This isn't profound or anything (and has no doubt been done before), but these discussions are a lot like sessions. You have your (mostly) loveable old codgers (OCs) that preside over the sesh and are very generous with lore and tunes, you have your instrumental specialists with all sorts of arcana about various instruments (exotic wood flutes, fibre bows, etc.), the session clown who's always ready with a good one-liner, the grump in the corner that always has a beef with something or another and then you have your newcomers who are trying to figure out what is going on here and also to find their own voice and stool in Jeremy's virtual pub.
There are some discussions (like some sessions) where things don't really flow well or go anywhere, some threads take off for a short, great run and then there is the odd thread that takes off and is unforgettable. Sort of like a run of tunes that goes by and twenty minutes later you look up and remember that you are sitting in the pub playing tunes. The "Shakey Egg" thread is in that category for me and is the most memorable to date. It ranks up there with the first time I heard the live "Holy Land" set by the Bothy Band. Really.
I agree mostly, but I think you have to be wary of thinking of it like a real session. Differing views on this has caused mild friction here in the past in a sort of indirect way. The main difference in terms of interaction is that in a real session you can't escape from what people are saying or playing - it's like: you get what you're given. If some of the musos are having a discussion about something you have no interest in, you can try and switch off and ignore it, but you'll stil hear it. Here, you have full control over your interaction with others, and you can choose not to open a discussion, and you can choose not to look at the tunes for a week or so if you can't be bothered or simply don't like their names. I think that it's easy to forget this important difference, and to do so is falling into a trap... But yeah, there are a lot of similarities.
It depends on how you define a session, really. If you're someone who goes for tunes tunes tunes and nothing but, then this is nothing like a session. If you're one of those who go to a session for the crack, and oh yeah, what a great excuse this music is for getting out to the local, then yes, this is exactly like a session.
Actually, I've noticed lately (about the last two months or so) that I've really been having a better time than usual on Thursday nights. When my wife & I do the recap the next day, the common denominator seems to be that it wasn't about playing the tunes at all. I guess that craic/crack thing IS all that it lives up to be...
Actually, I had Dow pegged more as an OC/SC rather than a GITC. *chortle*
I am sitting at the back trying not to frighten anybody with my very quite virtual bodhran and studying the backs of all the fiddle players and trying to work out the rythm's the guitar lads are bashing out. Have said hello to the whistler next to me but she's trying to get off with the double bass player. There are a couple of box lads over there but they have got stuck into the virtual beer and havn't played anything for a while. Have enjoyed listening to you all for weeks now and thought it about time I joined in with a tune or two :^)
Hi Clunk. Quick, hide before Zina realises you're new, don't distract her from the double bass player or she'll come over and give you fleas. I had a go on someone's bodhran the other day, and I know I looked like a total dickhead. I felt like my arms weren't attached properly to my body anymore - a bit like trying to write with your left hand if you're right handed, or trying to juggle for the first time. I'd love to be able to play bodhran because it would really help with my playing of other instruments in terms of rhythm and relaxation technique, and if I wanted to I could play loudly and drown out the screeching fiddles.
Discussions ARE sessions
Discussions ARE sessions
This isn't profound or anything (and has no doubt been done before), but these discussions are a lot like sessions. You have your (mostly) loveable old codgers (OCs) that preside over the sesh and are very generous with lore and tunes, you have your instrumental specialists with all sorts of arcana about various instruments (exotic wood flutes, fibre bows, etc.), the session clown who's always ready with a good one-liner, the grump in the corner that always has a beef with something or another and then you have your newcomers who are trying to figure out what is going on here and also to find their own voice and stool in Jeremy's virtual pub.
There are some discussions (like some sessions) where things don't really flow well or go anywhere, some threads take off for a short, great run and then there is the odd thread that takes off and is unforgettable. Sort of like a run of tunes that goes by and twenty minutes later you look up and remember that you are sitting in the pub playing tunes. The "Shakey Egg" thread is in that category for me and is the most memorable to date. It ranks up there with the first time I heard the live "Holy Land" set by the Bothy Band. Really.
Thanks for the laughs,
Greg
# Posted on July 18th 2003 by octogreg
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
I agree mostly, but I think you have to be wary of thinking of it like a real session. Differing views on this has caused mild friction here in the past in a sort of indirect way. The main difference in terms of interaction is that in a real session you can't escape from what people are saying or playing - it's like: you get what you're given. If some of the musos are having a discussion about something you have no interest in, you can try and switch off and ignore it, but you'll stil hear it. Here, you have full control over your interaction with others, and you can choose not to open a discussion, and you can choose not to look at the tunes for a week or so if you can't be bothered or simply don't like their names. I think that it's easy to forget this important difference, and to do so is falling into a trap... But yeah, there are a lot of similarities.
# Posted on July 18th 2003 by Dr. Dow
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
I must be the grump in the corner am I?
# Posted on July 18th 2003 by Dr. Dow
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
...and surrounded by fiddles.
*grin*
# Posted on July 18th 2003 by Will Harmon
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
It depends on how you define a session, really. If you're someone who goes for tunes tunes tunes and nothing but, then this is nothing like a session. If you're one of those who go to a session for the crack, and oh yeah, what a great excuse this music is for getting out to the local, then yes, this is exactly like a session.
Zina
# Posted on July 18th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
anyone got some virtual beer? then it would be perfect
# Posted on July 18th 2003 by Yohan
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
The beer doesn't have to be virtual - just crack open the tinnies, boy.
# Posted on July 18th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
Actually, I've noticed lately (about the last two months or so) that I've really been having a better time than usual on Thursday nights. When my wife & I do the recap the next day, the common denominator seems to be that it wasn't about playing the tunes at all. I guess that craic/crack thing IS all that it lives up to be...
Actually, I had Dow pegged more as an OC/SC rather than a GITC. *chortle*
Greg
# Posted on July 19th 2003 by octogreg
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
HAHAHAHA....Gotcha, Dow! You're not a newbie anymore, buddy.
# Posted on July 19th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
Hello my name is clunk -
I am sitting at the back trying not to frighten anybody with my very quite virtual bodhran and studying the backs of all the fiddle players and trying to work out the rythm's the guitar lads are bashing out. Have said hello to the whistler next to me but she's trying to get off with the double bass player. There are a couple of box lads over there but they have got stuck into the virtual beer and havn't played anything for a while. Have enjoyed listening to you all for weeks now and thought it about time I joined in with a tune or two :^)
Cheers
Clunk
# Posted on July 19th 2003 by clunk999
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
I didn't know our housedog could play the whistle. Zina, here girl. Leave his leg alone!
# Posted on July 19th 2003 by Dr. Dow
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
Hi Clunk. Quick, hide before Zina realises you're new, don't distract her from the double bass player or she'll come over and give you fleas. I had a go on someone's bodhran the other day, and I know I looked like a total dickhead. I felt like my arms weren't attached properly to my body anymore - a bit like trying to write with your left hand if you're right handed, or trying to juggle for the first time. I'd love to be able to play bodhran because it would really help with my playing of other instruments in terms of rhythm and relaxation technique, and if I wanted to I could play loudly and drown out the screeching fiddles.
# Posted on July 19th 2003 by Dr. Dow
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
LOL -- just remember, Mark, my bite is much worse than my bark.
# Posted on July 19th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
So Octogreg, tell us who the grumpy git is in the corner. Does he have a Glaswegian accent?
# Posted on July 19th 2003 by Dr. Dow
Re: Discussions ARE sessions
I am definitely NOT going to take the bait on that one! Nice try, though. heh.
Greg
# Posted on July 20th 2003 by octogreg