Advice from you seasoned pipers

[Johnered66]

When I hear trad tunes I get intimidated by the sheer speed of them. I play them on the slow downer to keep up. How do you progress to play at acceptable speed? Is it ok to not play as lively? Tips? Tricks? Thanks, cheers!

[jon1908]

Don't forget that this music was/is supposed to be for dancing to. If you can, find someone that dances the sets and find out what speed they prefer. That'll give you an idea of what speed you should be aiming at (unless you get the demon set dancer from hell!!).

Playing for dancers can be so different from general session playing. Certainly helps you get the 'swing' of tunes.

Ultimately, play at the speed that you're happy at - and that you make fewest mistakes!

Jon

[Mr.Gumby]

No harm playing slower. No excuse for not playing lively.


In my experience playing for sets requires more speed than playing for your own enjoyment.

[Johnered66]

Don't forget that this music was/is supposed to be for dancing to. If you can, find someone that dances the sets and find out what speed they prefer. That'll give you an idea of what speed you should be aiming at (unless you get the demon set dancer from hell!!).

Playing for dancers can be so different from general session playing. Certainly helps you get the 'swing' of tunes.

Ultimately, play at the speed that you're happy at - and that you make fewest mistakes!

Jon

This is good advice. Fewest mistakes is roughly half speed. 75% on a good day. Thanks.

[PJ]

Don't forget that this music was/is supposed to be for dancing to...

Yes, but the dances have changed over time. Try playing a hornpipe while step dancers dance a hornpipe. You'll find you have to play VERY slowly. The dance has become more intricate and so it has to be performed more slowly. However the tunes continue to be played (relatively) quickly.

I've given up trying to play faster. I prefer finding my own pace and enjoying the tune. I find it helps that I don't play in sessions.

[tommykleen]

(For me) playing too fast= running with scissors.
t

[magroibin]

Hi Johnered,

Good questions, and speed is one of those "issues" with the pipes.

The thing is that they ARE an instrument that one can play fast on. I actually like the sound of a fast tune played well on the pipes. The key there is "played well". It is always tempting to play something fast verses playing something really well...a temptation that many of us fall victim to from time to time.

Fortunately there are those (as evidenced by other comments so far) who think that pipes should be played slower - more in keeping with the solo playing tradition of the pipes. This allows for really working toward making the pipes sound like...well pipes, taking full advantage of tonal colouring and ornamentation. I actually like the sound of a slow tune played well on the pipes. Again the key there is "played well".

So if you are intimidated by speed, then no need to worry. You are not alone. Just aim to do the best piping you can at your point in the journey, and let the speed fall to where it will.

[fancypiper]

Just keep the rhythm steady. I, too, tend to enjoy the tunes more when played "southern style" or laid back and rock steady for dance tunes. And then there are the airs!

[Johnered66]

Thanks folks. You are all so great to chat with and get tips from. I am grateful. I'll be spending more time here then on the pipes. Anyway good sound advise. It is a journey.

[MTGuru]

Also keep in mind that speed is in the ear of the beholder.

It's like learning to understand a foreign language. At first, it seems like everyone is speaking so fast! Because you're just hearing bits and pieces, sounds and words, not coherent phrases, and trying to sort it all out. It's not really the speed of production that's the problem. It's the speed of your brain.

Same with music. Experienced musicians don't play and listen in terms of individual notes, but entire patterns and phrases. Once you learn to play and hear the music in those terms, the speed issue largely seems to go away (up to a point).

"That music is so fast!" is something I hear a lot from many non-musicians unfamiliar with the dance music, even if you're playing something fairly laid-back. Part of it is the "density" of notes compared to, say, typical pop vocal melodies people are familiar with. And ornamentation is sometimes perceived wrongly as adding to the speed, because complexity and speed are easily confused.

So keep at it ...

[The Blacksmith]

I use a metronome and speed up the tempo as I improve.

My instructor plays the piano along with me and speeds up a little at a time
to bring up my tempo slowly. (this works)


Is there not a quote about " playing slow is playing accurately and playing accurately is playing well"
(or something like that)

Tim

[Johnered66]

Makes good sense.

[an seanduine]

A fine, old piano instructor, discussing The School for Velocity once said:"If you wish to play faster, practice slower. . ."

It builds proper muscle memory. . .

Bob

[Johnered66]

How about getting a B, C, D triplet off nicely how do you practice it? Slow is easy but it doesn't sound much like a triplet.

[hpinson]

Are there any slow sessions near you that you could attend? Going to these on a regular basis can really help build speed, confidence, and repertoire.