Home » Music » Folk Music » Great finale – all the way through!

Great finale – all the way through!

© Ray Chandler

Bands and solo instrumentalists on the current folk scene are very keen to impress. Nothing wrong with that - how else can ambitious young performers make a name for themselves? It's a competitive business and to get noticed you have to make an impact.

So dazzling the audience with plenty of wow factor and loads of high-intensity virtuoso skill is becoming the norm. It seems almost to be expected.

The trouble is, a lot of folk concerts are beginning to lack contrast as a result. When all the numbers are flashy virtuoso showpieces there is nothing for them to flash against. A fast, dynamic bit of playing can be very exciting, but the thrill isn't quite as intense if it's followed by another fast, dynamic bit of playing. And it definitely begins to pall if followed by yet a third.

The senses deaden, the concentration wanders and the impact is lost.

It's like the affect on the eyes of very bright colours. One or two bright colours amid a background of softer tones stands out with passion and excitement. And against the bright colours the gentler hues have an enhanced subtlety. But if all the colours are very bright the whole scene is just gaudy.

The technical ability of many young players on today's folk music scene is very impressive indeed, and it must be very tempting to remind the audience of this with every number. But to demonstrate virtuoso prowess tune after tune is not good musicianship and doesn't make for a good concert.

A simple tune played with subtle style, even understatement, demands at least as much musical mastery as furious flurries of notes in a flashy showpiece. And discerning audiences will be more impressed by the band or soloist who can do both than by those who seem limited to sparkling big finishes right from when they first take the stage.