I know a box player who whan he was young used to practise while asleep.He lay in the bed with the box outside the covers and played.His father put him out in the shed that night!!
Someone told me I snored once, but I soon found out that they were full of shight. I stayed awake all night and listened and I never once heard myself snore.
Many years ago in Kilkenny, Barry Moore (aka Luka Bloom) and Tony Linnane were playing a gig, part of a series of events protesting at a government plan to build a neuclear power station in Carnsore point Wexford. An old lady was filling in for a missing staff member behind the bar, and served the lads with half pint measures of red wine, instead of the more normal measure. Soon the effects of the wine began to show, and while Barry introduced a set, Tony slipped into a snooze. Barry, unaffected, continued in a long prreamble, much to the amusement of the audience. When he was done, he gave Tony a sharp dig. Instantly, on cue, Tony played the set as if he had been listening attentively all the time.....................priceless!
I used to fall asleep all the time as a bass player in GB gigs. I could get all the way through Strangers in the Night, New York New York, Leroy Brown, Celebration, etc, etc, etc and never miss a beat.
No but I remember once I dreamed I was playing a tune I didn't know. When I woke up I could perfectly play that tune on my flute... I couldn't believe it!
The idea is ludicrous. Real musicians, those with a deep, well grounded, perfectly honed, aching love for the music and tunes, could not possibly fall asleep as they would be on a high from the almost religious, mystical and metaphysical buzz that the melodies provided.
My old band-leader fell asleep whilst playing the piano-accordion on a Saturday night, the third gig in two days ( Friday night dance, hot Saturday afternoon street party in the sun, Saturday night dance ). We knew she was asleep because she lost all expression from her music and was playing very mechanically. The electric-mandolin player next to her woke her up by changing key !
Personally, I used to loose rhythm if I lost concentration on a band gig, the bass would no longer be in time ( nothing new there, then. )
Very frequently fall asleep while playing at my Mom's fiddle lessons. Have often dozed off at the occasional session. Always nice to hear I'm not the only person this happens to.
Was given out to once by a partner because I kept playing tunes on his back while I was asleep... told him he should have joined in, but that didn't go down too well!!
And once in the Catskills I was known to fall asleep while playng a requsted slide. (It was day 3!!) An hour later I woke up and continued, completely unaware that I had stopped. Just curious but how would you notate an hour long rest?!
Last christmas I fell asleep hlf way during a song. I was asleep for ten min and then when I woke up i carried on where I left off. I hadnt even realized what happened until I finished the song and everyone bust thier holes laughing at me.
Still havent lived it down... dont expect to any time soon either.... Blasted guinness, makes me do stupid things.
James Scott Skinner wrote about vamping on the "bass fiddle" (the cello) at barn dances when he was 8 or 9 years old (in the 1850s) - he had to trudge 10 miles, play all night till 4 in the morning and used to fall asleep while continuing to play subconsciously (described in Alburger's book The Scottish Fiddler)
I've done the same sort of thing as "what?!!?" has, only I was playing flute. Several times, in fact. Usually at these week-long summer things when I've been up till 4:00 am every night for several days.
Playing While Asleep
Playing While Asleep
Have you ever been awakened by the sound of tunes only to find that you had fallen asleep while practicing and YOU were playing the tune?
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by feardearg
Re: Playing While Asleep
I know a box player who whan he was young used to practise while asleep.He lay in the bed with the box outside the covers and played.His father put him out in the shed that night!!
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by dinn2
Re: Playing While Asleep
No.
Snoring is bad for one's embouchure.
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by wormdiet
Re: Playing While Asleep
Someone told me I snored once, but I soon found out that they were full of shight. I stayed awake all night and listened and I never once heard myself snore.
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by MR.
Re: Playing While Asleep
I've fallen asleep in sessions, and even in gigs ... and apparently once while talking to somebody.
I wonder what I said?
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by ethical blend
Re: Playing While Asleep
Many years ago in Kilkenny, Barry Moore (aka Luka Bloom) and Tony Linnane were playing a gig, part of a series of events protesting at a government plan to build a neuclear power station in Carnsore point Wexford. An old lady was filling in for a missing staff member behind the bar, and served the lads with half pint measures of red wine, instead of the more normal measure. Soon the effects of the wine began to show, and while Barry introduced a set, Tony slipped into a snooze. Barry, unaffected, continued in a long prreamble, much to the amusement of the audience. When he was done, he gave Tony a sharp dig. Instantly, on cue, Tony played the set as if he had been listening attentively all the time.....................priceless!
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by Backer
Re: Playing While Asleep
I used to fall asleep all the time as a bass player in GB gigs. I could get all the way through Strangers in the Night, New York New York, Leroy Brown, Celebration, etc, etc, etc and never miss a beat.
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Playing While Asleep
Greg the Piano Tuner's subconscious must be very talented!
A part of my brain likes to make up little tunes while I sleep...
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by morning star
Re: Playing While Asleep
Didja ever fall asleep while playing My Darling Asleep?
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Playing While Asleep
That couldn't happen with Cold Blow and the Rainy Night though. Brrr.
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Playing While Asleep
Doze anyone like bodhrans?
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by RichardB
Re: Playing While Asleep
No but I remember once I dreamed I was playing a tune I didn't know. When I woke up I could perfectly play that tune on my flute... I couldn't believe it!
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by Matt_Celta
Re: Playing While Asleep
The idea is ludicrous. Real musicians, those with a deep, well grounded, perfectly honed, aching love for the music and tunes, could not possibly fall asleep as they would be on a high from the almost religious, mystical and metaphysical buzz that the melodies provided.
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Playing While Asleep
My old band-leader fell asleep whilst playing the piano-accordion on a Saturday night, the third gig in two days ( Friday night dance, hot Saturday afternoon street party in the sun, Saturday night dance ). We knew she was asleep because she lost all expression from her music and was playing very mechanically. The electric-mandolin player next to her woke her up by changing key !
Personally, I used to loose rhythm if I lost concentration on a band gig, the bass would no longer be in time ( nothing new there, then. )
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Playing While Asleep
Very frequently fall asleep while playing at my Mom's fiddle lessons. Have often dozed off at the occasional session. Always nice to hear I'm not the only person this happens to.
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by Jason G
Re: Playing While Asleep
Falling asleep practicing. One wouldn't be surprised. Falling asleep in the Pub, one would expect. But playing tunes asleep, that surprises me.
Doze - I didn't get it at first. That was Great!!
Matt_Celta - That is amazing. Fairies, I am sure, especially if you never played the flute before.
mystical - It is mystical, alright. The brain is a wonderous thing.
Guernsey Pete and what?!!? - Great stories. Thats what I was getting at.
# Posted on July 10th 2007 by feardearg
Re: Playing While Asleep
Hmmmm...
Was given out to once by a partner because I kept playing tunes on his back while I was asleep... told him he should have joined in, but that didn't go down too well!!
And once in the Catskills I was known to fall asleep while playng a requsted slide. (It was day 3!!) An hour later I woke up and continued, completely unaware that I had stopped. Just curious but how would you notate an hour long rest?!
# Posted on July 11th 2007 by ceoltoir2010
Re: Playing While Asleep
An hour would give you about 3 s per part. About one thousand one hundred bpm! Now that IS fast!
# Posted on July 11th 2007 by Linsey Doyle
Re: Playing While Asleep
Oh you would remind me fear dearg.
Last christmas I fell asleep hlf way during a song. I was asleep for ten min and then when I woke up i carried on where I left off. I hadnt even realized what happened until I finished the song and everyone bust thier holes laughing at me.
Still havent lived it down... dont expect to any time soon either.... Blasted guinness, makes me do stupid things.
Im sure it wont be the last time i do it though.
# Posted on July 11th 2007 by session savage
Re: Playing While Asleep
James Scott Skinner wrote about vamping on the "bass fiddle" (the cello) at barn dances when he was 8 or 9 years old (in the 1850s) - he had to trudge 10 miles, play all night till 4 in the morning and used to fall asleep while continuing to play subconsciously (described in Alburger's book The Scottish Fiddler)
# Posted on July 11th 2007 by RichardB
Re: Playing While Asleep
and you try to tell the young people today, and "they don't believe you"
box players seem to find it easiest to nod off while playing
I'm still trying to work out what Greg TPT means by "GB gigs"
Guest band?
Gay bar?
George Bush?
# Posted on July 11th 2007 by Bren
Re: Playing While Asleep
I've done the same sort of thing as "what?!!?" has, only I was playing flute. Several times, in fact. Usually at these week-long summer things when I've been up till 4:00 am every night for several days.
# Posted on July 14th 2007 by seisflutes