I've never actully seen a person like this, but is there anyone out there that plays not traditional instrumetns. By this I mean like saxaphone or harmonica of clawhammer banjo. or maybe even some indian or african something?
I mean that that the "other" instrument is their only instrument, or that seriously play that in addition to another instrument. Like people who take their "other" instrument to sessions.
I play clawhammer banjo, but I leave it safely at home for Irish sessions--I also play old-time fiddle but only rarely play a tune from that repertoire at sessions. Several of us at our sessions play other instruments and types of music: we have a classical violist, a classical clarinetist, and people who play old-time and bluegrass. Usually we stay pretty close to Irish instrumentation at sessions.
In fairness I think there's a fairly well established Irish style of harmonica playing - Tony Sullivan does a bit I think, and Brendan Power certainly does a lot.
Or do you believe that ITM is the exclusive preserve of the pipes, harp, fiddle, flute and whistle?
I've seen (and heard) a trombone regularly used at a session. I stopped going there - it was like being dive-bombed.
On other occasions I've heard plectrum banjo, ukulele, tambourine, bassoon, saxophone, kazoo, clarinet and soprano recorder. As far as I could ascertain most these instruments were "first" instruments and the players just out for a night's fun.
I never felt that these exotic instruments added anything much to the proceedings and often got in the way, as much from the player's unfamiliarity with the music as from the nature of the instrument itself.
Having said all that, the banjo, accordion, concertina, mandolin, guitar, bouzouki, mandola, harmonica and even the fiddle were all new to ITM at some point in the last few hundred years. I wonder what people thought about them when they first appeared?
Here in Norway I have seen some that play celtic on scandinavian folk instruments; jew's harp, hardanger fiddle, diffrent flutes and more that's sound nice.
I've recently started to play scandinavian folk on "irish" instruments: banjo, mandolin and more, those instruments are not common in scandinavian tradition.
why I do this, well after hearing ac/dc played on tuba (by a friend of mine), I understood that the instruments have no limitations
I peronally play several instruments that are not "traditional Irsish" instruments. Even though I've come under questionable scrutiny in many circles, those who have heard the music being played in person come away with a totally different view. The Djembe is scorned here by many but, if played properly, can add a new depth to the music and underpin in ways that Bodhran could never do. It's not a trad instrument and yes it does change the feel of the music but it's not totally wrong if applied properly.
I think any new instrument introduced into the "traditional" mix can (at the very least) make us hear things afresh. And thanks, Clifardo, for clarifying your question.
I play a PVC instrument that I built, as well as some other types of percussion. Recently, (except not today because I'm painting it) I've played that more than my fiddle. It can sound good with Irish stuff, but nothing I'd take to a session (partly because it's HUGE and takes around 20 min. to set up).
I play fretless electric bass, as well as simple system flute, fiddle, and box.
Must get round to taking it to a session one day, it's just difficult carrying the amp on a bicycle!
I play trad fiddle, but I also like to jam on electric bass with some rock and blues friends. I also have a Les Paul electric guitar which I like to play some blues riffs on when the lads come over to my place for pints.
Don't see why a musician shouldn't try a broad range of styles. Don't think you'll see me rapping any time soon though...
From a personal growth perspective, playing your main instrument in as many ways as possible can only provide you with useful skills to bring back to trad music. For example, classical fiddle should develope your ability to play in the 3rd octave, playing jazz will encourage the player to improvise and should increase their aural sense of chord/scale relationships. I play a bit of jazz guitar, and reckon that's changed the way I look at chords and chord progressions, and double bass which has increased my awareness of bass lines.
There's a guy in one of the sessions I go to who plays clawhammer banjo, and although he's more of a bluegrass player, he's able to knock out a good tune on it and sound damn good....with any instrument the musicianship will determine their ability to play trad music, and their manners will tell them how to integrate themselves into a session. It always goes pear-shaped if one of these elements is missing though.
"Don't think you'll see me rapping any time soon though..." - jdnolan, I've heard Cowboy songs sung in Gaelic on RTE radio, but not a Gaelic Rap number - well not yet anyway, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time!
I have always played harmonica, and in the past year or so have been learning my Irish tunes with it, and bringing it to the session, where it works pretty well. However, I also play the trumpet, which I would never bring to the session, because it wouldn't fit.
Not to mention, on trumpet, once you add the extra two sharps to transpose on top of all the other sharps, there are WAY too many sharps in Irish music!
I agree with you andy_newcastle! If you start studying you instrument with any other style or perhaps while you are stuying ITM, you'll develop more abilities to play.
The same examples you gave! I started playing the flute but just classical music and now it's easier (in a way!) to play the irish flute. The same thing happens with the fiddle
ITM players that play other instruments.
ITM players that play other instruments.
I've never actully seen a person like this, but is there anyone out there that plays not traditional instrumetns. By this I mean like saxaphone or harmonica of clawhammer banjo. or maybe even some indian or african something?
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by Clifardo Albrechto
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
HI - do you mean using "other instruments" when they're actually playing ITM, or just as an "extra" thing that they play for fun?
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by Mark Harmer
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I mean that that the "other" instrument is their only instrument, or that seriously play that in addition to another instrument. Like people who take their "other" instrument to sessions.
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by Clifardo Albrechto
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
Here are two earlier threads that might grab your interest:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/126
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/2469
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by granama
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I play clawhammer banjo, but I leave it safely at home for Irish sessions--I also play old-time fiddle but only rarely play a tune from that repertoire at sessions. Several of us at our sessions play other instruments and types of music: we have a classical violist, a classical clarinetist, and people who play old-time and bluegrass. Usually we stay pretty close to Irish instrumentation at sessions.
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by dwdeacon
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
In fairness I think there's a fairly well established Irish style of harmonica playing - Tony Sullivan does a bit I think, and Brendan Power certainly does a lot.
Or do you believe that ITM is the exclusive preserve of the pipes, harp, fiddle, flute and whistle?
I've seen (and heard) a trombone regularly used at a session. I stopped going there - it was like being dive-bombed.
On other occasions I've heard plectrum banjo, ukulele, tambourine, bassoon, saxophone, kazoo, clarinet and soprano recorder. As far as I could ascertain most these instruments were "first" instruments and the players just out for a night's fun.
I never felt that these exotic instruments added anything much to the proceedings and often got in the way, as much from the player's unfamiliarity with the music as from the nature of the instrument itself.
Having said all that, the banjo, accordion, concertina, mandolin, guitar, bouzouki, mandola, harmonica and even the fiddle were all new to ITM at some point in the last few hundred years. I wonder what people thought about them when they first appeared?
I try to keep an open mind in a living tradition.
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by millionyears_bc
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
Here in Norway I have seen some that play celtic on scandinavian folk instruments; jew's harp, hardanger fiddle, diffrent flutes and more that's sound nice.
I've recently started to play scandinavian folk on "irish" instruments: banjo, mandolin and more, those instruments are not common in scandinavian tradition.
why I do this, well after hearing ac/dc played on tuba (by a friend of mine), I understood that the instruments have no limitations
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by TradLad
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I peronally play several instruments that are not "traditional Irsish" instruments. Even though I've come under questionable scrutiny in many circles, those who have heard the music being played in person come away with a totally different view. The Djembe is scorned here by many but, if played properly, can add a new depth to the music and underpin in ways that Bodhran could never do. It's not a trad instrument and yes it does change the feel of the music but it's not totally wrong if applied properly.
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by newfie percussionist
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I think any new instrument introduced into the "traditional" mix can (at the very least) make us hear things afresh. And thanks, Clifardo, for clarifying your question.
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by Mark Harmer
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I play a PVC instrument that I built, as well as some other types of percussion. Recently, (except not today because I'm painting it) I've played that more than my fiddle. It can sound good with Irish stuff, but nothing I'd take to a session (partly because it's HUGE and takes around 20 min. to set up).
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by Ben314
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I play the Boehm flute and play classical music.
I also play argentinian traditional music (or ATM hehe) sometimes.
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by Matt_Celta
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I play fretless electric bass, as well as simple system flute, fiddle, and box.
Must get round to taking it to a session one day, it's just difficult carrying the amp on a bicycle!
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by Wurzel
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I play trad fiddle, but I also like to jam on electric bass with some rock and blues friends. I also have a Les Paul electric guitar which I like to play some blues riffs on when the lads come over to my place for pints.
Don't see why a musician shouldn't try a broad range of styles. Don't think you'll see me rapping any time soon though...
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by tradshark
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
From a personal growth perspective, playing your main instrument in as many ways as possible can only provide you with useful skills to bring back to trad music. For example, classical fiddle should develope your ability to play in the 3rd octave, playing jazz will encourage the player to improvise and should increase their aural sense of chord/scale relationships. I play a bit of jazz guitar, and reckon that's changed the way I look at chords and chord progressions, and double bass which has increased my awareness of bass lines.
There's a guy in one of the sessions I go to who plays clawhammer banjo, and although he's more of a bluegrass player, he's able to knock out a good tune on it and sound damn good....with any instrument the musicianship will determine their ability to play trad music, and their manners will tell them how to integrate themselves into a session. It always goes pear-shaped if one of these elements is missing though.
# Posted on July 2nd 2006 by Andy V
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
"Don't think you'll see me rapping any time soon though..." - jdnolan, I've heard Cowboy songs sung in Gaelic on RTE radio, but not a Gaelic Rap number - well not yet anyway, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time!
# Posted on July 3rd 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I want to learn how to play the mandolin, unlike most the home I grew up in was music-less.
# Posted on July 3rd 2006 by Joze
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I play oboe as well as fiddle. I don't take it to Irish sessions, but it has made an appearance at some other sessions
# Posted on July 3rd 2006 by Tarrantella
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
Anyone seen someone playing a garden sieve with some goatskin stretched across it. Don't know what the contraption is called.
# Posted on July 3rd 2006 by geoffwright
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
a useless sieve thats for sure.
# Posted on July 3rd 2006 by Joze
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I have always played harmonica, and in the past year or so have been learning my Irish tunes with it, and bringing it to the session, where it works pretty well. However, I also play the trumpet, which I would never bring to the session, because it wouldn't fit.
Not to mention, on trumpet, once you add the extra two sharps to transpose on top of all the other sharps, there are WAY too many sharps in Irish music!
# Posted on July 3rd 2006 by AlBrown
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I grew up and am still growing up in a musicess household too ( I'm 14). I JUST practice alot and go to sessions and alls well
# Posted on July 3rd 2006 by Clifardo Albrechto
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I play Bouzouki and guitar!!!!
Many would say that they are not "traditional".
Now there's a whole new discussion!
# Posted on July 4th 2006 by Shtrum
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
I agree with you andy_newcastle! If you start studying you instrument with any other style or perhaps while you are stuying ITM, you'll develop more abilities to play.
The same examples you gave! I started playing the flute but just classical music and now it's easier (in a way!) to play the irish flute. The same thing happens with the fiddle
# Posted on July 4th 2006 by Matt_Celta
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
Geoff,
I think it's called a 'Sievenamon'
# Posted on July 4th 2006 by Ottery
Re: ITM players that play other instruments.
Geoffrey Blythe from Black 47 kicks a** on sax playing ITM.
# Posted on July 6th 2006 by rob_handel