Gravel Walk (not played at a walk, though)

Whistle
1

In Gravel walk…

at session speed, do you play the intermitent 1/8ths? ie. a AaGaFa in the first measure of the B part. Or do you just play a A G F ?

I’m listening to a session recording trying to get this one under my belt and I just can’t make it out. I’m just not sure that my fingers could handle it :slight_smile:

Thanks,
Erik

2

We play em all in the band. It takes practice and REALLY wanting to do it but you will surprise yourself and feel good when you get it. There are others of this sub-type, maybe you could call them Donegal-type reels, like Dinky’s, Convenience and others that have these pedal-alternations. BTW, Gravel Walk has variant versions. Some play it as a Mixo tune with Cnats, others with C# in opening, spelling out the A chord.

3

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, Weeks… somehow I knew that’d be the answer.

The version that I have is heavy into the Cnats. I don’t think I’ll have it by tonight (15 minutes) :slight_smile: Especially the cGcAcGc in the third part.

Thanks!
Erik

4

Here’s a hint on the C part:

try using ( o x x | o o o ) for the C-naturals, rather or not you normally use that fingering on your whistle.

This thing goes by fast; it doesn’t really matter if that note is out of tune in this context, and it cuts down on the number of fingers you have to move for the cgcac sequences.

–James

5

Thank you, James. I’ll give that a try. Now off to session…

Erik

6

On the B part I play pretty much every note…on the last one I swap between dropping the pedal note and putting it in.

As I sit here and try to play it, I realize that a huge part of those passages is dependent on the diaphragm more than finger speed.

One session I go to I can keep up with it pretty well, the other leaves me in the dust. Or gravel. I manage to get some passages, but chicken out of others.

7

As as example, I have a recording I made of Gravel Walk a couple of years ago posted at:

http://www.uptospeed.net/mp3/eskin/tunes/GravelWalk.mp3

Sorry that its on a B-flat whistle…

The key for me to getting the octave pairs is to tongue both the notes… start out by practicing slowly, work your way up to session speed…

Hope its useful to you!

Cheers,

Michael
(not thrilled listening to old recordings… can hear the intonation problems…) :slight_smile:

8

Thanks, Tyg and Michael! I too chickened out tonight, but the fiddle player helped me out. Despite claims to the contrary, that’s a nice recording, Michael :slight_smile:

Erik

9

Michael, that was very well played.

I enjoyed it. What kind of whistle?

–James

10

I’m pretty sure its a Sindt B-flat… still one of my favorite instruments…

11

These passages have been discussed before. I suggested a tip in this thread, maybe it will help: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=2255

12

Thanks Steve! I hadn’t seen that one (obviously).

13

And another thanks to you, Stephen. I’ve been playing around today with the articulation that you suggested and it really does flow very nicely… I might get this tune, yet :slight_smile: