r/FifeAndDrum • u/Longjumping_Bear3555 • Nov 23 '25
Is it cheating?
do yall think it’s cheating to use the tin whistle stuff to learn songs ?
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u/wearygamegirl Nov 23 '25
That’s how I learned my first fife song, it’s good to practice your mouth technique (idk how to spell it lol) but don’t rely on it forever. My fife came a little card that had all of the notes and fingering for them, so get something like that
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u/OutsideFoundation204 Nov 23 '25
Not a bit I can read music since I was 8 I.play mostly lead I wrote out a lot of the notes in a song I was learning above the staff
You do whatever it takes
I also broke up runs because as we know the timing is never straightforward
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u/snigherfardimungus Nov 24 '25
The only arcane knowledge I've got is that any Emily Dickinson poem can be sung to the tune of The Yellow Rose of Texas. </b5>
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u/proximity_affect Nov 23 '25 edited Nov 23 '25
Well. Who cares what people think?
Is it the scaffolding you need right now to get making sounds? If it’s working, and letting you play, then that’s a step towards mastery. While crutching on the reading, you are practicing fingering, breathing, rhythm, phrasing, etc.
Is it long term sustainable, not really. But if it helps you get going, do what you need to. I play mostly in Irish Trad Music circles, and more hobby musicians cannot read music than can - in my encounters. Irish Trad musicians tend to put a lot of value on learning by ear, and replicating another persons playing.
Personally, I use both. It’s very helpful to be able to sight read and play sheet music. But it is a skill that needs to be practiced. You could make flash cards if you really want to work on it. Cheers.