She'd like to know what your favorite sets of tunes are, or, if you're like me, you probably have several.
I enjoy Speed the Plough/Toss the Feathers/Maid Behind the Bar, I've been playing it for years now, kind of a rut I guess, but it makes me happy. I stole the first two from the Molloy, Brady and People's album and stuck the old chestnut on the end. Our ceili band has adopted it as it's loads of fun to crank at warp factor 47, aka modern set dance speed.
My strong preference is to knit tunes together on the fly, rather than pre-arranging sets. So my favorite sets go something like: This one, then the one after that, and the last one.
That said, I do like going from Killavil Fancy into Crosses of Annagh, and then into the Easy Club Reel. You get good lift all the way, from G to D to A, and the tunes are similar enough in phrasing to hold together well.
Hear hear gentlemen! I've often said my favorite tune is "the one that goes next".
Will makes a very important point for jjoyce and others new to the music. There's a lot of joy to be had from that spontaneous arranging of tunes 'on the fly'!
Er, newty, I don't mean that the tunes sound much alike, but that the length and shape of the phrases is similar enough that the tunes flow together well. There's plenty of freshness in their melodies and key changes. Besides, Killavil Fancy, Crosses of Annagh, and Easy Club are all cracking tunes.
Sure, it's a subjective thing anyway, and how well you play the tunes can keep any set from being "boring."
Also, I don't mean to suggest that all sets be based on similar phrasing. Obviously, it's fun to mix it up, too. One set that has been popular here is Dr. Gilbert's, Maids of Mount Cisco, and The Scholar. I also like pairing Maudabawn Chapel and Beare Island Reel--very different in their phrasings.
I currently enjoy Music in the Glen/Maire Breathnach's #1/Ivy Leaf. Another one I play quite a lot are Longnancy's/Mickey Dan's/Hag at the Spinning Wheel (2 x 3 parts and 1 x 4 parts...it's a long set).
Ah, and a classic one which we usually play at a session in Hanover if we want to freak out: Tom Ward's Downfall/Mulhaire's/Ramnee Ceilidh. We usually fall into lunatic laughter after that one.
Sorry WILL CPT i stand corrected. It just put me in mind of hearing seasoned players playing one Eminor reel after another after anothe for seemingly ages and saying "they go well together". I also find it irritating when people play sets of tunes that have similar/linked names and think they are being clever. You know the sort ,Man of the House into Woman of the House into Boy of the House into House,House anything House!!! thinl ill take a happy pill.
Agreed, newty, and I can see why my "similar phrasings" wasn't clear.
What I'm getting at is more about linking, say, Wise Maid and Dunmore Lasses because you can start both with a long held note, so the second tune echoes the first for just a second, but in a different key/mode, and then you're off into something new. But even this can lead to tunes being too similar. I recently went from the Killavil Jig into Fasten the Leg in Her, but the B parts were too similar, so the set didn't move along--felt more like circling back on itself. On the other hand, going from Up In the Air into Joe Derrane's Jig works great because the similar phrases are in completely different keys/modes.
Yes, yes - I dont have particular sets, but usually think of three or four tunes on the spot. I like it to end with a cranking tune, so will usually leave the favourite till last, I find Bm and F#m tunes are great to end on.
If I think of a set right now that would probably sound nice it would be
The Roscommon/Drag Her Round the Road/ Jimmys Return
or um, Dow - help me out her - I cant think of anymore tune names that arent in Bm or F#m...
We were in the middle of the Dingle Regatta when some punters broke out a birthday cake for one of their friends, so we wound it down and broke directly into Happy Birthday. Next time we'll keep the set going with 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow", good call Flocc!
Lately I have been practicing a bunch of polkas in this order: Glenside, Galway Belle, Maggie in the Woods, Egans, Maids of Ardagh, Britches Full of Stitches and Sullivans (in A). Just in case I ever want to take over a session for a half hour or so...
For sure Al! That's the best time of the year to be here. It's amazing who you run into when you go out to eat. As well you know, I'm sure, we have the Sox and the Twins in the same town here!
p.s. -- please give those a try, and let me know what you think... or if there are better combinations with those tunes that you can recommend to me....
I almost never work them out ahead of time. It's way more fun for me not to know what's coming next, whether I lead the set or not.
It does risk the occasional train wreck.
I do one regularly that's a slip jig in G (no idea on the name), MacLeod's, and Lady Anne Montgomery's though, that I do. I like the dramatic contrast between the slip jig rhythm and the transition in to 4/4 with MacLeod's, and then the dynamic drop for the transition into Lady Anne Montgomery's, followed by the forte in the B part, and then back to a more hushed sound for the A part, etc.
When I do start a set of three, occasionally nobody else knows the first one. So the next one I want to be a little more well known. If no one else knows the second one, then I'll hit a "panic button" tune, that I KNOW everyone will know, like Silver Spear or Kesh, or whatever. Even if it's hackneyed, I like to finish with everyone... especially if they weren't in it for the first two tunes.
If I notice someone trying to learn a tune on the fly, I might play it one more time, so they can get it, and forego the third tune if it's getting too long.
What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
This is an idea from this thread for jjoyce:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18218
She'd like to know what your favorite sets of tunes are, or, if you're like me, you probably have several.
I enjoy Speed the Plough/Toss the Feathers/Maid Behind the Bar, I've been playing it for years now, kind of a rut I guess, but it makes me happy. I stole the first two from the Molloy, Brady and People's album and stuck the old chestnut on the end. Our ceili band has adopted it as it's loads of fun to crank at warp factor 47, aka modern set dance speed.
So whatcha got for us?
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
The jig and five reels of out of the wind into the sun.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
My strong preference is to knit tunes together on the fly, rather than pre-arranging sets. So my favorite sets go something like: This one, then the one after that, and the last one.
That said, I do like going from Killavil Fancy into Crosses of Annagh, and then into the Easy Club Reel. You get good lift all the way, from G to D to A, and the tunes are similar enough in phrasing to hold together well.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Hear hear gentlemen! I've often said my favorite tune is "the one that goes next".
Will makes a very important point for jjoyce and others new to the music. There's a lot of joy to be had from that spontaneous arranging of tunes 'on the fly'!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
"the tunes are similar enough in phrasing to hold together well" -that sounds like a recipe for boredom to me.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Newty
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
i agree with newty
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Mad Baloney
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Ed Reavy's concerto for bodhran.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
One of our session leaders does My Darling Asleep, Morrisons, and then Tripping up the Stairs.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by grumblingoldwoman
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
I like that one, ol' grumbler, it does that modal thing I enjoy, changes of modes over the course of the set.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Er, newty, I don't mean that the tunes sound much alike, but that the length and shape of the phrases is similar enough that the tunes flow together well. There's plenty of freshness in their melodies and key changes. Besides, Killavil Fancy, Crosses of Annagh, and Easy Club are all cracking tunes.
Sure, it's a subjective thing anyway, and how well you play the tunes can keep any set from being "boring."
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Also, I don't mean to suggest that all sets be based on similar phrasing. Obviously, it's fun to mix it up, too. One set that has been popular here is Dr. Gilbert's, Maids of Mount Cisco, and The Scholar. I also like pairing Maudabawn Chapel and Beare Island Reel--very different in their phrasings.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
I currently enjoy Music in the Glen/Maire Breathnach's #1/Ivy Leaf. Another one I play quite a lot are Longnancy's/Mickey Dan's/Hag at the Spinning Wheel (2 x 3 parts and 1 x 4 parts...it's a long set).
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by s.g.
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Ah, and a classic one which we usually play at a session in Hanover if we want to freak out: Tom Ward's Downfall/Mulhaire's/Ramnee Ceilidh. We usually fall into lunatic laughter after that one.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by s.g.
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Meaty stuff s.g., you can really sink your teeth into all that!
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
I used to do Garrett Barry's/Banish Misfortune/Up Leitrim a lot. I also like the sound of Dinky's after Dr. Gilbert.
# Posted on June 24th 2008 by jasonb
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
That's an easy one ~ Tommy Coen's (aka 'Christmas Eve') and The Jolly Tinker...hands down!
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Ceolagusrince
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
new copper plate, old copper plate, and the one that goes after, which goes like: fd(3ddd ABcA
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by daiv
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Sorry WILL CPT i stand corrected. It just put me in mind of hearing seasoned players playing one Eminor reel after another after anothe for seemingly ages and saying "they go well together". I also find it irritating when people play sets of tunes that have similar/linked names and think they are being clever. You know the sort ,Man of the House into Woman of the House into Boy of the House into House,House anything House!!! thinl ill take a happy pill.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Newty
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Agreed, newty, and I can see why my "similar phrasings" wasn't clear.
What I'm getting at is more about linking, say, Wise Maid and Dunmore Lasses because you can start both with a long held note, so the second tune echoes the first for just a second, but in a different key/mode, and then you're off into something new. But even this can lead to tunes being too similar. I recently went from the Killavil Jig into Fasten the Leg in Her, but the B parts were too similar, so the set didn't move along--felt more like circling back on itself. On the other hand, going from Up In the Air into Joe Derrane's Jig works great because the similar phrases are in completely different keys/modes.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Will CPT
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
The Teetotaler / The Drunken Landlady -- they have similar phrasings and go well together
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by slainte
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Yes, yes - I dont have particular sets, but usually think of three or four tunes on the spot. I like it to end with a cranking tune, so will usually leave the favourite till last, I find Bm and F#m tunes are great to end on.
If I think of a set right now that would probably sound nice it would be
The Roscommon/Drag Her Round the Road/ Jimmys Return
or um, Dow - help me out her - I cant think of anymore tune names that arent in Bm or F#m...
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by bb
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
"Happy Birthday" followed by "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow"
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Worldwide Pants
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
We were in the middle of the Dingle Regatta when some punters broke out a birthday cake for one of their friends, so we wound it down and broke directly into Happy Birthday. Next time we'll keep the set going with 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow", good call Flocc!
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Lately I have been practicing a bunch of polkas in this order: Glenside, Galway Belle, Maggie in the Woods, Egans, Maids of Ardagh, Britches Full of Stitches and Sullivans (in A). Just in case I ever want to take over a session for a half hour or so...
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
Oh Al, we'd love to have you here for a visit. Some call us "Sliabh Grapefruit".
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
SFWL, Maybe someday I will follow the Red Sox down to spring training and pay you folks a visit!
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by AlBrown
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
For sure Al! That's the best time of the year to be here. It's amazing who you run into when you go out to eat. As well you know, I'm sure, we have the Sox and the Twins in the same town here!
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
I play tunes singly.
*is shunned*
--DtM
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Dan the Man
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
To play? Or to listen to?
Playing-wise, same as already stated by a few folks -- my sets vary all the time...
...but I always seem to play "Ash Plant" into "Ravelled Hank of Yarn" involuntarily.
My "safety" set -- if I'm nervous among new folks, for example -- is often "Rip the Calico/Bird In the Bush/Reel of Rio".
And for some reason "The Green Mountain/Ah, Surely!" seem to have somehow gotten glued together in my limited repertoire.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by browndog
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
p.s. -- please give those a try, and let me know what you think... or if there are better combinations with those tunes that you can recommend to me....
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by browndog
Re: What's Your Favorite Set Of Tunes?
I almost never work them out ahead of time. It's way more fun for me not to know what's coming next, whether I lead the set or not.
It does risk the occasional train wreck.
I do one regularly that's a slip jig in G (no idea on the name), MacLeod's, and Lady Anne Montgomery's though, that I do. I like the dramatic contrast between the slip jig rhythm and the transition in to 4/4 with MacLeod's, and then the dynamic drop for the transition into Lady Anne Montgomery's, followed by the forte in the B part, and then back to a more hushed sound for the A part, etc.
When I do start a set of three, occasionally nobody else knows the first one. So the next one I want to be a little more well known. If no one else knows the second one, then I'll hit a "panic button" tune, that I KNOW everyone will know, like Silver Spear or Kesh, or whatever. Even if it's hackneyed, I like to finish with everyone... especially if they weren't in it for the first two tunes.
If I notice someone trying to learn a tune on the fly, I might play it one more time, so they can get it, and forego the third tune if it's getting too long.
# Posted on June 26th 2008 by jwvansteenwyk