Watch the youngsters playing! Our son will be happily playing the flute for a set and pick up the concertina for a tune he is less comfortable with. Some tunes that fall nicely on the fiddle may be awkward/difficult to play on flute,concertina. If you are master of more than one instrument, bring it along. It will add variety.
I take both banjo and bouzouki fairly often. It's nice for some variety, and if I am not playing tunes, I can back them.
I would say that probably a third of the people I play with on a regular basis have more than one instrument along, whether it be pipes and whistles, button and piano accordion, fiddle and mandolin, etc.
I like to bring 2 instruments to sessions because after I play one for a while I realize I can't really play it, so I'll pick up the other one until I eventually realize I can't play that one either. By then the session's nearly over and I just give up and go home.
I do it; flute, pipes, and fiddle at the present time.
I tend to play the more common (overplayed) tunes on the fiddle, because it's a bit more interesting than flute or pipes, 'cause I've been at it a shorter time.
And then most other tunes I'll play on the pipes, and fall back on the flute if it's a tune I'm less familiar with. I
'm considering starting to bring the banjo soon, as The Kesh and similar tunes are getting boring even on fiddle.
So, yeah, I do it, and it's fun and adds variety.
But man, it's a lot to carry, and then you've got to find room for them all on the table, which can be a challenge.
Can't play? Sorry Button - I've listen to your tunes on your bio - you rip. In fact I have always wanted to ask you where you came up with that terrific arrangement of Limerick Lasses - (sorry to have driffted off topic)
I do it.. usually just Fiddle, Whistles and Flute, but sometimes Banjo or anything else that takes my fancy ;)
Adds variety to it, I reckon, and also its more fun, using the instrument which serves the tune(s) best for me, each set. I'm not however too keen on those who change instruments multiple times during a set..
Uh... Sean... that would be me. Sometimes people will start on a tune I know one one instrument and then go to a tune I know on the other... and then back to a tune I know on the first instrument... and like that. As time goes by I learn many of my tunes on both instruments, but I haven't learned all of them that way yet.
That would be me also. And in my case I admit it could be pretty irritating, because I'll be into a tune the second time around thinking "Why can't I play this anymore? I used to know it fairly well" before it dawns on me that I know it on the other instrument.
I've cut down to bouzouki, concertina, and bodrhan, but my SO just keeps adding on......flute, whistles, washboard, spoons, jews harp, and now....ukulele !
When I defy a self-imposed constraint which precludes me from sitting in any open session uninvited, I bring multiple personalities. Plus: the odd girl what can warble.
One bodhran for bashing, one mandolin for O'Carolan stuff and airs and melody accompaniment to songs, 7 blues harps for songs, one whistle for "Lonesome Boatman" and the odd song, one guitar for playing badly and singing when the others are at the bar/out smoking/having intellectual conversations about tunes.
i like to bring my concertina because there usually isnt another concertina player. i dont like to play the same instrument as someone else, because you can make a fuller sound with more variety.
i think any more than two instruments is a little hokey. i saw somebody bring an accordion and a fiddle and it looked kind of silly, because he had to strap on the accordion and then take it off.
i play the concertina mostly, and the flute will just sit on the table or on a stand until the end of the night when i get rambunctious.
usually i just hope a whistle player has a flute they dont play, so then it looks cool when the concertina player toots on somebody else's flute.
I've noticed several box players bringing out the whistle for a bit of a break. I like to bring my flute, whistle, and low whistle. I used to bring my grandfather's fiddle, but after a few close calls I decided to leave it home and not risk any damage.
if the session is going to be crowded or I have to walk far to get to it I just bring the fiddle, otherwise I like to bring my button accordion as well.
I usually take my flute and a whistle with me. Sometimes also my practise set, but that's seldom. I noodle around on mandolin but don't feel comfortable enough with it to play it anywhere but at home.
I usually take my uillean pipes and the zouk to the sessions, and I never know how much I'm going to play each every day...it just depends. If there any guitar player, I always prefer to stay with the pipes as they're my main instrument, buy I sometimes pick up the zouk for some tunes when the guitar player takes a rest o for some tunes that I specially like to back...we also play some asturian tunes in our session wich sounds great with the buzouki. But there's been days where I only play buzouki, maybe because there were no other backing, so I felt more likely to play strings...I just nice to be able to choose depending on the day or the people in the session!
I bring guitar, box, harmonicas and whistle to my usual session, when there are few people, switching off instruments adds to the variety, and there are many tunes I prefer to play on a certain instrument, or can only play on one instrument.
Going to a different session, I might only bring the guitar, and the harmonicas, since they reside in the guitar case. I don't want to be distracting to the others, since I am a guest at their gathering.
And when flying, I used to take a whistle, but now I just take harmonicas, since my repetoire on harmonica is overtaking my whistle repetiore, and they don't seem to create consternation among the x-ray technicians like a whistle sometimes does. And when you walk into a strange session with a harmonica in your pocket, you are basically incognito, you haven't marked yourself as a musician, and you can join in or not at your own choice without any pressure.
Could we end this with a plea that all contributers put in at least a minimum of general information in their biog, however highly coloured, including an approximate area of operation, so that those whose prejudices are severely inflamed by any particular opinion expressed know which areas of the country/world to avoid !
I typically take fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and sometimes flute to a session for three main reasons. First, it's fun. Second, it provides variety in a session that can otherwise be fiddle heavy. And third, it saves me from repetitive stress injuries, which I seem to be prone to.
By the time they have built up a pyramid of guitar, banjo and fiddle cases, in walks the melodion player with a G/D and a D/A box. Why bother?
Even worse, people who bring a C/G and G/D concertina. Is transposition or cross-the-rows playing a dead art?
Multiple instruments at a session
Multiple instruments at a session
Hi everyone. I was wondering what all of you think about taking more then one instrument to a session and swapping between sets? What's your opinions?
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by camwebby
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
If you can do it - enjoy! It's swapping my full Guinnes for one that is nearly empty that I object to - and if I ever catch that summovabeetch....
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
Watch the youngsters playing! Our son will be happily playing the flute for a set and pick up the concertina for a tune he is less comfortable with. Some tunes that fall nicely on the fiddle may be awkward/difficult to play on flute,concertina. If you are master of more than one instrument, bring it along. It will add variety.
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by southsider
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I take both banjo and bouzouki fairly often. It's nice for some variety, and if I am not playing tunes, I can back them.
I would say that probably a third of the people I play with on a regular basis have more than one instrument along, whether it be pipes and whistles, button and piano accordion, fiddle and mandolin, etc.
Pete
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by Reverend
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
It's far more of a distraction when people bring multiple personalities to a session - :-o
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
It's pretty common to see pairings of similar instruments. ..
flute/whistle
pipes/whistle
fiddle/mando
zouk/guitar
etc. What's more interesting is people bringing radically dissimilar instruments. Pipes/fiddle, Flute/box, etc.
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by wormdiet
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I like to bring 2 instruments to sessions because after I play one for a while I realize I can't really play it, so I'll pick up the other one until I eventually realize I can't play that one either. By then the session's nearly over and I just give up and go home.
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by Phantom Button
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I do it; flute, pipes, and fiddle at the present time.
I tend to play the more common (overplayed) tunes on the fiddle, because it's a bit more interesting than flute or pipes, 'cause I've been at it a shorter time.
And then most other tunes I'll play on the pipes, and fall back on the flute if it's a tune I'm less familiar with. I
'm considering starting to bring the banjo soon, as The Kesh and similar tunes are getting boring even on fiddle.
So, yeah, I do it, and it's fun and adds variety.
But man, it's a lot to carry, and then you've got to find room for them all on the table, which can be a challenge.
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by seisflutes
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
Can't play? Sorry Button - I've listen to your tunes on your bio - you rip. In fact I have always wanted to ask you where you came up with that terrific arrangement of Limerick Lasses - (sorry to have driffted off topic)
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
Thanks, Jusa, but you know how we tend to be our own worse critics.
That version of Limerick Lasses comes from Kathleen Collins.
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by Phantom Button
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I do it.. usually just Fiddle, Whistles and Flute, but sometimes Banjo or anything else that takes my fancy ;)
Adds variety to it, I reckon, and also its more fun, using the instrument which serves the tune(s) best for me, each set. I'm not however too keen on those who change instruments multiple times during a set..
# Posted on August 21st 2007 by Sean Clery
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
Uh... Sean... that would be me. Sometimes people will start on a tune I know one one instrument and then go to a tune I know on the other... and then back to a tune I know on the first instrument... and like that. As time goes by I learn many of my tunes on both instruments, but I haven't learned all of them that way yet.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Phantom Button
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
That would be me also. And in my case I admit it could be pretty irritating, because I'll be into a tune the second time around thinking "Why can't I play this anymore? I used to know it fairly well" before it dawns on me that I know it on the other instrument.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by alec b
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I've cut down to bouzouki, concertina, and bodrhan, but my SO just keeps adding on......flute, whistles, washboard, spoons, jews harp, and now....ukulele !
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
When I defy a self-imposed constraint which precludes me from sitting in any open session uninvited, I bring multiple personalities. Plus: the odd girl what can warble.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by NEW Pure Drop® Ear Canal Oil
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I like to travel light and limit myself to one (1) carry-in instrument when entering pubs
For sessions at home we just grab whatever's to hand.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Bren
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
And, the shame of missing a previous "mult. prsnlities" posting. That, ever shall we bring.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by NEW Pure Drop® Ear Canal Oil
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
One bodhran for bashing, one mandolin for O'Carolan stuff and airs and melody accompaniment to songs, 7 blues harps for songs, one whistle for "Lonesome Boatman" and the odd song, one guitar for playing badly and singing when the others are at the bar/out smoking/having intellectual conversations about tunes.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
i like to bring my concertina because there usually isnt another concertina player. i dont like to play the same instrument as someone else, because you can make a fuller sound with more variety.
i think any more than two instruments is a little hokey. i saw somebody bring an accordion and a fiddle and it looked kind of silly, because he had to strap on the accordion and then take it off.
i play the concertina mostly, and the flute will just sit on the table or on a stand until the end of the night when i get rambunctious.
usually i just hope a whistle player has a flute they dont play, so then it looks cool when the concertina player toots on somebody else's flute.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by daiv
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I've noticed several box players bringing out the whistle for a bit of a break. I like to bring my flute, whistle, and low whistle. I used to bring my grandfather's fiddle, but after a few close calls I decided to leave it home and not risk any damage.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I bring the box to the session but sometimes me and this Bodhran player swap for a bit.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by dinn2
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I bring the fiddle, whistle and low whistle. I usually play the fiddle but tend to change to the others depending on the other instruments present.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by saidhbh
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
if the session is going to be crowded or I have to walk far to get to it I just bring the fiddle, otherwise I like to bring my button accordion as well.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by cathycook
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I usually take my flute and a whistle with me. Sometimes also my practise set, but that's seldom. I noodle around on mandolin but don't feel comfortable enough with it to play it anywhere but at home.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by s.g.
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
Ive seen Johnny moynihan bring a big carrier with whistles bouzouki accordion and fiddle to name a few....
only to leave them there and just sing!
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I usually take my uillean pipes and the zouk to the sessions, and I never know how much I'm going to play each every day...it just depends. If there any guitar player, I always prefer to stay with the pipes as they're my main instrument, buy I sometimes pick up the zouk for some tunes when the guitar player takes a rest o for some tunes that I specially like to back...we also play some asturian tunes in our session wich sounds great with the buzouki. But there's been days where I only play buzouki, maybe because there were no other backing, so I felt more likely to play strings...I just nice to be able to choose depending on the day or the people in the session!
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by VOKEPASA
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I bring guitar, box, harmonicas and whistle to my usual session, when there are few people, switching off instruments adds to the variety, and there are many tunes I prefer to play on a certain instrument, or can only play on one instrument.
Going to a different session, I might only bring the guitar, and the harmonicas, since they reside in the guitar case. I don't want to be distracting to the others, since I am a guest at their gathering.
And when flying, I used to take a whistle, but now I just take harmonicas, since my repetoire on harmonica is overtaking my whistle repetiore, and they don't seem to create consternation among the x-ray technicians like a whistle sometimes does. And when you walk into a strange session with a harmonica in your pocket, you are basically incognito, you haven't marked yourself as a musician, and you can join in or not at your own choice without any pressure.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
Could we end this with a plea that all contributers put in at least a minimum of general information in their biog, however highly coloured, including an approximate area of operation, so that those whose prejudices are severely inflamed by any particular opinion expressed know which areas of the country/world to avoid !
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
and those whose prejudices are severely inflamed by certain areas of the country/world know who to disagree with!
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Bren
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
take 2 instruments into the session? Not me. I just play and go.
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by howsshecutting
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
I typically take fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and sometimes flute to a session for three main reasons. First, it's fun. Second, it provides variety in a session that can otherwise be fiddle heavy. And third, it saves me from repetitive stress injuries, which I seem to be prone to.
But I usually play fiddle most of the time.
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by Will Harmon
Re: Multiple instruments at a session
By the time they have built up a pyramid of guitar, banjo and fiddle cases, in walks the melodion player with a G/D and a D/A box. Why bother?
Even worse, people who bring a C/G and G/D concertina. Is transposition or cross-the-rows playing a dead art?
# Posted on August 28th 2007 by geoffwright