Ok, this isn’t about having trouble PLAYING ornaments, but rather getting them in the right place so the music feels RIGHT.
Assuming that we all know the standard rules for ornamenting, there’s always that ONE song or part of a song that simply eludes us as to what can be added to great effect.
For me, it’s actually a simple one. Ballydesomnd #2. Specifically the A part (the B part has some lovely spots almost screaming for ornaments). It’s just that stinkin A part. Aside from the double A (which is a good spot to grab a breath if needed or drop a tap/cut if not) every ornament I really try until the lower register G note just feels, well…forced.
Now, I’m a very vocal admirer of the “less if often better” school. That said, I also know I’m missing some opportunities to change up how that part sounds that I just can’t think of.
So, with that diatribe aside, what’s your personal Bugbear? Perhaps we as a group can recommend differing ways to play old favorites (that are still deeply tradtional) that give us no end of difficulty.
I can’t be the only one. Ive even heard some not-so sweet accents on recorded works that just didn’t quite sound right.
Which Ballydesmond polka do you mean? Unfortunately, there are multiple “numbering systems”, and (for instance) the one I think of as #2 is not the one my wife thinks of as #2.
Put aside that abc version of the tune and listen to other versions or other printed versions. There are loads of variations possible and you may be locking yourself into how this one is written. Besides ornamentation, you’ll hear different combinations of notes through a phrase that lend themselves to other embellishments.
Tony
Listen to fiddlers and do what they do. IMHO polkas go best if you don’t mess around with them too much. They take almost no finger ornamentation. On the flute I’ll generally push the backbeats, viz: ha-TA ha-TA ha-TA ha-TA, but that’s about it. Just get a good groove going, that’s all you need.
I do roll the G in the A part, but it’s a different sort of roll than what I play in any other tune…more like a dotted eighth note and two sixteenth notes. Normally I play my rolls very even. It seems to work for me, but I’m not an expert on polkas.
I usually cut the two E’s but I don’t think I do with the A’s. I do play some triplets as well.
I’ll record a version of my playing later after the kids are asleep and post it. I’d be interested in some feedback on it anyway.
If we’re talking about the Ballydesomod Polka, I love it. I usually slide up into that G, and cut the second of the double As. I’m not advanced enough to change my ornamentation for each measure–that’s future for me. But I vary the timing.
Grey Larsen’s “Tin Whistle Toolbox” tutorial has songs with ornamentation symbols added. and his “The Toolbox Tune Collection” has 18 songs with ornamentation added, and CDs. These help me a lot.
