OK, here it is. 
From time to time I want to share something asking for critique, or to ask a question, or smth of that sort - but don’t want flooding the board with these new threads, so don’t.
So, I think making one thread of semi-blog nature will be better idea. Is it OK to have one?
Yesterday morning I tried to record myself, ant the result was pretty good. This is my current level, and this is my best - I was in good shape, I don’t think I can play better now.
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=fjoQXfLPUhk - Rolling in Ryegrass / Castle Kelly
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxnex5QXKds - Morrison’s Jig
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=hXuz67OfBSw - Christy Barry’s / Butler of Glen Avenue
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq4EZBATFN8 - some karaoke playing
What is good, what is bad, and what should I work on?
Wouldn’t it be better to have a big thread for everyone to post sound clips and get advice on improvement? Instead of having one thread for every player?
Just a thought, in a constructive spirit.
As for the playing. I like it. As a beginner, I can’t give so much advice.
What whistle are you using?
hello
sounds good, the only thing I can think of is work on your timing, find a metrenome and play along with that, or if you can find music of the rest play along with them, that will help too
The site http://www.whistlethis.com already exists for this purpose, although it’s pretty quiet over there.
But it would be interesting to have a “showcase” (or show-off) forum here, organized not by players but by tunes. Then, if there’s a “Gallagher’s Frolics” thread, anyone who has a video or audio link to a performance of theirs of that tune could add it to the thread. I think it’s very helpful to have a number of different interpretations of a tune in one place. WhistleThis does this, of course, but by upload, not by links. I know some people might prefer not to have their work on youtube, but might be willing to have a link to a hosting service with better quality and better privacy options, such as Viddler or Vimeo.
Rhadge, the whistle is Waltons Mellow D, tweaked by Erik Torp-Olsen. The whistle is not mine, though I wish it was. Erik disappeared somewhere, so I can’t order one for myself…
I think you’re doing very well, but your comment “I don’t think I can play better now” is what stood out the most to me. I think I understand what you meant…that regarding these particular tunes at that particular time on that particular day you were “on”, but whatever you do, don’t think you can’t play any better. You know you can do it. And I’d venture to guess you’re better now than you were six months ago. Keep at it and you’ll be better six months from the day you recorded these tunes. My impression is you have the tools to be an excellent player.
Your basic technique is pretty good, but I agree with Tia about tempo. On “Rolling in the Ryegrass” in particular, you kept a nice steady tempo through the first go around, then immediately sped up when you started the repeat. I don’t know if it was intentional or not but once into Castle Kelly, you’d increased the tempo significantly. IMO, it’s very important to practice with a metronome so you get used to hearing steady tempos in your head. I’ve been playing a long time and still use my Korg MA-30 metronome when practicing. I even use it when recording at my computer since it’s not picked up in the recording. Good drummers always amaze me how they can maintain an unwavering steady beat, because I can’t do it.
breqwas,
Very nice playing! Keep up the good work.
I especially liked Bretonia.
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq4EZBATFN8 - some karaoke playing
Can you give some background on the tune?
I would like the notation if it is available.
Cheers! Richard
Can you give some background on the tune?
I would like the notation if it is available.
Everyone likes this tune
There’s a German folk band, Dhalia’s Lane. They play more or less “celtic” stuff, mostly written by their own. This tune, and another one, Gates of Avalon, are the best from their two CDs I have.
Here’s Gates of Avalon played by me: http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=gLDNNnrlFko
I have dots somewhere, but that’s a copy from handwritten sheetmusic, so I’ll have to write it in ABC. I can do that, if you can’t get it by ear.
BTW. Some of my classical-trained friends tell me I have very bad intonation (but do not tell how to fix that). Is that true?
The sound quality on the youtube videos is not good enough for me to really
make a judgement about that. It sounds like you might be pushing the high
notes too much, maybe. I think the B note in Morrison’s might be consistantly
flat? Hard to tell… But intonation might depend a bit on the whistle, too.
These are all inexpert opinions, going on little data. You could use a tuner
or a program like RTTA to help assess your tuning.
Lovely; sounded a bit rushed (not fast, rushed) on Morrisons.
Philo
I noticed you got past your pinky problem to get Morrison’s down. Good man.
fearfaoin, that re-learning was really painful. In all means. And it’s still not done, in fact…
BTW. I’ve made a thread at TSO board, hoping it’s better place for announcements of that sort. Here’s the link: http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/19595
Long story short, I don’t have anyone to play with in RL, and now try to find someone online. Yes, that was PJ who inspired me: http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=UzlyHma7LyI
What happened to all your music mates? Why did they disappear?
MTGuru,
“It sank.” (c) V. Putin.
That’s a long story, but the main things are that
That’s a cruel joke, albeit with a political twist.
Would be nice to be in a submarine full of ITM-playing musicians though, an interesting experience.
So sorry, breqwas. Don’t lose hope, keep practicing. And, unlike the Kursk, some things rise again.
I know someone who did exactly that. Maybe they will stop by and post about it (hint to eskin …)
Well, we didn’t have a session at depth, but I did get to go on a VIP cruise the USS Jefferson City, a nuclear attack sub. The captain of the ship was my friend Ron Steed, a fine whistle player who was a regular in the San Diego session scene at the time. I wish we had had some tunes at (classified) depth, it would have been something to remember. Ron tells stories about practicing in the engine room while the crew was listening in on the hydrophones, he’d come through the hatch and they’d applaud…