Speed Isn't Everything

dmcr35 · Post by **dmcr35** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 10:12 am

There has been quite a bit of discussion recently regarding playing "up to speed". To be able to play fast and accurately is very nice, but not at the expense of your sound. To my mind sound is the most important factor in performance.

I can play jigs at 120 beats per minute, but I lose any semblence of a good sound. Therefore I practice very slowly listening to every note. both for sound and intonation. I think a tune played more slowly and well beats a sloppy performance at a breakneck speed every time. Speed comes in time with practice. In the meantime, sound is the thing. Yes?

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 10:28 am

True, better a tune played well than a tuen played fast. BUT the day may come you find yourself faced with a group of people ready to dance who ask you to play for a set and then you'd better be able to put the notes under their feet. There's that too.

madguy · Post by **madguy** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:16 am

Quality or quantity?
Good sound at a reasoble speed, or bad sound too fast?

~Larry

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:26 am

My take on it:

The speed at which it is played is a part of this music. You can't really separate it out all that well.

I agree it's better to play a tune well and slowly than fast and badly, but you aren't really there until you can play it well and at the proper speed.

--James

madguy · Post by **madguy** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:31 am

Leave it to James to get us focused!!

~Larry

JohnPalmer · Post by **JohnPalmer** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:42 am

One still needs to push himself farther to achieve a greater good. If you can't play it fast, then push to play it faster in practice. You don't have to do it all the time, but speed is FUN!

It's all relational. Think of how fast you played when you were just starting out. Use your argument at that time, and you would not be even playing 120 bpm. Would that be fun?

JP

Jetboy · Post by **Jetboy** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:01 pm

peeplj wrote:My take on it:

The speed at which it is played is a part of this music. You can't really separate it out all that well.

I agree it's better to play a tune well and slowly than fast and badly, but you aren't really there until you can play it well and at the proper speed.

--James

But what is the 'proper' speed. I have commented on this topic on the Board before. A tune that is often regarded as a fast one can sound wonderful played very slowly. Blarney Pilgrim is one example, Kerfunten Jig is another and the reel Hunters House. It lets you get plenty of expression into the notes. Oh, and it helps one to learn the phrasing too!
I know a gifted accordion player who has a rendition of Harvest Home that can make you weep. My usual session players are all trying to be the first one to the end when they normally play it.

Azalin · Post by **Azalin** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:10 pm

I agree that playing fast is sometimes fun, and I like speed when I'm in the mood. But I've noticed that when I really feel in touch with the music, close to it, when I feel the rythm and feelings in me, is when I play slower. For me, music is also a good way to meditate, and the "fusion" comes at slower speed. I don't think it's about being able to play fast or not, there's just something about playing slower, especially when we play by ourselves or with close friends. That feeling isnt there at all for me when I'm in a big session and then speed IS much more fun!

But then, "good music" is a personnal thing I guess. There's only a few whistle players that will move me with their style, StevieJ and Brad from the board are a few of them, but there are many good technical players out there whose style I don't care about, so talking about "playing well at speed" is very subjective.

Caj · Post by **Caj** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 2:49 pm

dmcr35 wrote:There has been quite a bit of discussion recently regarding playing "up to speed". To be able to play fast and accurately is very nice, but not at the expense of your sound. To my mind sound is the most important factor in performance.

"Up to speed" does not mean fast, it means at standard speeds you will encounter in sessions. For a double-jig, 120 bpm is a very common speed, and you will likely be expected to play jigs this quickly when playing in groups.

In the end, there shouldn't be a tradeoff between playing "well" and playing "up to speed." We will always sacrifice quality when we try to play like a bat outta Hell, but one should strive to play well at typical session speeds.

Mucho regardos,
Caj

cj · Post by cj » Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:08 pm

I, for one, will likely never get to the point where I can play fast enough for typical session speed. What live ITM I've heard around here and on CDs was pretty fast and heavily ornamented for most pieces (jigs and reels), except the slow airs. I've sort of reached a plateau on speed, which is likely the limits of my abilities. I'm working on the phrasing and having fun with it and don't only play ITM, though I'm getting more into it because it is so much fun and extremely challenging. Who knows where I'll end up if I concentrate more on it? I'm buying the used Mad for Trad CD-Rom and gonna work on that. Also working on 110 Greatest Irish Tinwhistle Tunes and Brother Steve's site. But I'm going to do the Lee Marsh thing and enjoy my music, on several instruments and many styles and probably only rarely up to speed.

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:11 pm

cj wrote:I, for one, will likely never get to the point where I can play fast enough for typical session speed.

Probably not true. Give yourself more credit! Speed is one of those things that you're likely to get only after you stop worrying about it. Like money, good sex and ...

cj · Post by cj » Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:16 pm

Well, glauber, in at least one of the categories you mentioned, speed is NOT a good thing!

spittin_in_the_wind · Post by **spittin_in_the_wind** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:54 pm

cj wrote:I, for one, will likely never get to the point where I can play fast enough for typical session speed. What live ITM I've heard around here and on CDs was pretty fast and heavily ornamented for most pieces (jigs and reels), except the slow airs. I've sort of reached a plateau on speed, which is likely the limits of my abilities.

This is not necessarily true. If you get an opportunity to play with a group on a regular basis and can play some tunes you know well, you may surprise yourself. There's nothing like playing with a group to push your comfort zone, and before you know it, you have improved dramatically.

Robin

Brian Lee · Post by **Brian Lee** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 5:58 pm

You just have to know the tune. Simple as that. If it's one you're grey on, playing fast is often done to 'hide' the sloppy bits, though it you know it well, you can really let off the brakes and fly!

There certainly isn't any speed limit for session playing, though others on this site will allude that there is. If you are comfortable with a tune, and are playing with others who are equally comfortable, you can really stretch the fingers and very likely, you'll be supprised at how fast you are playing - and how easy it becomes.

StevieJ · Post by **StevieJ** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:57 pm

Azalin wrote:There's only a few whistle players that will move me with their style, StevieJ and Brad from the board are a few of them...

Hey Brad, the boy isn't grovelling and scraping nearly low enough. I say we tie a bag of 77 Chieftain Golds to his legs and chuck him off the Jacques-Cartier Bridge!

Seriously Az - shut up already. For one thing you're embarrassing me, for another you have an inflated idea of my skills (leaving Brad out of this) and for yet another I don't want to feel an obligation to keep singing your praises when you surpass your old teacher - which at current rates will be well before Christmas.

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Speed Isn't Everything

Speed Isn't Everything

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