I was just noodling my way through the set dance “The Drunken Gauger” and it struck me that, not only is this a very simple tune, but that, being a set dance, it is played much slower than most reels and jigs. I think it would be a very good tune for a beginner, as there would be no great impetus for the learner to try and hurry or rush through this tune, owing to the slower pace of set dance tunes of this kind. So why do most tutors start people on reels and jigs, where the beginner would want to try and get up to the speed they hear others play at, and then be discouraged when they are confronted with the amount of learning and practice required to attain such speed?
djm;
My first piping instructor started me on marches; Dawning of the Day, Eagle’s Whistle, O’Connell’s, and I’ll admit that only now after about 3 years playing have I got them where I want them! I also like playing hornpipes at a nice pokey tempo; I see no point in playing them as fast as reels!
Jigs are fine, you can play them as slow as you like and still sound OK. Someone noted polkas are easier to get “up to speed.” I’d be the first to concede I’m not ready for reels!
Geber, I wasn’t looking for recordings. I have recordings of good pipers playing the tune well (I’m afraid your link was pretty appalling stuff).
I was just wondering why set dances aren’t used as starter tunes - not the really complicated ones, obviously, but something that never really gets very fast, so there is no temptation to go off on a tear. Any teachers have any thoughts?