Tula's rendition of Whisky Before Breakfast is considerable simpler than versions I've seen in print. I like that simplified version, yet I don't think it's terribly noticeable that it is simpler.
Dave Brody's Fiddler's Fake Book is a commonly used source for fiddle tunes by all instruments. I've prepared a jpeg that shows the Fiddler's Fake Book version down an octave, and below it a transcription of what Tula played, with some of it down two octaves, and some of it down one octave. Big difference in playability!
Whisky Before Breakfast: Complex vs Simple
The FFB version (top line) is what I've worked on, and I'm still too slow and fuzzy (for want of a better word) at the shifts. I'd think I'd be making better music, as far as listeners were concerned, playing the bottom line.
There's no Correctness Police enforcing exactly how to play this music. Where is the line between "my version" and "wrong"? Is there such a line?
Old World or New, Sacred or Profane
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I'd guess those kind of lines are best drawn by yourself, along with the other players in your group. Of course if your listeners don't agree, they can always vote with their feet.
Whose disapproval are you worried about?
I'm going to download your file and see if I can reverse-engineer your simplification techniques. I have a whole pile of fiddle music that's just too fast for me to play.
"Where is the line between 'my version' and 'wrong'?"
Wow, tough question on a touchy subject. I've been thinking about it since last night and the best I can do is this: If you could magically play with the technique of a professional, would you? Why or why not?
Post a Comment