I’ve known what I was going to write to you about since Saturday last week. But I am glad that I let myself sit on the idea for a few days because it means I’m now writing from a place of curiosity instead of anger.
So here’s my burning question of the week: do Irish people waltz faster than Americans?
Ok that’s way too general of a statement, so let me provide some context.
Over the last few years at quite a few non-Irish trad gigs (i.e. Contra dances and a re-enactment of dinner on the Titanic), I’ve been asked to play waltzes a bit slower.
Whereas I’ve always heard that waltzes are fairly fast in Irish music (and certainly many albums I’ve learned waltzes off of match the pace I play them).
To be clear, this part of the feedback didn’t make me angry. Contra isn’t my main scene and I’m happy to take a few pointers.
It was the phrase “lose that waltz” that really rankled.
The waltz I played last Saturday was John Brown’s Waltz which I had learned earlier that day off of one of my favorite albums of late (Aisling, Brendan and Conal’s Jump Out of It). It also got me out of a tune learning slump. And I happen to think it’s an excellent waltz.
Have I played it every single day this week during practice? Well, yes. I never said I wasn’t petty (and as I said… I really like this waltz).
Will I play it at a Contra again in future? Remains to be seen. I might be able to smooth out some of the bowing and slow down the pace to turn it into a different vibe altogether that’s more supportive of the dancers (it is a dance after all!).
But that brings me back to the question… are Irish waltzes on the faster side of the waltz spectrum? And is that for waltzes where dancers are involved or when it’s an instrumental-only situation?
I’m curious to hear your thoughts, Reader!
Also since you're a Tune Library member, let me know if you'd like to learn John Brown's! I've been adding more slides and polkas this month, and The Worn Torn Petticoat and Mairi's Wedding are this week's addition.
Another thought that came to me this week -- instead of putting up new tunes every week, I may start releasing one bonus tutorial a month (plus any requests you send) where the focus is on building one skill set using the tunes in the library. So maybe one month, we focus on waterfall bowing in jigs, and another we work on placing rolls in reels... does that sound like something that would support your tune learning? I'm all ears!
On the gigging side of things, here's where we can connect in person over the next couple months (plus weekly sessions in Detroit if you're local):
Jan 24th - Sliabh Luachra Polkas and Slides workshop for ALL instruments in Cleveland OH (Schedule and Details available on Northeast Ohio Comhaltas' Facebook)
Jan 25th - Guesting at St. Brigid’s Day Irish Brunch in Cleveland OH (Proceeds benefit Laura’s Home/ The City Mission)
Feb 6-8 - Returning to Tune Junkie Weekend to teach the Nuts and Bolts fiddle class in Knoxville TN! Registration available here.
Feb 20th - Shannon Lee playing at Trinity House in Livonia MI. Tickets here!
Mar 1 - Music at Main Shannon Lee (Free Concert!) at Clinton Macomb Library in Clinton Township MI.
Until next Sunday…. Don’t lose that waltz! 😉
~Hannah
Hannah Harris
I help aspiring Irish fiddlers find their lilt and get the real feel for the music.
