You guys have been so great to me! The little’s finger placement has improved greatly with the pictures and I’m still working on that blip, but it is going away slowly.
I want to add some new pieces into my mix. Most of mine are songs which have a lot of stopping and starting and repeat notes like America, America. I like the slower pieces because my fingers can keep up. I realized I should be looking at playing some airs, which will be more authentic and sound better, too.
Hi Katie - glad the pics and blips bits helped - was wondering as those threads seem to have died! On topic here, I was going to suggest O’Carolan tunes too - a couple have already been mentioned - they’re a good place to start as they don’t involve the inventiveness or breath control necessary for really good slow air playing, but are mostly more leisurely than jigs and reels - not that those have to be played at full pace! Breton tunes too are often quite accessible - not necessarily slow, but short phrases and repeat patterns with limited range… good to explore and then learn to embroider/vary - and catchy too! Also ballad tunes from any tradition - lots of the same tunes got around all the nationalities anyway! The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs is a good place to start.
Do you read dots? If so I could e-mail you some material if you pm me an e-address.
South Wind
Planxty Fanny Powers
Planxty Irwin
For Ireland I’d not Tell Her Name
Belltable Waltz
Boolavogue
Planxty Monaghan
Shepherd’s Wife
Ashoken Farewell
Nil se ina La
Bheirmeo
Thanks, Lyn! I’ll keep it in mind. Unfortunately, the budget doesn’t include discretionary spending right now, especially considering I can get much of it for free online with some effort. But I’m making a wish list for Christmas, so I’ll check it out and possibly add it to the list!
I realized I should be looking at playing some airs, which will be more authentic and sound better, too.