Well,after all this recent talk of drink we come to a subject which is n't maybe as tongue-in-cheek as it sounds-no,really!
I've long been fascinated by role that drink plays in some sessions and my own experiences. I'll just kick off by saying that sometimes I find that there's an 'optimum' level of intake below which I can sometimes pussyfoot about and above which it's often best to draw a veil.This does n't always happen but I can certainly get a second wind sometimes.Now I know that I might only think it's better after a few pints but what are other people's attitude/experiences?
I also see players drinking orange etc who can go all night as well but certainly in the sessions I go to,they are usually the exception.
(this is in no way a dig at the 'Irish and their drink' stereotype whatsoever)
Dave
Well, I'm from Denver, and I found that when we were in Ireland, I could literally drink five times what I drink at home (sea level and all that). That'd give me alcohol poisoning up here! I also drank about a hundred more cups of tea than I do in the States. It just tasted right, and I ended up *craving* the stuff if I went for too long without.
But yes, I know what you mean. Of course, sessions are just as much about being around your pals and slagging each other within an inch of your collective lives and whooping it up in general -- all of that crack -- but there's definitely a level at which it is best that I either pick up the glass and put down the fiddle, or vice versa. But a drink with your friends is even better with the music added in. More fun than you can shake a stick at! (And I can shake a stick at an awful lot of fun...!)
So, this morning an Irish friend of mine was telling me about a certain player who every now and again goes on the wagon -- takes the pledge, she calls it -- when he gets a mind to it. They can always tell down at the pub, because he doesn't go out, which means he doesn't play, when he's being good. And they know when he's decided to drink again, because he'll show up for the sessions again all of a sudden -- but apparently he does the bulk of his drinking at home.
I found it interesting that when we went to Ireland and played the pubs, it was customary to buy the boys a round. I and my group don't really drink, but we found it interesting how "who buys the pint" is an integral part of the session.
Here's an excerpt from an anonymous e-mail that made the rounds a while back. I was sent it by one of my Irish friends who claims that every word is true. It was titled, "Ireland and the Irish explained for the American Tourist, by an Irishman". The rest of it is just as funny. Topics include: Religion (in the unlikely event of someone inquiring about yours, the correct answer is, apparently, "I'm an atheist, thank god" and changing the subject), Irish Weather (when to buy a new umbrella) and Traditional Music (which discusses such things as the veiling of bodhran players).
Pub etiquette:
The crucial thing here is the "round" system, in which each participant takes turns to "shout" an order. To the outsider, this may appear casual; you will not necessarily be told it's your round and other participants may appear only too happy to substitute for you. But make no mistake, your failure to "put your hand in your pocket" will be noticed. People will mention it the moment you leave the room. The reputation will follow you to the grave, whereafter it will attach to your offspring and possibly theirs as well. In some cases, it may become permanently enshrined in a family nickname.
Getting rounds in is n't just confined to the Irish! Do you not do this in the states?(forgive my ignorance).
That said,I do remember a whole group of American students coming up to the bar where I worked and they all bought their own drinks and gave me large notes so that I ran out of change-the round has its uses!
And yes, you wil be spotted if you don't,oh yes indeed...
Dave
Hmmm. Well, we do get rounds for each other, although not nearly as much as I noted in London and Ireland. Here, it's usually only pretty close friends or someone you just met and want to be nice to that you get a round for. I guess it's something like, if someone doesn't buy a round, you sort of assume that they can't afford it, and of course you wouldn't want to embarrass them by asking them about it or slagging them about it or anything. Who says Yanks don't care about other people's feelings? *grin*
Of course, it's pretty much considered rude and impolite to NOT tip the bartender, either. In London they were practically throwing it back at you if you tried it. We were trained by Ireland, although I did once tip a guy who made me some great drinks all night by giving him a tip to buy him a drink on me. (I hope that was all right, Dave, did I do that okay? Someone told me once that was acceptable.)
You must have met an altogether better class of bar staff,Zina! It's not obligatory to tip but peope do ask if the bartender would like a drink themselves and they either decline,have a drink or take the price of a drink instead. I'm sure nobody will think the worse either way. If you're ever over here,then PLEASE feel free to buy me a drink! I just thought it odd you did n't have rounds in the USA but as you do my curiosity is now satiated if not my thirst.
Dave
I find that if I drink 2(ish) pints, I generally relax more, which enables me to play better. Any more than that and I start to sound like an arse! I suppose it would be even better to relax and play well when stone cold sober. Maybe one day . . .
Here in Bilbao, Spain, we have a weekly session (about 6 or 7 musicians) and the landlord plies us with free drink the whole evening as long as it´s beer and not spirits. The idea is that we attract customers to the pub that wouldn´t normally come midweek, but it doesn´t always work that way! Free drink for the musos is also standard practice at most of the sessions I´ve played at in Spain and is the general rule at most French sessions - as long as they´re not too big! Isn´t it time that British and Irish landlords got a bit more generous with those who are bringing custom into the pub? We all know what the profit margin on a pint is!!
Regards to all, Murfbox
Drink and sessions
Drink and sessions
Well,after all this recent talk of drink we come to a subject which is n't maybe as tongue-in-cheek as it sounds-no,really!
I've long been fascinated by role that drink plays in some sessions and my own experiences. I'll just kick off by saying that sometimes I find that there's an 'optimum' level of intake below which I can sometimes pussyfoot about and above which it's often best to draw a veil.This does n't always happen but I can certainly get a second wind sometimes.Now I know that I might only think it's better after a few pints but what are other people's attitude/experiences?
I also see players drinking orange etc who can go all night as well but certainly in the sessions I go to,they are usually the exception.
(this is in no way a dig at the 'Irish and their drink' stereotype whatsoever)
Dave
# Posted on August 29th 2001 by biggus dave
Re: Drink and sessions
Well, I'm from Denver, and I found that when we were in Ireland, I could literally drink five times what I drink at home (sea level and all that). That'd give me alcohol poisoning up here! I also drank about a hundred more cups of tea than I do in the States. It just tasted right, and I ended up *craving* the stuff if I went for too long without.
But yes, I know what you mean. Of course, sessions are just as much about being around your pals and slagging each other within an inch of your collective lives and whooping it up in general -- all of that crack -- but there's definitely a level at which it is best that I either pick up the glass and put down the fiddle, or vice versa. But a drink with your friends is even better with the music added in. More fun than you can shake a stick at! (And I can shake a stick at an awful lot of fun...!)
Zina
# Posted on August 29th 2001 by Zina Lee
Re: Drink and sessions
So, this morning an Irish friend of mine was telling me about a certain player who every now and again goes on the wagon -- takes the pledge, she calls it -- when he gets a mind to it. They can always tell down at the pub, because he doesn't go out, which means he doesn't play, when he's being good. And they know when he's decided to drink again, because he'll show up for the sessions again all of a sudden -- but apparently he does the bulk of his drinking at home.
Heh.
# Posted on August 30th 2001 by Zina Lee
Re: Drink and sessions
I found it interesting that when we went to Ireland and played the pubs, it was customary to buy the boys a round. I and my group don't really drink, but we found it interesting how "who buys the pint" is an integral part of the session.
# Posted on September 4th 2001 by EireLibra
Re: Drink and sessions
Here's an excerpt from an anonymous e-mail that made the rounds a while back. I was sent it by one of my Irish friends who claims that every word is true. It was titled, "Ireland and the Irish explained for the American Tourist, by an Irishman". The rest of it is just as funny. Topics include: Religion (in the unlikely event of someone inquiring about yours, the correct answer is, apparently, "I'm an atheist, thank god" and changing the subject), Irish Weather (when to buy a new umbrella) and Traditional Music (which discusses such things as the veiling of bodhran players).
Pub etiquette:
The crucial thing here is the "round" system, in which each participant takes turns to "shout" an order. To the outsider, this may appear casual; you will not necessarily be told it's your round and other participants may appear only too happy to substitute for you. But make no mistake, your failure to "put your hand in your pocket" will be noticed. People will mention it the moment you leave the room. The reputation will follow you to the grave, whereafter it will attach to your offspring and possibly theirs as well. In some cases, it may become permanently enshrined in a family nickname.
# Posted on September 4th 2001 by Zina Lee
Re: Drink and sessions
Getting rounds in is n't just confined to the Irish! Do you not do this in the states?(forgive my ignorance).
That said,I do remember a whole group of American students coming up to the bar where I worked and they all bought their own drinks and gave me large notes so that I ran out of change-the round has its uses!
And yes, you wil be spotted if you don't,oh yes indeed...
Dave
# Posted on September 4th 2001 by biggus dave
Re: Drink and sessions
Hmmm. Well, we do get rounds for each other, although not nearly as much as I noted in London and Ireland. Here, it's usually only pretty close friends or someone you just met and want to be nice to that you get a round for. I guess it's something like, if someone doesn't buy a round, you sort of assume that they can't afford it, and of course you wouldn't want to embarrass them by asking them about it or slagging them about it or anything. Who says Yanks don't care about other people's feelings? *grin*
Of course, it's pretty much considered rude and impolite to NOT tip the bartender, either. In London they were practically throwing it back at you if you tried it. We were trained by Ireland, although I did once tip a guy who made me some great drinks all night by giving him a tip to buy him a drink on me. (I hope that was all right, Dave, did I do that okay? Someone told me once that was acceptable.)
Zina
# Posted on September 5th 2001 by Zina Lee
Re: Drink and sessions
You must have met an altogether better class of bar staff,Zina! It's not obligatory to tip but peope do ask if the bartender would like a drink themselves and they either decline,have a drink or take the price of a drink instead. I'm sure nobody will think the worse either way. If you're ever over here,then PLEASE feel free to buy me a drink! I just thought it odd you did n't have rounds in the USA but as you do my curiosity is now satiated if not my thirst.
Dave
# Posted on September 6th 2001 by biggus dave
Re: Drink and sessions
I find that if I drink 2(ish) pints, I generally relax more, which enables me to play better. Any more than that and I start to sound like an arse! I suppose it would be even better to relax and play well when stone cold sober. Maybe one day . . .
Jonathan.
# Posted on October 2nd 2001 by Jonathan
Re: Drink and sessions
Here in Bilbao, Spain, we have a weekly session (about 6 or 7 musicians) and the landlord plies us with free drink the whole evening as long as it´s beer and not spirits. The idea is that we attract customers to the pub that wouldn´t normally come midweek, but it doesn´t always work that way! Free drink for the musos is also standard practice at most of the sessions I´ve played at in Spain and is the general rule at most French sessions - as long as they´re not too big! Isn´t it time that British and Irish landlords got a bit more generous with those who are bringing custom into the pub? We all know what the profit margin on a pint is!!
Regards to all, Murfbox
# Posted on December 17th 2001 by murfbox