shakes fist
For me, it depends on the tune. Some just sound better to my ear when played in a stately manner, and although there are some that I want to play rapidly (whether or not I can ), Iām beginning to appreciate the challenge of rendering those tunes at a more deliberate, relaxed pace. Probably the most problematic one for me in this regard is The Foxhunters, a five-part reel that just cries out to me to be played at a good clip. Iām beginning to enjoy playing it more slowly, but the sense of the chase, the yelping of hounds and the call of the huntersā bugles, which to me are a part of the tune, get lost then. It becomes something different; perhaps like the easy amble home afterward.
Good comments Bloomy.
Every tune has itās natural tempo, and often several. But itās still good to practice FAST for 2 reasons:
A: You canāt slow fiddlers downā¦especially the females.
B: If you are capable of great speed, then when you play a tune whose natural rythm is fast it wonāt sound rushed.
But this fixation with high speed on everything makes the music all sound the same.
Bloom has seen the light. Debbie saw the light years ago and she keeps turnig it on! It is an incredible treat to see Debbie play a tune. The amount of attention to detail is a real mind-blower. Debbie can play fast tune, donāt be misled, but she would rather you hear the gorgeous gracing and precision placement of cuts and rolls. Bloomie is right ā she is one of North Americaās finest pipers (I think thatās what you said B), and a Canadian treasure. Iām learning to appreciate her talents exponentially every year. BTW, sheās also a wonderfully kind and gentle person who has a warehouse of patience (and also so modest that sheād blush if she read such praise!).
We Torontonians will be doubly lucky to have both Debbie and Patrick Ourceau at the Chris Langan Weekend in January. If youāre at all close to Toronto, or even up to an 8 - 10 hour drive ā give yourself a treat and go to the classes. Harry Bradley will be there for you flute players. The website is http://www.chrislangan.ca
Cheers,
PR
I mean, who wants to vacation in Florida in late January when they could be shivvering and sloshing through the snow in Toronto? Iāll try to be there, though. For one thing, one of the finest formerly fiddling Montreal whistle teachers of Welsh descent with online tutorials, our very dear Brother Steve, will be teaching a whistle workshop.
Great! Bring that tweaked Susato of yours (or toolbox)! Iāll be there.
Heās not the only one of Welsh descentā¦ My Momās side of the family is welsh. And BTW, Stevie J is a great whistler! If I werenāt getting in as much piping as possible, Iād love to get in on one of those classes! Even with my squeaky Gen.
Shivering? Ppbpbbpblth! Wimp! 
In everything Iāve tried the word āflowā was always the key to doing things right. I used to play blues guitar, I noticed when I let things just flow was when the music held the most feel to it. Same with my whistle playing. And also, same with martial arts. I always did better in class when I let my technique flow. I define flow in these cases as seamless, smooth transitions from event to event.