Wondering if people think this board is worth it.

Trad Irish Music
1

I’ve been considering this recently because I’ve noticed that right now the good music discussions are taking place over on the whistle board, and lately this board hasn’t seen much action of the sort that was intended.

It seems to me that the topics on this board are really just questions that don’t have anything to do with whistles, so they head over here…but I think any of these questions would work on the general board as well. I dunno…it seems to me like this board isn’t really serving a purpose. Now, if the purpose it is serving is useful, then I’m fine with that, but I don’t see it that it is.

Any thoughts?

2

Perhaps the moderators could try to move non-whistle-specific Irish music topics to this board, until enough people get the hint to use it? It certainly seems like most of the subjects I’m finding interesting over there would be more appropriate here.

3

I would like this Forum to do what IRTRAD does but with this much easier to use thread format: Exchange of abcs, song/musician lore, new cd comments, etc. That’s basically what it is. There is more casual talk about sessions and “who was there last night” at IRTRAD and some well-known figures in Irtrad community visit there.

I think its fine the way it has been. I have learned good stuff. I check it daily, knowing that if its the same post as last, nothing has been added and thats okay.

Its not a liability to me that it might be lesser-used than other Forum..And since Search sucks, imho, or at least the way I try to use it, I am glad there is less to wade through to find that tune, etc…

4

On 2002-10-22 12:47, energy wrote:
I’ve been considering this recently because I’ve noticed that right now the good music discussions are taking place over on the whistle board, and lately this board hasn’t seen much action of the sort that was intended.

It seems to me that the topics on this board are really just questions that don’t have anything to do with whistles, so they head over here…but I think any of these questions would work on the general board as well. I dunno…it seems to me like this board isn’t really serving a purpose. Now, if the purpose it is serving is useful, then I’m fine with that, but I don’t see it that it is.

Any thoughts?

I’m not sure exactly what your concept is of the forum intent. The purpose was for a place to discuss ITM at a much slower place than the whistle-related, on-topic and off-topic main forum. Action isn’t the prime objective here, but discussion of the music. The good music discussions you mention (I’m not sure which discussions you are referring to) are obviously interesting for you, but may not be for everyone; it’s all relative. I haven’t noted any particular discussions on the main board that fall under the category of ITM style, analysis, etc. This is a place more devoted to being a resource for those wanting to discuss the nuances, performance, study, history, etc., of ITM, regardless of what instrument they play. If we see a new post hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly it’s irrelevant. If one person learns something from any one of those posts, or one person shares their insight, then the forum has done its job.

Members will post where members will post. Personally, I don’t think it’s appropriate to go troll the main board and tell people to come Eat at Joe’s. This isn’t a competition between forums, but an oasis, hopefully, that gives readers and posters a chance to talk about the music without having the thread disappear to the next page on the same day, or be interrupted with off-topic rhetoric. If you think this forum isn’t serving a purpose, then for you it isn’t. If you’ve read the threads, studied Steve and Peter’s transcriptions and analysis, and come away not learning anything, this forum can’t brighten your day.

Teri

[ This Message was edited by: teri-k on 2002-10-22 15:28 ]

5

I don’t see action as the main intent, though it is necessary to some degree if this board is going to be used.

The problem I see, stated briefly, is that most of the recent topics fit just fine on the message board. Things about performing artists and CDs…if that’s all we’re going to have then I don’t see a need. That’s all.

Understand that if people are still finding it useful, then I’ve got no problem with it. I’m just wondering if people are(finding it useful), thus this topic.

6

I do (find it useful). I am still working through the transcriptions. I’m glad Peter & Steve have slowed down a bit, because I can’t manage to keep up with all the great transcriptions & comments that are already here! And as I am working on stuff, I will ask questions about it here. I am too fresh at it to absorb stuff quickly.

7

I do like this board, and I have found it useful.

I have been hesitant to post much here, however, and I figure I’m not alone in that. By virtue of it being a more focused board, and moderated, it is not as friendly for the kinds of quick postings I usually do on the whistle board.

Best,

–James
http://www.flutesite.com

8

this forum is very enlightening, tends to be more focused, less frenetic, & less easily distracted to OTs, than “elsewhere”.Though I haven’t posted here until now, I’ve lurked & learned. I’m posting now to say thank you to those who conceived of & implemented the forum, and to those who have provided such interesting and informative dollops. I hope the forum will continue, evolving inevitably as it must, along the same vein.

9

The problem I see, stated briefly, is that most of the recent topics fit just fine on the message board. Things about performing artists and CDs…if that’s all we’re going to have then I don’t see a need. That’s all.

You’re more than welcome and certainly encouraged to contribute a transcription and analysis.

Don’t construe my comment to mean that if you don’t feel you are capable of doing a transcription you’re not welcome here, but that maybe you should try one, stretch and learn. Throw out some positive instead of negative.
Teri

[ This Message was edited by: teri-k on 2002-10-22 19:17 ]

10

I don’t visit this forum often, as I’m really more interested in whistles and flutes. However, I do like the higher signal to noise.

As others have mentioned, the transcriptions and discussions of them have been incredibly helpful. I developed a little more self-respect when I heard some of these and realized that speed and frequent ornamentation are not the be-all end-all of whistling.

Even if the traffic on the forum trickled to only a transcription discussion every few weeks, I would still read it.

Charlie

11

I just had a visit fro ma highly respected whistle and flute player. She happened to have stumbled into this forum last night when looking for information on flutes on the net. She said she enjoyed it and liked the transcripotions we did, liked the bit about Willie Clancy [who was actually related to her]. Full of praise she was which was good to hear.
What could I do but sit her down and have her play a few simple tunes for the next transcriptions. She went all nervous but did it anyway. They’ll be up soon. We’ll just keep at it.

12

On 2002-10-23 10:34, Peter Laban wrote:
I just had a visit fro ma highly respected whistle and flute player. She happened to have stumbled into this forum last night when looking for information on flutes on the net. She said she enjoyed it and liked the transcripotions we did, liked the bit about Willie Clancy [who was actually related to her]. Full of praise she was which was good to hear.
What could I do but sit her down and have her play a few simple tunes for the next transcriptions. She went all nervous but did it anyway. They’ll be up soon. We’ll just keep at it.

Cool! Don’t suppose you’d let us know who the flautist is? Or maybe we wouldn’t recognize the name anyway…but anyway, cool!

13

Great! Can’t wait. What do you mean by simple tunes? Piper’s Despair? Bucks Of Oranmore? :wink:

14

I think that there are many others, like myself, who enjoy the info found here. At this time, I find myself a “taker” rather than a “giver” on this arm of the board, but what I’ve taken has been quite a bit and has been very valuable. Not having to wade through all the OT stuff (the kind that folks like me enjoy shoveling on the main board) increases the ease and efficiency with which it is used.

The contributions of Peter and Steve, for example, are incredibly valuable. I pop by once a week for a read, make some notes to follow up on, and leave with a growing appreciation of their knowledge.

Thanks people. :slight_smile:

Jef

15

I think the division of labour between this forum and the poststructural… works fine. The title of the latter conveys a light-hearted message about it, and most people get the message. It contains an enjoyable mix of signal and noise.

If anyone feels that good signal traffic on the whistle board is likely to be missed by the more selective readers who only frequent this one, then they could just post a message here drawing attention to whatever they think is a good discussion on the mother ship (oops!).

16

On 2002-10-24 06:43, Roger O’Keeffe wrote:
I think the division of labour between this forum and the poststructural… works fine. The title of the latter conveys a light-hearted message about it, and most people get the message. It contains an enjoyable mix of signal and noise.

If anyone feels that good signal traffic on the whistle board is likely to be missed by the more selective readers who only frequent this one, then they could just post a message here drawing attention to whatever they think is a good discussion on the mother ship (oops!).
\

I agree, Roger. I thought that a lot of the information that emerged on that thread recently about playing (too?) fast would have been at home here—I have in mind your contribution and Peter’s but I’m sure if I checked I’d find plenty of others. (The stuff on recommended dance tempos was very instructive.) Somehow everyone remained focussed and serious reflection on the relative places of music and dancing in the tradition took place. I learnt a lot from it and I’m sure others did.

On the other hand, I think it would be good if non-regulars checked out what was happening here more than they appear to. The question of what a planxty is is currently raging limply on that board. When I saw it I just referred the poster to our discussion here which went about as far as it is possible to go I think without just making things up. Then I thought I’d better transfer the solid facts across in order to be helpful but also to avoid being called arrogant or elitist or, what’s the current one … subtly condescending. I get the impression though that very few would have checked out the discussion here. Well, so what … the boards serve different purposes, which sometimes overlap quite a bit.

17

I find this board very useful. I am like the poster above who stated that I’m a taker here, not a giver, so you don’t see me posting heaps, but I do read, and sometimes ask.

To my surprise, this board has given me a place to really appreciate people with expertise and knowledge about this topic, and not once have I felt condescended to.

Slow doesn’t mean worthless. It may mean focused and thoughtful.

18

I think this board is great. The whole forum is good, but the ITM section is the only one I visit regularly now. The transcriptions are a much appreciated aspect of it. Thanks to all who contribute here.

19

A sincere thank you to all for the feedback and support. It’s nice to know that the ITM forum is appreciated and utilized. Also good to know that maybe we weren’t completely out of our minds.

There are lots of tunes in the working right now; some exciting stuff on the way, thanks to Peter and his treasure chest of private recordings. If anyone has anything they’d like to contribute, please don’t hesitate to submit.

Teri

20

Please avoid taking up reader times with worthless comments and questions.

Refer to FAQ, HA HA