Can I ask what is the playing speed used by folks here?
Can I ask what is the playing speed used by folks here?
I am not sure there is one speed to aim for. It depends on the tune, the character of the melody, the type of tune (reel, hornpipe, jig, waltz, mazurka,etc.) and whether the tune is used for accompanying dancers or just listening or whatever. It might also depend on whether I am playing with others or just by myself. Find what feels good to you.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Fiddle tunes tend to be faster, maybe because the fiddle can be more easily played faster. But also the fingering favours the fiddle -hammer-ons with all the notes of one measure on one string etc. that’s a fiddle tune
As a general rule though, half the time you should be playing tunes with a metronome much too slowly… and with too much feeling.
And at least 2% of the time you should play way too fast, foot tapping, hammering along.
The rest of the time is up to you, but I’d try all tunes with different tempos and even different time signatures.
A lot of tunes, in the 'wrong' tempo or harmonic minor, natural minor or whatever sound GREAT!
quarter note = 80 is a bit on the slow side
quarter note = 100 is medium
quarter note = 120 is medium-fast ( I would think most jams are between 100 and 120)
quarter note = 180 Tony Rice and or David Grisman before coffee
quarter note = 200+ = Dave Apollon
I would think for beginners q=60 might be slow but not a bad place to start
as Simon said it is worth while to try the metronome slow after you can play at medium speed, once you know the tune, go back and discover what you don't know about it by spending more time with each phrase and note.
Stormy Morning Orchestra
My YouTube Channel
"Mean Old Timer, He's got grey hair, Mean Old Timer he just don't care
Got no compassion, thinks its a sin
All he does is sit around an play the Mandolin"
I spent the evening watching college basketball and learning Pretty Bird by Norman Blake, a fine tune in the fun key of F. Matt Flinner taught Jack Rabbit Trail by Butch Baldassari in the key of F and mentioned how it's such a great key on the mando. So when I found this tune in the key of F, I had to learn it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAooAOeKS1Y The mando break is in the middle of the tune.
Last edited by Don Grieser; Apr-01-2023 at 10:36pm.
2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic
Lately I’ve been listening to and playing Waynesboro.
Thanks, love the melodic phrasing on Waynesboro.
Something to think about.
This is about the slowest tempo I’ve ever heard Bonaparte’s Retreat played, but it still has that hypnotic flow I think.
I fully agree with the 90% idea, its just a great way to really really imbibe and "grok" the tune. You can focus on tricky passages or introduce different licks and what not, mostly it gives you time to think about what you are doing and if anything could be done "better".
Playing extremely slow while as rewarding if not more - is simply more difficult, however for those willing to apply the patience required I think it is also a very valuable practice. You should always use a metronome when "timing" your playing.
What fiddle tunes am I working on
I never really learned Ragtime Annie, but I've heard it called at jams many times, I like the Sam Bush version.
Darol Anger's "Scarborough" from E & A - cause I got his new tune book
Mike Marshall's "We Three" it changes meter 3 times.
Wocjiech Kilar's "Tredowata Waltz" still working on the 3rd part chord progression
Stormy Morning Orchestra
My YouTube Channel
"Mean Old Timer, He's got grey hair, Mean Old Timer he just don't care
Got no compassion, thinks its a sin
All he does is sit around an play the Mandolin"
- Boatin' up Sandy ... nice shift from A-major in the first half to Am in the second, and back again.
- Childgrove ... because it suits the holiday season.
Heard Hommage Till En Spelman on a classical radio program a few weeks ago and have been learning it. It’s a Swedish fiddle tune by Torbjorn Nasbom and have been using his recording with Josefina Paulson.
Not heard any mandolin folks playing it, but guitarists seem to like it.
https://youtu.be/qM-n6WGnYQU?si=hRWoO36EXKITV08F
Regards,
Alphabet rag
Chinese rag
Drunk man's blues
Cheese closet
….So many tunes, so little time.
Explore some of my published music here.
—Jim
Sierra F5 #30 (2005)
Altman 2-point (2007)
Portuguese fado cittern (1965)
Drunk at Night Dry in the Morning. Niel Gow.
Great tune. There's a version that includes Alisdair Fraser that is a total knockout.
Explore some of my published music here.
—Jim
Sierra F5 #30 (2005)
Altman 2-point (2007)
Portuguese fado cittern (1965)
Shelvin Rock.
Cary Fagan
Ashokan Farewell.
Eastman MD315 Mandolin
Soapsuds Over the Fence from the playing of James Bryan.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Great tune and wonderful playing and tone on that Campanella! Thanks for posting the video.
2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic
Thanks, Don. The Campanella has edged its way into my old time and Québécois sessions lately. It seems to float over multiple fiddles and banjos or accordions.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
I’ve been playing Last Chance for a while, but not at this tempo. Man I wish the Drops were still performing.
Cowboy Waltz
Richard
Eastman 305
Gibson A1 (1919)
Martin D16 guitar
Great Divide Guitar (Two-Old-Hippies)
OME 11" banjo (1973)
Pisgah 12" banjo
Remember to play The Eighth of January today!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HI2jSxyEOM
2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic
Julianne Johnson. https://youtu.be/DG0xNyZ7QH0?si=1sK6V5O_7DLV_ibG
We have an upcoming gig that's three hours so we're adding quite a few fiddle tunes between the vocal tunes to fill the time. Some I know pretty well already and some I don't. Definitely keeping me busy.
Angeline the Baker
June Apple
Whiskey Before Breakfast
Devil's Dream
Old Joe Clark
Red Haired Boy
Cold Frosty Morning
Clinch Mountain Backstep
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