How many have had this experience (or one similar), coming toward the end (or after the "official" end) of a session. The players are tired and/or drunk, the punters are louder and drunker, and silliness ensues.
Here's what happened last night (and I have the audio tape to prove it, which, when I can figure out how to do it, I will post snips of -- it's hilarious!):
It's after midnight (the "official" ending time of our session). We are definitely tired/drunk (me, more the former than the latter). Tunes are rolling out a little more slowly and sloppily ... One tune, which I didn't know, ended, and I topped it off with a "stinger" by blowing into the open corked end of my flute, which, by adjusting my embouchure, I can make whatever pitch I want, and I made a good one (that time). Our fearless leader (who shall remain nameless, lest the guilty be identified), asked to borrow my flute, which he promptly dismantled (it's only a two-piece Tipple), and played - didgeridoo-style - sounding more like the mating call of a humpback whale. This was followed shortly after by my playing only the headjoint of my flute, sliding my finger in-and-out, getting a "slide whistle" effect, and pulling off a couple of circus tune licks. Then, feeling inspired by recent elections in the Middle East, I take out my fife, and playing the wrong end, using the 6th hole for an embouchure, played a very eastern-sounding diddy.
Not to be outdone, our leader then proceeds off to the corner of the bar and returns with what can only be called a "herald trumpet" -- one of those long straight horns - which he proceeded to blat in time. This was followed by still more antics, this time by our resident banjo-player, who began strumming out something which sounded more Tiny-Tim-on-his-ukelele than anything else. The general cacophony continued until no one could play anything anymore, for fear of splitting a spleen with laughter.
I'm not sure if I can take that again, but it certainly was fun.
What mostly happens at our session is the same silliness.
Because we live in Holland, most people in the bar only know the 'Hits' like the Wild Rover etc. etc.. So we mostly play tunes and "not so likely" sons during the highlight of the session, but last sunday it ended up in a jukebox kinda way, when the local singer/guiter-player wanted to please the audience by singing all the hits. He did succeed in pleasing the audience, but the session ended abrupt after The Wild Rover (everyone started to drink even more...espacially the musicians). So that's my story...
Try playing "The Wild Rover" but in a different mode. Swapping to minor is a good start, but you can be more adventurous. See how long it takes the punters to recognise it. If the tune is that annoying, its worth taking it to pieces.
Ah yes . . . . I think this sort of thing needs to be organised onto a formal footing. I propose we form a spontaneity sub-committee. . . . . . . .
(-;
Many of the most memorable moments of fun take place in the last few minutes of a session - when its all over so to speak. The daft song, the Atholl Highlanders in 5/4 time, slow air on bodhran etc. . . . . . happy days.
Try swapping instruments so everyones got something they dont play - then try a really simple tune.
Yes. We must be more spontaneous. I propose we have a spontaneity leader to start the mayhem in synchronised fashion. I'm sure if everyone practises they can get it right.
I'm stll puzzling over a photy from 3am at my 50th which shows that the bandstand has been taken over by a bagpiper, a whistler on drums, a bass player on banjo, a Nigerian jazz trumpeter on trumpet and wee Bob on guitar who assures me he was singing "Fields of Athenry" and it came out "great".
showaddydadito: "Try swapping instruments so everyones got something they dont play - then try a really simple tune."
Anyone familiar with the song "Spinning Wheels" (I think that's the title) from the band Chicago (70's rock band)? At the end, there is a very out-of-tune sounding calliope-type bit, which I recall hearing was the result of just such an instrument-swapping. If you have this record (I don't know what it's on), dust it off and check it out.
The tune 'Spinning Wheel' was recorded by the group 'Blood, Sweat and Tears.'. The ending is a classic much like the end of the Beatles 'All you need is Love'. Like many sessions, the end is one big hilarious 'meltown'. I love it!
I remember a great session in the Central bar in Edinburgh which ended with some singing.
One of the regulars began the song "Let's go down (to the water to pray)" which is fairly innocuous until he started changing the lyrics. Instead of sisters, brothers, etc. everyone had to come up with an alternative and rather silly word, e.g "Mongol Warriors". Mine, bizarrely, was "pencils".
Last year, after a session at Dolan's in Limerick, a banch of us were invited back to someones flat for more craic (I use the neo-Irish spelling to avoid confusion). Beer flowed (of which I did and do not partake), particularly spicy cigarettes were passed around, and all manner of music ensued from our instruments and larynxes, ranging from jigs, reels and O'carolan tunes, to contemporary acoustic pop/rock (there was a good American brother/sister duo present). At one point during the night, someone started up a 12-bar blues, which developed into a lengthy jam, with each of us taking breaks. At a particularly inspired moment, I picked up a heavy glass ashtray and played the most amazing slide mandolin solo. Now, I ain't pretendin' to be no Yank Rachel, but I believe it was the closest I've ever come to playing the blues .
A session unravels
A session unravels
How many have had this experience (or one similar), coming toward the end (or after the "official" end) of a session. The players are tired and/or drunk, the punters are louder and drunker, and silliness ensues.
Here's what happened last night (and I have the audio tape to prove it, which, when I can figure out how to do it, I will post snips of -- it's hilarious!):
It's after midnight (the "official" ending time of our session). We are definitely tired/drunk (me, more the former than the latter). Tunes are rolling out a little more slowly and sloppily ... One tune, which I didn't know, ended, and I topped it off with a "stinger" by blowing into the open corked end of my flute, which, by adjusting my embouchure, I can make whatever pitch I want, and I made a good one (that time). Our fearless leader (who shall remain nameless, lest the guilty be identified), asked to borrow my flute, which he promptly dismantled (it's only a two-piece Tipple), and played - didgeridoo-style - sounding more like the mating call of a humpback whale. This was followed shortly after by my playing only the headjoint of my flute, sliding my finger in-and-out, getting a "slide whistle" effect, and pulling off a couple of circus tune licks. Then, feeling inspired by recent elections in the Middle East, I take out my fife, and playing the wrong end, using the 6th hole for an embouchure, played a very eastern-sounding diddy.
Not to be outdone, our leader then proceeds off to the corner of the bar and returns with what can only be called a "herald trumpet" -- one of those long straight horns - which he proceeded to blat in time. This was followed by still more antics, this time by our resident banjo-player, who began strumming out something which sounded more Tiny-Tim-on-his-ukelele than anything else. The general cacophony continued until no one could play anything anymore, for fear of splitting a spleen with laughter.
I'm not sure if I can take that again, but it certainly was fun.
# Posted on February 17th 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: A session unravels
What mostly happens at our session is the same silliness.
Because we live in Holland, most people in the bar only know the 'Hits' like the Wild Rover etc. etc.. So we mostly play tunes and "not so likely" sons during the highlight of the session, but last sunday it ended up in a jukebox kinda way, when the local singer/guiter-player wanted to please the audience by singing all the hits. He did succeed in pleasing the audience, but the session ended abrupt after The Wild Rover (everyone started to drink even more...espacially the musicians). So that's my story...
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by Dark Raven
Re: A session unravels
Black Crow (We don't have ravens here)
Try playing "The Wild Rover" but in a different mode. Swapping to minor is a good start, but you can be more adventurous. See how long it takes the punters to recognise it. If the tune is that annoying, its worth taking it to pieces.
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by NeilBarr
Re: A session unravels
FyfferGuy , that sound hilarious. I'd love to hear it if you can figure out how to post it.
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by Emily Horne
Re: A session unravels
Ah yes . . . . I think this sort of thing needs to be organised onto a formal footing. I propose we form a spontaneity sub-committee. . . . . . . .
(-;
Many of the most memorable moments of fun take place in the last few minutes of a session - when its all over so to speak. The daft song, the Atholl Highlanders in 5/4 time, slow air on bodhran etc. . . . . . happy days.
Try swapping instruments so everyones got something they dont play - then try a really simple tune.
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: A session unravels
Yes. We must be more spontaneous. I propose we have a spontaneity leader to start the mayhem in synchronised fashion. I'm sure if everyone practises they can get it right.
I'm stll puzzling over a photy from 3am at my 50th which shows that the bandstand has been taken over by a bagpiper, a whistler on drums, a bass player on banjo, a Nigerian jazz trumpeter on trumpet and wee Bob on guitar who assures me he was singing "Fields of Athenry" and it came out "great".
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by Bren
Re: A session unravels
showaddydadito: "Try swapping instruments so everyones got something they dont play - then try a really simple tune."
Anyone familiar with the song "Spinning Wheels" (I think that's the title) from the band Chicago (70's rock band)? At the end, there is a very out-of-tune sounding calliope-type bit, which I recall hearing was the result of just such an instrument-swapping. If you have this record (I don't know what it's on), dust it off and check it out.
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: A session unravels
The tune 'Spinning Wheel' was recorded by the group 'Blood, Sweat and Tears.'. The ending is a classic much like the end of the Beatles 'All you need is Love'. Like many sessions, the end is one big hilarious 'meltown'. I love it!
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by GaelicZephyr
Re: A session unravels
> The tune 'Spinning Wheel' was recorded by the group 'Blood, Sweat and Tears.'. ...
... which explains why I couldn't find it on Google :\
Thanks for the correction!
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: A session unravels
I remember a great session in the Central bar in Edinburgh which ended with some singing.
One of the regulars began the song "Let's go down (to the water to pray)" which is fairly innocuous until he started changing the lyrics. Instead of sisters, brothers, etc. everyone had to come up with an alternative and rather silly word, e.g "Mongol Warriors". Mine, bizarrely, was "pencils".
Oh well, maybe you had to be there.
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by Conán McDonnell
Re: A session unravels
Last year, after a session at Dolan's in Limerick, a banch of us were invited back to someones flat for more craic (I use the neo-Irish spelling to avoid confusion). Beer flowed (of which I did and do not partake), particularly spicy cigarettes were passed around, and all manner of music ensued from our instruments and larynxes, ranging from jigs, reels and O'carolan tunes, to contemporary acoustic pop/rock (there was a good American brother/sister duo present). At one point during the night, someone started up a 12-bar blues, which developed into a lengthy jam, with each of us taking breaks. At a particularly inspired moment, I picked up a heavy glass ashtray and played the most amazing slide mandolin solo. Now, I ain't pretendin' to be no Yank Rachel, but I believe it was the closest I've ever come to playing the blues .
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by CreadurMawnOrganig