hi all
i was just wondering what are the most popular sets played at sessions?and waht tunes do they consist of?as many tunes as i know i never seem to know enough when i get to a session.if you could help me out on this one i will be VERY VERY grateful
cheers! (",)
The answer to this will depend entirely on where in the world you are. I've just bought the Foinn Seisiun books (and accompanying CDs) for just this reason, since I do most of my playing in Brisbane but occasionally travel far afield. Check out this link for details
valerie. i've been at a few session (either playing or just listening) in my country (italy) and in Ireland, and i've never heard same sets played . it looks like every session has a different personallity , surely influenced by the leading players. As far as tunes, the most played i've heard are: silver spear, the banshee,providence reel, jenny's chickens, morrison's jig, farewell to erin, xmas eve, star of muenster, merry blacksmith, wind that shakes the barley, the wise maid, sword in hand,mountain road, the bird in the bush, rights of men, the butterfly, the cameronian.... but their composition in sets is always different. ciao
We've talked about this before but I'm not very keen on "predictable" sets in a session situation. It depends where you are, of course, but in some pubs you can set your watch by them. A little bit of spontaniety and surprise is a good thing.
Of course, if you're playing for dancing or performance, that's different. It helps to know what's coming next in these situations.
I have very little experience compared to many here at thesession. However, from what I've seen in the various sessions I've visited, there is only set that everyone seems to know and play. That is the famous Micheal Coleman set. -- The Tarbolton/The Longford Collector/The Sailors Bonnet.
I think each session tends to develop their own regional sets, but by in large, everything seems to be up to whomever starts the set.
thaks everyone really good help.yeah suppose its does depend on what part of the world/country you are in,hadn't really thought about that.thanks again.feel free to donate any more suggestions!!!
later
Aside from the sets like what FiddleMeThis pointed out, (and there are a good handful like that,) I prefer to come up with my own and hear what other folks come up with -- it's a big part of the fun in it for me. Every now and then a special set will show up on a recording that is so special and I love to play. Case in point; the CD called, "Fonnchaoi" by Verena Commins And Julie Langan, I love that first track and might always play those tunes together like that. But this is the same way the sets like what FiddleMeThis is talking about came into existence. As far as the run of the mill sets at sessions, I make them up and then change them around all the time. I suspect most people do the same and I suppose there are few "standard sets" really.
Here are some favorites of mine (no claim on being standard or universal):
Banish Misfortune/Garrett Barry's Jig
Mountain Road/Silver Spear/High Reel
Red Haired Boy/Merry Blacksmith
Blarney Pilgrim/Kesh
Lark in the Morning/Cliffs of Mohr
and any set including Out on the Ocean.
Some go major to minor, some minor to major, some to different keys, some stay in the same mode--whatever works for you is good!
Most Popular Session Sets
Most Popular Session Sets
hi all
i was just wondering what are the most popular sets played at sessions?and waht tunes do they consist of?as many tunes as i know i never seem to know enough when i get to a session.if you could help me out on this one i will be VERY VERY grateful
cheers! (",)
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by person
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
Hi Valerie,
The answer to this will depend entirely on where in the world you are. I've just bought the Foinn Seisiun books (and accompanying CDs) for just this reason, since I do most of my playing in Brisbane but occasionally travel far afield. Check out this link for details
http://www.comhaltas.com/seisiun/foinn.htm
Basically the idea is that if you learn the sets in these books then anyone who's learned through Comhaltas will know them.
Eno
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by bc_box_player
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
Where in the world is too broad. Where on the high street more like
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
valerie. i've been at a few session (either playing or just listening) in my country (italy) and in Ireland, and i've never heard same sets played . it looks like every session has a different personallity , surely influenced by the leading players. As far as tunes, the most played i've heard are: silver spear, the banshee,providence reel, jenny's chickens, morrison's jig, farewell to erin, xmas eve, star of muenster, merry blacksmith, wind that shakes the barley, the wise maid, sword in hand,mountain road, the bird in the bush, rights of men, the butterfly, the cameronian.... but their composition in sets is always different. ciao
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by fiddlemax
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
Valerie - try the BBC's Virtual Session. It's got a load of tunes in recognised sets played nice and steady so you can join in:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by Rudall the time
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
Danny
Thanks for that info on the BBC's virtual session. As a newbie piper I'm finding it really,really useful
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by halfirish
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
Hey Danny, I've not come across that before - it's well done. Might even try it with my fiddle - I normally just Scottish stuff I play on that.
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by Ron P
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
We've talked about this before but I'm not very keen on "predictable" sets in a session situation. It depends where you are, of course, but in some pubs you can set your watch by them. A little bit of spontaniety and surprise is a good thing.
Of course, if you're playing for dancing or performance, that's different. It helps to know what's coming next in these situations.
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by John J.
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
Thanks for the link to the BBC session.I like those moon faced musicians.
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by McMandolin
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
I have very little experience compared to many here at thesession. However, from what I've seen in the various sessions I've visited, there is only set that everyone seems to know and play. That is the famous Micheal Coleman set. -- The Tarbolton/The Longford Collector/The Sailors Bonnet.
I think each session tends to develop their own regional sets, but by in large, everything seems to be up to whomever starts the set.
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by RogueFiddler
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
thaks everyone really good help.yeah suppose its does depend on what part of the world/country you are in,hadn't really thought about that.thanks again.feel free to donate any more suggestions!!!
later
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by person
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
Aside from the sets like what FiddleMeThis pointed out, (and there are a good handful like that,) I prefer to come up with my own and hear what other folks come up with -- it's a big part of the fun in it for me. Every now and then a special set will show up on a recording that is so special and I love to play. Case in point; the CD called, "Fonnchaoi" by Verena Commins And Julie Langan, I love that first track and might always play those tunes together like that. But this is the same way the sets like what FiddleMeThis is talking about came into existence. As far as the run of the mill sets at sessions, I make them up and then change them around all the time. I suspect most people do the same and I suppose there are few "standard sets" really.
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
Here are some favorites of mine (no claim on being standard or universal):
Banish Misfortune/Garrett Barry's Jig
Mountain Road/Silver Spear/High Reel
Red Haired Boy/Merry Blacksmith
Blarney Pilgrim/Kesh
Lark in the Morning/Cliffs of Mohr
and any set including Out on the Ocean.
Some go major to minor, some minor to major, some to different keys, some stay in the same mode--whatever works for you is good!
# Posted on November 29th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Most Popular Session Sets
In our session, we always play these:
The Maid Medley-
Maid Behind The Bar/Wise Maid/Sligo Maid
The Jigathon-
Donnybrook Fair/Saddle the Pony/Out On The Ocean/Kesh
and we always close with Bucks of Oranmore.
# Posted on November 30th 2005 by Greg the Piano Tuner