I was in a pub named Mulligan's in the Netherlands, and I saw an irish session there. My question to you guys: How does it work? Do you have to know the songs they are going to play, and who is allowed to goin? I play tin whistle and Uilleann pipe, and I'm afraid I'm to chicken to goin in, so I'd like to learn how these thing work.....
Me and some mates will be in Amsterdam on March 30th on route to a festival in Belgium. Will we get tunes in Mulligans on that Friday night? Any other sessions there?
Hoi Maryland Highlander - post these tunes on this site please. I am keen to learn them so I can go and join in. Are they easy to play on the shaky egg?
Layla on the highlands, Eric would never be the same. I have a friend who recorded caribbean heartbeat on the pipes with steel drums , he might try it. back to topic. Aine -- you sound just like my daughter. she is an exceptional musician and can play any tune she hears but is shy about new groups because her primary instrument is not strict ITM. Go for it, what is the worse they can do? if they do not want you to join the worse they can do is say so and it will be their loss.
Apart from Bren, you've not been given many serious answers. From my knowledge, I believe that..at least some.. of the sessions in this bar are "open" meaning that they will welcome visiting musicians. At least, that's the impression I got when I visited the premises.
Of course knowing the tunes...not "songs" does help but you'll not know what they're going to play in advance. Probably, they won't even have worked out that themselves as sessions are spontaneous events.
Basically, it's a case of being polite and asking if you can join the company. Then, just play or join in on the tunes you know. Probably, they'll invite you to start a tune of your own(As Bren says) or..again.. you could politely ask during a quiet spell.
If the session is busy, it's also good form to make way for more experienced and/or regular musicians especially if you feel that their contribution may be greater than yours.
Don't worry too much about "being chicken". Even the most experienced musicians don't know every tune and may even be reluctant to enter an unsuitable(for them) session.
Mulligans' Sunday session was the first ITM session I ever played at, back in 1999. (I knew I was completely clueless, and was too embarrassed to try it in my own country!)
At that time, at least, they were friendly, easy-going, and supportive. So I say go for it.
I took an irish session mulligan the other day when I misplayed a tune. I think it was called "the Spindle Shank."
As a matter of fact, I just left it in the drink and started with a new one. It was a much better play and really lay down nicely. The swing was sweet and I really drove it well.
I know the purists would look down on me for it, but I really love irish session mulligans.
I was there a few weeks back, they had some visiting musicians who were like a regular group or something, playing very tight sets and had a mike dangling over them. Later they took the mike away and things got more open, that would be the time to go up and ask if you could , or offer to, play a tune.
When I was at the Wednesday session at Mulligan's two years ago the standard was so high that I was glad I didn't have my instrument with me. I still enjoyed listening very much.
Irish session Mulligans
Irish session Mulligans
Haay everybody,
I was in a pub named Mulligan's in the Netherlands, and I saw an irish session there. My question to you guys: How does it work? Do you have to know the songs they are going to play, and who is allowed to goin? I play tin whistle and Uilleann pipe, and I'm afraid I'm to chicken to goin in, so I'd like to learn how these thing work.....
Thanx
Love, Aine
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by ainekenaz
Re: Irish session Mulligans
Go up and ask them if you can play a tune. They're OK folk really. Play a tune on your whistle, if it's one they know they will join in.
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by Bren
Re: Irish session Mulligans
As long as you have Free Bird, Wipe Out and Stairway to Heaven down, Im sure you'll find a place at any session.
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by The Merry Highlander
Re: Irish session Mulligans
Me and some mates will be in Amsterdam on March 30th on route to a festival in Belgium. Will we get tunes in Mulligans on that Friday night? Any other sessions there?
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by iwerzon
Re: Irish session Mulligans
Hoi Maryland Highlander - post these tunes on this site please. I am keen to learn them so I can go and join in. Are they easy to play on the shaky egg?
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by wodeninjun
Re: Irish session Mulligans
I'd love to hear 'Stairway to Heaven" on the Uilleann Pipes. It might be interesting if a nice wet box were also used.
I was wondering if the same intrumentation could be used in 'Layla'?
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by zippydw
Re: Irish session Mulligans
Layla on the highlands, Eric would never be the same. I have a friend who recorded caribbean heartbeat on the pipes with steel drums , he might try it. back to topic. Aine -- you sound just like my daughter. she is an exceptional musician and can play any tune she hears but is shy about new groups because her primary instrument is not strict ITM. Go for it, what is the worse they can do? if they do not want you to join the worse they can do is say so and it will be their loss.
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by jehanna
Re: Irish session Mulligans
Aine,
Apart from Bren, you've not been given many serious answers. From my knowledge, I believe that..at least some.. of the sessions in this bar are "open" meaning that they will welcome visiting musicians. At least, that's the impression I got when I visited the premises.
Of course knowing the tunes...not "songs" does help but you'll not know what they're going to play in advance. Probably, they won't even have worked out that themselves as sessions are spontaneous events.
Basically, it's a case of being polite and asking if you can join the company. Then, just play or join in on the tunes you know. Probably, they'll invite you to start a tune of your own(As Bren says) or..again.. you could politely ask during a quiet spell.
If the session is busy, it's also good form to make way for more experienced and/or regular musicians especially if you feel that their contribution may be greater than yours.
Don't worry too much about "being chicken". Even the most experienced musicians don't know every tune and may even be reluctant to enter an unsuitable(for them) session.
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by Johannes J
Re: Irish session Mulligans
Mulligans' Sunday session was the first ITM session I ever played at, back in 1999. (I knew I was completely clueless, and was too embarrassed to try it in my own country!)
At that time, at least, they were friendly, easy-going, and supportive. So I say go for it.
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by mickray
Re: Irish session Mulligans
Best to get a coffee before you go in...LOL : )
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by Bjcomm96
Re: Irish session Mulligans
I took an irish session mulligan the other day when I misplayed a tune. I think it was called "the Spindle Shank."
As a matter of fact, I just left it in the drink and started with a new one. It was a much better play and really lay down nicely. The swing was sweet and I really drove it well.
I know the purists would look down on me for it, but I really love irish session mulligans.
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by Jode
Re: Irish session Mulligans
Thanx very much for the kind advise!!
I think I'll give it a try now, but I'm going to bring a friend :P
xxx Aine
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by ainekenaz
Re: Irish session Mulligans
I was there a few weeks back, they had some visiting musicians who were like a regular group or something, playing very tight sets and had a mike dangling over them. Later they took the mike away and things got more open, that would be the time to go up and ask if you could , or offer to, play a tune.
# Posted on March 10th 2007 by Bren
Re: Irish session Mulligans
When I was at the Wednesday session at Mulligan's two years ago the standard was so high that I was glad I didn't have my instrument with me. I still enjoyed listening very much.
# Posted on March 10th 2007 by kuec
Re: Irish session Mulligans
Is there a Friday night session in Mulligans or anywhere else in Amsterdam?
# Posted on March 12th 2007 by iwerzon