strathspey@strathspey.org:45508

RODERICK JOHNSTON

Playing for SCD

June 11, 2006, 4:28 p.m. (Message 45508)

As a new member, you may recall, I asked for information on the Summer
School Musicians Course and you were all very helpful especially in
explaining that the course was teatotal !!!!.
   
  One of you questioned whether or not one should play from memory or
  by ear and asked my views.
   
  Personally, having returned to playing after a very long break, I
  now find it quite difficult remembering tunes and sets, especially
  for RSCDs, as there are so many of them.     I wouldn't risk playing
  from memory for a SCD dance in fear of making a mistake and ruining
  the dance.     For a ceilidh you could get away with it as it's a
  lot less serious.     I find that many tunes are similar and I could
  quite easily start one tune and half way through change to another.
  I suspect that a lot has to do with the fact I was trained
  classically, through the BCA, and at that time playing by ear was
  wasn't allowed nor was the playing of Scottish traditional music.
  How times have changed.
   
  I say this because I am currently learning the small pipes and find
  that I am able to play by ear and have no trouble remembering the
  tunes.
   
  I received the music for the course last week and there are some
  interesting sets but must get used to the alternative playing order
  as I am more used to playing AA,BB,CC,DD or A,BB,CC,DD,A.
   
  Rod Johnston