I've been thinking about initiating a discussion about this for some time, since I've seen the issue come up in several different threads in the past few months. It's common for people to make comments to the affect that, to really "get" Irish music, one must immerse oneself in the culture, learn the music by listening in person (not from a book), even make frequent pilgrammages to Ireland.
What finally prompted me to write was a comment in the SLC soundfile thread that, by paying more attention to having fun than to technical excellence, we were "doing the tradition a disservice." While such ignorant insults roll off my back, it did get me thinking about this topic again. Here is how I responded:
Of course, the traditional purists have a point. A true musician is always striving to improve, technically and otherwise. If I had access to more true Irish musicians, I would learn whatever I could. The music of Ireland is, in my opinion, rivaled only by the sadly neglected music of Scotland for sheer depth and heart, and it deserves to be preserved and carried into the future.On 2002-08-06 00:41, WyoBadger wrote:
Nevertheless, (s)he brings up an interesting point.
We're doing what tradition a disservice? I, for one, am not all that interested in recreating the "Irish" tradition--it's a magnificent tradition, but recreating it here just isn't possible. This isn't Ireland. Different culture, different place, different values.
My ancestors were mostly Scottish and Irish; but I'm just an American who likes Irish and Scottish music. Nothing more, nothing less. Rather than strive for some unattainable replication of a wonderful but foreign tradition, I put my own take on the tunes and make them my own. My playing still has far to go, but I can't think of a better compliment to the Irish culture than to incorporate parts of it into my own.
We've sort of started our own tradition, and we enjoy it. If you can manage to stow the elitism and come join us sometime, you might find out why.
I forget who said it, but it still rings true: "Why be a second rate version of someone else when you can be a first rate version of yourself?"
But my music culture is not Ireland. It is Wyoming, home of real cowboy/ranch music (which, like the ranching lifestyle, seems to be sadly dying out). The Indian Pow wow tradition is alive and well. Lots of other styles have been imported. None of them grew here. But they belong here, to the extent that the people belong here.
Since the current dominant culture just hasn't lived here all that long (and it's an extremely mixed bag anyway, from rich eco-yuppies to impoverished res Indians), a true homogenous music culture has not been formed. In other words, "Wyoming Music" just doesn't mean much. The way people come and go nowadays, it probably won't in the foreseeable future.
So, our tradition is sort of for everyone to bring what they have to the pot; if it fits the recipe, they throw it in. If not, find another pot. A whistled jig that fits in with a didgeridoo and an Arapahoe chant? If it sounds good, why not? A bunch of people who decide they only want to play Irish trad? Great! Just don't be surprised when Uncle Ray shows up with his harmonica.
I'll look forward to your comments. (remember, be REASONABLE)
Tom