Hello once again…This time I’m posting a question, and need as much input as I can get from everyone.
I guess I’m what you could call an adrenaline junkie…I don’t want a tune that simply moves me…I want one that makes me move! In short, I’m a speed freak…(but don’t worry, I’m seeing someone for it:wink:) I’ve been working with uilleann pipes for less than a year, but I’m already starting to get pretty fast (or so I think) I’m presently working on a piece of music, and concluded that once I have it up to speed, that my fingers will be pretty darn quick. I then began thinking, maybe there are a few tunes lurking out there that are so fast, they’d that make what I’m learning look like child’s play…But how much faster can you really get!?? Will I be fast, or am I deceiving myself? I have to know!
This is where I need everyone’s help: Tell me the fastest tune that you’ve ever heard, and if at all possible, who wrote it. (Preferably tunes that have been recorded; something that I would feasibly have access to) Thanks in advance for your replies!
PS-((just for reference, the tune that I’m working on is called “lovers of light,” is played by Ronan Browne, and can be heard on the Afro Celt -Volume 2 Release- (track 2). The piece has proven more difficult that I had originally anticipated. I don’t have it all the way up to speed yet, but I’m getting close…! ))
[quote=“orbis”][get!?? [/i]Will I be fast, or am I deceiving myself? I have to know!
Ye will not be deceiving yerself but ye sure will be deceiving a lot of folks who don’t know any better.Irish Music is dance music .The speed you are talking about is probably best played at your local disco,after one year on the pipes the very last thing you wan’t is to race through music…what about mastering the ornamentation..just about anyone could with practice whack aTOON out on the pipes but is that really playing..!!If ye want toons then any modern popular piece will do ye.but why settle for second best?
Slan go foill
Liam
I heard that Ronan played in some pieces of music which were later used as samples to finish the product.
Supposedly Ronan himself said it was the easiest recording he ever made but i’m not 100% sure about that quote. (maybe 85% )
As for what is the fastest tune…, YOU decide..
You can play any tune fast.., if it’s nice to listen to is a whole different story.
No offense but if you play the pipes for a year and you are learning for speed you don’t seem to get the idea of the pipes but then again…, whatever’s yer fancy.. =)
orbis you can play the way you want really,but if your playing at lighting speed and you make a mistake you loose your timing, and were you are in the tune.but if your playing slower you can cover any mistakes.i like playing fast sometimes in a session, or in the kitchen its safer there no one tells you to slow down? and gives you funny looks?
Firstly I would like to thank Mr. Eskin for not only making an actual musical recommendation, but for going to the trouble to send me the audio sample! (it’s greatly appreciated )
Rick wrote: “You are learning a sample!! lol”
Well Rick, it seems that 85 out of 100% just doesn’t cut it… blurb from a concert review:
Lovers of Light" combines heavy dance programming with some of the fastest uilleann pipe playing I’ve ever heard. In fact, I couldn’t believe a human could play so fast until I watched a piper do it live at their Chicago show. Drums and heavy beats are all over the place on this one, and if it doesn’t get your feet moving, you’d better call the undertaker. (http://free-press.uchicago.edu/october99/afrocelt.htm)
*-(If you have an accountant, you might want to ask, and make sure
that he’s not keeping $15 out of every 100 you make…then
again, maybe that wouldn’t bother you)
To danny, thank you for the kitchen recommendation , and for what seems to be some well meant, constructive advice
Uilliam wrote:
“what about mastering the ornamentation..just about anyone could
with practice whack aTOON out on the pipes but is that really
playing.”
-What gave you the impression that I meant I was half-assing the tune??? Nowhere did say “I can play it really fast, and usually get most of the notes right”!!! I completely agree that if you’re missing any embellishments in a tune, then you need to be practicing it more slowly. I am a perfectionist where my music is concerned, and will not speed up a tune unless I have every single note down perfectly.
========================================= I’d like to conclude this reply with a few thoughts to consider:
I did say that I’ve been playing the uilleann pipes for less than a year. But, for everyone to make assumptions that I’m butchering my music, or better yet that I don’t seem to “get the idea” behind pipes was much to hasty on their part. How do you know what my musical capabilities are???
I neither made mention of how much time I’ve invested in the instrument daily, nor gave any implication as to my present experience or skill level as a musician…I began studying highland bagpipes at the age of 7 (I’m now 25). I was a student of the late Hamilton Workman, and at one point, the youngest competing piper in the United States. I’ve recorded with 2 separate groups in the last year; I take my music very seriously…
–HMMMMMMM…maybe I really don’t get the idea of the pipes Rick–
People should never make assumptions as to capabilities of a person that they know nothing about…
And lastly, I have always enjoyed fast tunes. They help you develop stamina, and muscle control, and have helped me push my personal boundaries as a musician. After all, how difficult is it to slow yourself down?? One of the biggest reasons I love pipes so much is that they require such effort and dedication. I want something that’s truly a challenge for me. A man does not become a great piper by amassing a vast repertoire of tunes that are slow and easy to play. I strive to be the world’s greatest piper. Even though it’s an impossible goal to reach, that’s how I push myself to be better…
Have a listen to Robbie Hannan. He’s an exceptional player and I swear I saw smoke coming from his chanter last I saw him play. Faster than him you don’t want to be, lest you make the notes blurry
Get someone to listen to your playing…someone who knows piping well… see what advice or opinion they can offer.
Or record a bit and send it to someone you trust but someone who can really play the pipes well…
…feedback is the best way to learn about what you produce, be it piping or any other thing in life
Piping isn’t a thing you can properly learn on your own…I wish it was, though
Also have a listen to Ronan Browne and Kevin Glackin playing the The Errigal Reel/The Black Mare of Fanad on Ronan’s The Wynd you know… amazingly ennergetic playing. You can hear a clip on Claddagh Records website:
…actually the tune sample is of the first part of the set which is a highland called The Cat That Kittled in Jamies Wig… the next tune just takes off but unfortunately the sample doesn’t quite “go there”. These are both essential uilleann piping recordings though so you may have it on CD???
Orbis is just on the learning path. At the moment he’s into speed which will enhance dexterity to some extent. After a while playing that way he’ll hear something or be shown something that will change his approach, this will probably happen many times.
He’s obviously well into the pipes and having any type of goal in learning them will get you results. At the moment he’s into speed, possibly legatto style (Orbis?):
next year he'll be into triplets and stacatto,
the year after that he'll be into combining the two,
the year after that he'll be into rhythm,
the year after that he'll be into improvising,
the year after that he'll be into "the tune",
the year after that he'll be into the internal rhythm and structure and their relation to the mode in which the tune resides,
the year after that he'll look back on his achievments and discover the magic of whiskey! :wink:
Are you getting uilleann piping lessons of any kind at the moment Orbis? If not you should check out www.scoiltrad.com, www.madfortrad.com and get the videos from NPU www.pipers.ie Also you could bug Kynch O’Kane in Miami for some telephone lessons or MP3 lessons… he deserves it
A well known Seattle piper from highland pipes played in concert at the Seattle tionol a year ago or so and played so damn fast he screwed up about every tune he played…even to the point of stopping to find his place mid phrase o nseveral occasions. Not a pretty sight. Take the time to savor the music boys and girls…it will speak to you in ways you never imagined if you play it comfortably and with due consideration for the piece.
Orbis,
Ive done some “clocking” with a metronome to see how fast some players are actually playing. Its pretty consistent that the standard “fast” performance speed is ~120 bpm for a reel. The average “really fast” speed (eg. Robbie Hannon or Gay McKeon on Drones and Chanters 2) is about 130 bpm. I would say that if you were playing reels any faster than 130 bpm that you would be among the fastest pipers in the world. Hope this is some help.
James
[quote=“orbis”]Hello once again…This time I’m posting a question, and need as much input as I can get from everyone. quote]
Orbis its no use getting what you asked for and then moaning when its not what you want to hear is it?Everyone who replied to you is bothered enough and cares enough to give you an honest opinion and then took time to type a reply..so perleeez give us a little bit of credit.Happy pipering
Uilliam
BTW - how is Amsterdam these days? A marvelous town by all accounts
I wrote a couple of articles for an Irish pub newspaper there a good few years ago… they were threatening an invitation over to play… never heard any more about that
)
