Foot Tapping

CaperMike · Post by **CaperMike** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 6:42 am

I had a discussion with my father-in-law who is part of the Cape Breton fiddle tradition. He was relating a discussion during group tutorial with an elder fiddler, Winne Chafe, who admonished the participants against tapping of feet whilst fiddling. This of course, is a controversial notion in Cape Breton fiddling.

I'm curious about the etiquette of foot tapping whilst UPing. Or perhaps most rules around manners in the Irish tradition are focused on Bodhran playing?

Mike

Mr.Gumby · Post by **Mr.Gumby** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:15 am

I don't think there are any hard andfast rules. It's merely a crutch we hang on to to keep time I suppose. Leo Rowsome had it as one of the 'Don't's in his tutor. I know a few people who can play sitting still without moving as much as a toe and play a rock-solid rhythm. I think that's a good thing. Then again, some make a virtue, or a feature, out of tapping their feet: anyone remember Mick Conroy?

PJ · Post by PJ » Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:53 am

When I started piping, I was unable to tap my foot while playing. When I got more proficient with the chanter, I found that I was tapping my foot without thinking. These days, I can't tap my foot if I'm playing the regs - there's just too much going on!!

MTGuru · Post by **MTGuru** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:21 am

Hmm ... It seems to me that there are two different things under discussion here. One being the simple foot tapping to keep time for oneself and for practice. The other being a more prominent, deliberate tapping to add a percussive element to performance, or the more elaborate "clogging in place", even while sitting, associated with Cape Breton and some other musics. It's not clear which the OP is referring to - perhaps both - and the discussion could get muddy unless that's straight.

Mr.Gumby · Post by **Mr.Gumby** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:28 am

Well, you obviously don't remember Mick Conroy

MTGuru · Post by **MTGuru** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:39 am

Mr.Gumby wrote:Well, you obviously don't remember Mick Conroy

That's true.

Should I do some homework on him?

PJ · Post by PJ » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:47 am

Quebec fiddlers take foot tapping to the next level, using both feet to add to the rhythm of the tune. I've even seen some wearing what resembled tap shoes (metal tips). But I've never seen pipers do more than tap a toe or maybe a heel.

The only hard and fast rule would be not to let it interfer with the tune. Oh, and don't tap using the leg which is supporting your drones/regs.

I like this clip of Jerry O'Sullivan. He slips off his shoe about 25 seconds into the tune.

MTGuru · Post by **MTGuru** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:57 am

PJ wrote:I like this clip of Jerry O'Sullivan. He slips off his shoe about 25 seconds into the tune.

Well, when you're tapping right next to the mic stand ... or on the mic stand ...

WireHarp · Post by **WireHarp** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 11:33 am

Pipers aren't tapping their foot...they're stomping on yet another crappy reed.

Robert Mouland
www.wireharp.com

m muir · Post by **m muir** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 1:40 pm

From experience aggressive foot tapping at a session can be very hazardous. I've seen pints of Guinness go bouncing across a table and onto other musicians and the floor because of it!

Patrick D'Arcy · Post by **Patrick D'Arcy** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 1:47 pm

I didn't want to tap my foot but wound up having to. There was this bodhran player you see. He always sped up and also played erratically. I was able to overcome the situation with a good hefty stomp. These days I try to keep it under control... it can feel good though in a big thundering session

Patrick

rorybbellows · Post by **rorybbellows** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 2:41 pm

Any musician who taps his/her feet should have them cut off and replaced with large sponges.

RORY

CaperMike · Post by **CaperMike** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 3:31 pm

MTGuru wrote:Hmm ... It seems to me that there are two different things under discussion here. One being the simple foot tapping to keep time for oneself and for practice. The other being a more prominent, deliberate tapping to add a percussive element to performance, or the more elaborate "clogging in place", even while sitting, associated with Cape Breton and some other musics. It's not clear which the OP is referring to - perhaps both - and the discussion could get muddy unless that's straight.

I don't imagine there to be etiquette around what a player does in private. I even play without a shirt on warm summer evenings

The question refers to public performance, sessions and the like.

Mike

Ceann Cromtha · Post by **Ceann Cromtha** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 3:50 pm

rorybbellows wrote:Any musician who taps his/her feet should have them cut off and replaced with large sponges.

RORY

What about this compromise? (23 seconds into video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5q5fFVAnGs

ausdag · Post by **ausdag** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:52 pm

Better a foot-tapping piper who plays in time than a non-tapper who's all over the shop

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