Do you like this whistling?

BoneQuint · Post by **BoneQuint** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 12:26 am

In another thread, this clip was given as an example of good playing that uses tonguing. Someone else posted they didn't like it. What do you think?

Maple Leaf / Man of Aran

Pyroh · Post by **Pyroh** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:09 am

I think it´s damn good. I want to play like that one day

People who dismiss tonguing are mostly people who are charmed by ornaments and throw away the stuff they started on (mostly). Tonguing has its uses certainly!

talasiga · Post by **talasiga** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:19 am

I polled that I didn't like it.
Its not the tonguing I don't like.
That or lack of it is not an issue for me.
Its not that the person is a better whistler than me,
way better. NO. I am not bitter about better players.
Its because it was played too rushed.
Good music can be played as fast as that mind you.
What makes something rushed is when the sounds don't sculpt the gaps, the little silences and pauses that invite our feelings to fill it.

I have heard very fast Irish whistling and yet the player has
sculpted gaps and described the silences in all the busy articulations
and that contrast bumps everything up, heavenward if you know what I mean.

I wouldn't like to know that piece as well as that and have all that technical mastery to end up performing like that. That is not where I want to end up with ITM whistling.

Its not only about mastery - its about mystery.

Perhaps this is all a rationalisation. I know I didn't like it and I know I have heard fast stuff that I like. Just trying to explain why I voted NO.

Thanks for the poll.

emtor · Post by **emtor** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:47 am

I voted that I liked it.
You did not use tounging as a replacment of rolls etc, which is why I voted as I did. I hate it when people skip ornamentation and replace it with tounging.
Nice rools, nice rythm and nice tunes, but a little less tounging here and there would perhaps have been something to experiment with.

Guinness · Post by **Guinness** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:49 am

Good. Very good in fact. Yes, this is somewhat fast but not rushed (sorry Talasiga). Where do I get the CD?

Edit: The telltale signs of rushed playing are uneven tempo, improper accenting or lack of pulse, poor placement of breaths, insufficient duration of cadence notes, and poor tone (improper breath regulation).

Post by **Dale** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:01 am

I vote rushed. Skilled, but rushed. Where's the fire?

colomon · Post by **colomon** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:11 am

Guinness wrote:Good. Very good in fact. Yes, this is somewhat fast but not rushed (sorry Talasiga). Where do I get the CD?

Sorry, that album has never been released on CD.

mutepointe · Post by **mutepointe** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:12 am

I agree with Dale. Could you get that person to record a slowed-down version of that same tune and get us to vote on which we like better?

colomon · Post by **colomon** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:16 am

mutepointe wrote:I agree with Dale. Could you get that person to record a slowed-down version of that same tune and get us to vote on which we like better?

That seems quite unlikely, considering that he died in 1990.

Bothrops · Post by **Bothrops** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:23 am

Stunning playing.

Guinness · Post by **Guinness** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:29 am

mutepointe wrote:I agree with Dale. Could you get that person to record a slowed-down version of that same tune and get us to vote on which we like better?

http://www.filefactory.com/file/5ec01f

PhilO · Post by **PhilO** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:31 am

I submitted "neutral" because I had mixed feelings. On the one hand a virtuosic performance, but somehow not great to listen to for the sake of listening. Probably really fine for dances - good solid tempo that was maintained throughout. Through most of it, though played well at a pace I can't approach, did not really sound rushed (but for a bit at the beginning, but I just woke up). SO, good to dance to but I wouldn't want to sit around and listen to it much.

Philo

plunk111 · Post by **plunk111** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:40 am

I like the technique (probably because I like using a bit "too much" tonguing myself), but I agree with the other comments as to "rushing". There is really no reason to play so fast unless you're trying to show off. Bottom line - like the technique - don't like the overall speed.

Pat

FJohnSharp · Post by **FJohnSharp** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:56 am

His articulation and musicality are wonderful, but (if I'm to be picky) it does sometimes feel like he's playing at the edge of his abilities. He's still in control but on a few tunes he feels like he's right at the edge. And if you tap out the beat, he does speed up in Maple Leaf a couple of times which adds to the feeling. But being a solo piece the artist is free to work the tempo to suit him.

I have always found this album to be more 'listenable' than, say, 'Tin Whistles' by Potts and Moloney. By that I mean if I'm wanting to be entertained rather than instructed, I put on this one before 'Tin Whistles.' Maybe even before Mary Bergen's two CD's. Maybe not. Probably a toss up depending on mood.

CranberryDog · Post by **CranberryDog** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:25 am

talasiga wrote:I polled that I didn't like it.
Its not the tonguing I don't like.
That or lack of it is not an issue for me.
Its not that the person is a better whistler than me,
way better. NO. I am not bitter about better players.
Its because it was played too rushed.
Its not only about mastery - its about mystery.

Perhaps this is all a rationalisation. I know I didn't like it and I know I have heard fast stuff that I like. Just trying to explain why I voted NO.

Thanks for the poll.

I completely agree. Why the rush? Where is the rhythm? Where is the soul?

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Do you like this whistling?