1) Do you play alone at home much, or little, or never?
2) And if you do play alone at home, do you regard it as practice, or as playing for pleasure - a sort of one-person session? Do you set yourself targets (as in 'I REALLY MUST learn that tune')? or do you just follow a whim (as in 'I think I just might try that tune').
Having asked your habits, I must reveal mine first - I'm in the whimsical playing for pleasure department - for me its a relaxation after all the rigours of a day printing, raising kids, training Collies and all those things.
Hi Dave,
Having read your profile, I must agree with your views on sessions. Sometimes, you get people competing for attention who wish to be the centre of attraction e.g. deliberately choosing obscure tunes or playing known tunes in a unique style to deter others from joining in. Yes, they may be fine musicians but they should save this for public performances.
The above may not appear to have much to do with your topic but there are probably different reasons for practising and learning tunes i.e. for performance, just to learn the tune, to add ornamentations etc, or just to improve one's playing.
I have practised for all of these reasons and still do (apart from the last couple of weeks due to injury). Sometimes, I play alone but quite often with some of the finest musicians courtesy of modern/and not so technology( CDs , vinyl etc).
Sometimes, I just play for fun even although this is frowned upon as not being serious or constructive practice.
There are tunes which I hear that I just have to learn (These usually remain among my favourites), tunes that I am required to learn for certain performances etc, and many others that I never try consciously to learn-they just seep into my repertoire by osmosis. Sometimes, I'll pick out tunes from a book or download them from here/elsewhere and try them out (-often because I like a title-) just to see if I like them. Often they are crap but I find loads I like too. Often, they are tunes I'vealready heard. " Oh, so that's the name of that tune !!! "
I play at least one hour a day ... when I can play two or more I feel more happy. I MUST PLAY otherwise I feel depressed and sick. I do a bit of this (just play what pops in my mind) and a bit of that (getting a tune down on my fingerboard as a fight against all the other possible notes my finger tend to play instead of the one that is part of the tune ... )
practising is playing-and-listening ... wether I just play or practise (as you might call it)
At willie week I recorded about 50 slow played tunes from classes from room mates or from sessions. since willie week my learning method is absolutely learning by ear. at the moment I can only add one tune a week to my brain ... but the more I do that the easier it works (thats practising, too) ... so I might be able to play at least these tunes next year when I
I also agree with your attitude to sessions. As for practicing, I play tunes all winter, normally with some of the finest musicians around - courtesy of their CDs!! I learned to play music by ear, I still learn all my tunes by ear - or osmosis. I have the sheet music for most tunes and can read it, but I find it very difficult to learn a tune just from the dots. I usually use the dots after I have learned the tune by ear - then use the dots fill in the bits I haven't worked out properly. Sorry - I digress....
Practicing - I practice mostly in the winter on those cold dark nights, also practice more when my housemates are out, I never want to annoy anyone. I learn tunes I like the sound of and really I only learn tunes and play them over and over. I find practicing technique etc, like they use to make you at school or music lessons, really boring so I rarely do it - I know I probably should. But I am never going to be the best whistle player - I am only doing this for fun. So I play tunes and what I play very much depends on my mood. I guess you could call practice, but I prefer to say I spend my time playing tunes.
I have no disciplined schedule, just when I feel like it -which is alot in the winter and hardly ever in the summer, prefer to go sailing while the weather is right. So about this time of year - every year I start again, almost from scratch with only a hint of improvement from this time last year. I will be good again by April, then back to this level again in October!!!!!
So I guess I'm kinda lazy, kinda busy and really I just do what I like when I feel like it. Like I say I know I'm never gonna be the best whistle player - I would rather be the best sailor!! But I love the Music, always have, always will.
Also at the moment I practice for seemingly no reason as the are NO SESSIONS at the mo on the Isle of Man - difficult to find new inspiration and new tunes though!!
I try to play about 20 minutes each instrument every day. It's a pleasure with the tunes i can play, but it's practice when i have to learn tunes for the saturday afternoon rehearsal.. right know i'm learning to play O'Dowd's favorite on the mandolin, and it's far for being a pleasure yet..But i have to play it each day.
Paul
Yes. At least one hour every day, more if time allows. I'm trying to lift tunes from a variety of sources, bolster my technique, and [hopefully] develop a nice, personal style. It's awfully hard to do this, and I guarantee you it's impossible without practice.
I totally agree with Crannog, I have to play at least a little every day - even if it is only ten minutes. Ideally an hour a day would be lovely. I find it very cathartic after a long day at work to use my brain in a completely different way. I generally try a mixture of playing the tunes I know (pleasure), learning some new ones (slightly less relaxing) and practising sight reading (horrendous!)
Does anyone else suffer from stiff finger/hand muscles from playing too much, what stretches / warm-ups do you do to avoid these (apart from the old glass to lips stretch)?
I aim for 2 hours/day 6 days a week (7 days a week is too relentless), usually between 4:30am-6:30am.
Got into this early-morning habit when working construction: even though I'd get off the job site at 4pm, by the time I was home and showered, I was half-asleep and my concentration was shot: I'd just fall asleep. Continued with the habit while in grad school: early morning before the day's events was the only time my head was clear enough to concentrate effectively.
Have come to really like that early-morning time, 'specially if it's still dark out: great for concentration and learning new tunes. I save the low-attention time periods (evenings, etc) for more fun, less boring activities like playing physical exercises, writing arrangements, and so on. And, having it done early helps me feel relaxed and focused for the balance of the day; I've already "got my time in" and any other playing that day is voluntary and enjoyable.
Of course, that's also why I learn very few tune titles: it's *dark* in my practice room at 5am and I can't make out the titles on the CD jewel boxes!
I practice about 2 hours a day, sometimes in shorter bursts sometimes in long ones. I mix it up between working on older tunes and usually one or two newer ones. I try to keep goals in mind, like working out the hard bits on some tunes or figuring out new variations (still takes quite a bit of thought for me). Some days I get all virtuous and work on scales and with a metronome
My husband and I try to also make time to play music together every day, if we can. I'm hoping that when the Irish guitar book Chris wrote arrives and he begins working on it he will gain self confidence and we'll play even more!
I practise about 20 mins per day on Sevcik exercises to help warm-up and maintain technique - then another 30 mins to 1 hour, playing through my stack, tunes I know well, some not so well, learn new ones from CDs or the dots, work out tune sets etc.........
I have to be rather systematic in my practicing, since I play both melody (mandolin, bouzouki) and rhythm (guitar, bodhran) and I have pretty limited time and opportunity -- especially these last few months, because we're doing renovations to our kids' room, and the place where I practice has become my younger daughter's crashpad.
Basically, I make a point of briefly reviewing the tunes I've learned in the most recent weeks and months. If there are some parts I still stumble over, I try to work on those. Or, if there are a couple of new tunes I'm really psyched to learn, I'll devote more of my "melody" practice session to those.
I also like to play along to recorded music, because I've found it helps me improve on ability to play by ear. I use recorded music to do my rhythm practice, although I also like to set aside time to work on techniques and elements (e.g., chord inversions, keeping consistent time on bodhran, etc.).
But since I sing, I also have to find time for that, too. Sometimes it's as simple as warbling in the shower or on my walk home from work, but I do need to practice the songs I accompany with guitar and bouzouki.
Needless to say, I'm probably just as anxious as my kids are to finish the work on their room!
I try to play an hour a day - usually into the night before bedtime.
I usually sit in front of my iMac and pull out tunes from my iTunes collection on whichever record I fancy at the moment or whatever tunes that comes I have on my learning list. On sessions that I go to I try to come home with (the names of) one new tune set in my note book.
Recently I've also tried it to make it a point to tweak the tunes and fiddle around with them, playing them in different styles or settings. When in doubt I would check with the tunes on this site or JC tune finder to make sure that the setting I'm woriking on is not too obscure (No ambition of coming out like a Tommy Potts copycat... ). Having my music collection on disk gives a good opportunity to check out the various recordings and alternative styles of a tune.
The drawback of sitting in front of a screen is of course that time that could be spent on fiddling easily gets used on reading and sometimes joining this site.....
By the way practicing in mornings sounds like a good idea, allthough I'm not sure I'd make it.
My daughter puts her half hour of practice in at 0700 - 0730, so this time slot is already taken. I'd absolutely reccomend having a set time slot to pracitce for kids. This frees up time for her to play with friends, and we now have one less topic to discuss and negotiate....
Most certainly! Since I have set as a goal to learn 2 tunes a week Every Week, since January 1st. I find it necessary to spend 4 hrs. a day practicing and learning my 2 tunes for the week. I do this 5 days a week, as I need the weekends to recuperate at my age! I have to go over and over the tunes, more than anyone just so I can make them a part of myself at this stage.I spend from 9-11 a.m. on one tune. Then I take a break to eat lunch and do my walking in the middle of the day. Then I return to my second tune for that week from 3-5 p.m. Being a jazz and classical musician all my life, I thought I had to depend on reading the dots or improvising. Just since Jan.2003, I have been learning IrTrad tunes by ear, mostly off CD's and the net. I try not to "cheat" by looking at the written music, ONLY WHEN I GET IN TROUBLE! I would like to switch many of the tunes over to flute, after I learn them on whistle! But I am right on track learning the tunes at home, not able to get to a "local slow session" very often,as it is over 100 miles from here. So I do apply myself as diligently as possible, without excess anxiety, hoping to know 104 tunes by heart January 1, 2004. AND UP TO SESSION SPEED.
Hey guys, only 13 weeks and I will have met my goal. And I am really enjoying the journey! This music is so much more fun than any other genre, believe me!
It seems to me this Music is loadsa fun to learn. Maybe some people have suddenly become dedicated, then next year maybe they might rededicate themselves to latin, funk, punk, whatever.
That's cool.
Boring old me?
I'm here for the long haul. I listen to everything.... except maybe hop-hip, or whatever it's called. Musically I get off on a wide range of Stuff. But I'm so into the terminal stages of addiction that I hear tunes in my head and instead of thinking "should I be buying 9-15kg nappies, or 12-20kg nappies?" in Sainsbury's, there's me going round with the trolley thinking, "wouldn't it be good to start off with The Blackberry Blossom, then go down into Christmas Eve, then up to the Pigeon on the Gate in A"
Sad.
I know.
I hardly get to practice indoors these days. 2 sessions solid playing sessions is not bad, but my box playing is getting left behind my flute playing. I used to play 2 solid hours ...2 solid hours. On the flute. Non stop. Practice every day for about 2 years, about 5 years ago, but I'd say I'm surfing on that still. That can't remain forever, though. When I get a chance, I do wierd stuff, like have the telly on with the sound down, just watching the moving wallpaper, and practice rolls, trills and most often changeovers (from one tune to the next), or just eeking out a new tune. The visuals are just to keep the LGN active.
Someone else I know goes the other way. Sits in near darkness, with just a candle on, and plays whatever comes into his head. That's cool. That's his way of doing it. Not mine. Sometimes I belt the telly volume up full to simulate genuine session conditions! Force a tune out through f!ckin Eastenders, ye f!cker ye. It's like a runner doing fartlek. Power training.
Danny, that's hilarious--keeping the TV on to simulate actual session conditions!
I sometimes like playing along with CD's--more fun than with a metronome, and I think you get the same benefit. I also try to practice every day. For a while both harp and fiddle, but lately the harp has taken a bit of a backseat. I am lucky, most of the time I don't leave for work until 10:30 am, so the morning can be spent checking this site and practicing. Sometimes it's fun to transfer a tune I'm learning on the fiddle to harp, or the other way around. But I think the real hardcore practicing is smoothing out all of those bumps before going onto a new tune.
Oh, and speaking of this being the most fun genre to play--what do you mean exactly woodson?--what other genres are there anyway?
Actually, I like to have the TV on with the sound down while I'm playing/practicing, if there's a sporting event of some kind on (i.e., baseball, football or basketball).
Of course, if one of my favorite teams happens to be playing, the likelihood of my being distracted tends to increase.
I'll often practise when the TV's on too. Most of the programmes don't require very much concentration, anyway. I can follow what Phil Mitchell's doing on Eastenders or one of George W's wars and learn a rake of tunes at the same time. There actually was an Irish session on E.E. one time, believe it or not.
Talking about TV's in pub sessions, I've known musicians to tune their instruments from the music during the adverts so , maybe, a TV set is an integral part of a session these days.
I play at home whenever I can.I can't find any sessions near wher I live, so I play along with CDs.I like actual sessions better, but CDs are better than nothing.I guess it's practice,but I think of it more as pleasure.I think of the classical stuff my flute teacher makes me do as practice.
-Kelly
No I don't. After reading all this stuff about the importance of relaxation I only play for my own enjoyment.(Well, most of the time.) The thread on posture for fiddle players was also quite helpful because I hadn't realized that the pain I sometimes got in my left shoulder had to do with my playing the fiddle. When I started learning tunes etc. I put myself under too much pressure thinking I had get keep up to soandso's level.
This summer I had a long break and now at home I stop playing immediately when I get uncomfortable. No more pain in shoulder or wrists.
I like to practice about 20 minutes before work, then just call it playing later in the day. I won't tell you how long I play on weekends because you might think I am obsessed.
When I'm working on some tunes, I "practice" them several times a day for short times so I don't fuzz off on getting them right.
I used to take lessons, and was fanatical about my practice. Once in awhile, I had to prepare for public exposure...that made my practice panic-driven, but certainly got results. I still go to my teacher's, but we don't really call them lessons any more. My practice has eased up, and I spend more time working up tunes I thought I knew, or used to know, or really ought to know, or...But this summer, I went to Noel Hill concertina school (now there's panicked practice, for sure) and have a list of wonderful tunes I'm working on--after tomorrow's performance, if it doesn't get rained out. And sometimes, I take a deep breath and remind myself that I do this for fun.
When I am working on learning a tune, I find it extremely helpful to work on it right before bedtime, and then briefly review it (be careful not to be late to work) first thing in the morning. It really does make a difference. Never mind the boring stuff about how the brain works--it just works this way.
Yahoo! This is way more fun than anything I practiced as a kid. Too bad I still have to work. I find that 1 new tune a week is really all I can manage. Even after such an intense week as last summer, I came home able to play (you guessed it) one of the new tunes. Now, all of you, quit goofing around on the computer and get cracking.
Thanks folks. It's interesting to hear how other people do things. Everyone has written so much that I haven't had time to play anything since posting the question, (or eat, wash, answer the phone etc.).
In view of the overwhelming majority of the replies being of the nature of "Yes I practice (a lot, and here is a detailed account of exactly how much I do)" I wonder whether to start another thread entitled something like "Does anybody NOT have a rigorous programme of practising". Keep it coming - like I say, its interesting.
I dont practice - not cause I dont want to, but I literally dont have time. Mon nights are my only nights off and I'm usually knackered - I usually stumble to the couch and watch tv till I go to bed sometimes I give a lesson on monday nights as well. Tues I'm starting Yoga again, wed either session or TV, Thurs - session, fri-night on the town, sat arvo-session, sat night tunes or night out, sunday evening session.
I used to be quite into praciticing - but havent really done it in years - lucky if I learn a new tune a month at the moment :( If I ever do practice its in front of The Telly with the sound up!
Just refering back to one of the first posts and this quote taken from John J's post;
'Sometimes, you get people competing for attention who wish to be the centre of attraction e.g. deliberately choosing obscure tunes or playing known tunes in a unique style to deter others from joining in. Yes, they may be fine musicians but they should save this for public performances.'
I feel sorry for you - Ive never come across people who intentionally choose obscure tunes or play in unique styles to *deliberatly* put people off. You must hang around some pretty mean musicians.
On the other hand a lot of my musician friends come up with amazing and utterly unknown unique tunes and they have interesting styles - but they play these tunes because they like them - not to annoy other people. Its a sad day when people get slagged off for learning "new" Tunes and playing in their unique style. Personally I *love* learning new tunes - but only if they are good, like all tunes - common or uncommon - only if they are good! And I will play my new tunes at sessions until everyone learns them - thats the whole point - to make sure the session doesnt become stale and boring by playing 'The boys of Bluehill' for ten years straight.
I practice fiddle everyday except for the odd occasion when there are too many other things of higher priority (including urgent non-fiddle practice). On weeknights I don
I read that Glenn Gould used to practice in competition with other sound sources; although earlier in his career he'd tried to practice in quiet, he'd one time had no choice while staying in a hotel but to practice while the chambermaids werebenefited from being forced to concentrate harder, so from then on was in the habit of practicing with radio, TV, vacuum cleaner, whatever, blaring out in the background.
should have read ...
I read that Glenn Gould used to practice in competition with other sound sources; although earlier in his career he'd tried to practice in quiet, he'd one time had no choice while staying in a hotel but to practice while the chambermaids were about their (noisy) business, and felt he'd benefited from being forced to concentrate harder, so from then on was in the habit of practicing with radio, TV, vacuum cleaner, whatever, blaring out in the background.
Does anybody think that there are some sessions which ARE a proper forum for practice, to the extent that they can forget about lone practice at home (or wherever)?
Blimey. From reading all these replies I have to conclude that I am an abnormally lazy and ill-disciplined person... my approach is absolutely shambolic. I tend to stick on CDs and play along with them. At the moment it's mostly the Caoimhin O Raghallaigh & Mick O'Brien album, or Ronan Browne & Peadar O'Loughlin. I know that I need to do *lots* of work on learning to do stuff properly - cuts and taps, for example - but I really have to fight the temptation to just play along as best I can, which is much more fun. I am gradually playing on my own more, though, and stopping and working on the tough bits. But I have a phenomenally short persistence-span for applying myself to the grind...
I also have to conclude that I am NOT a morning person, though I knew that already - I never have been. The idea of practicing at 7am is beyond laughable, in my case. Also, I don't think my brother (who I share the flat with) would be too delighted... however, I'm lucky that our flat has quite good sound isolation, and I can play at 1am if I want to, nobody seems to hear it. (So long as my brother is out, and luckily for me, he has a very lively social life).
However, I've surprised myself lately, by picking up the whistle before going to work and doing a bit of work on my cuts. I definately agree with the principle that frequent, short bursts of practice are the best way to get stuff into your system.
Hmmm - think I'll go and do some practice now... I'm off sick with the mother of all colds, so it'll be whistle, and not singing. Which is another story - dammit, I *really* must practice that more, too! I have all these great exercises to do, which I know would really help increase my range and stuff, but I have some kind of mental block about applying myself to the task. I can pick up the whistle any time, whereas with singing, when I feel like it, I feel like it, and when I don't, I don't. Weird.
By the way, who played the session on EastEnders, does anybody know? (I didn't see it). Did anyone see the session on Coronation Street, quite a few years ago now - with Michael McGoldrick?
Well, this would have been about 10 years ago, or more, probably... he wasn't an international mega-star yet! And he still goes to sessions in Manchester, of course...
I should do my name-drop, at this point, and reveal that my Dad wrote that episode of Corrie. Honest!
I just realised that was a pure assumption - I have no idea where M McGoldrick goes to sessions. Though, did someone say he goes to Peveril of the Peak?
Helen!! Did your dad write for corrie?? I have to admit - I was a big soap fan when in Ireland - Eastenders, corrie, Emerdale - wow - youre dad is famous
I've just come back to this discussion and have read BB's comments about me. Perhaps, I didn't make myself too clear. I have nothing against musicians introducing new tunes(I've done this myself) to a session or playing something on their own and I was exaggerating a little when I suggested that they should save it for public performances. It's just that I feel that sessions should "flow" and musicians should have consideration for what their colleagues might know(everyone doesn't need to know every tune), at least when the session is in full flight. I'm in no way suggesting that we should be playing old warhorse tunes all night-it should depend on the hard core of the company present.
If there's a lull in the proceedings, that's quite a good opportunity to try something different. Also, there's no harm in asking people to play something on their own. It's really only the pushy/show off people I've no time for. They do exist but they are more like the chap that Tish talked about rather than those BB meant.
Hey Helen - you trying to embarrass me? I'm not trying to insult yer Da or his colleagues. Basically I don't really watch soaps. I find them a waste of time (for me), and I don't have the attention span or the patience to sit about and watch a plot develop. Big Brother was bad enough - like watching paint dry. Probably my loss, but what ye don't know about ye don't miss.
Maybe I should say something about my practice habits. Nothing is regular right now, except 2 sessions a week! I try and squeeze in the odd hour here or there in the house, but it's all over the place. Strangely enough, I often get the inspiration to play/learn or "perfect" a tune when I'm out running or cycling!...why is that? I read Beethoven would go for very long walks in the countryside when he was composing... lest I dare make the slightest comparison!
Any way, I used to do 2 hours a day on flute, whistle or box, about 4 days a week, then some more, until a year or so ago, but since the arrival of our wee boy that's all gone. I'm fortunate that after work I can use a lecture theatre for practice, but the accoustics can get too echo-y to be able to resolve individual grace notes, but can be fun, nonetheless.
All those years ago when my firstborn was tiny she often went to sleep to the sound of my playing. I used to sit by the cot and play the whistle while she settled to sleep. Aaaaaaah!
Perhaps your little lad would let you.
They dug Beethoven up, you know. And when they opened the coffin he was lying there with a big sheaf of manuscript, going through crossing out the notes one by one. "What are you doing?" they asked, and he replied "Decomposing."
I'm just astonished at the amount that people have written on this subject. It is all interesting stuff. I sometimes play with the TV on, as others have mentioned - but is it really to get that pub feeling? or is it to cover up imperfections?
Nastyweegirl - (I still think Naziwebgirl has a certain something about it)
Your question "Does anybody think that there are some sessions which ARE a proper forum for practice, to the extent that they can forget about lone practice at home (or wherever)?" is probably nicely answered by Geoffs comment: "(they sometimes sound like it)"
I think, to answer more fully, that there ARE some times in some sessions where practice/tryout is right and proper - we all ended up crammed round some sheet music the other week to try something french - but there needs to be some foundation work. Did you ever have one of those people at a session who could start anything but finish nothing? I know we all have times when a tune just falls off the fingerboard, but if everyone only ever played at sessions without some "practice" (or leisure playing) outside of sessions, then I think we would be overwhelmed with raggy endings and fizzle outs.
The heating has packed up and its too cold to type any more.
Every evening I give my wee lad, now nearly four, his bath and while he's splashing about happily in the water, I run through a few tunes. Ten or twelve times round whatever new one I've picked up recently and then a couple of sets.
It has some funny consequences. Mostly Benedict doesn't pay any notice to what I'm playing. However occasionally he'll prick up his ears.
"What's that tune, Dad?"
"The Rambling Pitchfork"
Next night. "Play me "The Pinchfork", Dad!"
Or "What's that tune, Dad?"
"Drowsy Maggie. D'ye like it?"
"I like the Maggie bit, but not the Drowsy bit. Just play Maggie."
But it's a great place to practice. I've got to be there with him anyway, cos he's too wee to be left on his own just yet and I'd be twiddling my thumbs otherwise. So I don't get any grief about "twiddling on that mandolin/bouzouki/whatever" when I could be doing something "useful".
The only drawback is that occasionally I lose track of time and by the time I get the boy out of the bath he's wrinkled as a prune and the bathwater is freezing!
Helen, I'd define any time devoted to playing tunes as practice time, including playing along to a CD as practice time. I usually pick my play-along CDs selectively either because I have a crush on a certain CD or because I want to broaden my range.
We had a great spontaneous session here in Oslo into the wee hours with three visithing musicians from Belfast and Co. Down. (Thank you very much for the tip, Breand
Hey Danny, no offence taken! I don't watch soaps myself, or much TV at all. I agree with you - for me it just seems like wasted time. We didn't even have a TV in the house for much of my childhood, strange as it may appear. Other kids at school used to say 'but what do you DO in the evenings?!'.
Jeez, well we used to just sit there on the sofa, staring at the wall, didn't we?
Helen - you lucky thing - I love corrie....(the shame!
John J - Just to clarify - I honestly dont think Ive met anybody Like that - the one person I know who may fall into that category never comes to sessions anyway. Maybe we are just really lucky over here - but I dont remember meeting anyone like that in Ireland either.
On the other hand - I would never start a tune like 'The Kesh' - I am absolutley sick to death of it - and 90% of the tunes I start are tunes that Ive recently learnt or obsure tunes from albums or tunes by Vincent Broderick, Josie McDermot or Paddy O'Brien. Not because I am showing off - but to get the new tunes played in the session - Ive been to sessions where they play the *same* tunes over and over for years and years and years on end. Which is probably why I absolutley despise loads of the old tunes now - because theyve been done to death!
Also I know people who dont enjoy session if they dont know the tunes, I on the other hand can be in an almighty session - and not know *one* tune and still can thoroughly enjoy it (even if I do look like a total beginer who has never picked up the fiddle in her life). I would enjoy a session like that 10 times more than one that played tunes like 'Drowsy maggie' etc all night.
Hi, bb. I'm not against sessions where you might hear unknown or different tunes. There's many a session in which I am unable to participate fully-sometimes not all- but I still enjoy them. It's just that I feel that "the flow" of the session is interrupted by the type of people I'm talking about, In extreme cases, the session breaks up altogether and the other musicians go to the bar. Actually, the same problem would arise if somebody appeared at some of these really good sessions and started to play these "done to death" tunes. However, as I've said, there's nothing wrong with introducing new tunes or reviving an old chestnut as and where appropriate. I'm sure that's how you do these things bb and you're not one the types I'm talking about.
I've never seen this in Ireland either and it doesn't happen in the better regular sessions in Scotland. It tends to be in the more irregular, looser arrangements and at folk festival sessions.
So, I've nothing against new tunes, occasional solo performances or a brilliant visiting musician making contributions--the better and more experienced musicians tend to be more subtle, in any case.
It's only those who come along from time to time and try to hijack a session and turn it into their own gig that really irritate me.
Do you practice?
Do you practice?
I guess this is an idle question in two parts:
1) Do you play alone at home much, or little, or never?
2) And if you do play alone at home, do you regard it as practice, or as playing for pleasure - a sort of one-person session? Do you set yourself targets (as in 'I REALLY MUST learn that tune')? or do you just follow a whim (as in 'I think I just might try that tune').
Having asked your habits, I must reveal mine first - I'm in the whimsical playing for pleasure department - for me its a relaxation after all the rigours of a day printing, raising kids, training Collies and all those things.
Dave
# Posted on September 25th 2003 by showaddydadito
Re: Do you practice?
Hi Dave,
Having read your profile, I must agree with your views on sessions. Sometimes, you get people competing for attention who wish to be the centre of attraction e.g. deliberately choosing obscure tunes or playing known tunes in a unique style to deter others from joining in. Yes, they may be fine musicians but they should save this for public performances.
The above may not appear to have much to do with your topic but there are probably different reasons for practising and learning tunes i.e. for performance, just to learn the tune, to add ornamentations etc, or just to improve one's playing.
I have practised for all of these reasons and still do (apart from the last couple of weeks due to injury). Sometimes, I play alone but quite often with some of the finest musicians courtesy of modern/and not so technology( CDs , vinyl etc).
Sometimes, I just play for fun even although this is frowned upon as not being serious or constructive practice.
There are tunes which I hear that I just have to learn (These usually remain among my favourites), tunes that I am required to learn for certain performances etc, and many others that I never try consciously to learn-they just seep into my repertoire by osmosis. Sometimes, I'll pick out tunes from a book or download them from here/elsewhere and try them out (-often because I like a title-) just to see if I like them. Often they are crap but I find loads I like too. Often, they are tunes I'vealready heard. " Oh, so that's the name of that tune !!! "
John
# Posted on September 25th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: Do you practice?
I play at least one hour a day ... when I can play two or more I feel more happy. I MUST PLAY otherwise I feel depressed and sick. I do a bit of this (just play what pops in my mind) and a bit of that (getting a tune down on my fingerboard as a fight against all the other possible notes my finger tend to play instead of the one that is part of the tune ... )
practising is playing-and-listening ... wether I just play or practise (as you might call it)
At willie week I recorded about 50 slow played tunes from classes from room mates or from sessions. since willie week my learning method is absolutely learning by ear. at the moment I can only add one tune a week to my brain ... but the more I do that the easier it works (thats practising, too) ... so I might be able to play at least these tunes next year when I
# Posted on September 25th 2003 by crannog
Re: Do you practice?
I also agree with your attitude to sessions. As for practicing, I play tunes all winter, normally with some of the finest musicians around - courtesy of their CDs!! I learned to play music by ear, I still learn all my tunes by ear - or osmosis. I have the sheet music for most tunes and can read it, but I find it very difficult to learn a tune just from the dots. I usually use the dots after I have learned the tune by ear - then use the dots fill in the bits I haven't worked out properly. Sorry - I digress....
Practicing - I practice mostly in the winter on those cold dark nights, also practice more when my housemates are out, I never want to annoy anyone. I learn tunes I like the sound of and really I only learn tunes and play them over and over. I find practicing technique etc, like they use to make you at school or music lessons, really boring so I rarely do it - I know I probably should. But I am never going to be the best whistle player - I am only doing this for fun. So I play tunes and what I play very much depends on my mood. I guess you could call practice, but I prefer to say I spend my time playing tunes.
I have no disciplined schedule, just when I feel like it -which is alot in the winter and hardly ever in the summer, prefer to go sailing while the weather is right. So about this time of year - every year I start again, almost from scratch with only a hint of improvement from this time last year. I will be good again by April, then back to this level again in October!!!!!
So I guess I'm kinda lazy, kinda busy and really I just do what I like when I feel like it. Like I say I know I'm never gonna be the best whistle player - I would rather be the best sailor!! But I love the Music, always have, always will.
Also at the moment I practice for seemingly no reason as the are NO SESSIONS at the mo on the Isle of Man - difficult to find new inspiration and new tunes though!!
# Posted on September 25th 2003 by jkneale
Re: Do you practice?
I try to play about 20 minutes each instrument every day. It's a pleasure with the tunes i can play, but it's practice when i have to learn tunes for the saturday afternoon rehearsal.. right know i'm learning to play O'Dowd's favorite on the mandolin, and it's far for being a pleasure yet..But i have to play it each day.
Paul
# Posted on September 25th 2003 by paul95
Re: Do you practice?
Wow, forgot about that one, Paul, I loved that one! Guess I should go play it now that you've reminded me of it...
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Do you practice?
Yes. At least one hour every day, more if time allows. I'm trying to lift tunes from a variety of sources, bolster my technique, and [hopefully] develop a nice, personal style. It's awfully hard to do this, and I guarantee you it's impossible without practice.
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by Hanley
Re: Do you practice?
I totally agree with Crannog, I have to play at least a little every day - even if it is only ten minutes. Ideally an hour a day would be lovely. I find it very cathartic after a long day at work to use my brain in a completely different way. I generally try a mixture of playing the tunes I know (pleasure), learning some new ones (slightly less relaxing) and practising sight reading (horrendous!)
Does anyone else suffer from stiff finger/hand muscles from playing too much, what stretches / warm-ups do you do to avoid these (apart from the old glass to lips stretch)?
Nick
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by nick b
Re: Do you practice?
You betcha.
I aim for 2 hours/day 6 days a week (7 days a week is too relentless), usually between 4:30am-6:30am.
Got into this early-morning habit when working construction: even though I'd get off the job site at 4pm, by the time I was home and showered, I was half-asleep and my concentration was shot: I'd just fall asleep. Continued with the habit while in grad school: early morning before the day's events was the only time my head was clear enough to concentrate effectively.
Have come to really like that early-morning time, 'specially if it's still dark out: great for concentration and learning new tunes. I save the low-attention time periods (evenings, etc) for more fun, less boring activities like playing physical exercises, writing arrangements, and so on. And, having it done early helps me feel relaxed and focused for the balance of the day; I've already "got my time in" and any other playing that day is voluntary and enjoyable.
Of course, that's also why I learn very few tune titles: it's *dark* in my practice room at 5am and I can't make out the titles on the CD jewel boxes!
chris smith
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by coyotebanjo
Re: Do you practice?
I practice about 2 hours a day, sometimes in shorter bursts sometimes in long ones. I mix it up between working on older tunes and usually one or two newer ones. I try to keep goals in mind, like working out the hard bits on some tunes or figuring out new variations (still takes quite a bit of thought for me). Some days I get all virtuous and work on scales and with a metronome
My husband and I try to also make time to play music together every day, if we can. I'm hoping that when the Irish guitar book Chris wrote arrives and he begins working on it he will gain self confidence and we'll play even more!
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by soft black stars
Re: Do you practice?
I practise about 20 mins per day on Sevcik exercises to help warm-up and maintain technique - then another 30 mins to 1 hour, playing through my stack, tunes I know well, some not so well, learn new ones from CDs or the dots, work out tune sets etc.........
Jim
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by Worldfiddler
Re: Do you practice?
I have to be rather systematic in my practicing, since I play both melody (mandolin, bouzouki) and rhythm (guitar, bodhran) and I have pretty limited time and opportunity -- especially these last few months, because we're doing renovations to our kids' room, and the place where I practice has become my younger daughter's crashpad.
Basically, I make a point of briefly reviewing the tunes I've learned in the most recent weeks and months. If there are some parts I still stumble over, I try to work on those. Or, if there are a couple of new tunes I'm really psyched to learn, I'll devote more of my "melody" practice session to those.
I also like to play along to recorded music, because I've found it helps me improve on ability to play by ear. I use recorded music to do my rhythm practice, although I also like to set aside time to work on techniques and elements (e.g., chord inversions, keeping consistent time on bodhran, etc.).
But since I sing, I also have to find time for that, too. Sometimes it's as simple as warbling in the shower or on my walk home from work, but I do need to practice the songs I accompany with guitar and bouzouki.
Needless to say, I'm probably just as anxious as my kids are to finish the work on their room!
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by sts
Re: Do you practice?
I try to play an hour a day - usually into the night before bedtime. I usually sit in front of my iMac and pull out tunes from my iTunes collection on whichever record I fancy at the moment or whatever tunes that comes I have on my learning list. On sessions that I go to I try to come home with (the names of) one new tune set in my note book. Recently I've also tried it to make it a point to tweak the tunes and fiddle around with them, playing them in different styles or settings. When in doubt I would check with the tunes on this site or JC tune finder to make sure that the setting I'm woriking on is not too obscure (No ambition of coming out like a Tommy Potts copycat... ). Having my music collection on disk gives a good opportunity to check out the various recordings and alternative styles of a tune. The drawback of sitting in front of a screen is of course that time that could be spent on fiddling easily gets used on reading and sometimes joining this site..... By the way practicing in mornings sounds like a good idea, allthough I'm not sure I'd make it. My daughter puts her half hour of practice in at 0700 - 0730, so this time slot is already taken. I'd absolutely reccomend having a set time slot to pracitce for kids. This frees up time for her to play with friends, and we now have one less topic to discuss and negotiate....
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by FiddleTramp
Re: Do you practice?
Most certainly! Since I have set as a goal to learn 2 tunes a week Every Week, since January 1st. I find it necessary to spend 4 hrs. a day practicing and learning my 2 tunes for the week. I do this 5 days a week, as I need the weekends to recuperate at my age! I have to go over and over the tunes, more than anyone just so I can make them a part of myself at this stage.I spend from 9-11 a.m. on one tune. Then I take a break to eat lunch and do my walking in the middle of the day. Then I return to my second tune for that week from 3-5 p.m. Being a jazz and classical musician all my life, I thought I had to depend on reading the dots or improvising. Just since Jan.2003, I have been learning IrTrad tunes by ear, mostly off CD's and the net. I try not to "cheat" by looking at the written music, ONLY WHEN I GET IN TROUBLE! I would like to switch many of the tunes over to flute, after I learn them on whistle! But I am right on track learning the tunes at home, not able to get to a "local slow session" very often,as it is over 100 miles from here. So I do apply myself as diligently as possible, without excess anxiety, hoping to know 104 tunes by heart January 1, 2004. AND UP TO SESSION SPEED.
Hey guys, only 13 weeks and I will have met my goal. And I am really enjoying the journey! This music is so much more fun than any other genre, believe me!
Don
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by woodsonirishmusic
Re: Do you practice?
Don - I believe you - I know it for a fact.
It seems to me this Music is loadsa fun to learn. Maybe some people have suddenly become dedicated, then next year maybe they might rededicate themselves to latin, funk, punk, whatever.
That's cool.
Boring old me?
I'm here for the long haul. I listen to everything.... except maybe hop-hip, or whatever it's called. Musically I get off on a wide range of Stuff. But I'm so into the terminal stages of addiction that I hear tunes in my head and instead of thinking "should I be buying 9-15kg nappies, or 12-20kg nappies?" in Sainsbury's, there's me going round with the trolley thinking, "wouldn't it be good to start off with The Blackberry Blossom, then go down into Christmas Eve, then up to the Pigeon on the Gate in A"
Sad.
I know.
I hardly get to practice indoors these days. 2 sessions solid playing sessions is not bad, but my box playing is getting left behind my flute playing. I used to play 2 solid hours ...2 solid hours. On the flute. Non stop. Practice every day for about 2 years, about 5 years ago, but I'd say I'm surfing on that still. That can't remain forever, though. When I get a chance, I do wierd stuff, like have the telly on with the sound down, just watching the moving wallpaper, and practice rolls, trills and most often changeovers (from one tune to the next), or just eeking out a new tune. The visuals are just to keep the LGN active.
Someone else I know goes the other way. Sits in near darkness, with just a candle on, and plays whatever comes into his head. That's cool. That's his way of doing it. Not mine. Sometimes I belt the telly volume up full to simulate genuine session conditions! Force a tune out through f!ckin Eastenders, ye f!cker ye. It's like a runner doing fartlek. Power training.
danny
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Do you practice?
Danny, that's hilarious--keeping the TV on to simulate actual session conditions!
I sometimes like playing along with CD's--more fun than with a metronome, and I think you get the same benefit. I also try to practice every day. For a while both harp and fiddle, but lately the harp has taken a bit of a backseat. I am lucky, most of the time I don't leave for work until 10:30 am, so the morning can be spent checking this site and practicing. Sometimes it's fun to transfer a tune I'm learning on the fiddle to harp, or the other way around. But I think the real hardcore practicing is smoothing out all of those bumps before going onto a new tune.
Oh, and speaking of this being the most fun genre to play--what do you mean exactly woodson?--what other genres are there anyway?
# Posted on September 26th 2003 by Andee
Re: Do you practice?
Actually, I like to have the TV on with the sound down while I'm playing/practicing, if there's a sporting event of some kind on (i.e., baseball, football or basketball).
Of course, if one of my favorite teams happens to be playing, the likelihood of my being distracted tends to increase.
# Posted on September 27th 2003 by sts
Re: Do you practice?
I'll often practise when the TV's on too. Most of the programmes don't require very much concentration, anyway. I can follow what Phil Mitchell's doing on Eastenders or one of George W's wars and learn a rake of tunes at the same time. There actually was an Irish session on E.E. one time, believe it or not.
Talking about TV's in pub sessions, I've known musicians to tune their instruments from the music during the adverts so , maybe, a TV set is an integral part of a session these days.
John
# Posted on September 27th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: Do you practice?
I play at home whenever I can.I can't find any sessions near wher I live, so I play along with CDs.I like actual sessions better, but CDs are better than nothing.I guess it's practice,but I think of it more as pleasure.I think of the classical stuff my flute teacher makes me do as practice.
-Kelly
# Posted on September 27th 2003 by seisflutes
Re: Do you practice?
No I don't. After reading all this stuff about the importance of relaxation I only play for my own enjoyment.(Well, most of the time.) The thread on posture for fiddle players was also quite helpful because I hadn't realized that the pain I sometimes got in my left shoulder had to do with my playing the fiddle. When I started learning tunes etc. I put myself under too much pressure thinking I had get keep up to soandso's level.
This summer I had a long break and now at home I stop playing immediately when I get uncomfortable. No more pain in shoulder or wrists.
# Posted on September 27th 2003 by kuec
Re: Do you practice?
I like to practice about 20 minutes before work, then just call it playing later in the day. I won't tell you how long I play on weekends because you might think I am obsessed.
When I'm working on some tunes, I "practice" them several times a day for short times so I don't fuzz off on getting them right.
Jennifer
# Posted on September 27th 2003 by Jenthur
Re: Do you practice?
I used to take lessons, and was fanatical about my practice. Once in awhile, I had to prepare for public exposure...that made my practice panic-driven, but certainly got results. I still go to my teacher's, but we don't really call them lessons any more. My practice has eased up, and I spend more time working up tunes I thought I knew, or used to know, or really ought to know, or...But this summer, I went to Noel Hill concertina school (now there's panicked practice, for sure) and have a list of wonderful tunes I'm working on--after tomorrow's performance, if it doesn't get rained out. And sometimes, I take a deep breath and remind myself that I do this for fun.
When I am working on learning a tune, I find it extremely helpful to work on it right before bedtime, and then briefly review it (be careful not to be late to work) first thing in the morning. It really does make a difference. Never mind the boring stuff about how the brain works--it just works this way.
Yahoo! This is way more fun than anything I practiced as a kid. Too bad I still have to work. I find that 1 new tune a week is really all I can manage. Even after such an intense week as last summer, I came home able to play (you guessed it) one of the new tunes. Now, all of you, quit goofing around on the computer and get cracking.
# Posted on September 27th 2003 by woman of the house
Re: Do you practice?
Thanks folks. It's interesting to hear how other people do things. Everyone has written so much that I haven't had time to play anything since posting the question, (or eat, wash, answer the phone etc.).
In view of the overwhelming majority of the replies being of the nature of "Yes I practice (a lot, and here is a detailed account of exactly how much I do)" I wonder whether to start another thread entitled something like "Does anybody NOT have a rigorous programme of practising". Keep it coming - like I say, its interesting.
Dave
# Posted on September 28th 2003 by showaddydadito
Re: Do you practice?
I dont practice - not cause I dont want to, but I literally dont have time. Mon nights are my only nights off and I'm usually knackered - I usually stumble to the couch and watch tv till I go to bed sometimes I give a lesson on monday nights as well. Tues I'm starting Yoga again, wed either session or TV, Thurs - session, fri-night on the town, sat arvo-session, sat night tunes or night out, sunday evening session.
I used to be quite into praciticing - but havent really done it in years - lucky if I learn a new tune a month at the moment :( If I ever do practice its in front of The Telly with the sound up!
Just refering back to one of the first posts and this quote taken from John J's post;
'Sometimes, you get people competing for attention who wish to be the centre of attraction e.g. deliberately choosing obscure tunes or playing known tunes in a unique style to deter others from joining in. Yes, they may be fine musicians but they should save this for public performances.'
I feel sorry for you - Ive never come across people who intentionally choose obscure tunes or play in unique styles to *deliberatly* put people off. You must hang around some pretty mean musicians.
On the other hand a lot of my musician friends come up with amazing and utterly unknown unique tunes and they have interesting styles - but they play these tunes because they like them - not to annoy other people. Its a sad day when people get slagged off for learning "new" Tunes and playing in their unique style. Personally I *love* learning new tunes - but only if they are good, like all tunes - common or uncommon - only if they are good! And I will play my new tunes at sessions until everyone learns them - thats the whole point - to make sure the session doesnt become stale and boring by playing 'The boys of Bluehill' for ten years straight.
# Posted on September 28th 2003 by bb
Re: Do you practice?
I practice fiddle everyday except for the odd occasion when there are too many other things of higher priority (including urgent non-fiddle practice). On weeknights I don
# Posted on September 28th 2003 by Tish
Re: Do you practice?
I read that Glenn Gould used to practice in competition with other sound sources; although earlier in his career he'd tried to practice in quiet, he'd one time had no choice while staying in a hotel but to practice while the chambermaids werebenefited from being forced to concentrate harder, so from then on was in the habit of practicing with radio, TV, vacuum cleaner, whatever, blaring out in the background.
# Posted on September 28th 2003 by nastyweegirl
Re: Do you practice?
Isn't the amount of practise inversely proportional to the number of sessions a week (a month for some people)?
Aren't sessions a place for busy people to practise in? (they sometimes sound like it).
Glenn Gould always had other sound sources on the go as he used to sing/growl? along with his Bach.
# Posted on September 28th 2003 by geoffwright
should have read ...
I read that Glenn Gould used to practice in competition with other sound sources; although earlier in his career he'd tried to practice in quiet, he'd one time had no choice while staying in a hotel but to practice while the chambermaids were about their (noisy) business, and felt he'd benefited from being forced to concentrate harder, so from then on was in the habit of practicing with radio, TV, vacuum cleaner, whatever, blaring out in the background.
# Posted on September 28th 2003 by nastyweegirl
Does anybody think that there are some sessions which ARE a proper forum for practice, to the extent that they can forget about lone practice at home (or wherever)?
# Posted on September 28th 2003 by nastyweegirl
Re: Do you practice?
Blimey. From reading all these replies I have to conclude that I am an abnormally lazy and ill-disciplined person... my approach is absolutely shambolic. I tend to stick on CDs and play along with them. At the moment it's mostly the Caoimhin O Raghallaigh & Mick O'Brien album, or Ronan Browne & Peadar O'Loughlin. I know that I need to do *lots* of work on learning to do stuff properly - cuts and taps, for example - but I really have to fight the temptation to just play along as best I can, which is much more fun. I am gradually playing on my own more, though, and stopping and working on the tough bits. But I have a phenomenally short persistence-span for applying myself to the grind...
I also have to conclude that I am NOT a morning person, though I knew that already - I never have been. The idea of practicing at 7am is beyond laughable, in my case. Also, I don't think my brother (who I share the flat with) would be too delighted... however, I'm lucky that our flat has quite good sound isolation, and I can play at 1am if I want to, nobody seems to hear it. (So long as my brother is out, and luckily for me, he has a very lively social life).
However, I've surprised myself lately, by picking up the whistle before going to work and doing a bit of work on my cuts. I definately agree with the principle that frequent, short bursts of practice are the best way to get stuff into your system.
Hmmm - think I'll go and do some practice now... I'm off sick with the mother of all colds, so it'll be whistle, and not singing. Which is another story - dammit, I *really* must practice that more, too! I have all these great exercises to do, which I know would really help increase my range and stuff, but I have some kind of mental block about applying myself to the task. I can pick up the whistle any time, whereas with singing, when I feel like it, I feel like it, and when I don't, I don't. Weird.
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Nell
Re: Do you practice?
By the way, who played the session on EastEnders, does anybody know? (I didn't see it). Did anyone see the session on Coronation Street, quite a few years ago now - with Michael McGoldrick?
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Nell
Re: Do you practice?
Typical soap. Supposed to reflect real life... Yeah right.
Although McGoldrick did come to one of our sessions once!
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Do you practice?
Well, this would have been about 10 years ago, or more, probably... he wasn't an international mega-star yet! And he still goes to sessions in Manchester, of course...
I should do my name-drop, at this point, and reveal that my Dad wrote that episode of Corrie. Honest!
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Nell
Re: Do you practice?
I just realised that was a pure assumption - I have no idea where M McGoldrick goes to sessions. Though, did someone say he goes to Peveril of the Peak?
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Nell
Re: Do you practice?
Helen!! Did your dad write for corrie?? I have to admit - I was a big soap fan when in Ireland - Eastenders, corrie, Emerdale - wow - youre dad is famous
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by bb
Re: Do you practice?
Yep, he wrote Corrie for years...
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Nell
Re: Do you practice?
I've just come back to this discussion and have read BB's comments about me. Perhaps, I didn't make myself too clear. I have nothing against musicians introducing new tunes(I've done this myself) to a session or playing something on their own and I was exaggerating a little when I suggested that they should save it for public performances. It's just that I feel that sessions should "flow" and musicians should have consideration for what their colleagues might know(everyone doesn't need to know every tune), at least when the session is in full flight. I'm in no way suggesting that we should be playing old warhorse tunes all night-it should depend on the hard core of the company present.
If there's a lull in the proceedings, that's quite a good opportunity to try something different. Also, there's no harm in asking people to play something on their own. It's really only the pushy/show off people I've no time for. They do exist but they are more like the chap that Tish talked about rather than those BB meant.
John
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: Do you practice?
Hey Helen - you trying to embarrass me? I'm not trying to insult yer Da or his colleagues. Basically I don't really watch soaps. I find them a waste of time (for me), and I don't have the attention span or the patience to sit about and watch a plot develop. Big Brother was bad enough - like watching paint dry. Probably my loss, but what ye don't know about ye don't miss.
danny
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Do you practice?
Maybe I should say something about my practice habits. Nothing is regular right now, except 2 sessions a week! I try and squeeze in the odd hour here or there in the house, but it's all over the place. Strangely enough, I often get the inspiration to play/learn or "perfect" a tune when I'm out running or cycling!...why is that? I read Beethoven would go for very long walks in the countryside when he was composing... lest I dare make the slightest comparison!
Any way, I used to do 2 hours a day on flute, whistle or box, about 4 days a week, then some more, until a year or so ago, but since the arrival of our wee boy that's all gone. I'm fortunate that after work I can use a lecture theatre for practice, but the accoustics can get too echo-y to be able to resolve individual grace notes, but can be fun, nonetheless.
danny
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Do you practice?
Danny
All those years ago when my firstborn was tiny she often went to sleep to the sound of my playing. I used to sit by the cot and play the whistle while she settled to sleep. Aaaaaaah!
Perhaps your little lad would let you.
They dug Beethoven up, you know. And when they opened the coffin he was lying there with a big sheaf of manuscript, going through crossing out the notes one by one. "What are you doing?" they asked, and he replied "Decomposing."
I'm just astonished at the amount that people have written on this subject. It is all interesting stuff. I sometimes play with the TV on, as others have mentioned - but is it really to get that pub feeling? or is it to cover up imperfections?
Dave
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by showaddydadito
Nastyweegirl - (I still think Naziwebgirl has a certain something about it)
Your question "Does anybody think that there are some sessions which ARE a proper forum for practice, to the extent that they can forget about lone practice at home (or wherever)?" is probably nicely answered by Geoffs comment: "(they sometimes sound like it)"
I think, to answer more fully, that there ARE some times in some sessions where practice/tryout is right and proper - we all ended up crammed round some sheet music the other week to try something french - but there needs to be some foundation work. Did you ever have one of those people at a session who could start anything but finish nothing? I know we all have times when a tune just falls off the fingerboard, but if everyone only ever played at sessions without some "practice" (or leisure playing) outside of sessions, then I think we would be overwhelmed with raggy endings and fizzle outs.
The heating has packed up and its too cold to type any more.
Dave
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by showaddydadito
Re: Do you practice?
Every evening I give my wee lad, now nearly four, his bath and while he's splashing about happily in the water, I run through a few tunes. Ten or twelve times round whatever new one I've picked up recently and then a couple of sets.
It has some funny consequences. Mostly Benedict doesn't pay any notice to what I'm playing. However occasionally he'll prick up his ears.
"What's that tune, Dad?"
"The Rambling Pitchfork"
Next night. "Play me "The Pinchfork", Dad!"
Or "What's that tune, Dad?"
"Drowsy Maggie. D'ye like it?"
"I like the Maggie bit, but not the Drowsy bit. Just play Maggie."
But it's a great place to practice. I've got to be there with him anyway, cos he's too wee to be left on his own just yet and I'd be twiddling my thumbs otherwise. So I don't get any grief about "twiddling on that mandolin/bouzouki/whatever" when I could be doing something "useful".
The only drawback is that occasionally I lose track of time and by the time I get the boy out of the bath he's wrinkled as a prune and the bathwater is freezing!
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by Aidan Crossey
Re: Do you practice?
Helen, I'd define any time devoted to playing tunes as practice time, including playing along to a CD as practice time. I usually pick my play-along CDs selectively either because I have a crush on a certain CD or because I want to broaden my range.
We had a great spontaneous session here in Oslo into the wee hours with three visithing musicians from Belfast and Co. Down. (Thank you very much for the tip, Breand
# Posted on September 29th 2003 by FiddleTramp
Re: Do you practice?
Hey Danny, no offence taken! I don't watch soaps myself, or much TV at all. I agree with you - for me it just seems like wasted time. We didn't even have a TV in the house for much of my childhood, strange as it may appear. Other kids at school used to say 'but what do you DO in the evenings?!'.
Jeez, well we used to just sit there on the sofa, staring at the wall, didn't we?
# Posted on September 30th 2003 by Nell
Re: Do you practice?
Helen - you lucky thing - I love corrie....(the shame
!
John J - Just to clarify - I honestly dont think Ive met anybody Like that - the one person I know who may fall into that category never comes to sessions anyway. Maybe we are just really lucky over here - but I dont remember meeting anyone like that in Ireland either.
On the other hand - I would never start a tune like 'The Kesh' - I am absolutley sick to death of it - and 90% of the tunes I start are tunes that Ive recently learnt or obsure tunes from albums or tunes by Vincent Broderick, Josie McDermot or Paddy O'Brien. Not because I am showing off - but to get the new tunes played in the session - Ive been to sessions where they play the *same* tunes over and over for years and years and years on end. Which is probably why I absolutley despise loads of the old tunes now - because theyve been done to death!
Also I know people who dont enjoy session if they dont know the tunes, I on the other hand can be in an almighty session - and not know *one* tune and still can thoroughly enjoy it (even if I do look like a total beginer who has never picked up the fiddle in her life). I would enjoy a session like that 10 times more than one that played tunes like 'Drowsy maggie' etc all night.
# Posted on September 30th 2003 by bb
Re: Do you practice?
Hi, bb. I'm not against sessions where you might hear unknown or different tunes. There's many a session in which I am unable to participate fully-sometimes not all- but I still enjoy them. It's just that I feel that "the flow" of the session is interrupted by the type of people I'm talking about, In extreme cases, the session breaks up altogether and the other musicians go to the bar. Actually, the same problem would arise if somebody appeared at some of these really good sessions and started to play these "done to death" tunes. However, as I've said, there's nothing wrong with introducing new tunes or reviving an old chestnut as and where appropriate. I'm sure that's how you do these things bb and you're not one the types I'm talking about.
I've never seen this in Ireland either and it doesn't happen in the better regular sessions in Scotland. It tends to be in the more irregular, looser arrangements and at folk festival sessions.
So, I've nothing against new tunes, occasional solo performances or a brilliant visiting musician making contributions--the better and more experienced musicians tend to be more subtle, in any case.
It's only those who come along from time to time and try to hijack a session and turn it into their own gig that really irritate me.
John
# Posted on September 30th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: Do you practice?
Yaassirr!!
Just bought a boehm system blackwood flute from the young gifted Sarah Hayes:
http://www.adastra-music.co.uk/sarahhayes.html
....just what I need to get some serious practice going again!!
Danny.
# Posted on September 30th 2003 by Rudall the time
Boehm system blackwood
congratulations! I know you'll be very happy together!
# Posted on October 1st 2003 by nastyweegirl
and Sarah's "the winner of a coveted Danny award"!
# Posted on October 1st 2003 by nastyweegirl