Hey all-
Just to let you know that the first five tunes are up for the tune tutorial at Gaelic Crossings. Recorded by our very own JPeepl, they are Boys of Ballisadare, Geese in the Bog, Kid on the Mountain, Si Bheag Si More and Drowsy Maggie, on both flute and whistle.
They are recorded at slow, normal and fast session speeds, and have accompanying sheet music. We will be adding about 20 more tunes over the next few weeks.
Hope you all like it!
Aodhan
I just fell out of my chair. 
I can’t tell you how excited I am. This is great!!! Thanks SO MUCH!
Little John
WoOoHoOo! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Finally I can hear what is the standard “normal” speed and know I have some work to do. 
A great resource!
Wow! I just love stuff like this. Unfortunately it’s too late at night to play along.
It’s great fun! Thanks Aodhan and JPeepl.
Cheers,
Kathy
You are welcome!
I had a lot of fun recording these.
That whistle is my Oak, by the way: it is a sweet little chiffy whistle.
I am also going to be doing more recording for Aodhan…I recorded the Gravel Walk tonight but don’t have it posted yet. I recorded it on Seery flute (just to be different!) and Serpent D whistle.
John, I’ll have that posted probably tomorrow night. Don’t give up on me: I’m still workin’ on the rest!
–James
www.flutesite.com
Just wondering if J. Peebles is trying to play so rigid on the recordings to emphasize the beats.
Just playin’. I do tend to pulse the beats…sometimes more than really works on whistle, but it’s just how I play it these days.
–James
www.flutesite.com
Thank You Thank You
This really gives me something to work with and some goals to move toward. Along a twinge of hopelessness but that will pass. I’m still working on the old goals of chewing gum and walking, riding my two wheeler, and sounding half way intelligent when I open my mouth.
Heh.
I wouldn’t worry about that too much, it seems like keeping your mouth shut is about the most intelligent thing you can do in some of these threads… 
Aodhan
Just wondering if “session speed” is really meant to mean “too fast”.
But hat off to you both for the effort.
Aodhan, after chatting with last night, I tried the new tune pages on your site and it was a blast. J Peeple’s playing at all three speeds was quite a feet but all were done good enough to follow along.
Please Sir — May I have more!
Looking forward to Gravel Walk, have always found the sheet music daunting.
Keep up the good work!
MarkB
Well, I apologize if the speed offends your sensibilities, however, they are no faster than a lot of the reels, etc. played in my Wed. seisun.
Aodhan
Aodhan and James,
I also think they sound too fast, or more like ‘hurried’ The timing is off aswell.
Do I need to say this? maybe not…but players using the sound files as a guide should be advised that these are not very good examples.
If a tune can’t be played with a decent feel slowly then there is no chance of it sounding any good at a faster pace.
Playing reels etc with a good feel is very very difficult and I think shouldn’t even be attempted (in a situation like your site) unless the player is well down the ITM path of musicality.
I say all this and do a similar thing on my site…that is, play Irish music like a Non Irish person. I do however take a bit more care on what I put out.
I hope you don’t take offence to what I have said… good luck with your site.
Dave.
More tunes are indeed going to be on the way.
For those who enjoy these, I have found your comments gratifying and heartwarming.
For the rest–well, folks, if you don’t enjoy it I reckon the best answer is going to be don’t listen.
And rest assured, my playing is not yet quite up to full speed—still a little ways to go there, methinks. 
Best wishes to all and sundry,
–James
Wonderful. Drowsy Maggie at top speed is only something I can dream of. I have one little comment. For the very new player maybe you could do a page where you show by notes what the things like the ~ above notes means and how to execute them. I know ornamentation is one of the things often asked about. To some they hear it and it come naturally but to others they have to work at it. I’m looking forward to more tunes. Great Idea.
selkie
Hehehe. You sound just like JessieK, Jim. 
But seriously: I think it’s a terrific effort, and how amazing it is that the internet enables us to connnect and share. Great how we can all post clips and listen to each other learn and grow.
It’s a different thing, though, when you are holding yourself out as a “tutor”, Jim. Then it’s no longer about how you play. You are saying with your playing how the music should be played. There are ways the music should sound and ways it shouldn’t sound. I can decide what to listen to, of course, but when you put out a tutor you are addressing beginners, by definition people who have not yet developed an ear and a sense for the music, and who don’t yet have the basis on which to decide what sounds right and what doesn’t, what to listen to and what not to listen to.
This is uncomfortable because you are a nice guy and your improvement is impressive. I still think that those who are jumping to emulate your playing should hear a word of caution.
If you would like me to, I can explain in more detail what I mean. At this point I just want to say that I am not holding myself out as the expert, that I don’t play well myself, and that I think teaching the Music is a very great responsibility.
Best to you, Jim. Again, hat off for the effort.
Um…why on earth is Boys of Ballisodare written in that key? I start it on D…seemed to synch with what was played too (I just looked at the slow speed).
If you would like to record some tunes of your own, I would encourage it.
I figure the more tunes are out there, the better.
I should probably point out that this wasn’t my idea–I was invited.
Having been invited, I plan to give it my best.
You may not like my best. It’s ok if you don’t…really ok, not a problem. If you don’t like 'em don’t listen. John’s site is free, and my site is free: you don’t pay a dime to visit flutesite. On the contrary, I pay to keep it available.
I will be continuing to record and post tunes as long as I can hold a flute or a whistle and blow a note. I will not stop, ever. That’s just how it is.
–James
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