An aquaintance of mine travels regularly to Dublin on business. As he doesn't need to work in the evenings, he fills the time by going to sessions, and takes his bodhran with him.
On a recent trip (carrying his bodhran), he was waylaid by security at Dublin airport. The security man told him that only bona fide musicians were allowed to bring instruments into the country, and that he would need to prove that he was a musician by playing it! So he took it out of his case and played it (presumably with a queue of bemused passengers building up behind him). The security man then agreed that he was a musician, and let him pass through.
So there you are -it's official. A bodhranist is a musician! Well, at least according to Dublin airport security.
But it's perhaps fortunate for my aquaintance that Llig doesn't work there!
So a Dublin security man defines who is or is not a musician ? When exactly was this law passed that "only bona fide musicians are allowed to bring instruments into " Ireland ?Garbage.
Ireland must be the only country where security staff have a sense of humour !
I´ve often had to take my concertina out of its box - usually at Stansted airport - to show security staff. My offers to play a tune are usually met with a withering glare.
A bit of humour can brighten up the most tedious job.
I caused a stir by attempting to bring my crochet onto a flight once. The security people called their managers over to decide if it was allowed, then the manual was consulted which specified that knitting needles were not allowed, but as there was no mention of crochet hooks they let me through. I had been expecting problems with my flute but they weren't interested in that! And yes, they did make me demonstrate how the hook was used!
Kenny. Please read my post again. I actually said: " ... at least according to airport security".
I'm quite aware that there is no such law - I was merely relaying the anecdote, as reported to me by my acquaintance. As murfbox implied above, it was just the security man's idea of a sense of humour.
A security guard in the airport gestured at my banjo after the X-ray and said "What is this?"
I plunked a little Egyptian tune I'd been taught and he said "Ah! Muzika!" then turned to his colleagues and said "Muzika!" to which they nodded approvingly, if wearily
The fact that musical instruments are now being confused with weapons at our airports, shouldn't come as surprise to us really, especially when you consider that "musical bombardment" is now recognized as an official non-lethal weapon of war!
murfbox - what about: "She Moved Through the Phar(oh)?
Bren - and I suppose that if you had been able to play a Syrian tune, that would have been even better!
Perhaps its a good idea to always be able to play the national anthem (or other well-known national tune) of the country that is your chosen destination.
Murf I'd just been sharing a staff house in the desert far from Damascus with a group of Egyptians, one of whom played piano. He taught me a simple ditty that required no quarter tones but had that Eastern scale, familiar from Misirlou the Pulp Fiction theme
Maybe it was the Maid Behind the Burqua or Damascan's Apron
Bren I wish you had told us that story this afternoon and given us a taste of the tune. Never know when we all might need to know that one. Great to see you again at the Davilak - catch up again soon.
Sorry Donough I was a bit tired after a lunch up at a Swan Valley winery
I was only counting the 2 glasses I had with lunch and forgot the 7 small samples I tried!
yes, Mary, but since they confiscated our nail scissors, all my socks have holes in them, cruelly revealed at the security check when I remove my shoes
Mixo - you mean that song "the Awful Hoor" ?
(tilts head back and declaims "aw-ful hoor of scot linda w-hen-a will we see ...")
Reminds me of the joke about the World War I time period in Ireland and a guy that walked into a pub for a drink with a suspicious looking round case. The bartender with much concern says, "What's in your round case there?" The man says, "it's a landmine for the British garrison." The bartender then says, "Whew! You had me frightened - I thought it was a bodhran."
Yes - bodhran players are musicians. It does not make sense to maintain a stereotype created in the 1950's when large un tuneable bodhrans were beaten about with clubs. The bodhran makers currently, such as Diarmaid O'Kane and his father Seamus O'Kane, Darius Bartlett, Rob Forkner and others, make beautiful instruments.
Well, my elderly mother set off the scanner at the airport with her sewing scissors. So the security people put her through the full security routine, including taking off her shoes. Her hands shake and she was struggling to take off her shoes when someone in line was finally kind enough to help (not that it should occur to the security people to help her).
And now I hear they might get special scanners that will expose everyone naked to their view!
SineadE-
I got stopped because of my crochet hook this spring. I usually use it to pin whatever I'm working on to the skein of yarn so it doesn't unravel, and it looked suspicious on the machine. The guard had quite a laugh about it, me being a guy and all.
So next time you want to take a legth of scaffolding pipe on a plane, tell them its a didge or a low whistle.
I ttok a concertina through Liverpool "john Lennon" airport (the one with the yellow sib outside), and they let it through as it was "one of those squeezy things".
You get a better education in Souseland!
A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
An aquaintance of mine travels regularly to Dublin on business. As he doesn't need to work in the evenings, he fills the time by going to sessions, and takes his bodhran with him.
On a recent trip (carrying his bodhran), he was waylaid by security at Dublin airport. The security man told him that only bona fide musicians were allowed to bring instruments into the country, and that he would need to prove that he was a musician by playing it! So he took it out of his case and played it (presumably with a queue of bemused passengers building up behind him). The security man then agreed that he was a musician, and let him pass through.
So there you are -it's official. A bodhranist is a musician! Well, at least according to Dublin airport security.
But it's perhaps fortunate for my aquaintance that Llig doesn't work there!
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
So a Dublin security man defines who is or is not a musician ? When exactly was this law passed that "only bona fide musicians are allowed to bring instruments into " Ireland ?Garbage.
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Kenny
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Ireland must be the only country where security staff have a sense of humour !
I´ve often had to take my concertina out of its box - usually at Stansted airport - to show security staff. My offers to play a tune are usually met with a withering glare.
A bit of humour can brighten up the most tedious job.
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by murfbox
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
........ & if you were bringing 'Gynecological Instruments' into Dublin airport?
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Ptarmigan
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Mix O' Lydian- Delighted to hear it's official!.... i was waiting for the day
I had the same experience at Dublin airport, ended up playing them a tune! Great fun.
Kenny- don't take it so seriously, it's part of the Irish sense of humour!
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by sherryc
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
I caused a stir by attempting to bring my crochet onto a flight once. The security people called their managers over to decide if it was allowed, then the manual was consulted which specified that knitting needles were not allowed, but as there was no mention of crochet hooks they let me through. I had been expecting problems with my flute but they weren't interested in that! And yes, they did make me demonstrate how the hook was used!
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by SineadE
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
The security man wanted the baleful sod out of his earshot as quickly as possible. That's why he let him through.
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Steve Shaw
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Kenny. Please read my post again. I actually said: " ... at least according to airport security".
I'm quite aware that there is no such law - I was merely relaying the anecdote, as reported to me by my acquaintance. As murfbox implied above, it was just the security man's idea of a sense of humour.
Maybe you need to lighten up a bit as well?
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Arggh. X-posted!
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
SineadE - so, you were "off the hook", then, eh? ....
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
SideadE - loved your story, BTW ...
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
If they ask you to play your instrument at security, just play crotchets and you'll be OK! ...
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
He may have had more trouble getting Great Highland bagpipes past security though, the only instrument officialy declared to be a weapon of war!
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by neilowen
A banjo is a muzikal instrument - it's official!
Something similar happened to me in Syria.
A security guard in the airport gestured at my banjo after the X-ray and said "What is this?"
I plunked a little Egyptian tune I'd been taught and he said "Ah! Muzika!" then turned to his colleagues and said "Muzika!" to which they nodded approvingly, if wearily
So it's official ....
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Bren
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Which one was that then, Bren ? The Bucks of Alexandria ?
Nefertiti´s Favourite ?
You are obviously prepared for any eventuality
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by murfbox
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
The fact that musical instruments are now being confused with weapons at our airports, shouldn't come as surprise to us really, especially when you consider that "musical bombardment" is now recognized as an official non-lethal weapon of war!
http://www.sibetrans.com/trans/trans10/cusick_eng.htm
Rather sad though, to think that something which is capable of giving so much pleasure, can also be used aggressively.
Mind you, these guys better be careful or they could find themselves being deployed on the front line!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MawaHGXMRoo&feature=related
I wonder, are there any ITM bands which fall into this category?
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Ptarmigan
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
murfbox - what about: "She Moved Through the Phar(oh)?
Bren - and I suppose that if you had been able to play a Syrian tune, that would have been even better!
Perhaps its a good idea to always be able to play the national anthem (or other well-known national tune) of the country that is your chosen destination.
That should keep 'em happy ....
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Murf I'd just been sharing a staff house in the desert far from Damascus with a group of Egyptians, one of whom played piano. He taught me a simple ditty that required no quarter tones but had that Eastern scale, familiar from Misirlou the Pulp Fiction theme
Maybe it was the Maid Behind the Burqua or Damascan's Apron
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Bren
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Nice one, Mix !
Then give them the pyramidi file of the tune as a present and..........I´ll be getting my coat soon !
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by murfbox
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Mixo - you could go far wrong in Belfast or Glasgow with the "well known national tune" approach
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Bren
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Bren I wish you had told us that story this afternoon and given us a taste of the tune. Never know when we all might need to know that one. Great to see you again at the Davilak - catch up again soon.
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Donough
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Sorry Donough I was a bit tired after a lunch up at a Swan Valley winery
I was only counting the 2 glasses I had with lunch and forgot the 7 small samples I tried!
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Bren
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Since the "shoe bomber" has us all removing our shoes aren't you glad he wasnt' the trouser bomber?
MARY
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Antikhntr
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Bren - Glasgow airport, play "the Flower of Scotand". Belfast airport, play the "Derry Air" (Danny Boy) ...
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
yes, Mary, but since they confiscated our nail scissors, all my socks have holes in them, cruelly revealed at the security check when I remove my shoes
Mixo - you mean that song "the Awful Hoor" ?
(tilts head back and declaims "aw-ful hoor of scot linda w-hen-a will we see ...")
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Bren
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Bren - well, I don't much care for that tune myself, but I understand that it's quite acceptable in those Caledonian regions ....
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
Reminds me of the joke about the World War I time period in Ireland and a guy that walked into a pub for a drink with a suspicious looking round case. The bartender with much concern says, "What's in your round case there?" The man says, "it's a landmine for the British garrison." The bartender then says, "Whew! You had me frightened - I thought it was a bodhran."
Yes - bodhran players are musicians. It does not make sense to maintain a stereotype created in the 1950's when large un tuneable bodhrans were beaten about with clubs. The bodhran makers currently, such as Diarmaid O'Kane and his father Seamus O'Kane, Darius Bartlett, Rob Forkner and others, make beautiful instruments.
Well, my elderly mother set off the scanner at the airport with her sewing scissors. So the security people put her through the full security routine, including taking off her shoes. Her hands shake and she was struggling to take off her shoes when someone in line was finally kind enough to help (not that it should occur to the security people to help her).
And now I hear they might get special scanners that will expose everyone naked to their view!
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by Micheál
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
so i have to be a genuine Glass sculpture if I want to bring waterford crystal into the country?
okay.........
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by fiddleruairi
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
*sculptor* even!
# Posted on May 3rd 2009 by fiddleruairi
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
SineadE-
I got stopped because of my crochet hook this spring. I usually use it to pin whatever I'm working on to the skein of yarn so it doesn't unravel, and it looked suspicious on the machine. The guard had quite a laugh about it, me being a guy and all.
# Posted on May 4th 2009 by rob_handel
Re: A bodhranist is a musician - it's official!
So next time you want to take a legth of scaffolding pipe on a plane, tell them its a didge or a low whistle.
I ttok a concertina through Liverpool "john Lennon" airport (the one with the yellow sib outside), and they let it through as it was "one of those squeezy things".
You get a better education in Souseland!
# Posted on May 4th 2009 by geoffwright