything? Helen To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Halsway playaround
Well spoken, Mel. Thanks! Daphne On 13 Mar 2009, at 10:43, Mel Leggett wrote: Hi Alan, Yes the evening playaround was good, and so too were the all the other sessions and evening extensions when the music started to hum, but PLEASE don't reduce the tuition; the four slots are such a stimulating, informative, enjoyable, opportunity to look at different aspects of the music and technique and playing styles that they really shouldn't be reduced. It's possible to play with others anywhere, at any time, but you won't get the sort of close, informal contact with such good musicians as were leading us at Halsway, except on courses like Halsway. It's what the weekend is all about. If people want just to play with others, what's wrong with Saturday and Sunday afternoons. However, I reckon I was attached to my pipes for about 16 hours () through the weekend and there is a limit to how much the fingers and shoulders can take. What you have at Halsway, as it has been over the last three years when I've been there, is a fantastic mix which works really, really well. Mike said, I was struggling at times during the tutorials though. I wish my sight-reading was better ! The point is that, without actually spending time making a concentrated effort to improve, we'll always be struggling and never improve. I don't want to sit in a teaching session which doesn't stretch me well past my playing level at the time, that's what I take away at the end and work on all year until the next wonderful Halsway! Please don't take the easy way out - it's what I value Halsway for. Thanks to you both again for all your hard working making it happen, Mel Leggett - Original Message - From: Alan Corkett a...@bcorkett.freeserve.co.uk To: Mike and Enid Walton mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Cc: NSP LIST nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 7:47 AM Subject: [NSP] Halsway playaround HALSWAY SUNDAY PLAYAROUND So many have commented on the Sunday evening being a successful element of the piping weekend, that I wonder if we ought to reduce some of the tuition session and introduce another informal play period. Any comments? Alan Corkett -Original Message- From: Mike and Enid Walton [mailto:mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk] Sent: 12 March 2009 05:16 To: Dartmouth NSP Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas I suppose it's a problem you face whenever playing music not from your own tradition. It took a melodeon workshop in Ireland to make me realise that I had a local style of box playing, and that I want to keep it ! If it's an Irish reel or jig, it normally goes on the whistle now. Some polkas fit well on the box though. With the pipes, it's a question of whether we stick to the style for the area where the pipes came from, or just use them for our own local music, in our own local style. I play lots of Northumbrian tunes, but also nationally common tunes (including Jimmy sorry Jamie sorry Jimmy Allen) and I played Dorset Four Hand Reel on Sunday. I'm trying to learn the Worcestershire Hornpipe. Yes, I really enjoyed Halsway, especially the informal session / play-a-round on Sunday. I was struggling at times during the tutorials though. I wish my sight-reading was better ! Mike - Original Message - From: Paul Rhodes oxpi...@hotmail.com To: Dartmouth NSP nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:08 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas Hi Mike, This is a forum for the Northumbrian Pipes and the traditional music of the north east, and as such is often very interesting and informative. It helps us all to work on playing the pipes well and to figure out how we can improve our playing in the Northumbrian tradition. But please don't ask the northerners how we should play tunes in our own area! We can be proud of our own tradition here, which is rich and thriving even if we don't shout quite so loud. Let the northerners do the ranting, we can enjoy playing them however we like. Wasn't Halsway great as always? All the best, Paul Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:23:19 + To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu From: mikeande...@worcesterfolk.org.uk Subject: [NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas So we've had a long discussion about rants, reels, polkas. I'm sure that those resident in the North-East should continue to play these tunes with a good traditional rant rhythm. What about those pipers like me, resident in the far south ? Some of the tunes we play on the pipes (Salmontails, Winster Gallop for instance) are common across the whole country, and are played as polkas hereabouts. When I introduce some other North Eastern tunes, even if I had the ability to ensure they started as rants, the other mujsicians around me would probably turn them into
[NSP] Re: Tune Phrasing / Rants / Reels / Polkas
On 13 Mar 2009 at 16:24, Paul Rhodes wrote: Hi All, And guess what Anthony? We played the Dorset Four-Hand Reel in the session at Halsway last Sunday, so 'what goes around comes around', as they say. Did you play both parts. If I remember rightly the second part is generally played a tone higher and bears a remarkable similarity to The Tomtit Reel ascribed to Archie Dagg. Barry Say To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Keep on Ranting!
Nice one, Chris ...except the only instrument I had to hand was my old Schott school recorder from the mid 1960s that is not aging gracefully and doesn't like pinching up to high A. But then this is a Northumbrian pipe tune not recorder music and its going to sound grand when I get the pipes in here. Ian Chris Ormston wrote: Here's a new one - enjoy! X:1 T:Keelman Brown of Newburn C:Chris Ormston M:4/4 K:D de|fdfa d2dc|BGBd A2de|fdfa gfed|f2e2e2 de|fdfad2dc|BGBd A2 AG|FAGB Aage|f2d2d2:|| ef|gBgf eAde|fAfe d2de|fdfa gfed|f2e2e2 ef|gBgf eAde|fAfe d2AG|FAGB Aage|f2d2d2:|| For those who prefer dots, copy and paste the above here: [1]http://www.folkinfo.org/songs/abcconvert.php Chris Ormston chrisormston.com borderdirectors.com -- References 1. http://www.folkinfo.org/songs/abcconvert.php To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Halsway playaround
Alan I think one of the good things about the Sunday session was the other musicians there, which couldn't be arranged at other times (except perhaps Friday, but it's good to meet old friends and play together then). I also agree about the amount of tuition being about right. One idea I would like to float though (related to my sight-reading probably) is to ask views on the merit of taking a well-known tune(s) and giving tuition on the development of style, phrasing, gracing etc. I know some players like to learn a new tune, but if I am struggling all the time to play the right notes it doesn't allow any work on the finer points of playing. Views please ? Mike - Original Message - From: Alan Corkett a...@bcorkett.freeserve.co.uk To: Gibbons, John j.gibb...@imperial.ac.uk Cc: NSP LIST nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 12:12 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Halsway playaround Halsway Playaround Sorry if I was being provocative about less tuition! Naturally we can insert more informal playing Saturday afternoon for those who wish to do this. In fact Ben from Wales introduced this when he came several years ago, unfortunately has not attended last two events. Alan -Original Message- From: Gibbons, John [mailto:j.gibb...@imperial.ac.uk] Sent: 13 March 2009 10:50 To: 'Alan Corkett'; Mike and Enid Walton Cc: NSP LIST Subject: [NSP] Re: Halsway playaround Alan, I think this would be a bad idea - the tuition is crucial to getting people thinking intensively about piping. The playarounds are better in consequence. John - To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.13/1999 - Release Date: 03/13/09 05:59:00
[NSP] Re: Halsway playaround
Hello Mike and others, Your point about well-known tunes and devoting time to exploring these is a very good one. This is a topic that I've been discussing recently. As someone who regularly teaches 'basic skills' groups, I tend to present familiar tunes and unashamedly use, more or less, the same core collection because these provide an opportunity for beginner- players to participate in sessions where they are likely to hear at least one or two tunes from that choice. As a tuition content, those tunes tend to get left behind in favour of apparently more complex and newer repertoire, and I sometimes wonder whether that isn't a lost opportunity for advanced players. Perhaps not everyone recognises the time and care that tutors put into the preparation of new repertoire for courses. Participants look forward to receiving a weighty collection of tunes in advance, and with each tutor providing a substantial selection of novel material, that results in a number of new items that is sometimes practically unmanageable as a learning experience. Returning to your original point, Mike, yes I do think there's a lot to be gained by working on an already familiar tune at an advanced level . . . the Hesleyside Reel, for instance . . . and developing musicality by seeing these familiar items anew with the help of an expert tutor. To some extent, there's an expectation of a tutor to be a provider of new material. Nothing wrong with that, as long as this is kept within reason. More important, though is the quality of the tuition itself. The weight of the pre-course material shouldn't be taken as an indicator of the quality of the course! Lets see what others think. Francis On 12 Mar 2009, at 16:19, Mike and Enid Walton wrote: Alan I think one of the good things about the Sunday session was the other musicians there, which couldn't be arranged at other times (except perhaps Friday, but it's good to meet old friends and play together then). I also agree about the amount of tuition being about right. One idea I would like to float though (related to my sight-reading probably) is to ask views on the merit of taking a well-known tune(s) and giving tuition on the development of style, phrasing, gracing etc. I know some players like to learn a new tune, but if I am struggling all the time to play the right notes it doesn't allow any work on the finer points of playing. Views please ? Mike - Original Message - From: Alan Corkett a...@bcorkett.freeserve.co.uk To: Gibbons, John j.gibb...@imperial.ac.uk Cc: NSP LIST nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 12:12 PM Subject: [NSP] Re: Halsway playaround Halsway Playaround Sorry if I was being provocative about less tuition! Naturally we can insert more informal playing Saturday afternoon for those who wish to do this. In fact Ben from Wales introduced this when he came several years ago, unfortunately has not attended last two events. Alan -Original Message- From: Gibbons, John [mailto:j.gibb...@imperial.ac.uk] Sent: 13 March 2009 10:50 To: 'Alan Corkett'; Mike and Enid Walton Cc: NSP LIST Subject: [NSP] Re: Halsway playaround Alan, I think this would be a bad idea - the tuition is crucial to getting people thinking intensively about piping. The playarounds are better in consequence. John - To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.13/1999 - Release Date: 03/13/09 05:59:00
