What's the deal with recording at sessions -is it ok just get the iPod out and start taping? Are you meant to ask first? I would only want to record to learn new tunes.
Ask, just as a matter or courtesy and consideration. Sometimes they say "no", their perogative, and you just get on with listening and playing and put the recording away for another day...
The next thing there'll be is people sneaking in hidden cameras to sessions and recording them and then putting them on YouTube. Hilarious look out for yourselves playing on YouTube.
Don't even think of asking if you can put the recorder on their table unless you're a regular player in the session, and even then it's delicate. It's not unknown for someone to sacrifice a pint, accidentally of course, in order to short out your expensive electronics.
If you're not careful, even if the players seemed ok about it, your recording device, an extension of you, will be seen as an unwelcome guest at the table. I've seen people come up and ask if it’s ok only to be met with a shrug they assumed that meant it was fine and then placed their extension, (recording device,) on the table where it gets scowled at and resented for imposing itself on the session.
Some recording devices are lot more obvious in their nature than others. I have a tiny iRiver mp3 recorder, often leave it on the table and you'd hardly notice it, particularly if you don't draw attention to it by switching it off and on all the time.
OTOH, I've seen fancy ones with separate microphones and all that jazz - definitely a statement of intent, overkill and a bit imposing.
I suppose it depends on your purpose - if it's just to learn local sets/ tunes the simple recorder is fine. That said, I have a few nice recordings of older and/or visiting players and I sometimes wished I had taken more care to have a better recording of them.
"Some recording devices are lot more obvious in their nature than others". This is utterly and completely beside the point. If anything, a less obvious machine may indicate a desire for subterfuge. You know when you are being recorded, and if you don't like it, the onus is on the person doing the recording to stop, not the player complaining.
Actually, come to think of it, the idea that someone would surreptitiously place an (supposedly) unobtrusive recording device in the middle of the session table and leave it on all night is pretty out of order. Me and my mates like our tunes to disappear back into the ether from whence they came. Ok, if you were getting a bit p*ssed you might forget about it, but is that really the music you'd like someone to archive for posterity?
I don't mind someone I know pulling a device out of their pocket one or twice a night and sitting it near me when I play a tune they are interested in (I'd rather they learned it from me live, but that's another discussion) and put it back in their pocket when the tune is over. I might even try to make a mental note of it for next week and see if they've had a go at it yet, and give them a ribbing if they haven't.
But a stranger who's not even participating? On balance I'd be saying no.
I've had a fellow come up and ask if it was ok to tape the session -- for tunes -- only to find the recording posted on this website asking for the tune names. As you might imagine I had to endure having my playing scrutinized by all of the "experts" here. I had no idea I was going to come face-to-face with the recording on line or I might not have been so agreeable with the idea.
On the other hand, I have some great session tapes that I've learned loads of tunes from. If we didn't allow the recordings we might not have tapes like the famous Gort session tape or all those ones from Donegal.
Michael,
I wasn't suggesting hiding anything - I'm assuming that other people around the table are aware of your purpose but if you have a discreet recorder and just switch the darn thing on and leave it running, it's a lot less intrusive that continuously pressing stop and start.
It's a bit of a pain editing it afterwards to find the few bits you want - I've tried just recording the odd set/ tune but the problem with that is that by the time you figure out you like this tune and switch the recorder on - the tune has finished or you just catch the end etc.
Sure, you can ask for a name(s) but that can be a pointless exercise as you well know. Personally I don't like disturbing people on the spot - to play it again while I record. And if you wait till a break, 'eh! can you play us that tune we did about 30 minutes ago' - not very productive.
actually I don't like the idea of just leaving a recorder running as it will pick ip peaoples conversations in between tunes etc. To me that is a real invasion of privacy.
Hussar, I appologise for implying that you would surreptitiously record an evening. I accept that you were not suggesting hiding anything. However, I do find the scenario a bit odd. You ask the present company if it's OK to record, then put your little machine on the table and hope people forget about it?
thanks for your advice - I would only want to record to increase my tune repotoire (spelt wrong?). I would only ever put it down on my case so as not in front of the other musos, I'd understand it would be a bit distracting.
Yep, just leave it down and forget about it - I forget about it too. Seems to be the politest way of doing things, assuming you've no evil intent. But maybe you're right and it's not the best. Suppose it depends on your company.
It is a good learning tool as everyone should know what they sound like to other people's ears in a session aswell as at home. This concentrates your learning on what really matters. At one of the local sessions the top man recorded sessions for weeks on end, edited them and gave them out as CDs, If you didn't know what your playing was like before, that will soon tell you. i have never had refusals to use the ipod and think if more people did use them, the session would be a better place. Also if people are putting recordings on utube, what is the complaint? if you were p*ssed and playing badly, that is alesson for next time.
Lot's of good thought here - just wanted to add my take.
I record a lot of times, with an old iPOD. Best rules of the road that I have worked out:
1) ALWAYS ask if its OK. Shut it off if there any issues. BE Respectful.
2) CHECK again after a few minutes
3) Only use the recorder while tunes are in PROGRESS. Be real clear about shutting it off during breaks.
4) TELL everyone why you are recording and what you are going to do with the files. Personally, I record to be able to playback and learn tunes.
5) If the other players at the session want a copy of the files, give them a real e-mail address and get them the files promptly.
6) DONT share files with people who aren't playing, unless you know them well. Folks at the session may be selling CDs/downloads to make ends meet.
7) HAVE FUN. That is the point of all this, isn't it?
Session recordings
Session recordings
What's the deal with recording at sessions -is it ok just get the iPod out and start taping? Are you meant to ask first? I would only want to record to learn new tunes.
# Posted on February 20th 2008 by camwebby
Re: Session recordings
Ask, just as a matter or courtesy and consideration. Sometimes they say "no", their perogative, and you just get on with listening and playing and put the recording away for another day...
# Posted on February 20th 2008 by ceolachan
"No!" is rare....
# Posted on February 20th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Session recordings
It's good manners to ask first. Our session wouldn't mind recording, but might mind the assumption that it's OK to do so without asking first.
# Posted on February 20th 2008 by minijackpot
Re: Session recordings
The next thing there'll be is people sneaking in hidden cameras to sessions and recording them and then putting them on YouTube. Hilarious look out for yourselves playing on YouTube.
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by upmine3
Re: Session recordings
Yes, ask first, making sure your motive is clear. And "No!" is rare, but be prepared for it.
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by ...
Re: Session recordings
photographing and videoing is the same, though you are more likely to get a "no".
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by ...
Re: Session recordings
Don't even think of asking if you can put the recorder on their table unless you're a regular player in the session, and even then it's delicate. It's not unknown for someone to sacrifice a pint, accidentally of course, in order to short out your expensive electronics.
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: Session recordings
If you're not careful, even if the players seemed ok about it, your recording device, an extension of you, will be seen as an unwelcome guest at the table. I've seen people come up and ask if it’s ok only to be met with a shrug they assumed that meant it was fine and then placed their extension, (recording device,) on the table where it gets scowled at and resented for imposing itself on the session.
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Session recordings
Some recording devices are lot more obvious in their nature than others. I have a tiny iRiver mp3 recorder, often leave it on the table and you'd hardly notice it, particularly if you don't draw attention to it by switching it off and on all the time.
OTOH, I've seen fancy ones with separate microphones and all that jazz - definitely a statement of intent, overkill and a bit imposing.
I suppose it depends on your purpose - if it's just to learn local sets/ tunes the simple recorder is fine. That said, I have a few nice recordings of older and/or visiting players and I sometimes wished I had taken more care to have a better recording of them.
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by the wounded hussar
Re: Session recordings
"Some recording devices are lot more obvious in their nature than others". This is utterly and completely beside the point. If anything, a less obvious machine may indicate a desire for subterfuge. You know when you are being recorded, and if you don't like it, the onus is on the person doing the recording to stop, not the player complaining.
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by ...
Re: Session recordings
Actually, come to think of it, the idea that someone would surreptitiously place an (supposedly) unobtrusive recording device in the middle of the session table and leave it on all night is pretty out of order. Me and my mates like our tunes to disappear back into the ether from whence they came. Ok, if you were getting a bit p*ssed you might forget about it, but is that really the music you'd like someone to archive for posterity?
I don't mind someone I know pulling a device out of their pocket one or twice a night and sitting it near me when I play a tune they are interested in (I'd rather they learned it from me live, but that's another discussion) and put it back in their pocket when the tune is over. I might even try to make a mental note of it for next week and see if they've had a go at it yet, and give them a ribbing if they haven't.
But a stranger who's not even participating? On balance I'd be saying no.
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by ...
Re: Session recordings
I've had a fellow come up and ask if it was ok to tape the session -- for tunes -- only to find the recording posted on this website asking for the tune names. As you might imagine I had to endure having my playing scrutinized by all of the "experts" here. I had no idea I was going to come face-to-face with the recording on line or I might not have been so agreeable with the idea.
On the other hand, I have some great session tapes that I've learned loads of tunes from. If we didn't allow the recordings we might not have tapes like the famous Gort session tape or all those ones from Donegal.
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Session recordings
Michael,
I wasn't suggesting hiding anything - I'm assuming that other people around the table are aware of your purpose but if you have a discreet recorder and just switch the darn thing on and leave it running, it's a lot less intrusive that continuously pressing stop and start.
It's a bit of a pain editing it afterwards to find the few bits you want - I've tried just recording the odd set/ tune but the problem with that is that by the time you figure out you like this tune and switch the recorder on - the tune has finished or you just catch the end etc.
Sure, you can ask for a name(s) but that can be a pointless exercise as you well know. Personally I don't like disturbing people on the spot - to play it again while I record. And if you wait till a break, 'eh! can you play us that tune we did about 30 minutes ago' - not very productive.
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by the wounded hussar
Re: Session recordings
The thing surely is to be respectful of the content and ignore anything said along the way, including comments while you're away at the jacks!
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by the wounded hussar
Re: Session recordings
actually I don't like the idea of just leaving a recorder running as it will pick ip peaoples conversations in between tunes etc. To me that is a real invasion of privacy.
- Chris
# Posted on February 21st 2008 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Session recordings
Hussar, I appologise for implying that you would surreptitiously record an evening. I accept that you were not suggesting hiding anything. However, I do find the scenario a bit odd. You ask the present company if it's OK to record, then put your little machine on the table and hope people forget about it?
# Posted on February 22nd 2008 by ...
Re: Session recordings
thanks for your advice - I would only want to record to increase my tune repotoire (spelt wrong?). I would only ever put it down on my case so as not in front of the other musos, I'd understand it would be a bit distracting.
# Posted on February 22nd 2008 by camwebby
Re: Session recordings
Yep, just leave it down and forget about it - I forget about it too. Seems to be the politest way of doing things, assuming you've no evil intent. But maybe you're right and it's not the best. Suppose it depends on your company.
# Posted on February 22nd 2008 by the wounded hussar
Re: Session recordings
I suppose if everybody playing is cool with it and you are absolutly sure of that, then it's OK.
# Posted on February 22nd 2008 by ...
Re: Session recordings
It is a good learning tool as everyone should know what they sound like to other people's ears in a session aswell as at home. This concentrates your learning on what really matters. At one of the local sessions the top man recorded sessions for weeks on end, edited them and gave them out as CDs, If you didn't know what your playing was like before, that will soon tell you. i have never had refusals to use the ipod and think if more people did use them, the session would be a better place. Also if people are putting recordings on utube, what is the complaint? if you were p*ssed and playing badly, that is alesson for next time.
# Posted on February 22nd 2008 by tlittlewazzock
Re: Session recordings
You twazzock. Next time you post, read the feckin discussion first
# Posted on February 22nd 2008 by ...
Re: Session recordings
Lot's of good thought here - just wanted to add my take.
I record a lot of times, with an old iPOD. Best rules of the road that I have worked out:
1) ALWAYS ask if its OK. Shut it off if there any issues. BE Respectful.
2) CHECK again after a few minutes
3) Only use the recorder while tunes are in PROGRESS. Be real clear about shutting it off during breaks.
4) TELL everyone why you are recording and what you are going to do with the files. Personally, I record to be able to playback and learn tunes.
5) If the other players at the session want a copy of the files, give them a real e-mail address and get them the files promptly.
6) DONT share files with people who aren't playing, unless you know them well. Folks at the session may be selling CDs/downloads to make ends meet.
7) HAVE FUN. That is the point of all this, isn't it?
# Posted on February 24th 2008 by bledsoeo