[EMAIL PROTECTED] said:
> The whole idea of written "rules" for tune tempo is totally
> frightening.. What next? Are they going to have rules for ornamentation
> as well? That's some serious rubbish. Almost falls down to the level of
> Scottish fiddling contests, or Highland piping contests.
Since these rules are *specifically* for Scottish harping contests, I guess
it is at the level of the fiddling and piping contests.
> IMHO making music, especially traditional music is not and should not be
> made into an athletic event or a contest.
That's one opinion. I know people who love solo accordian, pipe bands,
piobaireachd, or fiddles. I also know people who hate solo accordian, pipe
bands, piobaireachd, or fiddles. Just because it doesn't fit your tastes
doesn't make it an invalid pursuit or an invalid musical expression.
> They should be thought of as different types of endeavors.
Most of the people I know involved with Scottish harping and Scottish harping
competitions do consider contests very different from other playing.
> I just can't see how making rules does anything but damage the health of the
> tradition.
If these rules were for anything other than competition, then I'd agree with
you. In a competition, though, the competitors have to know the basis of
judging. Shoot, the judges have to know the basis of judging. Without this
basis, you might as well flip a coin to determine competition results.
(I'm aware that some people think competition itself damages the tradition.
That's a whole can of figs I'm not going to open right now.)
Wayne
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