What do you love to play? Is there a particular song(s) you love to play and why?
for example:
Currently I enjoy playing hornpipes and and reels and any tune that gets my foot stomping...included in this category are straspeys and marches (Cape Breton tunes really get me emotional ;o)....I love ya' Brenda!!!(Stubbert) ...where ever you are right now....I've been playing her "Nicholas McInnis" a lot lately.....
other tunes I am adicted to right now....a Bb and Eb set: College H., Hiawatha, The Scarlet, and The Banks....totally engrossed in these tunes (til' I get them right.)
I love airs. I find them much more interesting and challanging to play than dance tunes. As far as dance tunes are concerned - I prefer jigs, but reels are usually easier. Especially that I don't feel the need to play particularly fast.
You know, I don't hear enough airs played around here; I'm not talking about sessions, which is obvious, but in general. Many people don't even know that there IS anything to Irish music than smoking fiddles and bashing bodhrans. Not that those are bad - although I prefer slightly slower styles (which are also rather unpopular in Israel, where most things tend to turn into p*ssing contests, unfortunately). Anyway, I just wanted this to be the subject of my first thread, but monsieur Tim has preempted me
JohnJ: Don't be cruel I actually met a couple of good players!
Bliss, how do you play airs on a bodhran? No offence; I think we both understand the incompatibility*. Do you play them on other instruments?
*although I once used a huuuuge bodhran as background instrument for some air, using padded mallets instead of bodhran sticks and pretending it was a big bass drum It was silly but actually turned out well, though not trad.
But the most sorrowful sound I'm able to produce is the inadvertent awkwardness I'm making during my difficult transition from fingerstyle blues to ITM!
My favorite tune type is the strathspey. Right now I'm stuck on Laird of Drumblair.
Reels are a close second. Right now...working on probably nine or ten. Too many to name, anyway.
Hi I'm back ! Bloody computer full of viruses and bugs mean't I've been off line for a while . . anyway for what its worth my fav. at the moment is Homeruler . . and I'm addicted to hornpipes . .
Hmm I like slides and the jig called the calliope house wich after playing for years I only just found the name of. I think I like it because it was the first one that felt really right - still makes me smile now when I play
I just love to play everything but I think I might be into Polkas and Hornpipes because I love playing them on Fiddle you can just play them differently on Fiddle and I have recently started playing again I go on and off with it it has been a few months since I played but I am back into it now.
Ever since I moved from whistle to concertina, I've had a particular fondness for things which were impossible and/or annoying before. Like reels in Dminor, and tunes that go down to those low A and G notes and sound so fabulous doing it... or perhaps, low-pitched tunes in Dminor...
I do miss being able to play easily in A major though, I have to work so hard to really learn an A tune now and I feel like I must look like I'm trying to solve a rubiks cube with my feet if anybody's watching my face while I play.
I like straspeys and reels jigs anythign basically? umm warlocks is an awesome straspey, bill lamey does an awesome version of that song, and umm the congress reel. oh and bennetts favorite
"I love those German type polkas - especially when they are played in sessions."
Yeah along with three piano accordions.
Dow would you please go check on Beebs ASAP!!
Tish: How's the new Worthy Guitar going??
Bodhran Bliss - instead of giving in to the doubters and begrudgers and posting a drum solo on The Mighty Craic, can I ask that you send in your rendition of Limerick's Lamentation on Kazoo? It sounds like something that I could turn to any time I need cheering up. It wouldn't be like showing off or anything, it would be a small act of charity...
Yours more in hope than anticipation.
etc
My favourite song is called The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round. I like to sing it when I've dropped off all my customers and I'm heading back to the depot of an evening in my bus. I can sing my song as loud as I like and no-one can hear me cuz they're all shut away in their own metal boxes singing their own favourite songs. I'd like to be able to do some cool actions with my song as I'm singing, but I can't really while I'm driving. "All... day... long!"
No, seriously. I find reels more difficult on the mandolin than the fiddle as I get more notes with one direction of the fiddle bow.
I find picking out jigs and hornpipes etc much easier on the mandolin. Maybe, it's just because I'm more used to the picking pattern.
I would suggest, though, that the fiddle is actually easier for everything in the long run but I just haven't quite mastered it yet.
My favourite waltz for 'just whistle' currently, is Dublin Airport
I agree with the Mandolin reel comments-you need a tremor at 108 to play them with a pick.
This is my first check in with the session though I have enjoyed your banter for weeks now
I love to play beautiful tunes. There are good tunes, tunes played for everyone... I prefer to play the beautiful ones. Actually the sunset. Others: Stolen apples, John Dohertys mazurka....and lots
Hi Donough - the new Worthy guitar is going like a beaut!!! It wasn't what I set out looking for at all and it kinda nabbed me out of left field, but I couldn't be happier with it. Next time you're over the four of us must get together. And maybe Dow can give my Worthy an Irish name, too.
Except that now I'm as worried about Dow as I am about bb ...
John J "I would suggest, though, that the fiddle is actually easier for everything in the long run but I just haven't quite mastered it yet."
I agree that the fiddle is easier - at sounding completley shocking at. I reckon its much easier getting away with being a medicore, flute, guitar, Mandolin player than it is getting away with being a medicore fiddle player.
I'm getting confused with wee bb and big BB here.
Anyway, Bridie, what I'm trying to argue is that the mandolin is much easier than the fiddle until you reach a certain level. Many of the faster tunes are actually easier for a good fiddler than a mandolin player who might have been playing for about the same amount of time.
Of course, there's no hard and fast rules but, as I've improved on the fiddle, I'm starting to find that myself. There's brilliant virtuoso mandolin players too and beginner fiddlers who progress very quickly but I think this is probably the general experience for most people.
And, yes, I wouldn't consider myself to be much better than an average mandolin player but I always sounded more "passable" on this instrument than the fiddle during the early days.
What do you love to play?
What do you love to play?
What do you love to play? Is there a particular song(s) you love to play and why?
for example:
Currently I enjoy playing hornpipes and and reels and any tune that gets my foot stomping...included in this category are straspeys and marches (Cape Breton tunes really get me emotional ;o)....I love ya' Brenda!!!(Stubbert) ...where ever you are right now....I've been playing her "Nicholas McInnis" a lot lately.....
other tunes I am adicted to right now....a Bb and Eb set: College H., Hiawatha, The Scarlet, and The Banks....totally engrossed in these tunes (til' I get them right.)
So what do you love to play?
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Tim_Fiddler
Re: What do you love to play?
Click on Members, then Tunebook and you'll learn which "songs" have been downloaded the most.
Unfortunately, most people here will deny them.
Other than that, my taste changes on a daily basis.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Johnny Jay
Re: What do you love to play?
(I thought that a light discussion away from the normal Bodhran Blather was called for)
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Tim_Fiddler
Re: What do you love to play?
I love airs. I find them much more interesting and challanging to play than dance tunes. As far as dance tunes are concerned - I prefer jigs, but reels are usually easier. Especially that I don't feel the need to play particularly fast.
You know, I don't hear enough airs played around here; I'm not talking about sessions, which is obvious, but in general. Many people don't even know that there IS anything to Irish music than smoking fiddles and bashing bodhrans. Not that those are bad - although I prefer slightly slower styles (which are also rather unpopular in Israel, where most things tend to turn into p*ssing contests, unfortunately). Anyway, I just wanted this to be the subject of my first thread, but monsieur Tim has preempted me
~Marc
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by derpayatz
Re: What do you love to play?
Reels, because ultimately they're easier, but I do love a waltz.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Cath
Re: What do you love to play?
Jigs, because ultimately they're easier. On the mandolin, anyway. But I do love a waltz as they're ultimately easier on the fiddle!
Firelad, I'd prefer "smoking" bodhrans myself, especially if they've been set on fire first!
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Johnny Jay
Re: What do you love to play?
Limerick's Lamentation, and a host of other slow airs.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: What do you love to play?
JohnJ: Don't be cruel
I actually met a couple of good players!
It was silly but actually turned out well, though not trad.
Bliss, how do you play airs on a bodhran? No offence; I think we both understand the incompatibility*. Do you play them on other instruments?
*although I once used a huuuuge bodhran as background instrument for some air, using padded mallets instead of bodhran sticks and pretending it was a big bass drum
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by derpayatz
Re: What do you love to play?
Ditto on Limerick's Lament. Also Dunmore Lasses.
But the most sorrowful sound I'm able to produce is the inadvertent awkwardness I'm making during my difficult transition from fingerstyle blues to ITM!
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Jams O'Donnell
Re: What do you love to play?
I've been into 9/8 jigs lately. The Butterly for starters, but also Hardiman;s Fiddl--- and Promenade.
I also just picked up Farewell to Connaught this week. Great tune.
I'm discovering more and more that I pefer tunes in Mixolydian or Dorian.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by wormdiet
Re: What do you love to play?
My favorite tune type is the strathspey. Right now I'm stuck on Laird of Drumblair.
Reels are a close second. Right now...working on probably nine or ten. Too many to name, anyway.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by sara g
Re: What do you love to play?
Hi I'm back ! Bloody computer full of viruses and bugs mean't I've been off line for a while . . anyway for what its worth my fav. at the moment is Homeruler . . and I'm addicted to hornpipes . .
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Justintime
Re: What do you love to play?
Hmm I like slides and the jig called the calliope house wich after playing for years I only just found the name of. I think I like it because it was the first one that felt really right - still makes me smile now when I play
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Kelpie
Re: What do you love to play?
The Kazoo
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: What do you love to play?
"In the Mood", on the Bb whistle - lovely!
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by pfft
Re: What do you love to play?
I just love to play everything but I think I might be into Polkas and Hornpipes because I love playing them on Fiddle you can just play them differently on Fiddle and I have recently started playing again I go on and off with it it has been a few months since I played but I am back into it now.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Why Bother?
Re: What do you love to play?
Ever since I moved from whistle to concertina, I've had a particular fondness for things which were impossible and/or annoying before. Like reels in Dminor, and tunes that go down to those low A and G notes and sound so fabulous doing it... or perhaps, low-pitched tunes in Dminor...
I do miss being able to play easily in A major though, I have to work so hard to really learn an A tune now and I feel like I must look like I'm trying to solve a rubiks cube with my feet if anybody's watching my face while I play.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by concertinette
Re: What do you love to play?
Didn't mean to sound frivilous, I was answering firelad's question. I play Limericks Lamentation on the kazoo.
I apologise for any offence caused Tim Fiddler.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: What do you love to play?
Polkas and Polkas!.... Although I do have a great fondness for Slides, as well.... I need more....
I also like to play the dread Old Concertina.... since I heard the Kilfenora Ceili band play it I just had to learn it.
Da diddle ai di da diddle ai ..... ahem
And jigs
especially Franc A'Phoill
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Pádraig
Re: What do you love to play?
none taken, BB, forced a smirk out of me.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Tim_Fiddler
Re: What do you love to play?
Polkas, slides and slow airs. And a funky rag, now and then.
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Bob himself
Re: What do you love to play?
Slides are fun. Cath, I love waltzes too, but can't find too many. Any favorite waltzes out there? I'm working on the Waterford Waltz right now.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by justwhistle
Re: What do you love to play?
My favourite songs are called reels. They are great fun to play, followed closely by strathspeys and polkas and barndances.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by bb
Re: What do you love to play?
I love to play GAA.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Tunes!
Re: What do you love to play?
Polkas and polkas. And slides, too. Padraig, maybe we should try to get together sometime!
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by John Culhane
Re: What do you love to play?
I like straspeys and reels jigs anythign basically? umm warlocks is an awesome straspey, bill lamey does an awesome version of that song, and umm the congress reel. oh and bennetts favorite
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by banana512
Re: What do you love to play?
yeah, the congress is one of my favourite songs too.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by bb
Re: What do you love to play?
"My favourite songs are called reels. They are great fun to play, followed closely by strathspeys and polkas and barndances."
bb ... now there's a good girl ... just put - the - chainsaw - down ... nice and eeeazy does it ... and come and take these little pills ...
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Tish
Re: What do you love to play?
What are the words to the Congress Reel?
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: What do you love to play?
Oh Jack, the congress doesnt have words silly.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by bb
Re: What do you love to play?
And bb isn't exactly the Polka Queen of the Inner West ...
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Tish
Re: What do you love to play?
Not true! Not true! I love those German type polkas - especially when they are played in sessions.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by bb
Re: What do you love to play?
Nurse Gilder, I think we need to call for backup.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Tish
Re: What do you love to play?
"I love those German type polkas - especially when they are played in sessions."
Yeah along with three piano accordions.
Dow would you please go check on Beebs ASAP!!
Tish: How's the new Worthy Guitar going??
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Donough
Re: What do you love to play?
Bodhran Bliss - instead of giving in to the doubters and begrudgers and posting a drum solo on The Mighty Craic, can I ask that you send in your rendition of Limerick's Lamentation on Kazoo? It sounds like something that I could turn to any time I need cheering up. It wouldn't be like showing off or anything, it would be a small act of charity...
Yours more in hope than anticipation.
etc
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Ottery
Re: What do you love to play?
Johnj, I gave up the mandolin precisely because jigs were so difficult on it .... you're on a wind up aren't you
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Cath
Re: What do you love to play?
My favourite song is called The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round. I like to sing it when I've dropped off all my customers and I'm heading back to the depot of an evening in my bus. I can sing my song as loud as I like and no-one can hear me cuz they're all shut away in their own metal boxes singing their own favourite songs. I'd like to be able to do some cool actions with my song as I'm singing, but I can't really while I'm driving. "All... day... long!"
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Dr. Dow
Re: What do you love to play?
No, seriously. I find reels more difficult on the mandolin than the fiddle as I get more notes with one direction of the fiddle bow.
I find picking out jigs and hornpipes etc much easier on the mandolin. Maybe, it's just because I'm more used to the picking pattern.
I would suggest, though, that the fiddle is actually easier for everything in the long run but I just haven't quite mastered it yet.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Johnny Jay
Re: What do you love to play?
I love to play around.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by BegF
Re: What do you love to play?
I love to play around in bb's flat....I mean Bflat... I mean...oh dear....this is embarrassing......but I think I just got away with it.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by BegF
Re: What do you love to play?
My favourite waltz for 'just whistle' currently, is Dublin Airport
I agree with the Mandolin reel comments-you need a tremor at 108 to play them with a pick.
This is my first check in with the session though I have enjoyed your banter for weeks now
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by kkkkat
Re: What do you love to play?
I do prefer the mandolin for hornpipes, I think that's the one instance where it beats the fiddle.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Cath
Re: What do you love to play?
I love to play beautiful tunes. There are good tunes, tunes played for everyone... I prefer to play the beautiful ones. Actually the sunset. Others: Stolen apples, John Dohertys mazurka....and lots
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by fer
Re: What do you love to play?
Hi Donough - the new Worthy guitar is going like a beaut!!! It wasn't what I set out looking for at all and it kinda nabbed me out of left field, but I couldn't be happier with it. Next time you're over the four of us must get together. And maybe Dow can give my Worthy an Irish name, too.
Except that now I'm as worried about Dow as I am about bb ...
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by Tish
Re: What do you love to play?
Ottery, I am a luddite. I still switch the TV on and tune it to stations.
Otherwise you could bet your soon to be abolished by the Government pension that I would submit Limericks Lamentation on the Kazoo.
# Posted on May 4th 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: What do you love to play?
John J "I would suggest, though, that the fiddle is actually easier for everything in the long run but I just haven't quite mastered it yet."
I agree that the fiddle is easier - at sounding completley shocking at. I reckon its much easier getting away with being a medicore, flute, guitar, Mandolin player than it is getting away with being a medicore fiddle player.
# Posted on May 5th 2005 by bb
Re: What do you love to play?
I'm getting confused with wee bb and big BB here.
Anyway, Bridie, what I'm trying to argue is that the mandolin is much easier than the fiddle until you reach a certain level. Many of the faster tunes are actually easier for a good fiddler than a mandolin player who might have been playing for about the same amount of time.
Of course, there's no hard and fast rules but, as I've improved on the fiddle, I'm starting to find that myself. There's brilliant virtuoso mandolin players too and beginner fiddlers who progress very quickly but I think this is probably the general experience for most people.
And, yes, I wouldn't consider myself to be much better than an average mandolin player but I always sounded more "passable" on this instrument than the fiddle during the early days.
# Posted on May 5th 2005 by Johnny Jay
Re: What do you love to play?
I'm getting confused as well:/
# Posted on May 6th 2005 by bb
Re: What do you love to play?
presently, 'The Gallty Mountain Boy' waltze _which is an absolute classic
# Posted on June 15th 2005 by lisaniska
Re: What do you love to play?
that should be 'Galtee . . .'
with love
# Posted on June 17th 2005 by lisaniska