Probably asked before but....
What are the most popular session tunes/sets?
The reason i ask is because im terrified of going to a stranger's session and sitting there with me banjo, twiddling me thumbs (no, that's not a new playing style) for the night.
Id like to get an idea of the most popular sets played at your/all sessions.
I mainly get tunes from albums (bothies, planxty, john carty, angelina carberry, de danann etc) and would generally play at our ballad and (small bit of) trad session, cooley's/maid behind the bar, lady on the island set, tar road to sligo set, kesh set, tom billy's, but i therefore haven't much of an idea about what are the main sets.
Any info is much appreciated to enable me to play along for at least half a session.
You're right. It has been asked before BUT sets and tunes will vary greatly from session to session.
The best thing is to go along and gradually suss out the repertoire. If you enjoy the tunes and session, you will want to learn them all in due course.
Otherwise, just continue to learn those you like. Most of them will crop eventually in your travels. Also, although some here might disagree, try and learn all the standards. You'll find most of them here. Click on "Members", then "Tunes". There'll always be one or two which get an airing in a session but not always as often as you might expect.
Finally, if it's a friendly enough session, you'll be invited to start off a set or two of your own.
Personally, I enjoy going to a variety of sessions. Of course, I don't always know all the tunes but it is always an enjoyable experience. That's when it's a "real session", of course, as opposed to a band practice in disguise or a "show off".
Why do people assume that if told in advance what tunes/sets will be played, that they will be able to join in?
Will these people want the tunes played at quarter speed or "local session speed" and will any tunes in Bb or A have to be transposed whenever there are any visitors?
This is the man who once said "If you can't transpose, don't try to play with the big boys!"
However, Geoff has a good point. The speed, key, and even the style of playing may be completely different to what you've learned or are used to doing. You'll never know until you get there. So, don't put it off....and as long as you don't put anyone else off when you get there, you'll be fine in the long run.
Well, geoffrey, 'people' would just like an indicator as to what are the main tunes. If they're in a different key, so be it, but at least i'll know what tunes to focus on for starters, u narky oul' sh@te. Regarding speed, that's not an issue at all for a decent player, so bringing it up is just pointless.
Fíor-mhaith, Capo!!
Nobody is assuming they'll automatically be able to join in (as far as i know)- its a matter of having some idea of what to expect!
The New Copperplates/ The Old Copperplates
Lady Anne Montgomery/ Maude Miller/ Molloy's
Taim in Arrears/ Hardiman the Fiddler
That's all I think of at the moment. They're classic sets still occasionally played in many parts of Ireland and Britain while, as pointed out, people love to play their original sets in other places.
In the areas where ceili bands are still active, you'll hear those bands' sets in sessions too. For example, when I joined sessions in Clare, I heard several times musicians say something like "Let's do the old reel set of the Kilfenora Ceili Band!" The one I really need to learn by the time I go back there again is The Connemara Stockings/ The Westmeath Hunt/ Rip the Calico
Geoff it's people like you who put off people like me from making the step up to session playing. Were you ever a beginner or where you just born an expert?
You can actually do some research what tunes are played in particular places by checking "Ceili House Archive" at the bottom of this page: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/ceilihouse In my case, for example, I learned some tunes and a set I heard the local ceili band play on the radio programme before visiting Birmigham. (Well, I was there in the wrong time and missed a session there!) And it's nice to learn tunes named after the place you're going to visit, like "The Trip to....," "Farewell to....," "...... Lasses," and "the Maids of...."
I regularly visit sessions in three cities that are all approximately 60-90 miles apart. There's hardly any overlap in the tunes that get played. Something overplayed to death in one place might be a beautiful new gem in another, or (more likely) something that hasn't been thought about in awhile.
It's overwhelming at first to try and join in when you're unfamiliar with the repetoire specific to a session, especially if you don't have many tunes under your belt.
Find a regular session and spend 6 months to a year with it. You'll have those tunes soon enough.
Start by learning the stuff you really like. Actually, don't stop with that approach.
"Regarding speed, that's not an issue at all for decent player"
Actually, it can be if the tunes are being played over fast or at an inappropriate speed. Of course, a good player can adapt but does he/she necessarily want to do this?
Also, if you are a "decent player", why are you so concerned? There's no need to be. You'll learn something new and, hopefully, the people in the session will learn from you and appreciate what you're doing. Just enjoy the experience.
Here are a few sets I like, off the top of my head:
Doctor O'Neills/Top of Cork Road
Morrison's/Out on the Ocean
Mountain Road/Silver Spear/High Reel
Banish Misfortune/Garrett Barry's Jig
Red Haired Boy/Merry Blacksmith
Far from Home/Banshee (McMahon's)
Blarney Pilgrim/Kesh
Sorry john j,
what i meant by that was, whatever speed a tune is being played at, should not be a problem for a musician to pick up on. It was in retaliation to geoff's statements, which i took to be rather condescending.
With regard the 'decent' comment, i don't know what standard im at cos i mainly play along in ballad sessions with the odd tunes, but i've sat in a couple of times in the past on a session and, for the tunes i could play, they worked pretty well. But, back to the original point, need more tunes but want to get some 'standards'.
I thought Geoff was getting a little high and mighty there myself. Of course, he has probably dealt with one too many newbies that want the whole session to center around their repetoire and abilities. Myself, if I am at a session that starts playing tunes in less familiar keys, especially with flats in them, I would probably choose to participate by listening!
The Foinn Seisiún books and CDs were produced to meet this need where musicians wanted to get some ready-made sets of fairly standard traditional tunes. Between them the 2 books contain 220 tunes arranged in 74 sets (mostly in threes). See http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/1227 for more details.
Copo, I'd say Steph has great advice. Just go. Get comfortable with the idea of sitting at the edge of the session and listening. That's really the best way. Take a recording device and get tunes directly from the local sessions that you want to attend. Concentrate on your favourite tunes, the ones that really catch your ear.
Please don't be terrified of going and not playing tunes. There is so much potential for great music right there in the session. You like Irish music. Don't be afraid to go listen to it.
"Tarbolton/ Banshee/ Saliors Bonnet that type of stuff."
The problem here is that one person's classic set might conflict with another person's classic set. The example above illustrates this because there's an even more classic set that includes the first and last tune from that set. This can result in musical car wrecks. The important thing to remember is that classic sets are great to know, but don't assume the set’s being played just because someone starts a beginning tune from one.
Also, it's nice to hear tunes from classic sets in other medleys. This is one reason I like to use the snippet method to let people know what tunes I intend to play.
All good advice up above--even if you do practice some sets, don't get too wedded to them, because it is healthy and fun for people to string different things together.
Although I cringe to hear the phrase "snippet method" repeated, because I seem to remember a monstrous discussion on that whole topic which I hope does not rear its ugly head again. At least no one has referred to sessions as "performances!"
PB,
Yes, I have, and it works quite well. I have used it myself on occasion when I forget a tune name, and want to warn people what is coming. But I have never noticed any bleeding--perhaps Laitch is using a different variant!
what?!!?, I think the "Biddy" jig you are thinking of is Sweet Biddy Daly's, aka An Irishman's Heart to the Ladies, aka Health to the Ladies. A nice jig in A, one of my favorites.
Top session sets
Top session sets
Probably asked before but....
What are the most popular session tunes/sets?
The reason i ask is because im terrified of going to a stranger's session and sitting there with me banjo, twiddling me thumbs (no, that's not a new playing style) for the night.
Id like to get an idea of the most popular sets played at your/all sessions.
I mainly get tunes from albums (bothies, planxty, john carty, angelina carberry, de danann etc) and would generally play at our ballad and (small bit of) trad session, cooley's/maid behind the bar, lady on the island set, tar road to sligo set, kesh set, tom billy's, but i therefore haven't much of an idea about what are the main sets.
Any info is much appreciated to enable me to play along for at least half a session.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by copo24
Re: Top session sets
You're right. It has been asked before BUT sets and tunes will vary greatly from session to session.
The best thing is to go along and gradually suss out the repertoire. If you enjoy the tunes and session, you will want to learn them all in due course.
Otherwise, just continue to learn those you like. Most of them will crop eventually in your travels. Also, although some here might disagree, try and learn all the standards. You'll find most of them here. Click on "Members", then "Tunes". There'll always be one or two which get an airing in a session but not always as often as you might expect.
Finally, if it's a friendly enough session, you'll be invited to start off a set or two of your own.
Personally, I enjoy going to a variety of sessions. Of course, I don't always know all the tunes but it is always an enjoyable experience. That's when it's a "real session", of course, as opposed to a band practice in disguise or a "show off".
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Johannes J
Re: Top session sets
If you get tunes off of CDs, try the Na Connery's recordings, which have a lot of old standards:
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/68
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/67
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Bleedin' Heart
Re: Top slow session sets in G and D
Why do people assume that if told in advance what tunes/sets will be played, that they will be able to join in?
Will these people want the tunes played at quarter speed or "local session speed" and will any tunes in Bb or A have to be transposed whenever there are any visitors?
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by geoffwright
Re: Top session sets
This is the man who once said "If you can't transpose, don't try to play with the big boys!"
However, Geoff has a good point. The speed, key, and even the style of playing may be completely different to what you've learned or are used to doing. You'll never know until you get there. So, don't put it off....and as long as you don't put anyone else off when you get there, you'll be fine in the long run.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Johannes J
Re: Top session sets
Well, geoffrey, 'people' would just like an indicator as to what are the main tunes. If they're in a different key, so be it, but at least i'll know what tunes to focus on for starters, u narky oul' sh@te. Regarding speed, that's not an issue at all for a decent player, so bringing it up is just pointless.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by copo24
Re: Top session sets
Fíor-mhaith, Capo!!
Nobody is assuming they'll automatically be able to join in (as far as i know)- its a matter of having some idea of what to expect!
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by double bass
Re: Top session sets
The New Copperplates/ The Old Copperplates
Lady Anne Montgomery/ Maude Miller/ Molloy's
Taim in Arrears/ Hardiman the Fiddler
That's all I think of at the moment. They're classic sets still occasionally played in many parts of Ireland and Britain while, as pointed out, people love to play their original sets in other places.
In the areas where ceili bands are still active, you'll hear those bands' sets in sessions too. For example, when I joined sessions in Clare, I heard several times musicians say something like "Let's do the old reel set of the Kilfenora Ceili Band!" The one I really need to learn by the time I go back there again is The Connemara Stockings/ The Westmeath Hunt/ Rip the Calico
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by slainte
Re: Top session sets
Geoff it's people like you who put off people like me from making the step up to session playing. Were you ever a beginner or where you just born an expert?
I know one thing...you were born a plonker.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by ireland78
Re: Top session sets
You can actually do some research what tunes are played in particular places by checking "Ceili House Archive" at the bottom of this page: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/ceilihouse In my case, for example, I learned some tunes and a set I heard the local ceili band play on the radio programme before visiting Birmigham. (Well, I was there in the wrong time and missed a session there!) And it's nice to learn tunes named after the place you're going to visit, like "The Trip to....," "Farewell to....," "...... Lasses," and "the Maids of...."
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by slainte
Re: Top session sets
I regularly visit sessions in three cities that are all approximately 60-90 miles apart. There's hardly any overlap in the tunes that get played. Something overplayed to death in one place might be a beautiful new gem in another, or (more likely) something that hasn't been thought about in awhile.
It's overwhelming at first to try and join in when you're unfamiliar with the repetoire specific to a session, especially if you don't have many tunes under your belt.
Find a regular session and spend 6 months to a year with it. You'll have those tunes soon enough.
Start by learning the stuff you really like. Actually, don't stop with that approach.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by _Steph_
Re: Top session sets
Copo 24, you say
"Regarding speed, that's not an issue at all for decent player"
Actually, it can be if the tunes are being played over fast or at an inappropriate speed. Of course, a good player can adapt but does he/she necessarily want to do this?
Also, if you are a "decent player", why are you so concerned? There's no need to be. You'll learn something new and, hopefully, the people in the session will learn from you and appreciate what you're doing. Just enjoy the experience.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Johannes J
Re: Top session sets
Here are a few sets I like, off the top of my head:
Doctor O'Neills/Top of Cork Road
Morrison's/Out on the Ocean
Mountain Road/Silver Spear/High Reel
Banish Misfortune/Garrett Barry's Jig
Red Haired Boy/Merry Blacksmith
Far from Home/Banshee (McMahon's)
Blarney Pilgrim/Kesh
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Top session sets
Sorry john j,
what i meant by that was, whatever speed a tune is being played at, should not be a problem for a musician to pick up on. It was in retaliation to geoff's statements, which i took to be rather condescending.
With regard the 'decent' comment, i don't know what standard im at cos i mainly play along in ballad sessions with the odd tunes, but i've sat in a couple of times in the past on a session and, for the tunes i could play, they worked pretty well. But, back to the original point, need more tunes but want to get some 'standards'.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by copo24
Re: Top session sets
I thought Geoff was getting a little high and mighty there myself. Of course, he has probably dealt with one too many newbies that want the whole session to center around their repetoire and abilities. Myself, if I am at a session that starts playing tunes in less familiar keys, especially with flats in them, I would probably choose to participate by listening!
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Top session sets
The Foinn Seisiún books and CDs were produced to meet this need where musicians wanted to get some ready-made sets of fairly standard traditional tunes. Between them the 2 books contain 220 tunes arranged in 74 sets (mostly in threes). See http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/1227 for more details.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Bannerman
Re: Top session sets
All the Bothy Band,Planxty tunes are almost always recognizable if you start them..
Tarbolton/ Banshee/ Saliors Bonnet that type of stuff.
All those books like 'The 101 Sessions Tunes' have all really good tunes in them as well people will know 90% of them.
I think these tunes are the ones that have survived so long and are played so often because they are great session tunes.
The other way is to bring a tape/cd recorder and record the session and learn all the tunes for the following week.. easy!
Provided they play any of the same tunes the following week!
But at least you know they know the first weeks! If that makes sense.
Good Luck
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Kess
Re: Top session sets
Copo, I'd say Steph has great advice. Just go. Get comfortable with the idea of sitting at the edge of the session and listening. That's really the best way. Take a recording device and get tunes directly from the local sessions that you want to attend. Concentrate on your favourite tunes, the ones that really catch your ear.
Please don't be terrified of going and not playing tunes. There is so much potential for great music right there in the session. You like Irish music. Don't be afraid to go listen to it.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Jode
Re: Top session sets
Bravo to Steph and Jode. They speak the truth.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by bogeyman
Re: Top session sets
"Tarbolton/ Banshee/ Saliors Bonnet that type of stuff."
The problem here is that one person's classic set might conflict with another person's classic set. The example above illustrates this because there's an even more classic set that includes the first and last tune from that set. This can result in musical car wrecks. The important thing to remember is that classic sets are great to know, but don't assume the set’s being played just because someone starts a beginning tune from one.
Also, it's nice to hear tunes from classic sets in other medleys. This is one reason I like to use the snippet method to let people know what tunes I intend to play.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Top session sets
All good advice up above--even if you do practice some sets, don't get too wedded to them, because it is healthy and fun for people to string different things together.
Although I cringe to hear the phrase "snippet method" repeated, because I seem to remember a monstrous discussion on that whole topic which I hope does not rear its ugly head again. At least no one has referred to sessions as "performances!"
Ooooops.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Top session sets
Al, have you ever witnessed the snippet method being used?
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Top session sets
I have, PB.
It's always successful, and the bleeding usually stops after direct pressure.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by joesmith
Re: Top session sets
PB,
Yes, I have, and it works quite well. I have used it myself on occasion when I forget a tune name, and want to warn people what is coming. But I have never noticed any bleeding--perhaps Laitch is using a different variant!
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Top session sets
I was only a witness, Al.
The scene cleaned up nicely, and everyone wanted to try it again.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by joesmith
Re: Top session sets
I think Laitch is referring to his circumcision.
# Posted on May 17th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Top session sets
Heh, PB.
Thanks for another fine example of a San Franciscan and his thoughts.
# Posted on May 18th 2006 by joesmith
Re: Top session sets
Did I forget the winking smiley face?
# Posted on May 18th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Top session sets
http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/110
this has the popular tunes listed from different sessions.
# Posted on May 18th 2006 by wind whisperer
Re: Top session sets
what?!!?, I think the "Biddy" jig you are thinking of is Sweet Biddy Daly's, aka An Irishman's Heart to the Ladies, aka Health to the Ladies. A nice jig in A, one of my favorites.
# Posted on May 18th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Top speed session sets in Eb
Troll la lee, Troll la la.
Anyone else rising to the bait?
# Posted on May 19th 2006 by geoffwright
Re: Top session sets
looking for tune larkins advance its a march
# Posted on May 26th 2006 by r