I am wondering how everyone chooses tunes to learn.
At first, I learned what was on the MadforTrad disc. After that, I used a list of regional session tune that Cathy Wilde (thanks Cat) drew up. That went well for a while, but I found it took me a while to get excited about each new tune and so the learning went slow.
Now, I am basically listening to tunes all week and the one that I find myself lilting at work is the one I work on next. This has sort of a traditional pure drop feel to the process, although I must admit that I use every resource available until I get the melody down.
As a fairly isolated player, I am especially wondering how you folks with teachers or sessionmates choose what’s next.
Anyway, I was just feeling a bit curious on a (much-needed) rainy afternoon
Though I am also a bit of an isolated player (by choice, as I’m still learning) my method of learning a tune is listening to the CD (usually the Chieftains at present) until I can whistle or hum the tune I’m after. Once I really know where it is going, I pick it out on the flute, slowly and eventually getting to where I can play along with the recording. Sometimes, on the slower pieces, I just start by trying to follow along, putting the player on repeat so I can practice. (And probably annoy the heck out of the neighbors) I basically just work through an album that way. The numbered Chieftains albums are best for this, since they are without guest stars and a bunch of crossover pieces like the other albums.
This is pretty much what I do, although I am going through the Carolan tunebook and working on anything that sounds remotely interesting. I’m also learning every tune on the Coen Bros album, trying to play in Jack’s style.
I do this with the MfT tunes. I play along with Seamus trying to get accustomed to listening as I play. This has helped me with my #1 fault: Breaking time when I make a mistake.
I’m listening to theTranscriptions page on Brother Steve’s website. I’ve made an audio tape that’s pretty much become my second “Geezer’s” tape. I’ve got Phillipe at Celtic Groove sending me a bunch of old 78 re-releases. So much music, so little time.
Yup – my sources for learning Irish material are the Peter Horan and Fred Finn album (which Phillipe doesn’t stock), stuff I bought from Celtic Grooves, other recordings of 78-era material (all of which is available from Phillipe, but some of which I got from other sources), tapes I made myself, and sitting in at the local session. In about that order. My basic approach is to listen to lots of stuff, and when I reach the point where I feel like I know where a tune is going, I try to find the time to sit down and learn it.
I’m presently fascinated with Brother Steve’s pages as well; I suppose I shouldn’t get too slavish, but I keep finding the playing and transcriptions revelatory (thank you, Peter L and others! Talk about a labor of love!).
Anyweird, I think you’re doing it just fine, Byron – instead of being inspired to learn a tune after hearing it at the local session (probably the closest to the “traditional” way), you’re picking it up off a recording of … in some cases, anyway … a local session in Ireland. Sounds like a pretty darn good method to me, especially when you consider the caliber of some of the people you’re listening to.
And of course, you can also just gitcher bum up here sometime! (tho’ I can’t promise similar ability, at least not in the flute dept. )
Sometimes I go to the Clips and Snips tune archive and listen through a bunch of tunes until I find one that catches my fancy. Then I look around for a hard copy, or just play the file enough times to get it in my head.
Some of these can be hard to play along with, though, unless you have the instrument to match the key they’re playing in.
I’ve found a couple of favorite tunes here. Thanks, Tony, for maintaining this site!
I also use the Snips pages for help with tunes. It’s surprising the number of times I’ve had ABCs for a tune and found a posting someone playing it.
Yes, Cathy, I have definitely got to get to town this summer. Of course, it is possible I’ll show up with a bunch of solo material, but there’s really only one way to find out.
Rama,
Sometimes my intuition says “Play more”; sometimes it says “Practice more”; always it says “Listen closer”.
And you are absolutely correct…the sooner I take heed, the better.
80% of my inspiration comes from CD’s, the rest from sessions/performances and as far as what to learn goes, a great piper I slow-session with every so often has a great quote (I forget from who), but goes something to the effect of: ’ there are so many tunes, when spend time learning ones you don’t like?’
Learn the tunes that move you - you’ll have more fun, learn faster, and eventually your repetoire will include many a session standard.
yes byron it takes practice, i use to practice every day for years. jack coen once said it takes years to be able to play with a sense of ease and comfort. i also listened to thousands of tapes and cd’s etc. i used to sit in large noisy sessions full of people trying to figure it out and follow along, wailing bodhrans, out of tune flutes and the like, noisy crowds, people talking ‘at’ one another while the tune is being played etc. unfortunately, the music can get lost, or watered down in those situations. the tune can get absolutely lost. when there is a bit more focus put on the music, ‘the tradition’ has room, and intimacy between the ‘music’ and ‘musicians’ is fostered and permitted to flourish. the music can make for an intimate communication among musicans. those are the best times - when we connect thru a tune, allowing the music to flow. all a matter of perspective i suppose.
i used to play with a few folks and we would get gigs every now and then. the bar owner at this one place wanted us to all wear green and play/sing danny boy. no thanks, not for me. entertainer i’m not, ‘trad’ musician i am.
i tend to play for my own enjoyment these days, not for the approval from others or the hope for applause.
anyway, things are not always what they appear to be, my friend.
hope that helps.
Had you ask me when I first started if 2.5 years was a long time, I would have said yes.
Looking back, it seems like nothing. Honestly, I’m just now at a place with the instrument where I can really get started with the music. (That sounds a little strange since I’ve been playing tunes all this time. But it’s how I feel.)
good point.
a young genius of a boxplayer was once asked at a session we were attending:
‘what’s your favorite tune?’
his repsonse was: ‘the one i am currently learning’
… I’m with the boxplayer; for me it’s like the Tune of the Week or something.
And therein, of course, can lie the value of a good session or playing group or whatever … it’s your chance to hear tunes from others; tunes that you come away wanting to learn. 'Cos to some degree, a session isn’t just about playing; it’s about listening & learning.
At least that’s how it works for me, anyway.
Oh, and Byron … I’ve been at it 10 years (admittedly the first 6 or 7 rather casually, though – I knew just enough to fake it thru our occasional gigs), and was just thinking this morning that the farther along I get, the farther I realize I need to go … i.e., I feel exactly the same way you do after an even longer time!
It’s amazing how much effort is required to make something seem effortless, innit?
Anyway, peace, and enjoy the journey. And do come up sometime. Playing with other folks will rock your planet. (in a good way, of course)
I like where this thread has lead us: Keep a “beginner’s mind” and let the tunes choose you. That’s as good a direction as any for building repertoire. I think.
Byron
p.s. Rama – I have been playing flute for just a bit over two and a half years.
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