> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] said: >> One organization here in the States advertises the "actual" tempo of >> reels at 130-140 per half note/minim. Ignoring the fact that these >> settings are not on the standard metronome, is that lightening fast or >> what? Can our fiddlers really play reels that fast? Can people dance >> that fast?? > > I'm pretty sure this organization is the Scottish Harp Society of > America. I checked SHSA's online rules and found that the complete > rules listed the tempo range at 130-140. However, the abridged rules > (which are supposed to be more competitor-friendly) listed the range as > 90-130. >
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. IMHO making music, especially traditional music is not and should not be made into an athletic event or a contest. I'm also an accomplished amateur athlete, so I'm not just talking out my arse about this :-) They should be thought of as different types of endeavors. Whoever makes up these "rules" for what's supposed to be *creative expression* through the act of making music, makes me wish that I had Jim and William Reid in a can, so when someone told me that I *had* to play tunes within 130-140 all the time, I could open the can and let them have it. I very much like the statement that John Chambers and others made about this subject, you have to be sensitive to who, what and where you are playing for. Sometimes it should be fast, sometimes it should be slower. Part of being a good musician is developing an ability to feel what is right as far as tempo. Of course you can't please everyone, there's always going to be someone who will complain. Oh well.. Maybe they would rather be dancing to tape recordings of solo piano accordions. One of the great things about traditional music is that the good stuff usually gets passed on. Doesn't even have to be written down. The aural tradition is a great thing. Each generation adds something to it. They should be allowed to get creative within the context of the tradition. I just can't see how making rules does anything but damage the health of the tradition. -- Toby Rider ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) "He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, That puts it not unto the touch To win or lose it all." - James Graham, Marquis of Montrose Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
