I was asked the following question in an e-mail recently : "So, what exactly is the attraction of Irish music?" (-this from a kind person, obviously trying to steer me away from music he felt it unwise for a beginner to tackle).
Once over the shock that someone who played all kinds of folk music didn't instinctively FEEL what makes Irish music attractive, even to the beginner, I set to wondering how exactly you good folks would go about explaining the qualities of the music to a well-meaning stranger, a Martian say, who apparently didn't quite 'get' it?
(- without implying that the questioner was in any way lacking in taste or sensitivity, obviously! )
Actually the Martians *I've* known have been quite keen on yodelling ...
How about "It has a sort of hypnotic quality, based on a kind of cumulative euphoria and an accretion of many wonderful small musical moments; it makes us tap our feet and beat our palms on our legs and sway our heads ... and it's a fantasitc way of communicating directly with other people without the potential embarassment of having to say anything."
Ok- so this ITM thing- it's the way you little green diddley-diddley men have fun, is it? We thought that all that jigging about was some sign of deep existential angst...
It is a vast collection of tunes which listeners, however much they may take the p*ss, are inwardly forced to acknowledge are good; and it can be played to effect by one person on a six-hole pipe costing less than a fiver.
Well, for me it's kind of hard to explain to some people who haven't heard it before.
It takes complete control of your hands and feet, and you help but move a little when listening to a riveting reel or jig. And then there are others (like slow airs for example), that just puts you in a different state of mind and can really move the soul!
Now, just about everyone at my church likes the music that I bring in and play. But, my Pastor HATES it! Not for religious reasons. He just plain doesn't like it. Hehehe, he's MIL is Irish, and gave him some cds of "the music" for Christmas. ROFLMBO!!! Oh well. Maybe one of these days he'll convert. :-p
I was actually drawn to it originally in the same way that I was drawn to techno (*gasp*). Intricate, fast, catchy, but repetitive melodies.
But once I started playing Irish, my mind was immediately stimulated by the fantastic rhythms, and I am completely hooked. I can't remember the last time I listened to the techno, industrial, or synthpop that I made my living playing as a DJ in nightclubs for 19 years.
(Now if I could just figure out how to make a living playing Irish)
To our respected Leader from Operation Get Diddley, Planet ITM
Interesting times, despite some language difficulties (ITM is a bit like MARTIAN, only without the mandatory wearing of the pullover). It's not quite like it says in the brochure, though. These little green folk sit around in a circle looking very serious. Then one of them starts, and all the others pile in- and that's just the punch-up about tuning their instruments. Then comes the tune- there's only one- the Inertia Reel- which they play over and over, with occasional variations of rhythm and key. Then they all stop, more or less at the same time, drink a large glass of foaming brown water, then start all over again- and go on for days like this, apparently without sleep.
I'm a bit worried about Cedric, ever since one of them gave him a 'bow-wow'- a lacerated goatskin instrument, best played with a pencil, apparently. I think Cedric is already infected by the music- can't stop beating his heads together, almost in time to the music. Strange really, as this seems to be the only instrument you don't actually need to have two brains to play. We've put him in quarantine, to protect the rest of the mission from the 'creak', as the old-timers call their infectious fun. BTW, they've rumbled us on the yodelling strategy- better send down a few bottles of Plan B- labelled the 'Water of Life on Mars'. That should loosen their tongues. Oh, yes, we shall have all their secrets yet.
Thanks, guys, for your inputs- I guess that's it- if you need it explaining you'll never get it, unless you are converting from another equally entrancing and intricate genre. That's a fascinating eye-opener, Reverend. Must give techno another listen
Seamus Egan gives the best explanation I reckon
...."there's something inherent in these melodies that have made them endure for these hundreds of years" ......
That sums it up for me.....
The expanses of fluorescent green you might have seen encroaching on many areas of the globe and overrunning huge coastal cities indicate not inundation or the spread of Islam, but the takeover of these places by ITM.
I should also remind you that Irish and Gaelic are official Martian languages.
Just humour him ~ Nicky talks to mushrooms, hugs trees and thinks pink is proof of alien presence...
Hell, we all know Martians exist on a viral level and communicate with colour, but only shades of red and pink... So how do you explain Irish Music to such a creature? Well, it will have to be down to your dress sense, and it will have to be shades of red and pink or they won't realize you exist in the first place... Maybe a sequence of polka dots, pink polka dots on a red background, just for a start, an attempt to communicate with math and colour and approximate 2/4 that way, as a start. From there, if there is a response in kind, we could work on 4/4 and we could also try lines, different thicknesses, and maybe red on a pink background?
Groovy, sounds like a whole new lease of life for the Aran sweater industry...ITM is MARTIAN minus the 'Aran', incidentally- just thought I'd labour that one
ITM- as explained to Martians
ITM- as explained to Martians
I was asked the following question in an e-mail recently : "So, what exactly is the attraction of Irish music?" (-this from a kind person, obviously trying to steer me away from music he felt it unwise for a beginner to tackle).
Once over the shock that someone who played all kinds of folk music didn't instinctively FEEL what makes Irish music attractive, even to the beginner, I set to wondering how exactly you good folks would go about explaining the qualities of the music to a well-meaning stranger, a Martian say, who apparently didn't quite 'get' it?
(- without implying that the questioner was in any way lacking in taste or sensitivity, obviously! )
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by P-K
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
It a powerful mind-controlling agent bent on world domination! Once you are caught in it's grip, you can never escape! Bwahhhaaahhaa!!
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by jasonlburnfield
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Martians wouldn't like it, any more than they like yodelling
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by RichardB
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Actually the Martians *I've* known have been quite keen on yodelling ...
How about "It has a sort of hypnotic quality, based on a kind of cumulative euphoria and an accretion of many wonderful small musical moments; it makes us tap our feet and beat our palms on our legs and sway our heads ... and it's a fantasitc way of communicating directly with other people without the potential embarassment of having to say anything."
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by benhall.1
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
I thought martians preferred MTM.
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by AlBrown
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Just tell them it's the music of little green people and they'll really dig it.
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by Phantom Button
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Here's the cliche:
The haunting melodies of the Celtic slow airs, the high energy reels and the foot tapping jigs.
But I say it's just fun.
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by MartySmith
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Ok- so this ITM thing- it's the way you little green diddley-diddley men have fun, is it? We thought that all that jigging about was some sign of deep existential angst...
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by P-K
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
It was Slim Whitman's "Indian Love Call" that blew their little green brains in "Mars Attacks".
It's not the thought of playing ITM to a little Green Man and finding him completely unmoved that gives me the shivers...
...It's what he might play to me in turn...
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by Innocent Bystander
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
I'd forgotten about Mars Attacks ... but mine were a different kind of Martians.
shhh ... they only come and play with me when I'm all by myself ...
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by benhall.1
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Call that stuff music? Here, have some of our bar-shaped confectionery- helps you work, rest and play.
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by P-K
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
It's soul music man- -real c-o-o-l ! (Ugh)
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by duffgen
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
It is a vast collection of tunes which listeners, however much they may take the p*ss, are inwardly forced to acknowledge are good; and it can be played to effect by one person on a six-hole pipe costing less than a fiver.
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by nicholas
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Just give them a Bodhran and send them on their way.
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by saltcast
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Well, for me it's kind of hard to explain to some people who haven't heard it before.
It takes complete control of your hands and feet, and you help but move a little when listening to a riveting reel or jig. And then there are others (like slow airs for example), that just puts you in a different state of mind and can really move the soul!
Now, just about everyone at my church likes the music that I bring in and play. But, my Pastor HATES it! Not for religious reasons. He just plain doesn't like it. Hehehe, he's MIL is Irish, and gave him some cds of "the music" for Christmas. ROFLMBO!!! Oh well. Maybe one of these days he'll convert. :-p
Sara
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by Celtic Lass
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
There's other kinds of music?
...Kevin
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by atftb
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
I was actually drawn to it originally in the same way that I was drawn to techno (*gasp*). Intricate, fast, catchy, but repetitive melodies.
But once I started playing Irish, my mind was immediately stimulated by the fantastic rhythms, and I am completely hooked. I can't remember the last time I listened to the techno, industrial, or synthpop that I made my living playing as a DJ in nightclubs for 19 years.
(Now if I could just figure out how to make a living playing Irish)
Pete
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by Reverend
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
What's Mary Tyler Moore got to do with Martians ?
(See Al Brown's earlier comment .)
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
To our respected Leader from Operation Get Diddley, Planet ITM
Interesting times, despite some language difficulties (ITM is a bit like MARTIAN, only without the mandatory wearing of the pullover). It's not quite like it says in the brochure, though. These little green folk sit around in a circle looking very serious. Then one of them starts, and all the others pile in- and that's just the punch-up about tuning their instruments. Then comes the tune- there's only one- the Inertia Reel- which they play over and over, with occasional variations of rhythm and key. Then they all stop, more or less at the same time, drink a large glass of foaming brown water, then start all over again- and go on for days like this, apparently without sleep.
I'm a bit worried about Cedric, ever since one of them gave him a 'bow-wow'- a lacerated goatskin instrument, best played with a pencil, apparently. I think Cedric is already infected by the music- can't stop beating his heads together, almost in time to the music. Strange really, as this seems to be the only instrument you don't actually need to have two brains to play. We've put him in quarantine, to protect the rest of the mission from the 'creak', as the old-timers call their infectious fun. BTW, they've rumbled us on the yodelling strategy- better send down a few bottles of Plan B- labelled the 'Water of Life on Mars'. That should loosen their tongues. Oh, yes, we shall have all their secrets yet.
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by P-K
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
You either get it or not. It's that simple. No explaination required.
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by woops
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
It feels right.
# Posted on February 2nd 2007 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Thanks, guys, for your inputs- I guess that's it- if you need it explaining you'll never get it, unless you are converting from another equally entrancing and intricate genre. That's a fascinating eye-opener, Reverend. Must give techno another listen
# Posted on February 3rd 2007 by P-K
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
As an ITM afficionado playing with Martians, I agree -- they don't really get it because it swings in such a subtle way, and it's diddley nature tends to make their heads explode, much as yodelling does. They live among us, disguised as itinerant ethnic groups like Gypsies, laying the groundwork for a full-scale cultural invasion at some point in the future. As a Martian cultural attaché playing ITM, however, I invite you to sample a little MTM -- aka Gypsy jazz -- at our website, http://hotclubofmars.com. Enjoy!
# Posted on February 6th 2007 by windgod
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Seamus Egan gives the best explanation I reckon
...."there's something inherent in these melodies that have made them endure for these hundreds of years" ......
That sums it up for me.....
# Posted on February 8th 2007 by zoukboy
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Calling all Martians:
The expanses of fluorescent green you might have seen encroaching on many areas of the globe and overrunning huge coastal cities indicate not inundation or the spread of Islam, but the takeover of these places by ITM.
I should also remind you that Irish and Gaelic are official Martian languages.
# Posted on February 8th 2007 by nicholas
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Just humour him ~ Nicky talks to mushrooms, hugs trees and thinks pink is proof of alien presence...
Hell, we all know Martians exist on a viral level and communicate with colour, but only shades of red and pink... So how do you explain Irish Music to such a creature? Well, it will have to be down to your dress sense, and it will have to be shades of red and pink or they won't realize you exist in the first place... Maybe a sequence of polka dots, pink polka dots on a red background, just for a start, an attempt to communicate with math and colour and approximate 2/4 that way, as a start. From there, if there is a response in kind, we could work on 4/4 and we could also try lines, different thicknesses, and maybe red on a pink background?
# Posted on February 8th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: ITM- as explained to Martians
Groovy, sounds like a whole new lease of life for the Aran sweater industry...ITM is MARTIAN minus the 'Aran', incidentally- just thought I'd labour that one
# Posted on February 8th 2007 by P-K