....my box case, that is. Then someone comes along and asks if they can sit on it. I mutter a few embarrassed noises like, oh, the joints are getting a bit weak now as I used to sit on it, wait and I'll get you a stool. Head off to the other end of the bar where there are stools a-plenty, and return with one. Problem solved.
Am I alone in not really liking other people sit on my case? I don't sit on it myself.
Also people playing with my kit...ahem, I'll rephrase that. If I leave a whistle or a flute down on the table, I don't mind anyone (who can play) having a go, so long as they ASK first. There have been occasions when I've had persons coming into a session and just picking them up and playing - nothing so whimpishly genteel as maybe just asking me first,ho-oh no. I don't know but maybe I really am a grumpy ole git, but: I - Don't - Like - That.
I started a "humorous" thread on this subject a while back as an act of catharsis, having spent the previous evening seething at a session where the local "don't-know-ANY-tunes-you-guys-play-but-no-matter-I-love-to-improvise-madly-and-loudly-here's-one-I-know-no-it's-not-Irish-but-what-the-hell-oh-here's-a-polka-for-you-so-what-if-it's-really-two-polkas-that-I've-collapsed-into-one-three-parter-no-I-don't-know-the-names-of-the-parent-tunes-and-even-if-I-did-I-wouldn't-bother-learning-them-so-please-don't-tell-me" guy tuned up without his tools. Three sheets to the wind he plonked himself down beside me and - at the time I was playing both banjo and mandola - picked up the mandola while I was using the twangy boyo.
It merely takes a second to ask the question in which case "borrowing". Why some people feel it's appropriate to use someone's kit without asking (i.e. "nicking") is beyond me!
Sometimes people who have asked will "hog the instrument" for an undue period of time. I've usually got more than one instrument with me so I've always something to play and , maybe, they don't realise it matters as I seem quite happy. However, I sometimes prefer either the mandolin or fiddle for different tunes or, sometimes, even the mandola and I get irritated if it's not at hand. If the "borrower" is a good musician and adding a lot to the proceedings then that's a different story. More often, they are not.
Hey, it's the second most basic of all session etiquets: Even if you did ask, and got an OK, thats for one set of tunes only. And you can't ask again. Don't matter how good you are
You're right Mchael, one set of tunes should do it, and then it should at least be offered back to the kind lender. If the borrowers enjoy playing that much, why don't they take their instrument with them whenever they go somewhere, just in case there should be a session(unless of course they're on a long trip across the world). I don't mean carting 3 instruments but a fiddle or a flute is not that much of a bother. Besides, for most of us, the instrument become the most important piece of luggage when we travel.
Personally, I am more comfortable walking into a pub with a session on my own if I have an instrument with me, for company. Even if you don't use it at an unknown session, it's nice to have with you. And anyway, if you're spotted with your instrument, more often than not, you are invited to join in, and you don't have to go in yourself and ask to borrow someone's instrument.
yes,i got pissed off with a girl who asked me for my fiddle to play a tune-not only did she not offer to return it after her set but she still kept it whilst attempting to 'learn' the bucks of oranmore on the fly.when i asked for it back during that tune she returned it with a really filthy look.that won't happen again too soon
Joe,
we once had a neighbour who came in to borrow some sugar, we asked her how much she needed, she showed us a mug of hot water and said 'it's for my tea' then she asked if we had any tea bags for her cup, so we gave her one and she also asked for a bit of milk to go with it. Honestly!
I must admit that I have taken a real liking for Seamus McKibbin's Copeland whistle. Of COURSE I always ask permission before using it but it's so tasty that I will ask to play it several times in the course of a 4 hour session.
I will definitely have to give up smoking and treat myself to one from the 1st month's savings!
Also have to say that if I see someone 'stealing'another musicians instrument without asking I will tell them politely that this is not on. Don't see why we should allow false 'good' manners [not wanting to offend the thieving b**tard's sensibilities] interfere with our enjoyment of the sess. Invariably the drunken loutish slob can't play a tune and just craps on the atmosphere for everybody else, punters included.
All this reminds me of the Tommy and Colum Sands song. Here's the lyrics nicked from Mudcat cafe
"
LOOKIN' THE LOAN OF A SPADE
Colum Sands / The Sands Family
Is that yourself - Indeed it is - Well you're a stranger here,
I don't know when I seen you last, it must be more than a year,
How are you doin' - I'm not so bad, and what about yourself -
/: No use complaining I suppose, as long as we've got the health. :/
Where are you now? - I'm still at home, it's the brother that went away,
My father he said that if one of us left, the other would have to stay,
Sure jobs are gettin' very scarce, the unemployment's a curse -
/: But still I suppose as the fella says, it's bad that couldn't be worse. :/
- Terrible weather altogether, it's never going to clear -
Do you know what I'm goin' to tell you though, it's not bad for the time of the year,
Sure a sup of rain never done very much harm, the grass could do with a drop,
/: I'd pass no remarks on a skift or two, as long as there's not a slap. :/
- A slap's the last thing that we need, for our wee meadow's in hay
Do you mind the trade we had last year comin' up thon bit of a brae -
The mountain's comin' very close, I don't like the look of the sky,
/: The forecast talked about a change, but you mightn't believe thon boys. :/
(spoken)I think I'll ask him now . . . I think I'll ask him . . .
- I suppose I'd better be headin' on, I've held you back enough,
I was clearin' up at the back of the house, the garden is very rough,
I broke the spade and it's awkward when you've only got a graip,
/: And unless I can get the loan of a spade, the garden will have to wait. :/
- Aye a spade's an awful missly thing, there's the sun again,
But it's only a pet, it will never keep up, I felt a spit of rain -
Would you be usin' your spade today - To tell you the truth I'm not,
/: For I lent it to you a year ago, and since then I never saw it. :/ "
Cath,
My university colleague moved into a new flat. The next day her neighbour nocked at the door and asked if she had any flour. She said nay, and he replied:" Oh, that's why I brought you some" and pulled a bag of flour from behind his back.
As a matter of face, one could bring an extra instrument that they aren't that worried about to use as "bait", as soon as someone puts down thier pint to play it... Go for it ;)
I dont mind if its a friend borrowing my fiddle, thats fine with me if I'm not using it. But I had an experience at a party where I left my fiddle on the table to go get a drink and some stranger starts playing my fiddle and then at the end of the set doesnt offer it back, I was furious, seriously...I would never do something as rude as that....while your at it why not just drink my pint as well!! What a twat!
I rest my case....
I rest my case....
....my box case, that is. Then someone comes along and asks if they can sit on it. I mutter a few embarrassed noises like, oh, the joints are getting a bit weak now as I used to sit on it, wait and I'll get you a stool. Head off to the other end of the bar where there are stools a-plenty, and return with one. Problem solved.
Am I alone in not really liking other people sit on my case? I don't sit on it myself.
Also people playing with my kit...ahem, I'll rephrase that. If I leave a whistle or a flute down on the table, I don't mind anyone (who can play) having a go, so long as they ASK first. There have been occasions when I've had persons coming into a session and just picking them up and playing - nothing so whimpishly genteel as maybe just asking me first,ho-oh no. I don't know but maybe I really am a grumpy ole git, but: I - Don't - Like - That.
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: I rest my case....
Hey it's the most basic of all the session etiquets: Don't touch witrhout asking
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by ...
Re: I rest my case....
Drink their pint!
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: I rest my case....
I started a "humorous" thread on this subject a while back as an act of catharsis, having spent the previous evening seething at a session where the local "don't-know-ANY-tunes-you-guys-play-but-no-matter-I-love-to-improvise-madly-and-loudly-here's-one-I-know-no-it's-not-Irish-but-what-the-hell-oh-here's-a-polka-for-you-so-what-if-it's-really-two-polkas-that-I've-collapsed-into-one-three-parter-no-I-don't-know-the-names-of-the-parent-tunes-and-even-if-I-did-I-wouldn't-bother-learning-them-so-please-don't-tell-me" guy tuned up without his tools. Three sheets to the wind he plonked himself down beside me and - at the time I was playing both banjo and mandola - picked up the mandola while I was using the twangy boyo.
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/1402/comments#comment23257
It merely takes a second to ask the question in which case "borrowing". Why some people feel it's appropriate to use someone's kit without asking (i.e. "nicking") is beyond me!
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Aidan Crossey
Re: I rest my case....
Sometimes people who have asked will "hog the instrument" for an undue period of time. I've usually got more than one instrument with me so I've always something to play and , maybe, they don't realise it matters as I seem quite happy. However, I sometimes prefer either the mandolin or fiddle for different tunes or, sometimes, even the mandola and I get irritated if it's not at hand. If the "borrower" is a good musician and adding a lot to the proceedings then that's a different story. More often, they are not.
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Johnny Jay
Re: I rest my case....
Hey, it's the second most basic of all session etiquets: Even if you did ask, and got an OK, thats for one set of tunes only. And you can't ask again. Don't matter how good you are
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by ...
Re: I rest my case....
You're right Mchael, one set of tunes should do it, and then it should at least be offered back to the kind lender. If the borrowers enjoy playing that much, why don't they take their instrument with them whenever they go somewhere, just in case there should be a session(unless of course they're on a long trip across the world). I don't mean carting 3 instruments but a fiddle or a flute is not that much of a bother. Besides, for most of us, the instrument become the most important piece of luggage when we travel.
Personally, I am more comfortable walking into a pub with a session on my own if I have an instrument with me, for company. Even if you don't use it at an unknown session, it's nice to have with you. And anyway, if you're spotted with your instrument, more often than not, you are invited to join in, and you don't have to go in yourself and ask to borrow someone's instrument.
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Cath
Re: I rest my case....
Aidan - yeah good that was. But no harm in a bit of repitition for an issue so serious :~}
Some newbies here might not have seen that one.
John - hogging borrowed instruments...which reminds me - some people hog sessions also. (how's about that for hijacking your own thread?)
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: I rest my case....
yes,i got pissed off with a girl who asked me for my fiddle to play a tune-not only did she not offer to return it after her set but she still kept it whilst attempting to 'learn' the bucks of oranmore on the fly.when i asked for it back during that tune she returned it with a really filthy look.that won't happen again too soon
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by biggus dave
Re: I rest my case....
i have a needle but no thread. Can i borrow your thread, please? And your golf clubs and wife if yer not using them? Ta.
Joe
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: I rest my case....
Want to borrow my penknife, Joe?
:~}
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: I rest my case....
Joe,
we once had a neighbour who came in to borrow some sugar, we asked her how much she needed, she showed us a mug of hot water and said 'it's for my tea' then she asked if we had any tea bags for her cup, so we gave her one and she also asked for a bit of milk to go with it. Honestly!
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Cath
Re: I rest my case....
No, thanks, me Lord but would you e'er have a pair of spoons to lend me?
Cath., you're a generous soul. Make us a cuppa tea, wouldya?
Joe
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: I rest my case....
Do you want milk and sugar with that?
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Cath
Re: I rest my case....
I can't imagine having to travel the world _without_ _my_ _fiddle_?! But then, I find it hard enough to leave it at home when I go shopping... ;)
I would never go out for a couple of pints without it! Even if there's no session, I usually bring it. You never know...
...but then, I usually end up not playing it at all, since the closest regular session is about 70 km away... :|
# Posted on May 27th 2004 by Pontus Adefjord
Re: I rest my case....
I must admit that I have taken a real liking for Seamus McKibbin's Copeland whistle. Of COURSE I always ask permission before using it but it's so tasty that I will ask to play it several times in the course of a 4 hour session.
I will definitely have to give up smoking and treat myself to one from the 1st month's savings!
Also have to say that if I see someone 'stealing'another musicians instrument without asking I will tell them politely that this is not on. Don't see why we should allow false 'good' manners [not wanting to offend the thieving b**tard's sensibilities] interfere with our enjoyment of the sess. Invariably the drunken loutish slob can't play a tune and just craps on the atmosphere for everybody else, punters included.
Speak up for yersels!!
# Posted on May 28th 2004 by breandan
Re: I rest my case....
All this reminds me of the Tommy and Colum Sands song. Here's the lyrics nicked from Mudcat cafe
"
LOOKIN' THE LOAN OF A SPADE
Colum Sands / The Sands Family
Is that yourself - Indeed it is - Well you're a stranger here,
I don't know when I seen you last, it must be more than a year,
How are you doin' - I'm not so bad, and what about yourself -
/: No use complaining I suppose, as long as we've got the health. :/
Where are you now? - I'm still at home, it's the brother that went away,
My father he said that if one of us left, the other would have to stay,
Sure jobs are gettin' very scarce, the unemployment's a curse -
/: But still I suppose as the fella says, it's bad that couldn't be worse. :/
- Terrible weather altogether, it's never going to clear -
Do you know what I'm goin' to tell you though, it's not bad for the time of the year,
Sure a sup of rain never done very much harm, the grass could do with a drop,
/: I'd pass no remarks on a skift or two, as long as there's not a slap. :/
- A slap's the last thing that we need, for our wee meadow's in hay
Do you mind the trade we had last year comin' up thon bit of a brae -
The mountain's comin' very close, I don't like the look of the sky,
/: The forecast talked about a change, but you mightn't believe thon boys. :/
(spoken)I think I'll ask him now . . . I think I'll ask him . . .
- I suppose I'd better be headin' on, I've held you back enough,
I was clearin' up at the back of the house, the garden is very rough,
I broke the spade and it's awkward when you've only got a graip,
/: And unless I can get the loan of a spade, the garden will have to wait. :/
- Aye a spade's an awful missly thing, there's the sun again,
But it's only a pet, it will never keep up, I felt a spit of rain -
Would you be usin' your spade today - To tell you the truth I'm not,
/: For I lent it to you a year ago, and since then I never saw it. :/ "
# Posted on May 28th 2004 by Johnny Jay
Re: I rest my case....
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP
# Posted on May 28th 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: I rest my case....
So Joe, I can understand why you'd borrow someone's golf clubs, but why the wife... to carry the clubs around the golf course? Brilliant! CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP
# Posted on May 28th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: I rest my case....
Of course.
Joe
# Posted on May 28th 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: I rest my case....
This reminds me of a joke.
This fella was talking to his wife about what would happen to her and his stuff if anything should happen to him...
He said, "You would get married again right." and she said, "Oh, I don't know... I suppose so."
He said, "Would you give your new husband my clothes?" she said, "I guess so... yes."
He asked, "Would you keep our bed?" she relied, "Well... I suppose so."
He asked, "What about my golf clubs... would you give your new husband those?" and she replied, "No... he's left handed."
*ba-dum-bum*
# Posted on May 28th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: I rest my case....
Cath,
My university colleague moved into a new flat. The next day her neighbour nocked at the door and asked if she had any flour. She said nay, and he replied:" Oh, that's why I brought you some" and pulled a bag of flour from behind his back.
They are engaged now.
# Posted on May 28th 2004 by Janek
Re: I rest my case....
The topic, uh, of course - yeah, I hate that. It's horrible. No mercy for instrument-nickers.
# Posted on May 28th 2004 by Janek
Re: I rest my case....
I like showaddydadit's idea... Drink their pint.
As a matter of face, one could bring an extra instrument that they aren't that worried about to use as "bait", as soon as someone puts down thier pint to play it... Go for it ;)
~L
# Posted on May 28th 2004 by Lisa Lawrence
Re: I rest my case....
I dont mind if its a friend borrowing my fiddle, thats fine with me if I'm not using it. But I had an experience at a party where I left my fiddle on the table to go get a drink and some stranger starts playing my fiddle and then at the end of the set doesnt offer it back, I was furious, seriously...I would never do something as rude as that....while your at it why not just drink my pint as well!! What a twat!
# Posted on May 30th 2004 by bb