Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of people posting clips and asking to have them critiqued, so I thought it might be fun to try as well. Plus you never know what other people’s comments might jar lose in your playing or in your head. I’ve recently posted a couple of tunes on clips and snips and I would appreciate some comments on my playing. Si Beag Si Mor is saved in the slow air section and the Lilting Banshee is saved in jigs.
But I’m going to cheat. I’m not going to tell you how long I’ve been playing, so people don’t give me the “I think you’re doing well considering you’ve only been playing for…” So give me an honest critique of my playing and don’t hold any punches or cheap shots. And I thought it might be fun and informative if you tried to guess how long I’ve been playing the tin whistle.
Thanks
Jack Murphy
edited for grammer
[ This Message was edited by: MurphyStout on 2002-07-28 15:02 ]
[ This Message was edited by: MurphyStout on 2002-07-28 15:06 ]
Jack - When I first saw the post, I thought you were asking for a critique of MUrphy’s Stout, which is not one of my favorite beers. However, both tunes you posted ARE among my favorites and I’ve been playing them for years. Therefore, when I get back home tonight, I will give a listen and report back. I’m really interested in how you approach these. I’ve heard a lot of different versions of Si Beg Si Mor (for good reason; a beautiful tune). Philo
Here’s my impressions, take 'em for what they’re worth
Lilting Banshee: Good breath control, no real squeaks and good octave control. You seem to know the tune..no major flubs, and it’s easily recognizable. Needs works on timing…you speed through some parts, and slow down on others. But keep practicing, and that should even out. Practicing with a metronome, other players, or a recording will help give you an external indicator of your timing. But the tune is coming along nicely.
On 2002-07-28 15:12, PhilO wrote:
Jack - When I first saw the post, I thought you were asking for a critique of MUrphy’s Stout, which is not one of my favorite beers.
Well, my daughter loves the canned Murphy’s (as do I), but she tried it on draft at a pub and couldn’t drink it. I traded my Guiness for her Murphy’s, and it was okay, but nothing to write home about.
MurphyStout is kind of a misplaced nickname for me. I don’t drink and 6ft. 165lbs. isn’t exactly stout now is it. But MurphyStout is printed on my bodhran and it has a nice irish sound to it, considering this is an irish based site, so that’s why I picked it.
Jack - I had a chance to listen tonight, and IMHO:
Si Beg Si Mor - The first half was really lovely - well-placed traditional simple ornaments, consistent timing, volume and lilt suitable to the tune. You lost some timing and missed a few notes in the second half.
Lilting Banshee - You punched out the triplets really well i.e., rhythmically, but lost control of the speed of the tune after the first few bars. It doesn’t seem like you had real trouble with the tune; you just rushed it from middle to end.
I enjoyed your playing, compared it to mine on these tunes and found it helpful as well.
Well I’d like to give my advice 'cause rythm has been my worse problem (well, one of my worse problems!) when I started, and it took lotsa work to overcome this (altough there’s still a lot more to do!). I think you have very good technique and dexterity, it’s only a matter of working on your rythm. I recorded a version of lilting (and banish) to show you what I mean. You should be able to tap your foot and feel the rythm (tap, tap, tap…). When I tap my foot when listening to your recording, there’s something wrong, you accelerate, then slow down, then accelerate. I would suggest to play very, very slow but try to get the rythm perfect, and then speed up. Anyway, here’s my example:
