Galway Hornpipe Set
I played the fiddle by itself for these three hornpipes: Galway Hornpipe, Rights of Man, and Old Grey Cat. (See video link below.) Scottish and Irish traditional tunes play well as solos, especially by players more accomplished than myself. Solo players in this genre have been sitting in pubs and in front of fireplaces at home, knocking out tunes for centuries. Scottish and Irish tunes live perfectly in ensembles, too, but they’re just as happy all by their onesies.
That being said, the devil in playing solo is that there’s nowhere to hide. This principle applies to any kind of music. All the bobbles, squeaks, and lumped-up notes are standing right out in the open in front of everybody. It’s the Full Monty.
Listening to my own solo recordings back, I ask myself what I’d like to maintain about my playing, and what I’d like to change. I choose my own touchstones and all. I pay due and diligent attention to tradition, and to the commentary of others, but the final arbiter of quality in what I play is my own satisfaction. Over in the brewery, I’m preparing to brew another version of an India Pale Ale. I hold the beers I brew to the same standard as the music I play.
The setting for the video was Wantagh Park, on Long Island. There’s a short section of sandy waterfront overlooking Flat Creek at the south end of the 111-acre park, and I took a walk there looking at the water and the life around it. Here’s link to more information about the park: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2805/Wantagh-Park
