Re: [Harp-L] tempo

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Paparone is being a bit overly simple, I think, in making such a direct connection between tempo and happy or sad mood. Fast tempos can be very unhappy (frenetic, crazed), for instance.

He has a point, but I can't help thinking of the happiness of medium tempo swing. "'T'aint fast, 't'aint slow, but it's relaxed and bubbly - a combination that makes me happy when the groove is good.

That kind of happy combination of tempo and groove puts me in mind of one of my favorite $20 words:

Eupeptic (opposite of the more familiar dyspeptic) - feeling good in your belly.

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5

--- On Mon, 2/9/09, jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx <jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx <jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] tempo
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Date: Monday, February 9, 2009, 5:48 AM

Why play fast? Let me quote arranger Joe Paparone: "Try being extremely
happy at a slow pace. It doesn't work. Tempo is integrally related to mood.
"

a standard Italian description of tempo: 140-150) *Allegro assai:* very
happy (150-160)* Allegro vivace:* happy with spirit (160-184)
*Vivace:*spirited, bright
Joe's website has some good music theory information:
http://www.musicarrangers.com/star-theory/t16.htm

One might say John Popper and the boys play party music. I do too.
-- 
Jimmy
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1372404/dhoozh_chapter_1.html
http://www.myspace.com/theelectricstarlightspaceanimals
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