Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
top 20 in member tunebooks ~
Drowsy Maggie
The Kesh
The Butterfly
Cooley's
Morrison's
The Silver Spear
The Banshee
The Maid Behind The Bar
Banish Misfortune
The Wind That Shakes The Barley
The Glasgow
The Connaughtman's Rambles
The Rights Of Man
The Gravel Walks
The Mason's Apron
Out On The Ocean
The Kid On The Mountain
The Musical Priest
The Harvest Home
The Blarney Pilgrim
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
The list above is paradoxical, and maybe a little misleading, because although they are definitely tunes that "everyone" knows, I don't think I've played any of them -- except Connaughtman's Rambles and Out on the Ocean -- in a session in ages and ages.
A good approach is to go to the session you have in mind, and ask if it would be all right to record some tunes. Do this for a few weeks, and you'll start to recognize the tunes that are played more frequently. If there is a congenial person there, you might ask them to give you a nod when a local favorite is starting up. Or ask them what recordings they love -- you'll probably be directed to a font of great tunes like Matt Molloy, Kevin Burke, Andy McGann, John Carty, etc. . .
Another approach for building your repertoire is to look at what tunes have been recorded most -- check out this site, if you don't already know it: http://www.irishtune.info/rhythm/top-reels.htm Those are all good tunes, and more representative of actual session repertoire.
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
The problem with learning 20 common tunes is that you'll often be learning tunes that some players consider overplayed, and they'll roll their eyes at someone pulling them out at a session. Luckily, *most* players are willing to play them, especially to help encourage someone who is just starting out. But there will still be people that sneer... (The other problem with the "ultra-common" tunes, is that they're often the first ones that beginners learn, so they're often played poorly in sessions by beginners... so that can be a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy...)
So the suggestions so far are good. Go to the sessions to listen. Often. Ask the players at the session what a few good tunes to learn are... And ask if you can record, which will also give you a good source to learn from.
And if you want to dig deeper than the 20 most common tunes, here is another of many discussions on the matter - originally from the humble beginnings of this site back in 2001. Randomly pick any 20 from Will's list, and you'll be picking good, common tunes, without them necessarily being ones that you'll get sneered at for
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Maybe in the states you could say that: "Luckily, *most* players are willing to play them, especially to help encourage someone who is just starting out." Not true in Galway City. Although you might find some kind of beginner session there. Most, if not all, of the sessions in Galway are lead by two-three people (who get paid for their trouble) who have been playing together for a long time and a few of their mates. Someone might ask a stranger to start a tune, or they might not. And if you start any of the tunes on the above list, you won't be asked again.
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Thanks for that lads, the idea of going to the session, recording and picking out what comes up repeatedly is a good idea, simple but hadn't thought of it. Especially easy with the advent of the same on phones... won't have to bring my wax cylinders along : )
I suppose tis a good idea to learn the most popular ones, even if they are overplayed, if only to practice the fingering and so on
The only ones I know the tunes by name there are drowsy maggie, the Kesh and morrisons, no doubt I know the tunes of some of the others
. . . Dow's list of 50 . . . has 15 of the top 20 tunes from members tunebooks. The 15 tunes are below.
The # after the tune indicates their popularity in member tunebooks.
REELS
The Banshee [James McMahon] (7)
Drowsy Maggie (1)
The Gravel Walks (14)
The Maid Behind The Bar (8)
The Silver Spear (6)
JIGS
The Blarney Pilgrim (20)
The Connaughtman’s Rambles (12)
The Kesh (2)
Morrison’s (5)
Out On The Ocean (16)
HORNPIPES & SET DANCES
Harvest Home (19)
The Rights Of Man (13)
SLIP JIGS
The Kid On The Mountain (17)
HOP JIGS
The Butterfly (3)
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
It's an interesting topic, isn't it, that of "what tunes should a session beginner learn first?"
One the one hand, there's a group of tunes considered to be "first year tunes" which experienced session players expect beginners to know, tunes which the experienced players themselves would never play unless beginners are present.
Should all beginners "get with the program" and learn these first? Or would it be better to learn the tunes that experienced players actually like to play?
Every session is a bit different, I suppose, but it seems that there's a continuum from
hackneyed > obscure
and the best-received tunes at a session are those in the middle, tunes which most everyone knows, but tunes which are not overplayed and may be rather new to some of the players.
I suppose you could break down this continuum as follows:
1) tunes so hackneyed as to be "beyond the pale" of the session, unacceptable, such as Irish Washerwoman etc.
2) "first year tunes" which beginners are expected to know but are too hackeyed for the experienced players to actually enjoy playing
3) standard session stuff which all experienced players know
4) tunes which a few people at the session know, which are new or novel to some, the tunes the experienced players relish playing
5) tunes so obscure that even experienced session players don't know them.
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
There's some good listening & learning *in* session.
Popular tunes are a good a place as any to start. The gems you can pick up over time. Like "Over the Moor to Maggie"
"Irish Washerwoman" is brilliant! Reminds me of another tune so often avoided, "Sailor's hornpipe" . During a session, while most everyone else was taking a break, a few of us started the tune. Suddenly one of the fiddlers, a very good fiddler, rushed back to join in. It was the most fun she had that evening.
In session I think I have only heard it as a party piece. & at that probably only on 3 occassions, tops.
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Go to the Crane Bar on Saturday night at 8 pm. There is a slower session for about two hours and everyone is very friendly. They can tell you what the tunes are that people are learning. Around 10 the session moves upstairs and speeds up, but it would be worth it to listen.
What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
I'm based in Galway, and am taking up the mandolin
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by lughlamh
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
see http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/13056
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by Hup
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
top 20 in member tunebooks ~
Drowsy Maggie
The Kesh
The Butterfly
Cooley's
Morrison's
The Silver Spear
The Banshee
The Maid Behind The Bar
Banish Misfortune
The Wind That Shakes The Barley
The Glasgow
The Connaughtman's Rambles
The Rights Of Man
The Gravel Walks
The Mason's Apron
Out On The Ocean
The Kid On The Mountain
The Musical Priest
The Harvest Home
The Blarney Pilgrim
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
The list above is paradoxical, and maybe a little misleading, because although they are definitely tunes that "everyone" knows, I don't think I've played any of them -- except Connaughtman's Rambles and Out on the Ocean -- in a session in ages and ages.
A good approach is to go to the session you have in mind, and ask if it would be all right to record some tunes. Do this for a few weeks, and you'll start to recognize the tunes that are played more frequently. If there is a congenial person there, you might ask them to give you a nod when a local favorite is starting up. Or ask them what recordings they love -- you'll probably be directed to a font of great tunes like Matt Molloy, Kevin Burke, Andy McGann, John Carty, etc. . .
Another approach for building your repertoire is to look at what tunes have been recorded most -- check out this site, if you don't already know it: http://www.irishtune.info/rhythm/top-reels.htm Those are all good tunes, and more representative of actual session repertoire.
Good luck! And listen listen listen!!
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by 54321
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Go have a listen to local sessions and see what they play.
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by Marklar
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
The problem with learning 20 common tunes is that you'll often be learning tunes that some players consider overplayed, and they'll roll their eyes at someone pulling them out at a session. Luckily, *most* players are willing to play them, especially to help encourage someone who is just starting out. But there will still be people that sneer... (The other problem with the "ultra-common" tunes, is that they're often the first ones that beginners learn, so they're often played poorly in sessions by beginners... so that can be a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy...)
So the suggestions so far are good. Go to the sessions to listen. Often. Ask the players at the session what a few good tunes to learn are... And ask if you can record, which will also give you a good source to learn from.
And if you want to dig deeper than the 20 most common tunes, here is another of many discussions on the matter - originally from the humble beginnings of this site back in 2001. Randomly pick any 20 from Will's list, and you'll be picking good, common tunes, without them necessarily being ones that you'll get sneered at for
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by Reverend
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Jimmy Allen
Winster Reel
Daggy Regatta
Harvest Home
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by geoffwright
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Maybe in the states you could say that: "Luckily, *most* players are willing to play them, especially to help encourage someone who is just starting out." Not true in Galway City. Although you might find some kind of beginner session there. Most, if not all, of the sessions in Galway are lead by two-three people (who get paid for their trouble) who have been playing together for a long time and a few of their mates. Someone might ask a stranger to start a tune, or they might not. And if you start any of the tunes on the above list, you won't be asked again.
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by Chrishty
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Thanks for that lads, the idea of going to the session, recording and picking out what comes up repeatedly is a good idea, simple but hadn't thought of it. Especially easy with the advent of the same on phones... won't have to bring my wax cylinders along : )
I suppose tis a good idea to learn the most popular ones, even if they are overplayed, if only to practice the fingering and so on
The only ones I know the tunes by name there are drowsy maggie, the Kesh and morrisons, no doubt I know the tunes of some of the others
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by lughlamh
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Oops, it occurs to me that I never actually posted the link: http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/110/
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by Reverend
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
I have started a spinoff thread, with a twist: http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/21159
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by worthy
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
For a beginner, I'd suggest:
Paddy Fahy's
Finbarr Dwyer's
Paddy Kelly's
Padraig O'Keefe's
Denis Murphy's
Gan Ainm
That ought to scare them off
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by 52Paddy
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Dow's list of 50;
Re: Which sets/tunes to learn?
March 18th 2007 by Dow
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/13056/comments/#comment268197
. . . Dow's list of 50 . . . has 15 of the top 20 tunes from members tunebooks. The 15 tunes are below.
The # after the tune indicates their popularity in member tunebooks.
REELS
The Banshee [James McMahon] (7)
Drowsy Maggie (1)
The Gravel Walks (14)
The Maid Behind The Bar (8)
The Silver Spear (6)
JIGS
The Blarney Pilgrim (20)
The Connaughtman’s Rambles (12)
The Kesh (2)
Morrison’s (5)
Out On The Ocean (16)
HORNPIPES & SET DANCES
Harvest Home (19)
The Rights Of Man (13)
SLIP JIGS
The Kid On The Mountain (17)
HOP JIGS
The Butterfly (3)
SLIDES
~~
POLKAS
~~
# Posted on April 2nd 2009 by Ben Steen
*
Cooley’s (Luttrell’s Pass) (4)
# Posted on April 2nd 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
It's an interesting topic, isn't it, that of "what tunes should a session beginner learn first?"
One the one hand, there's a group of tunes considered to be "first year tunes" which experienced session players expect beginners to know, tunes which the experienced players themselves would never play unless beginners are present.
Should all beginners "get with the program" and learn these first? Or would it be better to learn the tunes that experienced players actually like to play?
Every session is a bit different, I suppose, but it seems that there's a continuum from
hackneyed > obscure
and the best-received tunes at a session are those in the middle, tunes which most everyone knows, but tunes which are not overplayed and may be rather new to some of the players.
I suppose you could break down this continuum as follows:
1) tunes so hackneyed as to be "beyond the pale" of the session, unacceptable, such as Irish Washerwoman etc.
2) "first year tunes" which beginners are expected to know but are too hackeyed for the experienced players to actually enjoy playing
3) standard session stuff which all experienced players know
4) tunes which a few people at the session know, which are new or novel to some, the tunes the experienced players relish playing
5) tunes so obscure that even experienced session players don't know them.
# Posted on April 3rd 2009 by Richard D Cook
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
There's some good listening & learning *in* session.
Popular tunes are a good a place as any to start. The gems you can pick up over time. Like "Over the Moor to Maggie"
"Irish Washerwoman" is brilliant! Reminds me of another tune so often avoided, "Sailor's hornpipe" . During a session, while most everyone else was taking a break, a few of us started the tune. Suddenly one of the fiddlers, a very good fiddler, rushed back to join in. It was the most fun she had that evening.
In session I think I have only heard it as a party piece. & at that probably only on 3 occassions, tops.
# Posted on April 3rd 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: What are the top say 20 tunes you'd advise someone to learn to be able to join in in at least a few tunes in a session?
Go to the Crane Bar on Saturday night at 8 pm. There is a slower session for about two hours and everyone is very friendly. They can tell you what the tunes are that people are learning. Around 10 the session moves upstairs and speeds up, but it would be worth it to listen.
John
# Posted on April 4th 2009 by John Conoboy