I know we have discussed before, how many people are in our sessions. But I dont want to know that right now.
What I'm interested in is how many people do you think 'should' be in a session??
How many cooks spoil the broth?? How many musicians, and even in what combination, does it take for a perfect session.
My opinion is:
1 uilleann pipe and whislte player
1 guitarist
1 box or concertina player
2 fiddlers
1 GOOD bodhran player.
What about a flute player. Without wanting to speak for Michael, maybe "it depends" on who the musicians are. Taking this a stage further, if you have really good musicians I don't see the need for limiting it to such a small number. Big sessions with good players can definitely generate mighty excitement that once you've experienced it, you'll never forget!
Aye Bannerman, fair enough.
There is no right or wrong here, only opinions.
I have been to big sessions before and I personally think that small sessions have much more to offer due to the intimacy. Its easier to connect with your fellow musos and get into the same 'groove'.
I've never been to a small session. I've only been going to sessions for three years, and ours has never had fewer than about 25 people. You'd think it would be a disaster, but we all get along and the group is led by a small core of 3-4 people. I guess I'd rather have a session like this than none at all, or having to drive a great distance to get to one.
Although I quite like these "dream team" kind of threads, you have to remember that it's dangerous to have an ideal of perfection to which to aspire to, as you'll inevitably be invariably and regularly disappointed.
On the other hand, most sessions have recently become fun again for me sincethe smoking ban came in.
If there are any nicotine junkies still hankering after a fag at a session, I recommend you try Snus.
Read this excerpt from an abstract:
In Sweden, cigarette smoking among men has declined as snus, a smokeless tobacco product which is low in carcinogenic nitrosamines, has gained in popularity. Epidemiological modelling of the health effects of snus use in Sweden experience suggests that there would be major public health gains if a substantial number of current smokers in other countries could be persuaded to switch to these products. This form of "tobacco harm reduction" is very controversial in the public health community for reasons... These [reasons] include: in principle objections to tobacco harm reduction from advocates of a policy goal of zero tobacco use; uncertainties about the long term health effects of these products; scepticism about the likely interest in and uptake of these products by existing smokers; concerns that increasing the availability of these products will increase the number of new tobacco users and eventually the number of smokers in the population; and anxieties about how the tobacco industry may use these products to undermine current tobacco control policies.
wiki entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snus
Our session just now is, regularly:
1 flute/whistle/occasional bits of box (guess who)
1 whistle
1 or 2 fiddles (often more)
1 bodhrán
1 spoons
1 banjo (often 2)
That's just the core - more often than not this personnel augments to 1.5 to 2 times that number.
NO guitar (unless we're unlucky.)
... he's right, isn't he? For a start, the particular players, how 'good' they are, what tunes they know, whether their playing fits together well, how 'nice' they are as people, whether you're in the mood for them that night, the ambience, whether there are any eedjits in the pub , how many of the musicians know each other, whether there are interesting 'strangers' ...
It does depend on everything. Too much to list. Some of the best times I've ever had have been when a load of people couldn't make it and it was down to just three of us. Nice bit of edge. Equally we've had fantastic times with nine or ten. That's when we've had the best word-I-refuse-to-use-but-sounds-like-the-thing-between-the-cheeks-of-your-arse. But three means nowhere to hide and I always think that's good for me.
Well, what I'm trying to squeeze out of you people is what do ye think makes a perfect session, so how proficient the musicians are is up to your preferences.
Granted being with competent musicians is a prerequisite for a good session, but do they really have to be Tommy Peoples like??
If it depends on everything tell me what it depends on.
And mellow bellows, i see your point but a perfect session isn't all about the instruments. To me anyway, the people there are just as, if not more, important.
Part of the fun of a session is each one has its own perfection depending on who shows up. Aside from the core group of 5 or 6 people, you dont know who is going to come. We've had a drop-in uilleann pipe player from New York, musicians who played at the Iron Horse have come...all part of the mix that makes the session a lot of fun.
I would contend that your perfect session would not be a session if it was perfect as you have posited. Some of the best sessions I have played at were in the moment with unexpected bonuses.
It's chaotic. In the scientific sense of the word (don't get it confused with random). In that there are so many variables that any successful model of the system that factors in all the variables would end up being as complex as the system itself.
You're right. I've been at sessions where there's been a great combination of different instruments and top quality musicians, and the whole thing's been crap.
Session, it's nice to get it right or be involved when it is right, bt for me.
the right mix of ability and personality is more important than the instruments.
1 Leader fully competent player, curteous but controlling
2. Group of people who show respect for each other
3. Ability to have a laugh
4. A few new tunes
5. oh yes and free drink that always helps
I had two very nice sessions during the last two weeks which consisted of:
- a concertina player
- a flute/pipes player
- a fiddle/flute player
- a guitarist who occasionally played flute
- a bouzouki
...which was a very nice afternoon session and (yesterday):
- bouzouki
- fiddle
- flute
- pipes
...which was even better. But I also enjoy visiting a session where we have:
- a guitarist
- a bouzouki/banjo/whistle player
- a bodhran/whistle player
- at least 1 fiddle player, often more (3-4)
- at least 1 flute player, often many more (up to 5)
- two mandolin players
- at least one piper
...and enjoy those sessions big time - I drive 400km a day to visit them!
I absolutely agree with Ben, Steve, Michael...and....even...Dow.
And said as much on my first post, the bit about aspiring to perfection being dangerous.
But, if you had a session of just a guitar, a shakey egg, some spoons a bodhran and a rainstick, I somehow suspect that there is a lot less PROBABILITY of that being a perfect session compared to some of the line-ups quoted above.
All I was doing was having a freindly dig at Michael for not being very specific in his reply. I'm sure he can take it - he should be used to it by now
Ach, it's a while since we had a discussion like this but I've got to agree with the Llig one again. "It depends"
I'd rather hear 20 good players including bodhrans, banjos et al than six really bad ones playing the "chosen instruments".
It also depends on the time, place, and how much drink's been consumed. All sorts of factors to be considered.
Large sessions can be great especially if there's lots of different and often really good musicians coming and going. It's not necessarily one big stramash and much of the time there may well be just about half a dozen people playing at one time.
Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for "the ideal number" to position themselves in an appropriate corner of the pub whereby it's impossible for anyone else to join them.. Whether this is done on purpose or not, it tends to make the session a bit exclusive.
Of course, you might argue that they're quite right to do this and it helps to keep out the dross. In many situations, I can't blame them for this either.
However, what is perfect or ideal for one does not necessarily suit everyone.
...and to answer the question, sometimes we have 3 or 4, sometimes we have 10, like last Sunday. As long as everyone is there to be cool and have fun, it's perfect for us.
No sheet music, musicians that listen... Id rather play one good heartfelt tune than an hour of listening to the rerendering notes from a page/or the latest popular recording. If someone doesnt know the "A" part of the tune and jumps in on the "B" great! Make the music, tell the story, im all for fun but it's serious too.. No flippancy with even the simplestmost standard tunes.
One where you don't sit around analysing it. You just feckin get on with it.
I can just see you lot:
"Hey this is a great diddle isn't it?"
"Yeah, perfect if you ask me."
"Isn't it fun when you can be flippant with simple tunes?"
"Yeah, it's a hoot."
"It's a shame such and such isn't here with his pipes though."
"And I can hear the bodhran."
"Feck, yes, I know what you mean."
"Still, good diddle tonight though?"
"Yeah, good diddle. Not perfect, but pretty good."
"You know what? If he'd tune his feckin guitar it would be a dam sight closer to perfect."
"You know what? If you'd tune your feckin fiddle it would be a dam sight closer to perfect."
...
...
"Still .. not a bad diddle though?"
"Yeah, not bad"
...
...
"I'm feckin sick of that tune."
"Me too."
...
...
"Guinness is not so fresh tonight"
"Finish the barrel, the next one will be OK"
"Right Oh."
...
...
"That last set was a bit fast for me ... hic ..."
"Yeah, you've feckin had it mate. I'm off"
So. Matt Molloy on pipes, Paddy Keenan on guitar, Donal Lunny on concertina, Liam Og O'Flynn and Jackie Daly on fiddles, and me on bodhran makes a good session?
Why do I have to be the only GOOD one on those instruments. I would have thought it may have helped if the piper, fiddlers, guitarist and concertina player were GOOD as well. Not much use to the bodhran player if the others cannot play tunes.
One of my local session pubs has just advertised a 'Traditional Ballet Session' in the local paper for this coming Sunday. I'll be really disappointed if it's a misprint.
There's a particular magic that happens on occasion. It's usually when you least expect it, and you can't force it.
The one session that stands out in my mind as being the best was 2 fiddles, bouzouki, banjo, flute, and a couple others that I don't even remember who it was or what they were playing. But the music was brilliant, the drink was perfect, and the conversation was light and fun. We had such a great time that we tried to recreate the moment a few times with the same players, but never found the same magic when we were actively looking for it. Kind of like "chasing the dragon"...
There are too many factors as several people have mentioned. It's not just instrumentation. My personal preference is for sessions of about 6 people. But that's only a small part of the equation. Too many of any one instrument can be a drag, but it's not necessarily a buzz kill.
But the biggest problem is that if you're constantly comparing every session you play in to the magic ones, you're just going to be constantly disappointed, instead of enjoying each moment for what it is.
Trev, while I'd give that broad agreement (even saying more than one of certain instruments - banjos?), I'd have to say that fiddles are an exception. Among the regular instruments played in diddley music, the violin is unique in that it was originally designed to sound good when played "en mass".
Had three fiddles last night. great. very different styles but knowing the music and accommodating. sometimes there's five or six or more. Sometimes there's nothing but five or six fiddles, including three or four of the best fiddle players by anyone's standards.
The perfect session involves a bunch of musicians on whatever type of instruments clicking with each other in a musical and social way. Doesn't matter how many there is or what instruments they play.
If one bad egg turns up it can ruin the whole thing, by that I don't mean a shaky egg, although that normally does it! It can be anything from the usual suspects such as bad backers to a woeful fiddler, piper or box player.
So once everyone is clicking with each other then you have a perfect session........how rare they are these days!!!
A session is when you have a drink with your friends.
A pub session is when you go to the pub for a drink with your friends.
A pub music session is when you go to the pub for a drink with your friends, and play music.
A perfect session is when you go to the pub for a drink with your friends, and play music, and enjoyed it
Actually bliss, seriously, what you describe is a rock band. A collection of people who can't play and a GOOD drummer. In commercial rock, it really is only the drummer that has to be good. I can think of trillions of bands/examples.
And as you hold your audience so dear, you'll understand this.
Actually I don't understand it, it was Session Savage who began this thread by saying it. I disagree, I think melody/tune players are essential, but I seem to be the only one who thinks so.
K rogers said "Every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser".
I had a great time last week on a train to Colorado playing whistle and guitar with a fellow playing the Bodhran with a tooth brush (the only thing he could find, having packed away his beaters) .
I had a great time playing last night with a group of two whistles and a flute.
Any Session can be good and any can be terrible.
Llig, you killed me with your "Hey, this is great diddley..." routine. Thanks!
So, to sum up. The perfect session is a collection of people who cannot play and a GOOD bodhran player. Is that it?
#Posted on April 2nd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Once again it seems my humour is lost through print.
saying there should be a GOOD bodhran player was of course sarcastic...... a perfect session wouldn't have any
The perfect session for me would be one where I am allowed to bring in my Digital Piano and set it up close to an electrical outlet. I do enjoy accompanying other musicians and I keep the volume low so I can hear everybody else clearly. Also, it would be nice if the place where the session is being held serves my favorite beer.
Digital beer I presume? 3-4% Ethanol solution with maltose and hop flavourings and added CO2, ie "sampled" flavouring. No-one would be able to tell the difference.
Ahh come on!? Whats this stuff about any session is good enough? And "I accept a session the way it is stuff"... blah blah blah.... "Gee, I sure did have fun at the session last night, that harmonica player played at the beginning of the tunes through the end--- through the spaces between tunes and then blew his way out the door after we begged him to play more...." "And the bluegrass banjo player was hot with that Scruggs roll rolling over the reels..."
If you attend a session regularly, there are reasons why...
The perfect session!!
The perfect session!!
I know we have discussed before, how many people are in our sessions. But I dont want to know that right now.
What I'm interested in is how many people do you think 'should' be in a session??
How many cooks spoil the broth?? How many musicians, and even in what combination, does it take for a perfect session.
My opinion is:
1 uilleann pipe and whislte player
1 guitarist
1 box or concertina player
2 fiddlers
1 GOOD bodhran player.
and a barman.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by session savage
Re: The perfect session!!
It depends.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: The perfect session!!
What does it depend on Michael?
What would you concider to be the perfect gathering? or is it something that changes from time to time?
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by session savage
conSider... I dont even like cider!
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by session savage
Re: The perfect session!!
What about a flute player. Without wanting to speak for Michael, maybe "it depends" on who the musicians are. Taking this a stage further, if you have really good musicians I don't see the need for limiting it to such a small number. Big sessions with good players can definitely generate mighty excitement that once you've experienced it, you'll never forget!
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The perfect session!!
Aye Bannerman, fair enough.
There is no right or wrong here, only opinions.
I have been to big sessions before and I personally think that small sessions have much more to offer due to the intimacy. Its easier to connect with your fellow musos and get into the same 'groove'.
Thats just the way I like it though.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by session savage
Re: The perfect session!!
I've never been to a small session. I've only been going to sessions for three years, and ours has never had fewer than about 25 people. You'd think it would be a disaster, but we all get along and the group is led by a small core of 3-4 people. I guess I'd rather have a session like this than none at all, or having to drive a great distance to get to one.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: The perfect session!!
Although I quite like these "dream team" kind of threads, you have to remember that it's dangerous to have an ideal of perfection to which to aspire to, as you'll inevitably be invariably and regularly disappointed.
On the other hand, most sessions have recently become fun again for me sincethe smoking ban came in.
If there are any nicotine junkies still hankering after a fag at a session, I recommend you try Snus.
Read this excerpt from an abstract:
In Sweden, cigarette smoking among men has declined as snus, a smokeless tobacco product which is low in carcinogenic nitrosamines, has gained in popularity. Epidemiological modelling of the health effects of snus use in Sweden experience suggests that there would be major public health gains if a substantial number of current smokers in other countries could be persuaded to switch to these products. This form of "tobacco harm reduction" is very controversial in the public health community for reasons... These [reasons] include: in principle objections to tobacco harm reduction from advocates of a policy goal of zero tobacco use; uncertainties about the long term health effects of these products; scepticism about the likely interest in and uptake of these products by existing smokers; concerns that increasing the availability of these products will increase the number of new tobacco users and eventually the number of smokers in the population; and anxieties about how the tobacco industry may use these products to undermine current tobacco control policies.
wiki entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snus
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: The perfect session!!
Session savage you just described my Thursday session but in addition we have 2 flute players and NO bodhran.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Bernie
Re: The perfect session!!
and I nearly forgot 1 very good banjo player.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Bernie
Re: The perfect session!!
Yeah I do love a banjo too. Sounds like a great session Bernie.
We have no regular piper but a nice small group of 6 regulars.
I do like a big mad wild session once in a while but the smaller ones are nicer for a staple diet of music.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by session savage
Re: The perfect session!!
Our session just now is, regularly:
1 flute/whistle/occasional bits of box (guess who)
1 whistle
1 or 2 fiddles (often more)
1 bodhrán
1 spoons
1 banjo (often 2)
That's just the core - more often than not this personnel augments to 1.5 to 2 times that number.
NO guitar (unless we're unlucky.)
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: The perfect session!!
it depends on everything.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: The perfect session!!
Wow, like, cosmic, man....
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: The perfect session!!
Isn't a "perfect Session" discussion just backwards way of saying I don't like certain instruments and if I had it my way I wouldn't allow them?
Rob
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by mellow_bellows
Re: The perfect session!!
"Cosmic" ... but ...
... he's right, isn't he? For a start, the particular players, how 'good' they are, what tunes they know, whether their playing fits together well, how 'nice' they are as people, whether you're in the mood for them that night, the ambience, whether there are any eedjits in the pub , how many of the musicians know each other, whether there are interesting 'strangers' ...
...for a start ...
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by benhall.1
Re: The perfect session!!
It does depend on everything. Too much to list. Some of the best times I've ever had have been when a load of people couldn't make it and it was down to just three of us. Nice bit of edge. Equally we've had fantastic times with nine or ten. That's when we've had the best word-I-refuse-to-use-but-sounds-like-the-thing-between-the-cheeks-of-your-arse. But three means nowhere to hide and I always think that's good for me.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: The perfect session!!
Well, what I'm trying to squeeze out of you people is what do ye think makes a perfect session, so how proficient the musicians are is up to your preferences.
Granted being with competent musicians is a prerequisite for a good session, but do they really have to be Tommy Peoples like??
If it depends on everything tell me what it depends on.
And mellow bellows, i see your point but a perfect session isn't all about the instruments. To me anyway, the people there are just as, if not more, important.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by session savage
Re: The perfect session!!
Part of the fun of a session is each one has its own perfection depending on who shows up. Aside from the core group of 5 or 6 people, you dont know who is going to come. We've had a drop-in uilleann pipe player from New York, musicians who played at the Iron Horse have come...all part of the mix that makes the session a lot of fun.
I would contend that your perfect session would not be a session if it was perfect as you have posited. Some of the best sessions I have played at were in the moment with unexpected bonuses.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Celtic Guitar
Re: The perfect session!!
I can't think of anything it doesn't depend on.
It's chaotic. In the scientific sense of the word (don't get it confused with random). In that there are so many variables that any successful model of the system that factors in all the variables would end up being as complex as the system itself.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: The perfect session!!
Where's the flute?
Where the banjo?
Rare in pubs these days but if we're talking our ideal session then i'll have a piano vamping away in the background please!
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by jfiddlerh
Re: The perfect session!!
You're right. I've been at sessions where there's been a great combination of different instruments and top quality musicians, and the whole thing's been crap.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Dow
Re: The perfect session!!
Session, it's nice to get it right or be involved when it is right, bt for me.
the right mix of ability and personality is more important than the instruments.
1 Leader fully competent player, curteous but controlling
2. Group of people who show respect for each other
3. Ability to have a laugh
4. A few new tunes
5. oh yes and free drink that always helps
Andy
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Andyras1
Re: The perfect session!!
I had two very nice sessions during the last two weeks which consisted of:
- a concertina player
- a flute/pipes player
- a fiddle/flute player
- a guitarist who occasionally played flute
- a bouzouki
...which was a very nice afternoon session and (yesterday):
- bouzouki
- fiddle
- flute
- pipes
...which was even better. But I also enjoy visiting a session where we have:
- a guitarist
- a bouzouki/banjo/whistle player
- a bodhran/whistle player
- at least 1 fiddle player, often more (3-4)
- at least 1 flute player, often many more (up to 5)
- two mandolin players
- at least one piper
...and enjoy those sessions big time - I drive 400km a day to visit them!
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by s.g.
Re: The perfect session!!
The perfect session is one where I've done my best (and no one complained). I agree with Andyras1.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by grumblingoldwoman
Re: The perfect session!!
I absolutely agree with Ben, Steve, Michael...and....even...Dow.
And said as much on my first post, the bit about aspiring to perfection being dangerous.
But, if you had a session of just a guitar, a shakey egg, some spoons a bodhran and a rainstick, I somehow suspect that there is a lot less PROBABILITY of that being a perfect session compared to some of the line-ups quoted above.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: The perfect session!!
All I was doing was having a freindly dig at Michael for not being very specific in his reply. I'm sure he can take it - he should be used to it by now
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: The perfect session!!
Every perfect session I've ever been to has had a harmonica player. You lot and your lists!
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: The perfect session!!
Ach, it's a while since we had a discussion like this but I've got to agree with the Llig one again. "It depends"
I'd rather hear 20 good players including bodhrans, banjos et al than six really bad ones playing the "chosen instruments".
It also depends on the time, place, and how much drink's been consumed. All sorts of factors to be considered.
Large sessions can be great especially if there's lots of different and often really good musicians coming and going. It's not necessarily one big stramash and much of the time there may well be just about half a dozen people playing at one time.
Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for "the ideal number" to position themselves in an appropriate corner of the pub whereby it's impossible for anyone else to join them.. Whether this is done on purpose or not, it tends to make the session a bit exclusive.
Of course, you might argue that they're quite right to do this and it helps to keep out the dross. In many situations, I can't blame them for this either.
However, what is perfect or ideal for one does not necessarily suit everyone.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Johannes J
Re: The perfect session!!
The perfect session is the one where all the participants approach the music and each other with respect, regardless of what they're playing.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The perfect session!!
...and to answer the question, sometimes we have 3 or 4, sometimes we have 10, like last Sunday. As long as everyone is there to be cool and have fun, it's perfect for us.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The perfect session!!
It helps if the players are musicians.
It sucks if they are not.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by nicholas
Re: The perfect session!!
At least harmonica players only suck half the time.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: The perfect session!!
Thanks for the replies lads.
I have to agree too with some of you guys... the musicians are much much more important than the instruments.
These responses were pretty much what I expected.
Still... jfiddlerh...... NOOOOO
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by session savage
Re: The perfect session!!
"...uh-oh, forgot the tune...play me off Johnny! Vamp!"
http://familyguy.wikia.com/wiki/Vern_and_Johnny
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The perfect session!!
A quite one ,where you can hear yourself Think..lol
jim,,,,
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by FIDDLE4
Re: The perfect session!!
a perfect session or a session of great quality would need as well as the instrumental musicians
1: 2 or 3 good singers
2: 4 to 8 good set dancers (half set or full set)
3: A sean nós dancer
4: And above all a great session is'nt much without great listeners
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by balledfan
Re: The perfect session!!
You do need great listeners, but the only great listeners you need are the ones playing in the session.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: The perfect session!!
For me, the instruments could vary but...
No sheet music, musicians that listen... Id rather play one good heartfelt tune than an hour of listening to the rerendering notes from a page/or the latest popular recording. If someone doesnt know the "A" part of the tune and jumps in on the "B" great! Make the music, tell the story, im all for fun but it's serious too.. No flippancy with even the simplestmost standard tunes.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by The Merry Highlander
Re: The perfect session!!
One where you don't sit around analysing it. You just feckin get on with it.
I can just see you lot:
"Hey this is a great diddle isn't it?"
"Yeah, perfect if you ask me."
"Isn't it fun when you can be flippant with simple tunes?"
"Yeah, it's a hoot."
"It's a shame such and such isn't here with his pipes though."
"And I can hear the bodhran."
"Feck, yes, I know what you mean."
"Still, good diddle tonight though?"
"Yeah, good diddle. Not perfect, but pretty good."
"You know what? If he'd tune his feckin guitar it would be a dam sight closer to perfect."
"You know what? If you'd tune your feckin fiddle it would be a dam sight closer to perfect."
...
...
"Still .. not a bad diddle though?"
"Yeah, not bad"
...
...
"I'm feckin sick of that tune."
"Me too."
...
...
"Guinness is not so fresh tonight"
"Finish the barrel, the next one will be OK"
"Right Oh."
...
...
"That last set was a bit fast for me ... hic ..."
"Yeah, you've feckin had it mate. I'm off"
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: The perfect session!!
Perfection is highly over-rated.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by oldstrings
Re: The perfect session!!
So. Matt Molloy on pipes, Paddy Keenan on guitar, Donal Lunny on concertina, Liam Og O'Flynn and Jackie Daly on fiddles, and me on bodhran makes a good session?
Why do I have to be the only GOOD one on those instruments. I would have thought it may have helped if the piper, fiddlers, guitarist and concertina player were GOOD as well. Not much use to the bodhran player if the others cannot play tunes.
Just a thought.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: The perfect session!!
"One where you don't sit around analysing it. You just feckin get on with it."
That about covers all the sessions ive been to. They are all getting on with something or the other.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by The Merry Highlander
Re: The perfect session!!
One of my local session pubs has just advertised a 'Traditional Ballet Session' in the local paper for this coming Sunday. I'll be really disappointed if it's a misprint.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Floss the Tethers
Re: The perfect session!!
Have you got a tutu ? Mac
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by bazouki dave and the real tooty flutey
Re: The perfect session!!
Granted being with competent musicians is a prerequisite for a good session, but do they really have to be Tommy Peoples like??
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by session savage
You originally stated that only the bodhran player had to be good. No such stipulation was made for the others.
Our current line up is one banjo, three guitars, two guitarist/bodhran players, two bodhran players, and my all round ability.
It's great.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: The perfect session!!
I think the venue and audience ( or lack of ) is important too.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by bazouki dave and the real tooty flutey
Re: The perfect session!!
There's a particular magic that happens on occasion. It's usually when you least expect it, and you can't force it.
The one session that stands out in my mind as being the best was 2 fiddles, bouzouki, banjo, flute, and a couple others that I don't even remember who it was or what they were playing. But the music was brilliant, the drink was perfect, and the conversation was light and fun. We had such a great time that we tried to recreate the moment a few times with the same players, but never found the same magic when we were actively looking for it. Kind of like "chasing the dragon"...
There are too many factors as several people have mentioned. It's not just instrumentation. My personal preference is for sessions of about 6 people. But that's only a small part of the equation. Too many of any one instrument can be a drag, but it's not necessarily a buzz kill.
But the biggest problem is that if you're constantly comparing every session you play in to the magic ones, you're just going to be constantly disappointed, instead of enjoying each moment for what it is.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Reverend
Re: The perfect session!!
"Too many of any one instrument can be a drag"
Trev, while I'd give that broad agreement (even saying more than one of certain instruments - banjos?), I'd have to say that fiddles are an exception. Among the regular instruments played in diddley music, the violin is unique in that it was originally designed to sound good when played "en mass".
Had three fiddles last night. great. very different styles but knowing the music and accommodating. sometimes there's five or six or more. Sometimes there's nothing but five or six fiddles, including three or four of the best fiddle players by anyone's standards.
Fiddles go great together.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: The perfect session!!
4-6 flutes - heaven.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: The perfect session!!
The perfect session involves a bunch of musicians on whatever type of instruments clicking with each other in a musical and social way. Doesn't matter how many there is or what instruments they play.
If one bad egg turns up it can ruin the whole thing, by that I don't mean a shaky egg, although that normally does it! It can be anything from the usual suspects such as bad backers to a woeful fiddler, piper or box player.
So once everyone is clicking with each other then you have a perfect session........how rare they are these days!!!
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Worldwide Pants
Re: The perfect session!!
Hear hear! I like to call it "running with the pack". Woof!
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The perfect session!!
"even saying more than one of certain instruments - banjo?"
Have a look/listen to this. I'm sure it's the third circle of hell for many, but I really like it:
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_241_5_street_session_with_mick_oconnorat_fleadh_2007/
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by grego
Re: The perfect session!!
Whoops, my post is for running in packs of fiddles, that is.
Release the hounds!
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: The perfect session!!
So, to sum up. The perfect session is a collection of people who cannot play and a GOOD bodhran player. Is that it?
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: The perfect session!!
A session is when you have a drink with your friends.
A pub session is when you go to the pub for a drink with your friends.
A pub music session is when you go to the pub for a drink with your friends, and play music.
A perfect session is when you go to the pub for a drink with your friends, and play music, and enjoyed it
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Bren
Re: The perfect session!!
Actually bliss, seriously, what you describe is a rock band. A collection of people who can't play and a GOOD drummer. In commercial rock, it really is only the drummer that has to be good. I can think of trillions of bands/examples.
And as you hold your audience so dear, you'll understand this.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: The perfect session!!
Actually I don't understand it, it was Session Savage who began this thread by saying it. I disagree, I think melody/tune players are essential, but I seem to be the only one who thinks so.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: The perfect session!!
Should have guessed from his arrogance that he was a Tipp man. Lucky to beat Antrim in '89.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: The perfect session!!
Mine is:
3 fiddles
1 tin whistle (could switch for pipes once in a while)
2 flutes
1 concertina
1 accordion
1 banjo
1 guitar
1 bodhran
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Whiddler
Re: The perfect session!!
If I went to a session hoping for "perfection," I would have missed out on decades of great music and craic.
Bringing any such expectation with you is sure to ruin your evening, and probably everyone else's too.
I prefer to enjoy a session for what it is, not for what I want it to be.
# Posted on April 2nd 2008 by Will CPT
Re: The perfect session!!
Where will i find that perfect session
in what pub?
in what county?
in what country?
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by dílis
Re: The perfect session!!
Don't know much about rock bands, but Pink Floyd had some serious musicians.
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: The perfect session!!
Prog-rock doesn't really count. They are all self absorbed anti-social introverts - much like the best diddley musicians.
What I was referring to above was the projection of music as entertainment. And for this, musically, all you need is a good drummer.
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: The perfect session!!
Entertainment for who? The moronic masses?
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: The perfect session!!
The perfect session is:
The NEXT ONE!
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by Ron Foreman
Re: The perfect session!!
K rogers said "Every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser".
I had a great time last week on a train to Colorado playing whistle and guitar with a fellow playing the Bodhran with a tooth brush (the only thing he could find, having packed away his beaters) .
I had a great time playing last night with a group of two whistles and a flute.
Any Session can be good and any can be terrible.
Llig, you killed me with your "Hey, this is great diddley..." routine. Thanks!
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by feardearg
Re: The perfect session!!
So, to sum up. The perfect session is a collection of people who cannot play and a GOOD bodhran player. Is that it?
#Posted on April 2nd 2008 by bodhran bliss
Once again it seems my humour is lost through print.
saying there should be a GOOD bodhran player was of course sarcastic...... a perfect session wouldn't have any
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by session savage
The perfect session is where...
They like bodhran played well.
Counts Llig's sessions out, but what the hell.
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by RockyRoader
Re: The perfect session!!
The perfect session for me would be one where I am allowed to bring in my Digital Piano and set it up close to an electrical outlet. I do enjoy accompanying other musicians and I keep the volume low so I can hear everybody else clearly. Also, it would be nice if the place where the session is being held serves my favorite beer.
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: The perfect session!!
Just out of curiosity, what beer would that be?
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by session savage
Re: The perfect session!!
Digital beer I presume? 3-4% Ethanol solution with maltose and hop flavourings and added CO2, ie "sampled" flavouring. No-one would be able to tell the difference.
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: The perfect session!!
OK, perfect session:
3-4 synthesizers
1-2 glockenspiels
1 saxophone
1 tuba
8-10 Jew's harpists
2 djembes
1 glass armonica
1 church organ
1 set of timpani
And an endless supply of Tropicana.
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by Joe CSS
Re: The perfect session!!
Shiner Bock, Shiner Blonde, and/or Shiner Hefeweizen from the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas.
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: The perfect session!!
Ahh come on!? Whats this stuff about any session is good enough? And "I accept a session the way it is stuff"... blah blah blah.... "Gee, I sure did have fun at the session last night, that harmonica player played at the beginning of the tunes through the end--- through the spaces between tunes and then blew his way out the door after we begged him to play more...." "And the bluegrass banjo player was hot with that Scruggs roll rolling over the reels..."
If you attend a session regularly, there are reasons why...
# Posted on April 3rd 2008 by The Merry Highlander
Re: The perfect session!!
Thank you for the truth, SS, it took a while but finally emerged. You see if we let people away with little slights, they soon grow into big ones.
And I still say Tipp were lucky in '89.
# Posted on April 4th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: The perfect session!!
Ha ha, f#ck away off bodhran bliss
4-24 3-9 to Tipp wasn't luck
# Posted on April 4th 2008 by session savage
Re: The perfect session!!
Of course it was. You were lucky it was Antrim.
And extremely lucky in the semi controversy against Galway.
# Posted on April 4th 2008 by bodhran bliss