So, I have been at the music for a while - 6 or 7 years and I wonder if it is considered bad form to forte accent the pulse using a blast of air that makes the flute honk? I hear players do this often on low D, but I also do it on other notes, always in the lower octave and I like how it sounds. I am a pretty rhythmic player, and I only do it where it seems appropriate on jigs or reels, which is subjective, and its not “pretty” sounding, but to my ear it works. But it is kind of a bark more than just an accent. A and G seems where it happens for me. Hard to describe but fun to do. I guess I am asking if there are other players who do this too and is it stylistically ok in a trad setting?
What you are describing sounds like normal breath pulsing to me, maybe if you post a clip people can comment on how you are doing it.
Conal O’Grada does it on G a lot and very noticeably as well as on D. It’s perfectly acceptable if applied appropriately, but a matter of personal taste. In some of Conal’s tracks it gets on my wick a bit, much as I admire his playing in general. I pretty much agree with dunnp - your description sounds normal enough technically, but it’s how it comes out/how it sounds to you and others which matters.
I love how Conal does it. He does it with humour and it’s brilliant. I do understand where you’re coming from though …
See also:
Harry Bradley
Michael Clarkson
And would add to that list, Kevin Henry, who can be searched on youtube for some clips of his strong glottal stop technique in his playing.
Russ
Thanks for the good info. I will check out those sources and maybe record a clip.
Best,
http://archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A"Tom%20Morrison"
My favorite hearty player!
He puts the pulse in all over the place.
The king of pulse: Ciaran Somers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1UWG0GDIUk