Does anyone else find leading tunes in sessions stressfull?
I have a habit of starting tunes without a clue what tune I'm going to follow on with. By the time I've played the first tune 3 times I'm panicking and looking to other musicians for help.Playing a whistle means I have no means of communication.
Ric
Sing it Ric, it happens me when I'm playing the fiddle. I know what tunes i'm going to play but I either forget if i've played the first tune twice or once and then panic or i get really nervous and start racing jusat to get it over and done with.
Yes, but some of us are more natural followers than leaders. That's not necessarily a bad thing and we all have a contribution to make. Otherwise, it would be just a collection of "solo performances" or rehearsed, abeit unconsciously, pieces.
I always feel very self conscious if asked to start or lead a tune. When I do it of my own accord, it's less of a problem but the situation has to feel right.
Some things that might help you feel more relaxed about stringing tunes together.
-Learn tunes in sets. While it's cool to be able to make it up as you go along, there's no harm in having a few reliable sets you can lean on. They give you the confidence to experiment later.
-Learn to nail the transistions - focus on finishing the present tune, then nail the beginning of the next one. Sounds simple but it does require some concentration and work. It gets easier, just keep chipping away.
Listen closely to how very experienced musicians arrange their sets. Ceili bands like the Tulla and the Kilfenora have a tremendous knack for arranging tunes in sets. There's no harm in learning their sets, and taking note of how the keys/modes and rhythmic qualities of those tunes compliment each other.
The worst thing is thinking that a few Jamesons would settle the nerves only to realise that by the time your nerves are settled you fingers dont belong to you anymore..... are those my feet????
If you decide to lead, you're pushy.
If you always wait for someone else to lead, you're lazy.
Take your choice!
On it may depend the image, to some listener, of ITM as an unending ebullition of spontaneous musical creativity, with tune after tune being made up on the spur of the moment and instantly recognised by - well, at least the bodhran player.
Good idea, lazyhound. I always had trouble finding a good transition from the Kesh to other tunes, so lets play it lots and lots and lots of times!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with chtu..., learning transitions is just like learning a tune. Some tunes have grace notes, some don't, some end on the root note, some don't, some have phrases that lead into the next tune, some don't. If you leap into space without looking ahead, you are going to run into problems, which leads to nervousness, etc. Preparedness diminishes panic.
Or you could do what the bands do sometimes - instead of having a played transition, stop dead for a beat's silence at the end of a tune before you start the next. Needs good timing, though, and you've got to be quite definite when doing it.
In our session (a learners' session preceding the regular session), we all go around the room and everyone calls two tunes for the group to play. So, we come to the session already having thought about two tunes that go together well. I write down the titles could call so I won't forget when my turn comes.
Cthuilleannpiper suggests learning tunes in sets, and that works best for me.
Another trick is to keep 3 or 4 tunes in your stable as instant go-to tunes that you can append to anything. For instance, if I play some wierd jig and can;t think of a good, interesting transition to play into, I can still - on autopilot - go into Cliffs of Moher without thinking about it. Instant set. Maybe not a great set, but it's better than fumbling and gurgling for something else.
On the reel side of things, Sally Gardens (forgive me) works great as a go-to tune because everybody knows it. On a flute, it's also extremely straightforward to begin.
This doesn't mean that every set must end on one of three or four tunes, but it does provide a little safety net.
At the risk of re-activating the Yellow Board trad police, I'd strongly recommend learning a few sets from the Comhaltas Foinn Seisiún CDs/books. The tunes are all standards and are widely known while having a few ready-made sets up ones sleeve is a great aid to confidence in any session situation.
For a while, why don't you try telling people what you plan to play ahead of time. That way, you've got backup in case you forget how the next tune starts (or what tune you were going to play).
That way, everybody has a good idea of what is coming next, and that will ease the stress on you a bit.
And I think you should also get over the thought that you *have* to be playing all the time. If you think of another tune to play, stop playing for a second and say the name of the tune - everybody else will continue if they're playing with you. Don't feel like you can't communicate just because you have a whistle in your mouth. Most wind players I know are pretty good at doing that in a way that makes sense - almost like taking a breath, they'll stop playing and say "again", or "Bird in the Bush", or whatever.
Amen Reverend:
I was playing whistle with a guitar player. She wanted to learn some of my tunes. She was, of course, free to speak but I also threw in a couple of brief comments. Never missed a beat!
Musicians often feel compelled to get in every single note. Try to find spots where you can leave something out - to take a breath or to name the next tune.
ric try not to stress out too much. Whistlers can speak.
>If you decide to lead, you're pushy.
If you always wait for someone else to lead, you're lazy.
Take your choice!
Let's put a positive spin on this:
If you decide to lead, you're rescuing the session from a silent hiatus.
If you always wait for someone else to lead, you're being polite, not being a tune hog all the time.
Take your choice!
I agree that leading tunes in a session is a skill you can learn - just like learning tunes. Most session I participate in "require" the change of keys between tunes. So I have some practice sheets that have tunes (1 for reels, 1 for jigs) in columns divided by keys. When I am practicing I look at this and go from G to D to Em and back and forth, up and down. I do not take this to sessions but use it to practice the flow from tune to tune, changing key and tempo/feel etc.
You could also let it go as just one tune on its own. That's not a crime. Maybe someone will come in with a new tune if there's a pause of a beat or two. Learn to signal with your eyebrows "I don't know what to play next. Help !" ( Isn't there a smiley for that ? )
And, yes, as said above, practice the transition to a new tune, it's not a skill even the most experienced musicians have without some work.
Flutedoog what a brilliant idea ! Why didn't I think of that? I have a terrible time trying to decide what tune to play next unless I have the set in my head to begin with. Your practice method may also solve that regular problem, of someone else playing a tune that I have as part of a set !
The "AAhh ! What can I play after the Maid Behind the Barrel, now hes already played The Broken Pledge?" kind of senario
Generally this leads to me not playing a tune because I know I will automatically want to go into a tune that's already been played.
Leading tunes in sessions
Leading tunes in sessions
Does anyone else find leading tunes in sessions stressfull?
I have a habit of starting tunes without a clue what tune I'm going to follow on with. By the time I've played the first tune 3 times I'm panicking and looking to other musicians for help.Playing a whistle means I have no means of communication.
Ric
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by ricthewhistle
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
Sing it Ric, it happens me when I'm playing the fiddle. I know what tunes i'm going to play but I either forget if i've played the first tune twice or once and then panic or i get really nervous and start racing jusat to get it over and done with.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by session savage
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
Yes, but some of us are more natural followers than leaders. That's not necessarily a bad thing and we all have a contribution to make. Otherwise, it would be just a collection of "solo performances" or rehearsed, abeit unconsciously, pieces.
I always feel very self conscious if asked to start or lead a tune. When I do it of my own accord, it's less of a problem but the situation has to feel right.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by Johannes J
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
Some things that might help you feel more relaxed about stringing tunes together.
-Learn tunes in sets. While it's cool to be able to make it up as you go along, there's no harm in having a few reliable sets you can lean on. They give you the confidence to experiment later.
-Learn to nail the transistions - focus on finishing the present tune, then nail the beginning of the next one. Sounds simple but it does require some concentration and work. It gets easier, just keep chipping away.
Listen closely to how very experienced musicians arrange their sets. Ceili bands like the Tulla and the Kilfenora have a tremendous knack for arranging tunes in sets. There's no harm in learning their sets, and taking note of how the keys/modes and rhythmic qualities of those tunes compliment each other.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by Hanley
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
The worst thing is thinking that a few Jamesons would settle the nerves only to realise that by the time your nerves are settled you fingers dont belong to you anymore..... are those my feet????
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by session savage
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
If you decide to lead, you're pushy.
If you always wait for someone else to lead, you're lazy.
Take your choice!
On it may depend the image, to some listener, of ITM as an unending ebullition of spontaneous musical creativity, with tune after tune being made up on the spur of the moment and instantly recognised by - well, at least the bodhran player.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by nicholas
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
Or you could play the one tune six or seven times. That, at least, would ensure it gets firmly nailed in everybody's head
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
Good idea, lazyhound. I always had trouble finding a good transition from the Kesh to other tunes, so lets play it lots and lots and lots of times!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with chtu..., learning transitions is just like learning a tune. Some tunes have grace notes, some don't, some end on the root note, some don't, some have phrases that lead into the next tune, some don't. If you leap into space without looking ahead, you are going to run into problems, which leads to nervousness, etc. Preparedness diminishes panic.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
Or you could do what the bands do sometimes - instead of having a played transition, stop dead for a beat's silence at the end of a tune before you start the next. Needs good timing, though, and you've got to be quite definite when doing it.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
In our session (a learners' session preceding the regular session), we all go around the room and everyone calls two tunes for the group to play. So, we come to the session already having thought about two tunes that go together well. I write down the titles could call so I won't forget when my turn comes.
Cthuilleannpiper suggests learning tunes in sets, and that works best for me.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
Another trick is to keep 3 or 4 tunes in your stable as instant go-to tunes that you can append to anything. For instance, if I play some wierd jig and can;t think of a good, interesting transition to play into, I can still - on autopilot - go into Cliffs of Moher without thinking about it. Instant set. Maybe not a great set, but it's better than fumbling and gurgling for something else.
On the reel side of things, Sally Gardens (forgive me) works great as a go-to tune because everybody knows it. On a flute, it's also extremely straightforward to begin.
This doesn't mean that every set must end on one of three or four tunes, but it does provide a little safety net.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by wormdiet
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
At the risk of re-activating the Yellow Board trad police, I'd strongly recommend learning a few sets from the Comhaltas Foinn Seisiún CDs/books. The tunes are all standards and are widely known while having a few ready-made sets up ones sleeve is a great aid to confidence in any session situation.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
If im stumped on a jig set my fav goto is Galway Rambler or Legacy.... Its good to have a quickie in you pocket... Good luck.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by lamh trom
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
For a while, why don't you try telling people what you plan to play ahead of time. That way, you've got backup in case you forget how the next tune starts (or what tune you were going to play).
That way, everybody has a good idea of what is coming next, and that will ease the stress on you a bit.
And I think you should also get over the thought that you *have* to be playing all the time. If you think of another tune to play, stop playing for a second and say the name of the tune - everybody else will continue if they're playing with you. Don't feel like you can't communicate just because you have a whistle in your mouth. Most wind players I know are pretty good at doing that in a way that makes sense - almost like taking a breath, they'll stop playing and say "again", or "Bird in the Bush", or whatever.
Pete
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by Reverend
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
Amen Reverend:
I was playing whistle with a guitar player. She wanted to learn some of my tunes. She was, of course, free to speak but I also threw in a couple of brief comments. Never missed a beat!
Musicians often feel compelled to get in every single note. Try to find spots where you can leave something out - to take a breath or to name the next tune.
ric try not to stress out too much. Whistlers can speak.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by Random_notes
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
>If you decide to lead, you're pushy.
If you always wait for someone else to lead, you're lazy.
Take your choice!
Let's put a positive spin on this:
If you decide to lead, you're rescuing the session from a silent hiatus.
If you always wait for someone else to lead, you're being polite, not being a tune hog all the time.
Take your choice!
# Posted on June 1st 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
I agree that leading tunes in a session is a skill you can learn - just like learning tunes. Most session I participate in "require" the change of keys between tunes. So I have some practice sheets that have tunes (1 for reels, 1 for jigs) in columns divided by keys. When I am practicing I look at this and go from G to D to Em and back and forth, up and down. I do not take this to sessions but use it to practice the flow from tune to tune, changing key and tempo/feel etc.
# Posted on June 1st 2007 by flutedoog
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
You could also let it go as just one tune on its own. That's not a crime. Maybe someone will come in with a new tune if there's a pause of a beat or two. Learn to signal with your eyebrows "I don't know what to play next. Help !" ( Isn't there a smiley for that ? )
And, yes, as said above, practice the transition to a new tune, it's not a skill even the most experienced musicians have without some work.
# Posted on June 2nd 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Leading tunes in sessions
Flutedoog what a brilliant idea ! Why didn't I think of that? I have a terrible time trying to decide what tune to play next unless I have the set in my head to begin with. Your practice method may also solve that regular problem, of someone else playing a tune that I have as part of a set !
The "AAhh ! What can I play after the Maid Behind the Barrel, now hes already played The Broken Pledge?" kind of senario
Generally this leads to me not playing a tune because I know I will automatically want to go into a tune that's already been played.
# Posted on June 2nd 2007 by flossie