A discussion on speed

[Classic Banjo]

Greetings one and all

Following my last question, I have resolved to learn to sight read. It's a slow process but I have found sight reading better than tab for learning a tune. 

I am using simple tunes to start with and recently turned to Lubly Rosa Breakdown (page 20 in Ellis' Thorough School tutor). This is in 2/4 featuring dotted 16th notes.

As a relative newcomer to playing classic banjo and working pretty much on my own what should be my target speed for this tune and other "beginner" tunes? I'm not desperate to play things fast but assume that once I can play a tune properly at an appropriate speed for the level of ability I have reached it is time to move on to the next challenge.

As always your thoughts are appreciated.

Regards

Eric

[Trapdoor2]

I think the clue here is in the title: "breakdown". "Lubly Rosa" was a popular song from the early (1840-1850's, I think) era...and the term 'breakdown' was used to indicate an instrumental section based on (or attached to) the song. For the most part, these were played at a faster rate than the song was typically sung...but very dependent on the player and the situation.

"Breakdown" has evolved into very fast instrumental pieces and in some genre it is associated with the various instruments taking turns (breaks).

So, IMNSHO, if you wish to be histerically correct you might speed it up a bit from a comfortable singing pace. For myself, I find that if a piece is to be memorized for all eternity I will benefit from taking the piece to 'cartoonish extreme' (in all aspects). Otherwise, I simply make sure I can play it without mistakes at a dance pace and move on to the next!

[Jody Stecher]

Lubly Rosa, which is on page 18 in my copy of the book, is a basic study in banjo timing and in thumb and middle finger coordination (although I think this simple piece may have once been part of the stroke style repertoire). The actual speed is less important than starting at one speed and keeping to it without slowing the pace or quickening it. I'd say that 60 on the metronome is the slowest useful starting place. Slower than that and it won't be musical. It can be played at double that speed (120) and at any speed in between. 

[Trapdoor2]

I thought you might ask that. I have no real answer...until you try dancing to it (or perhaps, visualize dancing to it). What I try to do is to move to the rhythms and see at what pace I can comfortably dance it.

However, it is entirely subjective. You may prefer it as a wild dash and I may prefer a more sedate stumble around the room. Some pieces just cry out to whip along like a maniac and some don't...you just have to find your own comfort level...esp. in this genre where 99% of the tunes have never been recorded "officially".

Even with a recording, unless the composer noted a tempo...there's nothing to fix that in stone (and even the composers notes are often ignored).

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Eric, I suppose the simple answer is to play at a speed where you don't make too many mistakes. It's better to play a tune slowly and accurately than quickly and full of errors, otherwise all you end up doing is practicing your mistakes. This applies even to experienced players when learning new tunes.

I've found that many tunes seem to have a natural tempo which instinctively dictates how quickly or slowly they should be played.

Age is another consideration, at 67 years, my fingers don't behave in quite the same way that they did 20 years ago. My eyes and head are usually at least four bars (measures) ahead of my fingers!....Steve.