Embedded Files
Nearly all the musical activities discussed in the previous pages came to an abrupt halt with the Coronavirus Pandemic which reached the UK and prompted a Lockdown of almost all non-essential activities, musical and otherwise, from early March 2020. I felt that a page was needed to cover the impact of Covid19 on dulcimer playing and other local music making. This is my assessment of how things have changed, though I accept that others may have had a different experience.
Nearly all the musical activities discussed in the previous pages came to an abrupt halt with the Coronavirus Pandemic which reached the UK and prompted a Lockdown of almost all non-essential activities, musical and otherwise, from early March 2020. I felt that a page was needed to cover the impact of Covid19 on dulcimer playing and other local music making. This is my assessment of how things have changed, though I accept that others may have had a different experience.
Zoom
Zoom
Perhaps the most remarkable impact of the pandemic, as regards local music making, is the explosion in the use of Zoom, the programme allowing online or virtual meetings to take place. Zoom seems to have been devised with business or educational meetings in mind and its limitations for musical collaboration are soon evident. The ambitious hope that we could resume our informal music sessions over the web was soon dashed.
Perhaps the most remarkable impact of the pandemic, as regards local music making, is the explosion in the use of Zoom, the programme allowing online or virtual meetings to take place. Zoom seems to have been devised with business or educational meetings in mind and its limitations for musical collaboration are soon evident. The ambitious hope that we could resume our informal music sessions over the web was soon dashed.
Zoom does allow people to meet virtually and play music individually or from within a household, but otherwise it was a matter of listening to what others were playing. There has been a lot of discussion of how the problem of delay or latency might be overcome and sound quality improved, but the answer to this seems to be beyond the technical capacity of most ordinary users.
Zoom does allow people to meet virtually and play music individually or from within a household, but otherwise it was a matter of listening to what others were playing. There has been a lot of discussion of how the problem of delay or latency might be overcome and sound quality improved, but the answer to this seems to be beyond the technical capacity of most ordinary users.
The other downside of Zoom is that it depended upon users having suitable computing and sound equipment and a fast and stable wifi connection to ensure adequate connectivity. All too often these were not adequate and Zoom was seriously unforgiving. It has been very discouraging to have spent quite a lot of time polishing up a song or tune to perform in a Zoom session, only to have the music mashed beyond recognition and the singing lost or incomprehensible through distortion.
The other downside of Zoom is that it depended upon users having suitable computing and sound equipment and a fast and stable wifi connection to ensure adequate connectivity. All too often these were not adequate and Zoom was seriously unforgiving. It has been very discouraging to have spent quite a lot of time polishing up a song or tune to perform in a Zoom session, only to have the music mashed beyond recognition and the singing lost or incomprehensible through distortion.
On the other hand, Zoom does perform quite a good social function. It is good to meet musical friends to talk about how they are managing with Lockdown and to share thoughts in these challenging times. However, I have come to the conclusion that 'less is more' as regards Zoom. Small groups do allow people the opportunity to talk, whereas large groups inhibit discussion and leave everyone with an enhanced feeling of remoteness. Perhaps we should be thankful that there is a means of maintaining social engagement, without expecting too much in terms of sound quality.
On the other hand, Zoom does perform quite a good social function. It is good to meet musical friends to talk about how they are managing with Lockdown and to share thoughts in these challenging times. However, I have come to the conclusion that 'less is more' as regards Zoom. Small groups do allow people the opportunity to talk, whereas large groups inhibit discussion and leave everyone with an enhanced feeling of remoteness. Perhaps we should be thankful that there is a means of maintaining social engagement, without expecting too much in terms of sound quality.
I found the magazine article "How to Make Zoom Work for Music" by Chris Timson particularly useful in avoiding some of the pitfalls in musical use of Zoom. Despite all this, I remain fully aware of its limitations.
I found the magazine article "How to Make Zoom Work for Music" by Chris Timson particularly useful in avoiding some of the pitfalls in musical use of Zoom. Despite all this, I remain fully aware of its limitations.
Folk Club and Session Use of Zoom
Folk Club and Session Use of Zoom
The post Lockdown uptake of Zoom by Folk Clubs and sessions in East Kent was fairly remarkable and actually had the result that it was possible to go along to a virtual session without the hassle of having to travel, park and pay for admission. Seeing performers from home was a convenience though, for the reasons explained above, not equivalent to the 'real' experience of informal music making.
The post Lockdown uptake of Zoom by Folk Clubs and sessions in East Kent was fairly remarkable and actually had the result that it was possible to go along to a virtual session without the hassle of having to travel, park and pay for admission. Seeing performers from home was a convenience though, for the reasons explained above, not equivalent to the 'real' experience of informal music making.
Faversham Folk Club was early in moving over to Zoom, in April 2020, here hosted by Ernie Warner, who provided the photo.
Deal Folk Club, April 2020, here being received online at my workspace. I find that using an external microphone and earphones helps with sound quality, but this remains a problem, particularly when singing with the dulcimer.
This is the Bell and Crown, Canterbury, virtual traditional folk music session in May 2020. I am pleased to host this session from time to time and find it one of the most sociable folk gatherings that I visit, perhaps due to the generally smaller number of people who attend and the greater scope for the exchange of new and banter amongst some very good friends.
Lockdown Videos
Lockdown Videos
Zoom, as has it has been recounted, has its downsides in terms of connectivity, latency and general sound quality, but it is not the only option. The Lockdown has caused a significant increase in the number of musicians who have become willing to make video's of their performances to be placed on Facebook, Youtube or other outlets.
Zoom, as has it has been recounted, has its downsides in terms of connectivity, latency and general sound quality, but it is not the only option. The Lockdown has caused a significant increase in the number of musicians who have become willing to make video's of their performances to be placed on Facebook, Youtube or other outlets.
An interesting illustration of this approach is by Whitstable Folk Club, which has not followed to Zoom route. Instead it has asked its regular performers to submit a video clip for a an hour's virtual music with, usually, one song or each for the regular attenders. These clips are compiled by Cut the Cake Films UK and produced on a monthly basis.
An interesting illustration of this approach is by Whitstable Folk Club, which has not followed to Zoom route. Instead it has asked its regular performers to submit a video clip for a an hour's virtual music with, usually, one song or each for the regular attenders. These clips are compiled by Cut the Cake Films UK and produced on a monthly basis.
Whitstable Folk Club, Lockdown Edition Episode two, June 2020.
Whitstable Folk Club, Lockdown Edition, May 2020.
Split Screen Videos
Split Screen Videos
The other notable musical response to Lockdown has been the significant growth in split screen videos, allowing music to be multi-tracked by a single performer or for different performers, at remote locations, to consolidate their individual videos to produce a combination of sounds. Few people that I know have any experience of doing this before Lockdown, but Lockdown has proved to be the 'mother of invention' in this respect. People have found markedly different routes to their desired end points, but I found my way into split screen videos via numerous Youtube videos on how to use IMovie and this useful video guide on how to combine video clips by Ryan Hoffer.
The other notable musical response to Lockdown has been the significant growth in split screen videos, allowing music to be multi-tracked by a single performer or for different performers, at remote locations, to consolidate their individual videos to produce a combination of sounds. Few people that I know have any experience of doing this before Lockdown, but Lockdown has proved to be the 'mother of invention' in this respect. People have found markedly different routes to their desired end points, but I found my way into split screen videos via numerous Youtube videos on how to use IMovie and this useful video guide on how to combine video clips by Ryan Hoffer.
The Brisk And Lively Lad
The Brisk And Lively Lad
Imperfections and all, this is my first attempt at producing a split screen video - the Brisk and Lively Lad, from Lucy Broadwood's collection of folk songs from Sussex, featuring voices, piano, dulcimer, mouth organ and foot drum, with thanks to Ben Tucker for technical assistance in guiding me around iMovie.
Imperfections and all, this is my first attempt at producing a split screen video - the Brisk and Lively Lad, from Lucy Broadwood's collection of folk songs from Sussex, featuring voices, piano, dulcimer, mouth organ and foot drum, with thanks to Ben Tucker for technical assistance in guiding me around iMovie.
The Dark Eyed Gypsy
The Dark Eyed Gypsy
This is a very old (at least 300 years) traditional ballad which provides the basis for another experimental split screen video. This performance uses voice and piano on the first track, and voice, dulcimer and foot drum on the second.
This is a very old (at least 300 years) traditional ballad which provides the basis for another experimental split screen video. This performance uses voice and piano on the first track, and voice, dulcimer and foot drum on the second.
Some Rival Has Stolen My True Love Away
Some Rival Has Stolen My True Love Away
This three-way split-screen version of this traditional English folk song is performed with dulcimer and foot drum (Bill) melodeon (Gavin Atkin) and guitar (Eddie Higham). Thanks to Gavin for work on the syncing this video.
This three-way split-screen version of this traditional English folk song is performed with dulcimer and foot drum (Bill) melodeon (Gavin Atkin) and guitar (Eddie Higham). Thanks to Gavin for work on the syncing this video.
The Bonny Labouring Boy
The Bonny Labouring Boy
This is a three-way a split screen performance of this traditional song with Eddie Higham on bass, Elaine Dean on fiddle and Bill on dulcimer and vocal, with thanks to Jon Dean for work on the production.
This is a three-way a split screen performance of this traditional song with Eddie Higham on bass, Elaine Dean on fiddle and Bill on dulcimer and vocal, with thanks to Jon Dean for work on the production.
Link to 11. Dulcimers and Equipment
Link to 11. Dulcimers and Equipment
For links to other pages, use the drop down menu at the top right of the page.
For links to other pages, use the drop down menu at the top right of the page.
Please feel free to email me at bill.howarth54@gmail.com with any comments on the website.
Please feel free to email me at bill.howarth54@gmail.com with any comments on the website.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse