I learned a new song on my own - a beautiful bouncy jig called the Templehouse (that’s right Ty) Jig. I practiced over and over and committed it to memory fairly quickly; then practiced over and over to get it up to speed. Results: Great rhythm; good breathing; way too staccato, due to too much tongueing! Now I’m having a devil of a time relearning the tune and substituting finger taps for the tongueing - finally got it and it sounds much better - more fluid and lilting, although not yet up to speed. So yes, watch the tongueing. As some have said, learn the tunes without first and then use it sparingly for effect.
Now is it the Scottish Templehouse or the Irish one?
I couldn’t figure out what to do with the low B’s on the Scottish one and just gave up on it.
Beyond the relearning issue, what do you do when you have it right, as long as you’re playing alone. Then as soon as your in a group you start playing it without ANY style whatsoever? That’s my big stumble.
I know what you mean Philo, about learning tunes and then having to change. I picked up Contentment is Wealth from Grey Larsen’s transcription, and my music partners (who live between 100 and 400 miles away, so we don’t get together terribly often) learned a different B part. Now I really have to focus to be able to shift to their version.
And I really like Cliffs of Moher, but when I first learned it I made a major goof (here’s a good “anti-dots” argument!) and played it with C sharps instead of C naturals. Played it like that at a session, and one of the fiddlers was curious to know who I’d learned it from, whether it was some “find” of a variation played differently in another region. But it was just me, making a dumb mistake. I still “hear” it with C# and have to really pay attention to get it right! Duh!
First I learned to play with my bottom hand pinkie down all the time to steady the whistle - but noted while learning a Breton tune that it slowed my ring finger on ornaments and such. I re-learned with the pinkie just hanging out there and steadying C# with the bottom ring finger down.
Then I had some lazy habits around venting the second octave D that worked on some whistles, but not on others. I had to practice consistency when laziness was just so much easier.
Next I was taught a different fingering for the C Nat 0 X X 0 X X that was recommended. It still stays in tune on most of my whistles (some actually improved) and allows a roll of sorts. So I rewire my automatic responses again. This time it was faster for the change to become natural.
I imagine there will be many more adjustments, tips, and tricks along the way. Maybe my brain will become more flexible. haha
Oh yeah! I’m like Unseen - I always play with style. I mean the Pink Panther had style right? Or was that panache?
