Anyone out there know the specific technical “rules” for whistlers in Fleadh Competion… From an earlier post I heard that, for example, technical deductions occur when you don’t “vent” your middle D note… Any other technical advice… Playing technique, type of whistle that can be used, etc…? Any info would be appreciated! Anyone out there going to the regionals this Summer?
Blayne
You mean there are actually rules for whistle playing ?
Dan
I suppose you will find them on the Comhaltas website I don’t have the address.
Why not be sensible and stay away from competitions?
[ This Message was edited by: Peter Laban on 2002-02-17 05:27 ]
I know one I’m sometimes guilty of.. leaving R1 on when playing notes highier than G. I don’t think that is allowed when competing.
For curiousity’s sake Peter, why do you view Comhaltas with disdain? Are they very politiking? I have no idea what its like over there and it would be interesting to know.
I did not comment on Comhaltas here. And in the past I only said I had no dealings whatsoever with the organisation, is that disdain?
I think competitions are not a good thing in music and players do not in anyway benefit from them. The only thing said for a fleadh could be it’s a great way to meet people from all over the place.
[ This Message was edited by: Peter Laban on 2002-02-17 08:56 ]
Peter Wrote:
“Why not be sensible and stay away from competitions?”
Well, I suppose I’d be more sensible if I was…eh…sensible!
Thanks for the website recomendation. Unfortunately I didn’t find what I was looking for… (I did write them an email though…)
If anyone else knows more about my question above… I’d love to know more about the subject… Also if anyone that’s been to fleadhs and just wants to comment on them… (please though… my question wasn’t on whether or not Fleadhs were from the Devil 
) So let’s not go down that road…
Peace,
Blayne
There used to be a set of rules for the Fleadh on the ceolas.org site. I looked earlier but didn’t find them. However I suppose CCE will provide them, they made them up after all.
I don’t think this the time or place to go into the pros and cons of Comhaltas, Fleadhs and the like.
Actually Peter I would be very interested in hearing some of your opinions about Comhaltas. We have a small chapter here that was started several years ago by an Irish woman who had gone through the Comhaltas system in her youth, eventually winning an All-Ireland competition in Sean Nos singing.
The group here was made up primarily of musicians who were desperate to have any kind of connection to Ireland while they were learning to play Irish trad. music. (We are very isolated here, and at that time about 15 years ago, there was not a lot of Irish music around here. Also, by having a Comhaltas Chapter, we were able to have the Comhaltas Tour come to do a concert- a big thrill for us to see live Irish music!
Unfortunately, over the years, it has seemed more and more that Comhaltas is more concerned with bureaucracy than with the music. In fact they are now penalizing members from out-lying chapters (like ours in Western Canada) for not attending meetings in the US (one airfare alone would cost us over $700!!)and may not even send us the Comhaltas Tour concert! I am beginning to have grave misgivings over the purpose of Comhaltas and was wondering what your experiences are - you being at the source so to speak in Ireland (I have a lot of respect for your opinions based on your previous posts!) You can always email me if you prefer, but there may be other people in Comhaltas chapters around the world who share my concerns that may be interested in your ideas Thanks
Sue