Brave, bold benhall.
Relax, they sound good to me.
Perhaps someone with hi-tech skills will assemble this new wave of mustard board demos to replace the defunct site.
What would be nice is to have links in the Tunes comments section to a SOundlantern File so people can easily find a recording that is close to home in a mustard sort of a way.
And thanks Donough. I love those jigs. I play them differently from other jigs for some reason. All three of those have an odd feel that I can't put my finger on. Something to do with the mode, I think ...
Serious (& friendly) question: have you been listening to Sean Keane a lot while developing your playing ? Your tone and left hand ornamentation sounds very much like his to me.
And Will, thanks a lot. I learnt most of my playing style from a flute player - who shall remain nameless, because he's a right pain, being an alcoholic 'n' all - in Sligo. Fantastic musician. 'Til he falls over!
You got me there Benhall. I shouldn't have opened my big mouth. I just meant I particularily liked that set. Its all good. I will be very happy the day my fiddle playing comes anywhere close to yours and probably never will at the rate I am going.
Nice tunes, benhall. Thanks for putting them out there.
Will, could you please explain what you mean by "the Sligo style" of Ben's reels? For my continuing education, you understand, not so I can start a fight with you. ;>}
Just thinking about that "left-hand ornamentation" comment again. Believe it or not, even though it doesn't sound anything like him to my ears, and even though he didn't actually do these things himself, some of my most idiosyncratic LH ornaments were taught to me by John Kelly. I don't even understand that myself. I'm not aware that he actually played them, but that's how he taught them to me.
mickray, listening to Cottage Groves, I hear Ben using a lot of slurred (not single bowed) triplets, and his rolls are even and notey, much like Seamus Connolly's, rather than my more percussive rolls. The overall effect is of the left hand filling space with fillagrees of notes.
Thanks, Will. (I didn't mean to slight you, Ben, it's just that he's the one who brought it up. I figured if he got it wrong, you would chime in.)
Yes, I thought that Ben's rolls were more evenly spaced than some other examples. I was once told that James Kelly makes use of both kinds of rolls, as he sees fit.
And so my education continues. Thanks again, guys!
Forgive me for this, Will, but I want to compare my playing with yours. I think you play with a lovely, gentle, very clean style. I liked what you put up a lot. Mine is much 'dirtier'. I'd actually like to get mine a bit cleaner. There are slips and trips that are, IMO, just down to my own mental laziness. But, although I wouldn't want to change a thing in your playing, for my own playing, I wouldn't want it to get *too* clean. I like a bit of dirt.
Benhall I like your style and I enjoyed listening to your tunes. Your playing reminded me of an old man of 80ish I heard playing in a pub somewhere near Carrick-on-Shannon almost twenty years ago. He was an impressive player had grown up with the music and your playing took me right back to that small crowded pub with the peat fire. I wouldn't call it 'dirt', I'd call it rustic charm Well done and a brave move.
Next I'd like to hear Lligs playing because we have been told it is beautiful and it would be a shame not to hear it.
Actually... I played along with that one too... nice... the Cottage one so far. I did find Will's sounded more in tune with my concertina though, but I don't know if that's a tuning or intonation issue. Some fidders resent the tempered tuning of the concertina and the fact that it's not very forgiving. Other fiddlers seem to enjoy the challenge.
Oh I didn't mean you sounded 80ish benhall! That guy was really good even though he was 80+and arthritic...oh am I digging myself into an even bigger hole now?? Think I'd better stop digging.
I really enjoyed your playing, it was good to hear you and you don't sound 80 (Throws the spade down, climbs out of the hole and runs away)
And, thanks to you posting that I have now identified the name of a tune that I learned by ear over ten years ago and for which no-one has been able to name for me since.
Oh yes, I should have added, I'm glad you did, and also enjoyed the listen in.
Good luck on your coming bike trip... I'm curious how you're going to get to and from wherever your starting point is, train or car? We've only just gotten a car rack. Sad though you don't have something to haul around with you, if not a banger of a fiddle at least you might pluck up the madness to consider one of those camper mandolins?
Like I said the other day, I think it's a great idea for good players to post samples of their playing... Not for oneupsmanship or competitive reasons, but because it's great to hear good playing. And it's nice to put a sound with a name, kind of like putting a face with a name.
I enjoyed your playing Ben.
I know how unnerving it can be to put your playing out there to the piranhas - I was reluctant to put the clips in my profile for that reason, but I have had nothing but positive responses from people (with the exception of the guy who sort of started this whole flame-war mess... But I am officially ignoring him). That's not to say that people aren't critical of my playing, but the people that don't like it haven't said anything about it (other than a couple of constructive criticisms from some people that I already know and respect).
We're cycling 21 miles to Cheltenham, getting a train (with the bikes) from there to Dundee, then cycling all the way, carrying all our clothes and everything else we'll need (bike spares, tools, lunch boxes etc) in our panniers, from Dundee, vai Edinburgh, to Newcastle, then getting the train (with bikes) from there back to Cheltenham.
And I *will* be taking a whistle. It's just I'm rubbish on whistle, and I'm STILL going to inflict it on anyone I come across.
Ben, the lack of dirt in my clips is purely because I was "trying" too hard (as wolfbird so astutely pointed out in another thread). And it's the one thing I really don't like about my clips. But then I had sat myself down for the sole purpose of "proving it," so it's no wonder I wasn't as free and easy as usual.
I too like a bit of dirt in Irish fiddle. My session playing certainly reflects that--I think it adds a lot to the overall sound. But as a teacher, I've also found it helpful to learners if I can play as cleanly as possible, so they can hear more clearly all the tiny twiddly bits (a student of mine recently started calling them the "diddley squats" LOL).
Two things spring to mind. First, with just a few clips, I think the contrast between my playing and Ben's is wonderful, well showing the range of personal and stylistic approaches to this music. Second, I'm guessing that if Ben and I sat down over pints and started playing tunes, we'd quickly and easily find ways to blend and meld, and it would be great craic. Which is what this is all about, eh?
I take it your 'new' whistle!!! My heart is with you, as it was listening to and enjoying your audio contributions here, but I knew you'd catch on my first laugh was with appreciation, for your music and your foot...
Nice one Will... Keep me a seat for that meeting of ways... We should make a point of all having our bicycles handy as well... I've got to see how big a frame it takes to carry the Rev... You can always have mine. The twit I bought my most recent frame from saddled me with one oversize, and then he went out of business before I could get things corrected...
I don't know about this melding crap... It sounds too much like a bad curry with those damned scotch bonnets in such quantity you can't taste anything else and it burns a second time on the way out... Melding sounds a bit like something out of an early Star Trek film. Beam me up Scotty! ~ and don't lose my identity in the buffer...
If you're playing mandolin, well, that's all the good food I need to keep me working hard to get us up any hills, virtual or real...
We'll have to include some decent liquors too, like single malts... At least then if the alcoholic percentage is high it will be somewhat more hygienic...
Damn, that would be a nice session if we could swing it, and even add a few others to the list. We could throw together one of those slings to haul the crippled Rev on and take off into the Rockies and have our session out in the wilds... I am desperate for some wilderness ~ and can think of little else better than shared with you lot and including some music...
Bliss, I was surprised at how easy it was, even for an old technophobe like me. Go to the sound lantern home site and click on "sign up." They lead you through a simple registration process. Then you can upload any soundclip you have on your computer.
So the trick for me was figuring out how to record onto my computer. I used the internal mic and recorded straight into a program called (ironically enough) Audacity (which is free, available online). I didn't mess with any of the editing tools, just took the straight recording and saved it as a WAV file. Then uploaded it on Sound Lantern.
I'd love to have some drum tracks to play along with! Give us reels, jigs, and slip jigs, eh?!
I've just enjoyed another complete listen through before hittin' the sack... Thanks for the bravery. If you ever want to sort your feet out, the door is always open for a friend...
I also have a few black mulberry trees in need of a decent and appreciative home, just in case you're interested and passing through... Dear Dow's parents adopted one a couple of years back...
I tried audacity once, couldn't get the mic to work. However my child is currently using something to put CDs together on the computer, so if I can get him to talk to me, I might learn something.
And I don't know the difference between a reel, jig and a slip jig. I just play, can't play without music as 3/5, 2/4 and all that mean nothing to me. Something to do with bars, we play in bars, the drinking ones.
I don't live in Manchester anymore. I once brought the recorder player to Belfast to a session with about 20 odd players. My brother threatened the recorder player into doing a solo, he played the Bucks. All those sniggering at a recorder soon stopped.
Where's Buster Bodhrán when you need him, giving the running play by play on the race between Will CPT and benhall.1 to see whose false modesty, "I posted some of my playing" thread is going to win out in the end?
Actually, I just received this note from Buster Bodhran, apparently he's been laying low.
"Dear TheSession.org,
Recently I got myself involved into a p*ssing contest on another forum I go to. There was this whole battle with people posting clips of each other's sports reporting, it's been keeping me really occupied. Also, I'm still a little scarred from the whole Telethon experience, but I'll be back real soon, and certainly in time for the 2008 Annual Summer Instrument Tossing Contest. Does anyone remember who won last year? All I remember is seeing the underside of a table after I woke up next to that empty keg with a horribly bruised impression of a banjo on my forehead.
Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
In the spirit of people knowing who you're talking to, I've uploaded some tunes.
Be gentle. I realise I've a long way to go.
http://www.soundlantern.com/UpdatedUser.do?UsName=benhall_1&UsId=1134
I hope I've got that cut and paste right ...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Brave, bold benhall.
Relax, they sound good to me.
Perhaps someone with hi-tech skills will assemble this new wave of mustard board demos to replace the defunct site.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by oldstrings
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Enjoyed your Hag set - nice.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Donough
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Good stuff benhall!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by bb
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
What would be nice is to have links in the Tunes comments section to a SOundlantern File so people can easily find a recording that is close to home in a mustard sort of a way.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Donough
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Thank you, bb. We've 'sparred' enough here to know you're sincere. Means a lot.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
And thanks Donough. I love those jigs. I play them differently from other jigs for some reason. All three of those have an odd feel that I can't put my finger on. Something to do with the mode, I think ...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
What! Ben does that make me not sincere
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Donough
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Crossposted - sorry
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Donough
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I particularly like the Sligo style of your reels--something my feeble left hand won't let me do. Good on you, Ben!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I really didn't imply that, did I Donough? If so, apologies.
Mind you, I thought of asking "Ah, so you enjoyed the Hag Set - that means you hated the others, right?"
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Serious (& friendly) question: have you been listening to Sean Keane a lot while developing your playing ? Your tone and left hand ornamentation sounds very much like his to me.
I like what you do.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Henk Bos
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Cross-posted back, Donough!
And Will, thanks a lot. I learnt most of my playing style from a flute player - who shall remain nameless, because he's a right pain, being an alcoholic 'n' all - in Sligo. Fantastic musician. 'Til he falls over!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
You got me there Benhall. I shouldn't have opened my big mouth. I just meant I particularily liked that set. Its all good. I will be very happy the day my fiddle playing comes anywhere close to yours and probably never will at the rate I am going.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Donough
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Henk. No. Read the above - it came originally from a Sligo flute player.
Thanks for the comment. Sean Keane, eh? Could do worse ...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Absolutely.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Henk Bos
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Nice tunes, benhall. Thanks for putting them out there.
Will, could you please explain what you mean by "the Sligo style" of Ben's reels? For my continuing education, you understand, not so I can start a fight with you. ;>}
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by mickray
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Just thinking about that "left-hand ornamentation" comment again. Believe it or not, even though it doesn't sound anything like him to my ears, and even though he didn't actually do these things himself, some of my most idiosyncratic LH ornaments were taught to me by John Kelly. I don't even understand that myself. I'm not aware that he actually played them, but that's how he taught them to me.
Hmmm ...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
mickray, listening to Cottage Groves, I hear Ben using a lot of slurred (not single bowed) triplets, and his rolls are even and notey, much like Seamus Connolly's, rather than my more percussive rolls. The overall effect is of the left hand filling space with fillagrees of notes.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Thanks, Will. (I didn't mean to slight you, Ben, it's just that he's the one who brought it up. I figured if he got it wrong, you would chime in.)
Yes, I thought that Ben's rolls were more evenly spaced than some other examples. I was once told that James Kelly makes use of both kinds of rolls, as he sees fit.
And so my education continues. Thanks again, guys!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by mickray
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Forgive me for this, Will, but I want to compare my playing with yours. I think you play with a lovely, gentle, very clean style. I liked what you put up a lot. Mine is much 'dirtier'. I'd actually like to get mine a bit cleaner. There are slips and trips that are, IMO, just down to my own mental laziness. But, although I wouldn't want to change a thing in your playing, for my own playing, I wouldn't want it to get *too* clean. I like a bit of dirt.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
So it's pistols at dawn for you two, then?
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by mickray
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I wouldn't think so. I like what Will did.
btw, anyone noticed how friendly and supportive these last couple of threads have been?
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I thought it was crap!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Hee hee
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Benhall I like your style and I enjoyed listening to your tunes. Your playing reminded me of an old man of 80ish I heard playing in a pub somewhere near Carrick-on-Shannon almost twenty years ago. He was an impressive player had grown up with the music and your playing took me right back to that small crowded pub with the peat fire. I wouldn't call it 'dirt', I'd call it rustic charm
Well done and a brave move.
Next I'd like to hear Lligs playing because we have been told it is beautiful and it would be a shame not to hear it.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by bowburner
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Actually... I played along with that one too... nice... the Cottage one so far. I did find Will's sounded more in tune with my concertina though, but I don't know if that's a tuning or intonation issue. Some fidders resent the tempered tuning of the concertina and the fact that it's not very forgiving. Other fiddlers seem to enjoy the challenge.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Excellent stuff, Ben. Thanks for that.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
"an old man of 80ish", eh? If I'm *that* doddery now ...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I enjoyed those clips. Thanks for posting them.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I did too.
Good man.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Nicely done. Thanks for posting.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by brotherstorm
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Oh I didn't mean you sounded 80ish benhall! That guy was really good even though he was 80+and arthritic...oh am I digging myself into an even bigger hole now?? Think I'd better stop digging.
I really enjoyed your playing, it was good to hear you and you don't sound 80
(Throws the spade down, climbs out of the hole and runs away)
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by bowburner
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Surely you could just touch the spade to your bow arm, and it would just ignite, so you wouldn't have to throw it away?
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Nice stuff Ben
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by mutatis mutandis
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Yes, but then I'd be stuck in a hole with a burning spade
And I'd have to change my name to Spadeburner and that doesn't have the same ring to it.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by bowburner
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
... and I wouldn't be able to help you out, 'cos I'm too decrepit ...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
very good.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by dickens metrognome
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
thump - thump - thump - thump - thump - thump ~
Damn, now the mystery has gone...
At least you can keep a beat...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Top stuff, Ben. That's a lovely contrast to Will's style as you say.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by sergeant fox
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
got my toe tapping. good on you benhall.
-michael
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by mtodd
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Well done Ben, that's good stuff!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I enjoyed that. Much rather listen to that than many of the commercial recordings I've heard.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Dow
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
And, thanks to you posting that I have now identified the name of a tune that I learned by ear over ten years ago and for which no-one has been able to name for me since.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by bowburner
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Dow! I'm stunned. I appreciate your contribution to this site very much. Praise from you is praise indeed.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Very nice, benhall. Really enjoyed the tunes.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by grego
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Well done. This and WillCPT's posting of sound files may be ushering in a whole new dimension to this site.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by PatrickJWK
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Oh yes, I should have added, I'm glad you did, and also enjoyed the listen in.
Good luck on your coming bike trip... I'm curious how you're going to get to and from wherever your starting point is, train or car? We've only just gotten a car rack. Sad though you don't have something to haul around with you, if not a banger of a fiddle at least you might pluck up the madness to consider one of those camper mandolins?
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
~ a pair of them...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Like I said the other day, I think it's a great idea for good players to post samples of their playing... Not for oneupsmanship or competitive reasons, but because it's great to hear good playing. And it's nice to put a sound with a name, kind of like putting a face with a name.
I enjoyed your playing Ben.
I know how unnerving it can be to put your playing out there to the piranhas - I was reluctant to put the clips in my profile for that reason, but I have had nothing but positive responses from people (with the exception of the guy who sort of started this whole flame-war mess... But I am officially ignoring him). That's not to say that people aren't critical of my playing, but the people that don't like it haven't said anything about it (other than a couple of constructive criticisms from some people that I already know and respect).
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Thanks for posting these! Great music. Anytime you wanted to post more, that would be fine with me
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by fliedermaus
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Rev, there's clips in your profile?
(that's the closest I could get to a smilie piranha. You'll just have to imagine the gnashers...)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piranha ~ we get a bad press...
"~ despite the negative Hollywood publicity piranhas are not generally violent, and have been known to be domesticated in home and office fish tanks."
What's wrong with eating music anyway?
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
No, ceolachan, the part I was referring to was:
"Piranha are also a popular food, though if an individual is caught on a hook or line it may be attacked by other piranhas."
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Ceol
We're cycling 21 miles to Cheltenham, getting a train (with the bikes) from there to Dundee, then cycling all the way, carrying all our clothes and everything else we'll need (bike spares, tools, lunch boxes etc) in our panniers, from Dundee, vai Edinburgh, to Newcastle, then getting the train (with bikes) from there back to Cheltenham.
And I *will* be taking a whistle. It's just I'm rubbish on whistle, and I'm STILL going to inflict it on anyone I come across.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Ben, the lack of dirt in my clips is purely because I was "trying" too hard (as wolfbird so astutely pointed out in another thread). And it's the one thing I really don't like about my clips. But then I had sat myself down for the sole purpose of "proving it," so it's no wonder I wasn't as free and easy as usual.
I too like a bit of dirt in Irish fiddle. My session playing certainly reflects that--I think it adds a lot to the overall sound. But as a teacher, I've also found it helpful to learners if I can play as cleanly as possible, so they can hear more clearly all the tiny twiddly bits (a student of mine recently started calling them the "diddley squats" LOL).
Two things spring to mind. First, with just a few clips, I think the contrast between my playing and Ben's is wonderful, well showing the range of personal and stylistic approaches to this music. Second, I'm guessing that if Ben and I sat down over pints and started playing tunes, we'd quickly and easily find ways to blend and meld, and it would be great craic. Which is what this is all about, eh?
Cheers!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Put me down for at least listening in on that (and sharing some pints)
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I take it your 'new' whistle!!! My heart is with you, as it was listening to and enjoying your audio contributions here, but I knew you'd catch on my first laugh was with appreciation, for your music and your foot...
Nice one Will... Keep me a seat for that meeting of ways... We should make a point of all having our bicycles handy as well... I've got to see how big a frame it takes to carry the Rev... You can always have mine. The twit I bought my most recent frame from saddled me with one oversize, and then he went out of business before I could get things corrected...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Ben, I'm rubbish on the fiddle...all heart and no skill...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
the Rev and his arthritic knees and (currently) broken foot don't do bicycles right now
(and what, exactly, are you insinuating by wondering how big the frame needs to be? Sheesh, I've been on a diet!)
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I'll rent one for two, I don't mind doing all the pedaling...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Will, I would absolutely LURVE to have a blast at some tunes with you. There's bound to be a way ... some day ...
... and I don't mean any of this *virtual* crap!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Great, I'll just sit on the back and play mandolin while you do all the work!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Only if you promise to "meld"
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
my last comment was for ceolachan, but it works for the Will/benhall.1 session too
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I don't know about this melding crap... It sounds too much like a bad curry with those damned scotch bonnets in such quantity you can't taste anything else and it burns a second time on the way out... Melding sounds a bit like something out of an early Star Trek film. Beam me up Scotty! ~ and don't lose my identity in the buffer...
If you're playing mandolin, well, that's all the good food I need to keep me working hard to get us up any hills, virtual or real...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Scotch Bonnets should only ever be used as a bug repellant... Pasillas forever!!! ( ~ and all the other lovely varieties out there...)
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Ah ... sorry!
Meanwhile, I've got a bone to pick with that horrible, nasty ceolachan chap.
"thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump~" indeed!
If I'd known my foot-tapping was going to offend you *that* much, ceol ...
I'D HAVE THUMPED A FECK OF A LOT HARDER!!!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I want to come too, but I'm not sure about this sharing pints business. I want my own glass, that sounds sort of unhygienic.
Actually, I make that same old tired joke every time someone sings “Here’s a Health to the Company”.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Ben, next recording? "Ceolachan's Reel", no music, just your foot...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
We'll have to include some decent liquors too, like single malts... At least then if the alcoholic percentage is high it will be somewhat more hygienic...
Damn, that would be a nice session if we could swing it, and even add a few others to the list. We could throw together one of those slings to haul the crippled Rev on and take off into the Rockies and have our session out in the wilds... I am desperate for some wilderness ~ and can think of little else better than shared with you lot and including some music...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Hey, SWFL, I'm chuffed, but it would have to include both feet...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Actually, on closer inspection of Ben's offerings, I'm sure I could sound edit out the music and just have the foot...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
You, ceolachan, are too damned perceptive sometimes.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
That last of mine was for the last but one of ceol's ... sheesh he's quick!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Who luvs yuh Ben... Bon Voyage!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Wouldn't that be "Ben Voyage"?
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
"Ben Voyage"?
Oh, for Pete's sake!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Hey Ben... any chance you might record that tune you composed?
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Which one? Not Frunobulax?
D'y'know, it's been added to 7 tunebooks? And not one of them's mine ...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
How does one upload on Sound Lantern?
Oh, as an aside, that wasn't too bad at all, Benhall.
I listened to the Bucks because a mate of mine in Manchester used to do it brilliantly on a RECORDER.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Bliss, I was surprised at how easy it was, even for an old technophobe like me. Go to the sound lantern home site and click on "sign up." They lead you through a simple registration process. Then you can upload any soundclip you have on your computer.
So the trick for me was figuring out how to record onto my computer. I used the internal mic and recorded straight into a program called (ironically enough) Audacity (which is free, available online). I didn't mess with any of the editing tools, just took the straight recording and saved it as a WAV file. Then uploaded it on Sound Lantern.
I'd love to have some drum tracks to play along with! Give us reels, jigs, and slip jigs, eh?!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
The only problem I had with registering was that stupid code thing they make you type in. I kept getting it wrong because I couldn't read it!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Well, PB, just for you, I've uploaded Frunobulax. Don't forget to stand whilst listening to it.
And 'c', do listen right to the end, won't you?
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
~ & more than once through too...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Bodhran Bliss hangs around with someone who plays the Bucks on a recorder?
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Thump, thump, thump ~ & you'll understand and appreciate this ~ I like your dirt!
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Hmmmm... I think your feet sometimes have a mind of their own, or to put it in a cliche, are dancing to a different drummer...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Yeah, sorry ... I was distracted by Mr Bliss up there. [I know he lives a long way away ... but those things are so damned LOUD]
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I've just enjoyed another complete listen through before hittin' the sack... Thanks for the bravery. If you ever want to sort your feet out, the door is always open for a friend...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I also have a few black mulberry trees in need of a decent and appreciative home, just in case you're interested and passing through... Dear Dow's parents adopted one a couple of years back...
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
I tried audacity once, couldn't get the mic to work. However my child is currently using something to put CDs together on the computer, so if I can get him to talk to me, I might learn something.
And I don't know the difference between a reel, jig and a slip jig. I just play, can't play without music as 3/5, 2/4 and all that mean nothing to me. Something to do with bars, we play in bars, the drinking ones.
I don't live in Manchester anymore. I once brought the recorder player to Belfast to a session with about 20 odd players. My brother threatened the recorder player into doing a solo, he played the Bucks. All those sniggering at a recorder soon stopped.
This bloke was good.
# Posted on June 19th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Bliss, no worries on what type of beat to give us. Just give us a beat, man!
# Posted on June 19th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Bliss: "I tried audacity once...."
LOL, that has to be the understatement of the life of this board!
(just kidding!
# Posted on June 19th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
this looks like the cutting edge of trad music! I'm (sort of) not joking.
# Posted on June 19th 2008 by pavlf
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Where's Buster Bodhrán when you need him, giving the running play by play on the race between Will CPT and benhall.1 to see whose false modesty, "I posted some of my playing" thread is going to win out in the end?
# Posted on June 19th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Hey Ben... I like Frunobulax... the arrangement is nice too with the foot beats coming in on the second part... tasty.
You mentioned someone recorded it on their CD... who was that?
# Posted on June 19th 2008 by Phantom Button
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Actually, I just received this note from Buster Bodhran, apparently he's been laying low.
"Dear TheSession.org,
Recently I got myself involved into a p*ssing contest on another forum I go to. There was this whole battle with people posting clips of each other's sports reporting, it's been keeping me really occupied. Also, I'm still a little scarred from the whole Telethon experience, but I'll be back real soon, and certainly in time for the 2008 Annual Summer Instrument Tossing Contest. Does anyone remember who won last year? All I remember is seeing the underside of a table after I woke up next to that empty keg with a horribly bruised impression of a banjo on my forehead.
Your Ace Sports Reporter,
Buster Bodhran"
# Posted on June 19th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Oh God, I wish I hadn't now ...
Enjoy your playing a lot Ben.
# Posted on June 20th 2008 by chuneboi slim