Instruments that 'irk' you?

The Sporting Pitchfork · Sun Feb 15, 2004 7:11 pm

Well heck, if they could manage to get a glorified lawnmower engine and some canvas to fly, playing jigs and reels on the jews' harp probably wouldn't be too hard for them, would it?

kevin m. · Post by **kevin m.** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:15 am

oleorezinator wrote:the topic lp "the lark in the clear air" has some tracks by the wright brothers playing jigs and reels on jews harp. they make it work.

I bought this delightful album last month.I laughed when I read the line up on the sleeve notes,but the Jews harp trio DOES work.
The album also features tracks by John Doonan on Piccolo and Noel Rice on Harmonica.
Incidentially, reading 'The companion to Irish Traditional Music',I noted with some astonishment, of John Wright- "His interest in Jew's harps led him to live in Paris where he worked on a large collection of the instruments from all over the world."

oleorezinator · Post by **oleorezinator** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 1:44 am

what's your point sport? or is it fork....or pitch?

The Sporting Pitchfork · Wed Feb 18, 2004 6:07 pm

Call me whatever you like. I have 99 beautiful names and about 10 downright vulgar ones.

I made that rather unfunny point about the Wright Brothers, because I didn't realize that in addition to being pioneering aviators, they also possessed such amazing prowess on the humble jaw harp. :roll:

Post by **Nanohedron** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:36 pm

Okay, Sport, I got it. I hadn't read too closely. Shame on me.

oleorezinator · Post by **oleorezinator** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:41 pm

sport ,old sport have you heard the tracks that i mentioned?

talasiga · Post by **talasiga** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 7:06 am

I was listening to something today
and was reminded how much guitar irks me with
such music.

Those harmonically complete chords on the guitar
pumping away making ancient clan music sound
like a teddy bears' picnic.
I much prefer such music without the explicit
chords being pumped out -
like howzabout just flute/whistle, bodhran and fiddles?
Hmm?

Don't get me wrong. I don't dislike guitars per se.
Its just them 3+ note chords syrupising
the honey
which is "synonymous" with guitar in jigs and things.
Arpeggios may work better.

What say?

djm · Post by **djm** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 10:16 am

Agree that too many notes (chords) tend to drown the melody and make it too sonorous. However, some screaming lead guitar with lots of distortion would balance the UPs excellently.

djm

Post by **Nanohedron** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 12:28 pm

Talasiga, what sources are you listening to? There are ITM guitar players out there whose approaches are very tasteful and contributive even with standard tuning.

I'm a fan of arpeggios and melodic bits for effect, myself, but skillful chording that supports the trad sound is something I appreciate very much. I think it takes a special ear for it, as well as a light touch, I think. Simplicity can be just as effective as virtuosity.

Your taste for unaccompanied playing is probably well-received by many on this board; that's what's called the "pure drop", and many trad musicians look to that as the essential starting point, if not the best of all. A taste for Pure Drop trad is a sign of mature ears, IMO.

Antaine · Post by **Antaine** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 4:48 pm

just remember a quote from Amadeus:

"There were too many notes."
"Too many notes?"
"Yes, there are only so many notes an ear can listen to in an evening...simply cut a few out and it will be perfect."

djm · Post by **djm** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 8:50 pm

Not the same thing, Antaine. Mozart wrote stuff to be played very fast, versus overwhelming the melody with chords. You would never hear Mozart doing that.

What's worse with most chording guitarists is that they try to change the rhythm to match strumming a guitar, as ITM tunes really don't lend themselves to constant strumming.

Eldarion · Post by **Eldarion** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 5:32 am

I agree that one of the worst things a strummy guitar can do is the change the rhythm of the good melody players. That irons out the swing and lift, and that just kills it I think. Somehow I prefer piano players doing the "boom-chic boom-chic" thing if there must be accompaniment. The rhythm seems to be less detrimentally altered.

the guitar
pumping away making ancient clan music sound
like a teddy bears' picnic.

Ancient clan music? You might be talking about Enya

talasiga · Post by **talasiga** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 6:13 am

djm wrote:....What's worse with most chording guitarists is that they try to change the rhythm to match strumming a guitar, as ITM tunes really don't lend themselves to constant strumming.

Yep.

Thats when I give up playing tablas.
Best to put bodhran between knees
and slap them back to their senses.

talasiga · Post by **talasiga** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 6:19 am

Eldarion wrote:.....
Ancient clan music? You might be talking about Enya

Friends!
I have clans in both places.

BTW
Eldarion,
are you the Eldarion who plays that "Butterfly" piece
clipped on somewhere at this site on the Mopane flute?

My pranaams unto thee.
I love it so.

talasiga · Post by **talasiga** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:09 am

talasiga wrote:.......
BTW
Eldarion,
are you the Eldarion who plays that "Butterfly" piece
clipped on somewhere at this site on the Mopane flute?
.......

Dear Eldarion,
For favour of your kindest attention and possible response.
Without prejudice.
Talasiga

Chiff and Fipple Forums

Instruments that 'irk' you?

Jigs and things with Guitar

"From Fiji to Taree" (ENYA)

Mopane Butterfly