Re: Timing for Fleadh compition?
Originally Posted by
JeffD
I would love to see a similar tempo chart for someone like Kevin Burke, whose playing is equally transcendent but whose tunes are seen more often (in my experience) at sessions, here locally.
I just did an unscientific sampling of one track of Kevin Burke reels -- Pigeon on the Gate, Lafferty's, Morning Dew -- from his 1993 recording Celtic Fiddle Festival (live performance). He plays at a steady 111-112 bpm through the whole set. Just about the same as that Martin Hayes pub session I posted above.
I have recordings of Burke playing slower for expression, and also faster.. Especially in those early Bothy Band recordings and TV shows where they let it rip. But this one sample seems typical of his playing. I think this is a good tempo to aim for, with reels. That is, if you can hold back the Alpha fiddlers in a session.
Lebeda F-5 mandolin, redwood top
Weber Yellowstone F-5 octave mandolin
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