Over the last few weeks, I've been working (independently) on a new piobaireachd called "Sheep in Buchts, Kye in Fiels" by Jeanette Montague. You can read about it here and be sure to listen to P/M Roger Huth play it - follow the link at the bottom - the music is there too. I really like this piece - it's not terribly difficult, but it's extremely melodic and (I think) lends itself well to interpretation.
I don't play it exactly the way P/M Huth does. I play it a bit up-tempo, as I think of it as a 'calling tune'...P/M Huth plays it a bit more pastoral. The difference in my mind is between the shepherd calling in the sheep and cows versus sitting in the fields with them watching them munch on grass and stuff. (What do I know about cows and sheep anyway? Don't listen to me!) Besides that, I think the biggest difference is that he holds onto the cut note in the 3rd beat of each phrase, where I cut them a little shorter (Dan calls them the "and" notes and he was always telling me to not overlook them), but instead I accentuate the cheredes in the first beats. And my edres and dares need GOBS more work. And I want to go back and review both the rhythms of the cadences on C & B as well as the hiharin as I'm playing both movements quite differently.
I debated with myself whether I was going to upload the video of myself playing the tune. I got a little too close and overwhelmed the mic just a bit with the chanter. And my drones are out of tune. It wasn't so noticeable to me (and I have a pretty decent ear for my drones), but on the recording, it's awful. But I thought to present an honest picture of self-critique, I had to post it and acknowledge its awfulness. So, here it is...watch at your own risk:
Things to work on:
1. Rhythms of cadences to C & B.
2. Rhythm of hiharins.
3. Tighten up edres and dares.
4. Stand farther from mic & make sure drones are in better tune!
No comments:
Post a Comment