ending his tour, the "Alan Kelly & Mosaic" came here, near Milan, for the "after-s.Patrik day"...wonderful show....
it's was great: when they went on the stage they can hardly stand! how nice! every time they had to change the reel or jig in a set, the fiddler heaved his head, then they all seemed sleeping!
however, they played their instruments magnificently....how is it possible?!
A great jazz performer, whose name escapes me, said, in effect, that he and the band drank during band practice so that they would be well used to the condition when on stage.
The classical violinist Henryk Szeryng used to have a couple of glasses of sherry before going on the concert platform to play his concertos.
It all depends on what you're used to.
If I start drinking first and then later on pick up the fiddle - I'm doomed. But if I start playing at the same time then I can drink all night and still play.
I'm with bb. In fact, someone said the self same thing to me the week before Paddy's Day. Start playing the same time you start drinking. We played at least six hours that day and the Guinness was free, so there must be something in the theory.
Alcohol goes straight to my fingertips, so when I am being sensible I have nothing to drink. Of course, that means that I have no excuse for crap playing.
I'm always at least three sheets to the wind. I have 2 pints with Jack Daniels chasers before any of my instruments even come out of their cases. When I play it sounds OK to me, and if anybody complains at least I don't remember. But I do carry a doner card, so anybody can help themself to my kebab in the event of my untimely demise
I definitely don't drink...leave that for everyone else (as my group routinely says, particularly at wine tastings, etc.) The more you drink, THE BETTER WE SOUND!!!!!
And the last non trad concert I went to, the lead singer was TOTALLY stoned. However, jusdging by the band I very highly doubt it was an irregular occurance and he still sounded amazing...just a little over the top with hand gestures and "Hy everybody lets give a round of applause to my friend Joey over here on bass...it's his birthday...he's my friend Joey, and he plays bass..etcetc".But again I have heard rumors that on Halloween concerts this whole band comes out druink and in costume so yeah. Good thing I love them anyway haha
only if I can still feel my fingers, which means I can drink and play if I am not overtired. Generally I dont drink at sessions but have been known to be somewhat trollied at festivals.
I can't, but I think I can. The whole booze and playing thing got to me seriously a few years back (a whole bottle of Whiskey during a session!), until I couldn't even move my arms to play the fiddle. So I made a decision that if I'm going to a session, I don't drink, except a soft drink. I seen so many fiddle players f****d up by the demon drink. I'm trying to stop completely. The other thing that gets to me is that 'non-players' always want to 'have a go' at the fiddle after a few pints. I had a fiddle dropped and trodden on beyond repair once. Drinking is a mugs game.
Yes (I once played a tune on the melodeon, when tipsy, before I had learnt to play the instrument at all) - but then I can play tunes I don't know, and then cannot remember how to play them afterwards when sober !
I believe that I'm Mark O'Connor when I'm drunk... so yes, I play quite well... until I hear the playback the next day. So no, I can't play at all well when I'm drunk... unless YOU'RE drunk, then I fit the Mark O'Connor profile again... without the hat...
BTW, cheers to you jimod... I'm off the drink since ash wednesday... going to try to keep it up... not as hard as I thought... but not altogether easy either.
I could quite easily. Near enough no amount of alcohol dented my playing. So I just drank and drank. That was the problem. So then I gave up.
My playing now is still just the same.
No, and I can't talk when I'm playing either, unlike some (who can do all three). I do not, however, generally drink so much that I can no longer talk.
Can you play when you' are drunk??
Can you play when you' are drunk??
ending his tour, the "Alan Kelly & Mosaic" came here, near Milan, for the "after-s.Patrik day"...wonderful show....
it's was great: when they went on the stage they can hardly stand! how nice! every time they had to change the reel or jig in a set, the fiddler heaved his head, then they all seemed sleeping!
however, they played their instruments magnificently....how is it possible?!
So, can you play when you are drunk?
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by death
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I dont remember
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by bazouki dave
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
Well I don't drink and there is probably some people debating whether I can play my instruments sober!
I have seen folk who can't walk or even stand up and can barely speak still be able to play their instruments at 90mph flawlessly.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I know I can, but in knowing that I suspect I'm in a minority of one.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
A great jazz performer, whose name escapes me, said, in effect, that he and the band drank during band practice so that they would be well used to the condition when on stage.
The classical violinist Henryk Szeryng used to have a couple of glasses of sherry before going on the concert platform to play his concertos.
It all depends on what you're used to.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
If I start drinking first and then later on pick up the fiddle - I'm doomed. But if I start playing at the same time then I can drink all night and still play.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I can play when I'm drunk. But not very well
Really though, I agree with bb - you gotta start sober and then I can drink and play all night long.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by RogueFiddler
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
Nah...but as a bass player in countless wedding and society gigs, I've played while asleep...
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I play better when everyone else is drunk.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by ottoschmelk
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I'm with bb. In fact, someone said the self same thing to me the week before Paddy's Day. Start playing the same time you start drinking. We played at least six hours that day and the Guinness was free, so there must be something in the theory.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by bc_box_player
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I can't play without glasses of whiskey.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by slainte
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
Alcohol goes straight to my fingertips, so when I am being sensible I have nothing to drink. Of course, that means that I have no excuse for crap playing.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by oldstrings
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
Good man, Slainte. In the UK our beloved
Chancellor of the Exchequer in his recent Budget increased the tax on all alcoholic drinks except spirits.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Can you play when you're drunk?
Was I there? Don't remember...
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by drone
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
If you remember, then you weren't there ...
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I'm always at least three sheets to the wind. I have 2 pints with Jack Daniels chasers before any of my instruments even come out of their cases. When I play it sounds OK to me, and if anybody complains at least I don't remember. But I do carry a doner card, so anybody can help themself to my kebab in the event of my untimely demise
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by Wurzel
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I definitely don't drink...leave that for everyone else (as my group routinely says, particularly at wine tastings, etc.) The more you drink, THE BETTER WE SOUND!!!!!
And the last non trad concert I went to, the lead singer was TOTALLY stoned. However, jusdging by the band I very highly doubt it was an irregular occurance and he still sounded amazing...just a little over the top with hand gestures and "Hy everybody lets give a round of applause to my friend Joey over here on bass...it's his birthday...he's my friend Joey, and he plays bass..etcetc".But again I have heard rumors that on Halloween concerts this whole band comes out druink and in costume so yeah. Good thing I love them anyway haha
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by possumawesome
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
only if I can still feel my fingers, which means I can drink and play if I am not overtired. Generally I dont drink at sessions but have been known to be somewhat trollied at festivals.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by Joze
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
In our band, three can't play when they've been drinking. Two can't play when they haven't been drinking.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by oldstrings
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I don't drink, but I think I couldn't
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by Matt_Celta
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I think you have to be drunk to know what you are playing because you never played it before!
# Posted on April 2nd 2007 by edpalmer
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I can have one but I definitely lose the find motor skills. I much prefer the less legal alternative, probably since I practice on it fairly often.
# Posted on April 2nd 2007 by Splendid Isolation
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
no, beyond a certain point there is no chance i can play properly. As BB and Dow know ;) hehehe
# Posted on April 2nd 2007 by SamW
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I can only play drunk when I'm well...no, I mean I can only play well when I'm drunk.
# Posted on April 2nd 2007 by leoj
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I can't, but I think I can. The whole booze and playing thing got to me seriously a few years back (a whole bottle of Whiskey during a session!), until I couldn't even move my arms to play the fiddle. So I made a decision that if I'm going to a session, I don't drink, except a soft drink. I seen so many fiddle players f****d up by the demon drink. I'm trying to stop completely. The other thing that gets to me is that 'non-players' always want to 'have a go' at the fiddle after a few pints. I had a fiddle dropped and trodden on beyond repair once. Drinking is a mugs game.
# Posted on April 2nd 2007 by jimod
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
Yes (I once played a tune on the melodeon, when tipsy, before I had learnt to play the instrument at all) - but then I can play tunes I don't know, and then cannot remember how to play them afterwards when sober !
# Posted on April 2nd 2007 by RKHambridge
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
Nope.
# Posted on April 2nd 2007 by pubpersona
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I believe that I'm Mark O'Connor when I'm drunk... so yes, I play quite well... until I hear the playback the next day. So no, I can't play at all well when I'm drunk... unless YOU'RE drunk, then I fit the Mark O'Connor profile again... without the hat...
# Posted on April 3rd 2007 by pastrings
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
BTW, cheers to you jimod... I'm off the drink since ash wednesday... going to try to keep it up... not as hard as I thought... but not altogether easy either.
# Posted on April 3rd 2007 by pastrings
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I could quite easily. Near enough no amount of alcohol dented my playing. So I just drank and drank. That was the problem. So then I gave up.
My playing now is still just the same.
This is true.
# Posted on April 3rd 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
No, and I can't talk when I'm playing either, unlike some (who can do all three). I do not, however, generally drink so much that I can no longer talk.
# Posted on April 3rd 2007 by westcoaster
Re: Can you play when you' are drunk??
I think that's a question I should ask someone else at my regular session. But I'm not sure I am brave enough.
# Posted on April 4th 2007 by flossie