I wanted to add Crested Hens to tunes I can play.
I immersed myself in the Solas version and memorised it.
I sat down and (eventually) worked it out note by note. Now I can't get it out of my head and it's starting to drive me nuts.
Every time I pick up an instument (mostly mandolin) I have tp play it, so it's driving other people nuts also.
So, my questions are:
1. Is this a common experience or am I an obsessive freak?
2. Can anyone suggest a good tune to go with it, so that, if I do have to play it I get a bit of variety?
Yes, it's normal. I think it is a result of your brain wiring it in. Once the tune is hardwired, as it were, you get the use of your brain back again. One thing I have found, is that if you try to play another tune containing a similar phrase, you go off into the one you are learning.
I constantly have tunes running through my head. It is true that once you get really latched on to a tune that you really like, it tends to just appear every time you pick up an instrument. That's normal, I think. And it will soon be replaced by another tune... The old adage is that your favorite tune is always the one you just learned...
My favorite thing is when tunes that I haven't played in years magically appear like that, though.
It is entirely normal. It gives the one the illusion of coherence to the universe and of personal discovery and achievement within it, so what's not to like? Until the insistence of the tune becomes boring and tyrannical to one's associates and eventually even to oneself. Then one moves on to another tune, and it all starts over again.
I remember a beginning fiddle player going on about how, try as they might, they just couldn’t get a tune into their head. A more seasoned player leaned over and said, smilingly, “Cherish this moment.”
The nice thing about knowing lots of tunes - if one gets stuck in
a loop in your head, you can switch over to a different one. Also
there's no space for TV jingles or pop tunes to get in there.
...this tune thing has ruined my social life, cheapened my family life, made me un-able to talk to other people. My wife is thinking a one way ticket to Argentina would be good for me for Christs sake!!!
I've still got it. It's nearly a week now. I've tried to replace it with something else, but it's such a strong tune it just won't go away. Could be worse, at least it sounds good in my head. I'm thinking of making a mental arrangement for full orchestra.
Harry, when you finish the arrangement of this tune for full orchestra and air guitar, is there some way for you to post it on the Internet so we can all listen to it? Maybe on YouTube?
Harry, that would depend on what type of scanning equipment you use on your brain. At this hospital where I work, you would have a choice of a CAT scan or an MRI or a PET scan or a Nuclear Medicine scan or an Ultrasound or, last but not least, an Angiography scan.
Can any of them read music? My CAT can't. N'either can any of my other PETs.
It's wearing off a bit now. Something I did notice was that the ear worm (thanks for the term) I had was my version of the tune, not the Solas one. Pity. Their's is much slicker than mine.
No, none of them can read music Harry. I am glad to read the the effect is wearing off.
Solas performed here several years ago during one of their American tours.
Read Chapter 5 "Brainworms, Sticky Music, and Catchy Tunes" and Chapter 6 "Musical Hallucinations" of Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks (ISBN 978-0--676-97978-7. It is a fascinating book about music and the brain.
The book was also the subject of a PBS Nova show on July 2. Check for repeat dates
A tune that's taken over my head
A tune that's taken over my head
I wanted to add Crested Hens to tunes I can play.
I immersed myself in the Solas version and memorised it.
I sat down and (eventually) worked it out note by note. Now I can't get it out of my head and it's starting to drive me nuts.
Every time I pick up an instument (mostly mandolin) I have tp play it, so it's driving other people nuts also.
So, my questions are:
1. Is this a common experience or am I an obsessive freak?
2. Can anyone suggest a good tune to go with it, so that, if I do have to play it I get a bit of variety?
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by greg n'sheils
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Yes. But the benefit, of course, is that it stimulates you onto the next one.
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Thanks, so I'm just a normal freak.
So what's a good tune to go with it. I genuinely can't find one that seems to work.
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by greg n'sheils
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
how about that ol' planxty tune Hewlett?
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Yes, it's normal. I think it is a result of your brain wiring it in. Once the tune is hardwired, as it were, you get the use of your brain back again. One thing I have found, is that if you try to play another tune containing a similar phrase, you go off into the one you are learning.
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by gam
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Hewlett sounds good. Another tune in triple time that's not a waltz but is something else a lot more interesting (IMO). Thanks.
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by greg n'sheils
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
I constantly have tunes running through my head. It is true that once you get really latched on to a tune that you really like, it tends to just appear every time you pick up an instrument. That's normal, I think. And it will soon be replaced by another tune... The old adage is that your favorite tune is always the one you just learned...
My favorite thing is when tunes that I haven't played in years magically appear like that, though.
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by Reverend
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Really catchy, sticky tunes are called ear worms or brain worms because they "worm" their way in and stay.
For a nice, lifting change of key, try going into Sailing Through the Narrows (a John McCusker waltz) after Crusty Hens.
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Sailing Through the Narrows: http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/491
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
It is entirely normal. It gives the one the illusion of coherence to the universe and of personal discovery and achievement within it, so what's not to like? Until the insistence of the tune becomes boring and tyrannical to one's associates and eventually even to oneself. Then one moves on to another tune, and it all starts over again.
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by nicholas
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
I remember a beginning fiddle player going on about how, try as they might, they just couldn’t get a tune into their head. A more seasoned player leaned over and said, smilingly, “Cherish this moment.”
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by fidkid
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Yes, this is a common experience and it has happened to me too often. It has happened to me so often that I am beyond help and cannot be cured.
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Fauxcelt, with sufficient quantities of pickling brine, anything can be cured....
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
as will said; what you have is an ear worm, if this is your first, welcome to the owners club.
since starting to learn these tunes, i always have at least one in residence and, quite often, a whole set !
enjoy
Steve
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by selston steve
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
you may have been nuts already
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by mcknowall
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
The nice thing about knowing lots of tunes - if one gets stuck in
a loop in your head, you can switch over to a different one. Also
there's no space for TV jingles or pop tunes to get in there.
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by Hup
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
...this tune thing has ruined my social life, cheapened my family life, made me un-able to talk to other people. My wife is thinking a one way ticket to Argentina would be good for me for Christs sake!!!
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by shanty
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Welcome to the yella board, Governor Sanford.
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Thank you for the suggestion, Will Harmon, but I am allergic to pickling brine.
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Tone Dumb Harry, did you ever get your head back or does that tune still have possession of your head?
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
I've still got it. It's nearly a week now. I've tried to replace it with something else, but it's such a strong tune it just won't go away. Could be worse, at least it sounds good in my head. I'm thinking of making a mental arrangement for full orchestra.
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by greg n'sheils
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
And air guitar
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by greg n'sheils
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Harry, when you finish the arrangement of this tune for full orchestra and air guitar, is there some way for you to post it on the Internet so we can all listen to it? Maybe on YouTube?
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
I thought maybe a brain scan, but that would probably just be full of dots
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by greg n'sheils
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Take your meds.
# Posted on July 1st 2009 by jwvansteenwyk
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Harry, that would depend on what type of scanning equipment you use on your brain. At this hospital where I work, you would have a choice of a CAT scan or an MRI or a PET scan or a Nuclear Medicine scan or an Ultrasound or, last but not least, an Angiography scan.
# Posted on July 1st 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Can any of them read music? My CAT can't. N'either can any of my other PETs.
It's wearing off a bit now. Something I did notice was that the ear worm (thanks for the term) I had was my version of the tune, not the Solas one. Pity. Their's is much slicker than mine.
# Posted on July 1st 2009 by greg n'sheils
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
No, none of them can read music Harry. I am glad to read the the effect is wearing off.
Solas performed here several years ago during one of their American tours.
# Posted on July 1st 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: A tune that's taken over my head
Read Chapter 5 "Brainworms, Sticky Music, and Catchy Tunes" and Chapter 6 "Musical Hallucinations" of Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks (ISBN 978-0--676-97978-7. It is a fascinating book about music and the brain.
The book was also the subject of a PBS Nova show on July 2. Check for repeat dates
# Posted on July 5th 2009 by Nfg