My very own thread

breqwas · Post by **breqwas** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:27 am

OK, here it is. :)

From time to time I want to share something asking for critique, or to ask a question, or smth of that sort - but don't want flooding the board with these new threads, so don't.

So, I think making one thread of semi-blog nature will be better idea. Is it OK to have one? :)

breqwas · Post by **breqwas** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:35 am

Yesterday morning I tried to record myself, ant the result was pretty good. This is my current level, and this is my best - I was in good shape, I don't think I can play better now.

http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=fjoQXfLPUhk - Rolling in Ryegrass / Castle Kelly
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxnex5QXKds - Morrison's Jig
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=hXuz67OfBSw - Christy Barry's / Butler of Glen Avenue
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq4EZBATFN8 - some karaoke playing :)

What is good, what is bad, and what should I work on?

Rhadge · Post by **Rhadge** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:48 am

Wouldn't it be better to have a big thread for everyone to post sound clips and get advice on improvement? Instead of having one thread for every player?

Just a thought, in a constructive spirit.

As for the playing. I like it. As a beginner, I can't give so much advice.
What whistle are you using?

Tia · Post by **Tia** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:28 am

hello
sounds good, the only thing I can think of is work on your timing, find a metrenome and play along with that, or if you can find music of the rest play along with them, that will help too

ubizmo · Post by **ubizmo** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:28 am

Rhadge wrote:Wouldn't it be better to have a big thread for everyone to post sound clips and get advice on improvement? Instead of having one thread for every player?

The site http://www.whistlethis.com already exists for this purpose, although it's pretty quiet over there.

But it would be interesting to have a "showcase" (or show-off) forum here, organized not by players but by tunes. Then, if there's a "Gallagher's Frolics" thread, anyone who has a video or audio link to a performance of theirs of that tune could add it to the thread. I think it's very helpful to have a number of different interpretations of a tune in one place. WhistleThis does this, of course, but by upload, not by links. I know some people might prefer not to have their work on youtube, but might be willing to have a link to a hosting service with better quality and better privacy options, such as Viddler or Vimeo.

breqwas · Post by **breqwas** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:07 am

Rhadge, the whistle is Waltons Mellow D, tweaked by Erik Torp-Olsen. The whistle is not mine, though I wish it was. Erik disappeared somewhere, so I can't order one for myself...

Ballyshannon · Post by **Ballyshannon** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:07 pm

I think you're doing very well, but your comment "I don't think I can play better now" is what stood out the most to me. I think I understand what you meant...that regarding these particular tunes at that particular time on that particular day you were "on", but whatever you do, don't think you can't play any better. You know you can do it. And I'd venture to guess you're better now than you were six months ago. Keep at it and you'll be better six months from the day you recorded these tunes. My impression is you have the tools to be an excellent player.

Your basic technique is pretty good, but I agree with Tia about tempo. On "Rolling in the Ryegrass" in particular, you kept a nice steady tempo through the first go around, then immediately sped up when you started the repeat. I don't know if it was intentional or not but once into Castle Kelly, you'd increased the tempo significantly. IMO, it's very important to practice with a metronome so you get used to hearing steady tempos in your head. I've been playing a long time and still use my Korg MA-30 metronome when practicing. I even use it when recording at my computer since it's not picked up in the recording. Good drummers always amaze me how they can maintain an unwavering steady beat, because I can't do it.

Richard Katz · Post by **Richard Katz** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:32 pm

breqwas,

Very nice playing! Keep up the good work.

I especially liked Bretonia.
http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq4EZBATFN8 - some karaoke playing

Can you give some background on the tune?

I would like the notation if it is available.

Cheers! Richard

breqwas · Post by **breqwas** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:39 pm

Can you give some background on the tune?
I would like the notation if it is available.

Everyone likes this tune :)

There's a German folk band, Dhalia's Lane. They play more or less "celtic" stuff, mostly written by their own. This tune, and another one, Gates of Avalon, are the best from their two CDs I have.

Here's Gates of Avalon played by me: http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=gLDNNnrlFko

I have dots somewhere, but that's a copy from handwritten sheetmusic, so I'll have to write it in ABC. I can do that, if you can't get it by ear.

breqwas · Post by **breqwas** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 6:54 am

BTW. Some of my classical-trained friends tell me I have very bad intonation (but do not tell how to fix that). Is that true?

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 8:27 am

breqwas wrote:BTW. Some of my classical-trained friends tell me I have very bad intonation (but do not tell how to fix that). Is that true?

The sound quality on the youtube videos is not good enough for me to really
make a judgement about that. It sounds like you might be pushing the high
notes too much, maybe. I think the B note in Morrison's might be consistantly
flat? Hard to tell... But intonation might depend a bit on the whistle, too.

These are all inexpert opinions, going on little data. You could use a tuner
or a program like RTTA to help assess your tuning.

PhilO · Post by **PhilO** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:50 am

Lovely; sounded a bit rushed (not fast, rushed) on Morrisons.

Philo

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:36 am

I noticed you got past your pinky problem to get Morrison's down. Good man.

breqwas · Post by **breqwas** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 1:52 pm

fearfaoin, that re-learning was really painful. In all means. And it's still not done, in fact...

breqwas · Post by **breqwas** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 1:58 pm

BTW. I've made a thread at TSO board, hoping it's better place for announcements of that sort. Here's the link: http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/19595

Long story short, I don't have anyone to play with in RL, and now try to find someone online. Yes, that was PJ who inspired me: http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=UzlyHma7LyI