I used to spend most of my musical time wanting to learn new tunes. Lately though i find myself working to improve the tunes i already know and working on variations. This includes alot of the “overplayed” ones in our local sessions but its making it way more enjoyable when they come up as they do most weeks lol. The end result is though that im ending up with alot more idea’s that are transferring to all my tunes. Im sure alot of others have experianced this also. Just wanted to share because i know i got caught up in knowing more tunes along the way and this seems to be helping more musically.
I used to do this on the ocarina. Once I’d gotten a nice repertoir of songs I could play I started perfecting them, rather than keep on learning new ones.
But with my tin whistle I’m still at that early stage where you just want to learn new tunes, cause I’ve only got a handful I can play at the moment.
Guess I’d have to say I’m somewhare in the middle. I know quite a few hymns, but I’m really lacking in Itrad songs. I’ve been a little hesitent to start learning new stuff until I get the song I’m working on basicly mastered. By that I mean that I can play it without making mistakes.
I’ve gone through both phases- spending a lot of time learning everything that caught my ear, and lately, learning no new ones, just polishing the old ones. You find, as your skills progress, you have more to add to the polishing of tunes you’ve known for a long time and they take on new life.
I’m currently preparing for a school hall corned beef/cabbage affair and I gave my friends (a new band every year) a set list of the old stuff everyone learns as a newcomer to ITM. So, I’m polishing Off to California, King of the Fairies, O’Keefe’s Slide, etc. I had quit playing them for ages, but now, I’m not the same player I used to be and I like how they’ve improved. (I don’t recommend learning new tunes just before a performance in front of an audience. Done that; made a shambles of it.) And the audience doesn’t know which tunes have been beat into the ground at some point by the players. Which reminds me…Oh, Danny Boy…
Tony
I’ve experienced the same a few weeks ago too. I’m a beginner (about 5-6 months playing) and I used to spend most of my time learning new tunes. A few weeks ago I decided not to learn new tunes but improve the ones I already knew. I found it really useful and worth it having done it.
I’ve been going through that phase too. A good chance to pause, relax, and apply some of the new techniques I’ve picked up. These include more frequent pauses for BREATHING!! [gasp!]
I am going through this phase too. I felt eager for new tunes until recently and found out I didn’t play them the way I wanted (even rythm and speed, unappropriate breathing or articulation). So I decided to rework the tunes I already know, make time for technical work on a more regular basis (again!), work on tunes slowly for a longer time (or the time nedded), just to make it cleaner.
I think such a process is also a proof of improvement since you’re aware enough of bad habits. Consciousness also means knowledge.
Well, those are my new years resolutions… But how long can I hold on???
Pascal.
I did that about a year or so ago, and will likely do so again. It helped me a great deal to put that effort into refining rather than expanding my tune list. I spent a lot more time listening too, and I can pick up new ones more easily now, though still am not proficient.
Another thing…I keep a notebook of tunes I’ve transcribed from cd’s. After all the hard work, I don’t want to lose them. I went through the notebook recently and revived some great tunes I’d forgotten about and had to relearn. Well worth it as it’s a notebook of stuff I think is the best. 
Tony