Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I was at a session recently that was particularly packed, with people sitting close together around the table. There were two fiddlers sitting together, and one was quite enthusiatic with her bow strokes, using the full of the bow, one might say. The fiddler sitting beside her suffered a few bow strokes to the side of the head. This caused great frustration which manifested itself in a fist fight and escalated into a general bar brawl which all the patrons, staff and musicians participated in. Naturally I was the last man standing, and celebrated my great victory with a resounding rendition of cooleys, followed by the reel to rio and the star of munster....................Have any of you had similar experiences?
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
There's certainly room in the world for a pub called "The Bow And Eyeball", though the subject wouldn't make for a very inviting sign.
I've only once been in a pub where a full-scale brawl broke out. It was in Penrith, Cumbria, many years ago. I was seated with mates at the bar when it became evident that the relations between two blokes standing just behind us were less than amicable. They presently squared up and started belting each other, as their mates gathered. I remember looking very intently indeed into a tiny glass of Baileys, hoping I suppose thereby to become invisible.
The fighting stopped a moment. The barmaid did the worst thing possible: she screamed, "YOU &%$£%&G $%^&&%DS!!!" at the top of her voice, smashing a pint glass as she did so. That really set things off: the blokes and this time their mates as well went for one another like mad dogs, bodies and chairs flying to and fro inches behind my back, it seemed. Eventually the police came; they persuaded the guys to give it best, and leave. I didn't notice any arrests.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Incidentally, what would be the weapon of choice if a fracas did break out at a session? Surely the low whistle player would be in a favourable position.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
When playing in close quarters keep both ends of the bow sharped to a point. But don't forget to apologize profusely when you cause injury to your neighbors.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Have only heard about fiddlers fighting, never seen it meself tg. But I experienced the Connemara men having a barney in a London pub somewhere way back when, tables and bodies were flying, and I was thankful for the heeded backs to the wall advice I had been given. Could see them coming and take evasive action. Have seen a fiddler cop a bow in the forehead before, but it didn't lead to anything other than a gasp of pain and her early departure with a headache.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
When my partner was in the accordion repair business we saw a few full sized piano boxes come in that had been used (apparantly while strapped on) as a weapon of choice in these situations. If I'm not mistaken more than one of these was from the Stornoway area....
But I agree with Mr bc - a deftly swung banjo is your best bet if you're out to commit grievous bodily harm.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Have you heard the phrase "it's better than a sharp stick in the eye'? I suspect the person who coined the phrase sat next to a fiddler. My wife and I often don't sit beside each other in a session, now you know the reason why!
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
As a mandolin player who has only recently started taking the fiddle out to sessions, I am unaccustomed to having to monitor the whereabouts of my bow (a plectrum does not need nearly such a wide berth). Apart from poking myself in the leg with the frog (which throws my already shaky bowing off completely), I frequently poke or threaten to poke other people in various parts of the anatomy, depending on their height, whether they are sitting or standing and which way they are facing. Even when lowering my bow off the strings after a tune, I often find myself having to apologize for invading someone's space.
A few years ago at Feakle, I ran into two inseparable Clare-dwelling music buddies - a concertina player and a piper - whose acquaintance I had made in London some years earlier. The concertina player was sporting a bloody scar on the bridge of his nose. Naturally, I enquired as to how it had come about. The piper had recently taken up the flute, and had been playing it a lot in sessions. Given the new-found freedom of movement that had been unavailable to him when playing the pipes, he had taken to swinging about a bit, letting the music take over his body, so to speak. But he was also unaccustomed to having a sideways protuberance at head level and in the throes of musical ecstasy, he had swung his head round, his concertina playing friend, who was sitting to his right, receiving the full force of the flying flute squarely on the nose.
So, musicians beware of novice flute players as well as fiddlers.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
A fiddler in a crowded session has two strategies
1. The Crouch. Hold fiddle normally, then bring the left shoulder forward and down and crouch over. The fiddle is now vertical and by using very short bow strokes you will not take up more space than, say, a clarinet player.
2. Thd Sod'em. Who's got the bow and who is on the receiving end? OK, it's their problem, they can move.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
The Mucky Duck in Monterey has banned scottish pipes and drums because there is always, always a fist fight. They said it was becoming too hard on the furniture.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I thinm I would definitely like to have one of these on my side in a fight: http://oddmusic.com/gallery/om06800.html
It would serve perfectly as both a weapon and shield!
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
It looks like a barbecue! Perhaps he could grill some sausages on it between tunes....could still be a health hazard that way without resorting to violence!
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I have another question, is it physically possible to play a d recorder (thats the plastic one every school child learns) out of tune? So much so, it puts other players off.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
But, to get back to the original question.......
Personally, as a 'zouk player, I have taken to sitting to the left of my partner, a flute and whistle-player. Unfortunately, she has given the soundboard of my instrument several dings when she puts hers down across her knees. Those ornamental rings on the ends can leave prominent marks.
But isn't it true that the more uncomfortable situations often give rise to the most memorable sessions ?
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Yes, Joze, it's horribly possible to play a plastic recorder out of tune. If indeed the recorder itself can be played in tune, as some of the really cheap ones are wrong to start with. Overblowing, underblowing, not covering the holes properly, being taught 'easy' fingerings (the 'easy' Fnat is about a quarter of a note out) and having things jammed in the mouthpiece - yep, you can be spectacularly out of tune with a plastic recorder.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I don't know.....flutes are ideal weapons in my opinion. Once a friend of mine was playing and a girl named Lauren got annoyed with her, stood up, and bonked her on the head with a flute really hard......and it must of hurt.....because no one would stop talking about it for days. Whenever we have a gathering now.....it's commonly said, "Don't tick Lauren off.....she'll clobber you with her flute!"
As for overzealous fiddlers.....I think overzealous guitar players are worse.
And recorders? Wow.....I was forced to play those in grade school. Haven't touched one since.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Fiddle players out there, be aware that the stick of a baroque fiddle bow (the real thing I mean, not the Incredibow - which is a different animal) tapers to a beautiful fine point.
Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I was at a session recently that was particularly packed, with people sitting close together around the table. There were two fiddlers sitting together, and one was quite enthusiatic with her bow strokes, using the full of the bow, one might say. The fiddler sitting beside her suffered a few bow strokes to the side of the head. This caused great frustration which manifested itself in a fist fight and escalated into a general bar brawl which all the patrons, staff and musicians participated in. Naturally I was the last man standing, and celebrated my great victory with a resounding rendition of cooleys, followed by the reel to rio and the star of munster....................Have any of you had similar experiences?
# Posted on November 3rd 2006 by An Deargán
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I have found that playing the fiddle is the perfect way to make sure everyone gives you plenty of space at a crowded session!
# Posted on November 3rd 2006 by bowburner
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Ah, try sitting to the right of a flute player!
# Posted on November 3rd 2006 by jtrout
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I love it! Shades of Finnegan's Wake, and Peter Sellers' "yer played a bum note"! and "I'll give yez a tump!"
# Posted on November 3rd 2006 by oldstrings
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
There's certainly room in the world for a pub called "The Bow And Eyeball", though the subject wouldn't make for a very inviting sign.
I've only once been in a pub where a full-scale brawl broke out. It was in Penrith, Cumbria, many years ago. I was seated with mates at the bar when it became evident that the relations between two blokes standing just behind us were less than amicable. They presently squared up and started belting each other, as their mates gathered. I remember looking very intently indeed into a tiny glass of Baileys, hoping I suppose thereby to become invisible.
The fighting stopped a moment. The barmaid did the worst thing possible: she screamed, "YOU &%$£%&G $%^&&%DS!!!" at the top of her voice, smashing a pint glass as she did so. That really set things off: the blokes and this time their mates as well went for one another like mad dogs, bodies and chairs flying to and fro inches behind my back, it seemed. Eventually the police came; they persuaded the guys to give it best, and leave. I didn't notice any arrests.
# Posted on November 3rd 2006 by nicholas
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Incidentally, what would be the weapon of choice if a fracas did break out at a session? Surely the low whistle player would be in a favourable position.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by An Deargán
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Surely some of the claws you see on some guitarists' fingers...
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by nicholas
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/8239/comments#comment176068
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
When playing in close quarters keep both ends of the bow sharped to a point. But don't forget to apologize profusely when you cause injury to your neighbors.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by leoj
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
This is exactly why the head of my guitar is spiked.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by EastPole
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
The shortscale tenor banjo (ideally a flathead with resonator) is rated the best close quarters weapon round here.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by millionyears_bc
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Have only heard about fiddlers fighting, never seen it meself tg. But I experienced the Connemara men having a barney in a London pub somewhere way back when, tables and bodies were flying, and I was thankful for the heeded backs to the wall advice I had been given. Could see them coming and take evasive action. Have seen a fiddler cop a bow in the forehead before, but it didn't lead to anything other than a gasp of pain and her early departure with a headache.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by Clear Drops
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
That's why I play an instrument big enough to hide behind - and flying objects bounce off it. That's a plus.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by Mark Harmer
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
When my partner was in the accordion repair business we saw a few full sized piano boxes come in that had been used (apparantly while strapped on) as a weapon of choice in these situations. If I'm not mistaken more than one of these was from the Stornoway area....
But I agree with Mr bc - a deftly swung banjo is your best bet if you're out to commit grievous bodily harm.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by kris
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Have you heard the phrase "it's better than a sharp stick in the eye'? I suspect the person who coined the phrase sat next to a fiddler. My wife and I often don't sit beside each other in a session, now you know the reason why!
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
As a mandolin player who has only recently started taking the fiddle out to sessions, I am unaccustomed to having to monitor the whereabouts of my bow (a plectrum does not need nearly such a wide berth). Apart from poking myself in the leg with the frog (which throws my already shaky bowing off completely), I frequently poke or threaten to poke other people in various parts of the anatomy, depending on their height, whether they are sitting or standing and which way they are facing. Even when lowering my bow off the strings after a tune, I often find myself having to apologize for invading someone's space.
A few years ago at Feakle, I ran into two inseparable Clare-dwelling music buddies - a concertina player and a piper - whose acquaintance I had made in London some years earlier. The concertina player was sporting a bloody scar on the bridge of his nose. Naturally, I enquired as to how it had come about. The piper had recently taken up the flute, and had been playing it a lot in sessions. Given the new-found freedom of movement that had been unavailable to him when playing the pipes, he had taken to swinging about a bit, letting the music take over his body, so to speak. But he was also unaccustomed to having a sideways protuberance at head level and in the throes of musical ecstasy, he had swung his head round, his concertina playing friend, who was sitting to his right, receiving the full force of the flying flute squarely on the nose.
So, musicians beware of novice flute players as well as fiddlers.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by ragaman
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
A fiddler in a crowded session has two strategies
1. The Crouch. Hold fiddle normally, then bring the left shoulder forward and down and crouch over. The fiddle is now vertical and by using very short bow strokes you will not take up more space than, say, a clarinet player.
2. Thd Sod'em. Who's got the bow and who is on the receiving end? OK, it's their problem, they can move.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by c.g.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
The Mucky Duck in Monterey has banned scottish pipes and drums because there is always, always a fist fight. They said it was becoming too hard on the furniture.
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by Meri-pixie
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I thinm I would definitely like to have one of these on my side in a fight: http://oddmusic.com/gallery/om06800.html
It would serve perfectly as both a weapon and shield!
# Posted on November 4th 2006 by Joe CSS
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Yo ho! He has taken instrument making and made it into art. Beautiful.
# Posted on November 5th 2006 by Clear Drops
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
...but I think this is going just a bit too far:
http://oddmusic.com/gallery/om14100.html
# Posted on November 5th 2006 by Joe CSS
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
...still (and it looks like a still, come to think of it!) it would frighten passers-by and would guarantee you a bit of space in the pub.
# Posted on November 5th 2006 by Mark Harmer
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
It looks like a barbecue! Perhaps he could grill some sausages on it between tunes....could still be a health hazard that way without resorting to violence!
# Posted on November 5th 2006 by bowburner
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Or roast chestnuts.
# Posted on November 5th 2006 by Clear Drops
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I have another question, is it physically possible to play a d recorder (thats the plastic one every school child learns) out of tune? So much so, it puts other players off.
# Posted on November 5th 2006 by Joze
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
But, to get back to the original question.......
Personally, as a 'zouk player, I have taken to sitting to the left of my partner, a flute and whistle-player. Unfortunately, she has given the soundboard of my instrument several dings when she puts hers down across her knees. Those ornamental rings on the ends can leave prominent marks.
But isn't it true that the more uncomfortable situations often give rise to the most memorable sessions ?
# Posted on November 5th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Yes, Joze, it's horribly possible to play a plastic recorder out of tune. If indeed the recorder itself can be played in tune, as some of the really cheap ones are wrong to start with. Overblowing, underblowing, not covering the holes properly, being taught 'easy' fingerings (the 'easy' Fnat is about a quarter of a note out) and having things jammed in the mouthpiece - yep, you can be spectacularly out of tune with a plastic recorder.
# Posted on November 6th 2006 by c.g.
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I don't know.....flutes are ideal weapons in my opinion. Once a friend of mine was playing and a girl named Lauren got annoyed with her, stood up, and bonked her on the head with a flute really hard......and it must of hurt.....because no one would stop talking about it for days. Whenever we have a gathering now.....it's commonly said, "Don't tick Lauren off.....she'll clobber you with her flute!"
As for overzealous fiddlers.....I think overzealous guitar players are worse.
And recorders? Wow.....I was forced to play those in grade school. Haven't touched one since.
# Posted on November 6th 2006 by roseO'bailley
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
I once new a man who made a guitar out of a formica table- I think that would be a pretty hard wearing weapon!
# Posted on November 6th 2006 by noodlebean
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
A harp - inserted sideways!!
# Posted on November 6th 2006 by Mark Harmer
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
puts a whole new meaning on mandolin egg slicer.
# Posted on November 7th 2006 by Joze
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
are you sure the concertina player *hit* wasn't an accident??
# Posted on November 7th 2006 by ChineseFightingMuffin
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Fiddle players out there, be aware that the stick of a baroque fiddle bow (the real thing I mean, not the Incredibow - which is a different animal) tapers to a beautiful fine point.
# Posted on November 7th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: Overzealous fiddlers - a health hazard...............
Yes, Mark! A fiddle can hurt you, but (properly wielded) a harp will kill you.
Speaking of harp as egg slicer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CafYk49Fnt0
# Posted on November 7th 2006 by Tracie