International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I know it’s pretty popular in some circles and get’s played all the time, but let’s face it, the Masons Apron is a pretty rubbish tune. Some tunes suit being played slower but I feel that the only way to actual enjoy playing tunes like this is to play them as fast as you can.
This idea has already caught on in a number of sessions but in order to help reach all those hundreds and thousands of poor fiddlers out there still plodding along miserably at under 180bpm, I would like to propose that 27/10 to 02/11 be the first international “play the Masons Apron as fast as you can” week.
Any ideas on a tune to play before it to build up to it? Maybe something in G to give it that extra cheesy lift?
Does anyone know if there is an official world record in place? I’ve not yet messured my own personal best, I’m guesing it’s about 280bmp (that’s beats not bars) but I reckon with a bit of practice over the weekend and by missing out most of the notes, we could be looking in the region of 300-350bmp.
It would be great if we can get a load of videos posted from around the world in celebration. I am popping out now to get some teeshirts made.
Please use this forum only to discuss arrangements and ideas for events during International PMAAFAYC week. I don’t care if you like the Masons Apron, your opinion is of no interest to me.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Here's a man who was renowned for his fast playing. I think he still holds the record for the fastest 'High Level Hornpipe' A rare piece of film showing him playing the reel 'Roxburgh Castle' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy7ICRQzmIk
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I'm a flute player and feeling left out. I would like to take up this challenge as well. Is it just the main tune or the Sean Maguire variations as well that are required?
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I'm on to it - I've been practising the 7-part version in secret for months - my hair-raising slide up to that C sharp won't seem anything like as excruciating if people all round the world are there in spirit too. Should there be a "feed the world theme" or something? What about the masonic implications? Should participants roll a trouser leg up perhaps?
My opinion.This is an open discussion board. Opinions are an important part of keeping tradition alive.
We rarely play 'Mason's Apron' But I like it in A. If you are having a problem making any tune sound good definitely do not play as fast as you can, leave out notes, & completely eliminate phrasing.
Why not just text for an Ipod rave event? That would produce the desired effect.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Let's face it, it's a rubbish tune? Here we go again. Anything that's played a lot in sessions is automatically condemned as a rubbish tune by self-appointed cognescenti. Well I love it and we play it well and we all love it and your opinion is of no interest to me. If you wanted your last paragraph to mean anything you shouldn't have called it a rubbish tune in your first one. There are no rubbish tunes but there are plenty of rubbish players. I love the Concertina Reel and Harvest Home and Off to California and The Kesh and The Irish Washerbloodywoman too while I'm at it. You'll be telling me next that Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is sh!te because Classic FM play it a lot. Sorry, I've had a tooth out and it hurts and I don't care that you're glad.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Cheaters will be shown the red lollipop; whereupon they are ejected without appeal. This means you'd need judges...with expense accounts....and an international body to administer it all.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Well I like it too, and all the other ones you list, Steve. Down there in the West Country you might not have caught up with the modern use of the word "rubbish" - "I'm rubbish at that" is usually employed by teenage girls to imply that the thing in question is off their radar and only "sad" people would bother with it. It's an attitudinal word not implying an informed critical stance. Hope your harmonica embouchure is not affected by your tooth extraction!
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Wooow. Just becuase I said it's a rubbish tune doesn't mean I don't like it. In fact, we play it almost every week. Just fast. If I didn't like it then why would I want to dedicate a whole week to it?!
Other words I could have used instead of "rubbish" are:
Lame
Gay (legally no longer in a homophobic way)
P!ss poor
Whack
Some good ideas coming out here though guys, I've come across the 5 part version which I think I will revisit before next week but not the 7 part, does any one have a link?
Reverend, I do somtimes start it off pretty slow, often playing the version in O'Maleys 100 enduring irish session tunes. Worth a look if you have it.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
There's a song that I think it was the Battlefield band used to do, about an all-night session in a pub,
"Then in walked two policemen
And everybody froze
'Til they said "Play us the Mason's Apron
It's the only tune we knowse."".
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
And I thought I was the only one who thought the tune had little redeeming value.
It was my weekly lesson a few months ago.....I could not come up with a way to make it sound decent (notwithstanding my skill level). The structure is soooooo awkward
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Micho Russell's version is not rubbish, although it would be if played at speed. Am I the only one who plays the "Boghall & Bathgate" pipe band version - "The Mason's Ape" - 4 parts, in "D" . [ probably ].
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
A first ground rule for the event has surely got to be "fiddle only" - anything with keys, buttons or blown could be interpreted as giving an unfair advantage. A second ground rule would be no slurring - again with the unfair advantage bit in mind.
Mason's Apron - a "rubbish" tune? Well, all I can say to that is that it's been around for well over 200 years and has been played by just about every fiddler of note - including Sean Maguire who was responsible for some of the virtuoso variations tacked on the end.
Zippy - you're quite sure you weren't trying to play it in A-flat? Now that is difficult, but would be useful for a play-off in the event of a tie.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
matt molloy's version of the masons apron is really in fact whistle player tom mchales version of the tune, molloy just nicked it from him, listen to 'the flute players of roscommon vol.2'. and who said micho russells version is rubbish? if frankie sees fit to record it (twice) then im pretty sure its not rubbish.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
There's some good information about this tune in The Fiddler's Companion http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/MART_MATI.htm, not least of which it was said of Niel Gow that he played the tune wearing his Masonic apron.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Something I've wanted to do for a long time now (strictly as a showpiece, of course ) is to play the Mason's Apron, play some wacky variations on the B part, as you do, and then subtly introduce the B parts of various other A major reels, like the Contradiction, Frank's, Clumsy Lover, Big John McNiel's, road to Errogie, Fleur de Madragore, etc, etc, etc....... and then back to the Mason's Apron.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I love the tune, actually. I agree the structure is wacko....
Here's me playing it.... All sorts of crazy things in there. I didn't start too fast but by the end it is a little insane.
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
This is the Dubliner's version with John Sheahan on fiddle - sound only: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQMWhkeyGvE
It starts off with 6 parts but there are other variations. There's a good transcription in the book "Scottish Fiddlers' Session Tune Book (Fiddle)" compiled by by Anne Hughes and Christine Martin which gives 7 parts. I enjoyed your clip, girlwiththegreenfiddle!
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Hey Hurlock - got a name for your new band yet? You could call it: "The Set Squares", and use the "Mason's" as your signature tune!
Out of interest, what have you got lined up for the week after? Would it be: "International Play Slockit Light as Fast as You Can Week", by any chance?
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
"Then we can have "bob up and down during Dingle Regatta" week..."
Ya know, seeing as both these weeks managed to happen at the same time at this session I frequent, I thought I managed to dodge TWO bullets by going to get a pint when they started bobbing up and down, and then ducking into the ladies room when an out-of-towner requested "The Mason's Apron."
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
The Mason's Apron is essentially a simple tune, and a little repetitive, but none the less thoroughly enjoyable for all that. It's very simplicity in fact makes it ideal for a musician to play around with and construct variations for their own and their listeners' entertainment - as regularly happened with "simple" tunes in the 17th and 18th centuries - witness today's versions by Sean Maguire and others.
It would be rather more difficult, and probably undesirable, to have variations on something that is already fairly complex, such as an Ed Reavy tune.
International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I know it’s pretty popular in some circles and get’s played all the time, but let’s face it, the Masons Apron is a pretty rubbish tune. Some tunes suit being played slower but I feel that the only way to actual enjoy playing tunes like this is to play them as fast as you can.
This idea has already caught on in a number of sessions but in order to help reach all those hundreds and thousands of poor fiddlers out there still plodding along miserably at under 180bpm, I would like to propose that 27/10 to 02/11 be the first international “play the Masons Apron as fast as you can” week.
Any ideas on a tune to play before it to build up to it? Maybe something in G to give it that extra cheesy lift?
Does anyone know if there is an official world record in place? I’ve not yet messured my own personal best, I’m guesing it’s about 280bmp (that’s beats not bars) but I reckon with a bit of practice over the weekend and by missing out most of the notes, we could be looking in the region of 300-350bmp.
It would be great if we can get a load of videos posted from around the world in celebration. I am popping out now to get some teeshirts made.
Please use this forum only to discuss arrangements and ideas for events during International PMAAFAYC week. I don’t care if you like the Masons Apron, your opinion is of no interest to me.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Hurlock
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Why not play it in G before playing it in A. Or if that's too hard, play it in D, just a string down
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by ...
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
ah, the 'aul gear change...good suggestion.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Hugo Chavez
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Hehehe...cool. Count me in. How 'bout Old McDonald's Farm in G???
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Dark Raven
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Here's a man who was renowned for his fast playing. I think he still holds the record for the fastest 'High Level Hornpipe' A rare piece of film showing him playing the reel 'Roxburgh Castle'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy7ICRQzmIk
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Free Reed
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Ha ha - a true starr.
I will be a few lengths back from the pack in this race but wish the best to all starters.
Looking forward to International Very Slow Waltz Week
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Bren
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I'm a flute player and feeling left out. I would like to take up this challenge as well. Is it just the main tune or the Sean Maguire variations as well that are required?
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by The Archivist
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I'm on to it - I've been practising the 7-part version in secret for months - my hair-raising slide up to that C sharp won't seem anything like as excruciating if people all round the world are there in spirit too. Should there be a "feed the world theme" or something? What about the masonic implications? Should participants roll a trouser leg up perhaps?
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by RichardB
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Should the front-runner get a coveted yellow jersey?
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Faster, faster, faster
My opinion.This is an open discussion board. Opinions are an important part of keeping tradition alive.
We rarely play 'Mason's Apron' But I like it in A. If you are having a problem making any tune sound good definitely do not play as fast as you can, leave out notes, & completely eliminate phrasing.
Why not just text for an Ipod rave event? That would produce the desired effect.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Let's face it, it's a rubbish tune? Here we go again. Anything that's played a lot in sessions is automatically condemned as a rubbish tune by self-appointed cognescenti. Well I love it and we play it well and we all love it and your opinion is of no interest to me. If you wanted your last paragraph to mean anything you shouldn't have called it a rubbish tune in your first one. There are no rubbish tunes but there are plenty of rubbish players. I love the Concertina Reel and Harvest Home and Off to California and The Kesh and The Irish Washerbloodywoman too while I'm at it. You'll be telling me next that Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is sh!te because Classic FM play it a lot. Sorry, I've had a tooth out and it hurts and I don't care that you're glad.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
How 'bout we all start it slow and groovy, and then speed it up, like Matt Molloy on the Shadows on Stone album?
)
(Or even like here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtSjM3YU7Qw What the heck is with Roger Daltry grooving out to it, anyway?
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Reverend
Fast
Or any bpm you like. 'Old Grey Cat'/ 'Mason's Apron'/ 'Bottom of the Punch Bowl'
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Cheaters will be shown the red lollipop; whereupon they are ejected without appeal. This means you'd need judges...with expense accounts....and an international body to administer it all.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Well I like it too, and all the other ones you list, Steve. Down there in the West Country you might not have caught up with the modern use of the word "rubbish" - "I'm rubbish at that" is usually employed by teenage girls to imply that the thing in question is off their radar and only "sad" people would bother with it. It's an attitudinal word not implying an informed critical stance. Hope your harmonica embouchure is not affected by your tooth extraction!
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by RichardB
International “listen to Matt Molloy's masons apron month"
Thanks Pete. Matt Molloy can play anything he likes. I'll just listen!
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Wooow. Just becuase I said it's a rubbish tune doesn't mean I don't like it. In fact, we play it almost every week. Just fast. If I didn't like it then why would I want to dedicate a whole week to it?!
Other words I could have used instead of "rubbish" are:
Lame
Gay (legally no longer in a homophobic way)
P!ss poor
Whack
Some good ideas coming out here though guys, I've come across the 5 part version which I think I will revisit before next week but not the 7 part, does any one have a link?
Reverend, I do somtimes start it off pretty slow, often playing the version in O'Maleys 100 enduring irish session tunes. Worth a look if you have it.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Hurlock
Masons apron is "rubbish"
So rubbish means a liking for something?
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
There's a song that I think it was the Battlefield band used to do, about an all-night session in a pub,
"Then in walked two policemen
And everybody froze
'Til they said "Play us the Mason's Apron
It's the only tune we knowse."".
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
And I thought I was the only one who thought the tune had little redeeming value.
It was my weekly lesson a few months ago.....I could not come up with a way to make it sound decent (notwithstanding my skill level). The structure is soooooo awkward
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by zippydw
Masons apron is "rubbish" ~ again?
So the meaning has not changed?
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I've been trying to pair that old Harold Arlen hornpipe "If I Only had a Brain" with another tune. This might be the one.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by grego
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Micho Russell's version is not rubbish, although it would be if played at speed. Am I the only one who plays the "Boghall & Bathgate" pipe band version - "The Mason's Ape" - 4 parts, in "D" . [ probably ].
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Kenny
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
A first ground rule for the event has surely got to be "fiddle only" - anything with keys, buttons or blown could be interpreted as giving an unfair advantage. A second ground rule would be no slurring - again with the unfair advantage bit in mind.
Mason's Apron - a "rubbish" tune? Well, all I can say to that is that it's been around for well over 200 years and has been played by just about every fiddler of note - including Sean Maguire who was responsible for some of the virtuoso variations tacked on the end.
Zippy - you're quite sure you weren't trying to play it in A-flat? Now that is difficult, but would be useful for a play-off in the event of a tie.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Trevor Jennings
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
You mean it's not an event for banjo players only?
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Im in the other camp here folk, I play the masons apron as slow as I can get away with
in F.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by piobagusfidil
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
There could be a slow players' event too. It would be easier to cheat at that...the fewest BPM wins...nah wouldn't work.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
GuernsyPete, the song about the police was a reference to their rumoured too-close association with a certain secretive "charitable organisation"
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Bren
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
"rumoured" ?
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Trevor Jennings
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
matt molloy's version of the masons apron is really in fact whistle player tom mchales version of the tune, molloy just nicked it from him, listen to 'the flute players of roscommon vol.2'. and who said micho russells version is rubbish? if frankie sees fit to record it (twice) then im pretty sure its not rubbish.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by fiddleruairi
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
There's some good information about this tune in The Fiddler's Companion http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/MART_MATI.htm, not least of which it was said of Niel Gow that he played the tune wearing his Masonic apron.
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Trevor Jennings
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Something I've wanted to do for a long time now (strictly as a showpiece, of course
) is to play the Mason's Apron, play some wacky variations on the B part, as you do, and then subtly introduce the B parts of various other A major reels, like the Contradiction, Frank's, Clumsy Lover, Big John McNiel's, road to Errogie, Fleur de Madragore, etc, etc, etc....... and then back to the Mason's Apron.
Admit it, you want to now, as well
# Posted on October 9th 2008 by Joe CSS
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I love the tune, actually. I agree the structure is wacko....
Here's me playing it.... All sorts of crazy things in there. I didn't start too fast but by the end it is a little insane.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0658VQFl6Y
I wouldn't call it a "rubbish tune", it's interesting, and that's exactly why I like it.
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by girlwiththegreenfiddle
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
This is the Dubliner's version with John Sheahan on fiddle - sound only: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQMWhkeyGvE
It starts off with 6 parts but there are other variations. There's a good transcription in the book "Scottish Fiddlers' Session Tune Book (Fiddle)" compiled by by Anne Hughes and Christine Martin which gives 7 parts. I enjoyed your clip, girlwiththegreenfiddle!
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by RichardB
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
I can't listen to that clip at work, but there's a well-known live version where Barney goes into banjo meltdown.
JoeCSS - CB Fiddlers Visit To Shetland would sort of fit there too.
lazyhound - I meant "allegedly rumoured" of course, your honour, you see, I've always been told to be cautious and act on the square, *wink* *wink*
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by Bren
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Hey Hurlock - got a name for your new band yet? You could call it: "The Set Squares", and use the "Mason's" as your signature tune!
Out of interest, what have you got lined up for the week after? Would it be: "International Play Slockit Light as Fast as You Can Week", by any chance?
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
An idea for your event ...
Contestants planning to play right through to the last repeat to wera leather aprons.
Contestants planning to wimp out part way through to wear floral pinafores ....
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
Then we can have "bob up and down during Dingle Regatta" week...
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by RichardB
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
trouser legs rolled? and left breasts out? (maybe not so popular with the ladies)
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by ...
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
"Then we can have "bob up and down during Dingle Regatta" week..."
Ya know, seeing as both these weeks managed to happen at the same time at this session I frequent, I thought I managed to dodge TWO bullets by going to get a pint when they started bobbing up and down, and then ducking into the ladies room when an out-of-towner requested "The Mason's Apron."
Dash-it-all.
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by meredithrachael
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
This just in from the tin-foil hat conspiracy league of insane nutters:
Make you sure you play it 33 TIMES! MOO HOO HA HA HA!!!
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
IPMAAFAYC Week! What a brilliant idea!
# Posted on October 10th 2008 by halfwaythere
Re: International “play masons apron as fast as you can” week
The Mason's Apron is essentially a simple tune, and a little repetitive, but none the less thoroughly enjoyable for all that. It's very simplicity in fact makes it ideal for a musician to play around with and construct variations for their own and their listeners' entertainment - as regularly happened with "simple" tunes in the 17th and 18th centuries - witness today's versions by Sean Maguire and others.
It would be rather more difficult, and probably undesirable, to have variations on something that is already fairly complex, such as an Ed Reavy tune.
# Posted on October 13th 2008 by Trevor Jennings