new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
The session idea is a good one. It made me think of something else. I am travelling a lot to play sessions - and not just in Germany. But if you don't know people in a foreign country it tends to be difficult to know where to go. On the other hand I am always delighted if musicians on their holidays in Germany get in contact with me for a few tunes. And I am often wondering how many musicians are passing my area without knowing about music contacts. Sure there are the session lists but it is always nicer to have some personal contacts - maybe even someone who makes you feel welcome in a foreign country/town. In times of cheap flights I often think I could just go to London/Glasgow/Vienna/Rome... just for a weekend but then you really need to know people if it is just for the tunes. I visited Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and fortunately had some contacts but everything could be so much easier. So here is my suggestion: Why don't we start another section where people tell where they live (country, town) and offer to give imformation to travelling musicians? In my case, I would be delighted to do so. A good chance for a few tunes with new people!
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
That sounds like a fantastic idea! I'm all for it, I'll get in touch with the woman who more or less 'heads' our sessions here, and see if all is good if I devulge our secret hiding place! I won't be here anymore, but I'm sure that the people of my session would be pleased to have a travelling musician join their ranks for a few rounds!
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Country: Norway
Town: Oslo
Welcoming musicians: Yes*
*With a preference to tune addicts
I have gotten in touch with members in areas that I have visited by using the email-functionality, and this works great, allthough it does require some detective work.
As an alternative to this discussion thread I would suggest members to give a comment on the nearest-by session (as some of us have already done)
Of course the optimum way would be if we could access a searchable member-base based on the data elements above, but it would not be fair to ask Jeremy to implement this, would it now...
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Halldor,
I know it would mean some work for Jeremy but I do think a seperate section would be a good thing. Because in a few days this discussion point will be just away and forgotten. It would just be a pity if I decided to go to Oslo and not find you - another tune addict like myself! Or you visiting Nuernberg and not contacting me!
If we had a section where people could type in their email/name, town, country this idea could grow. Is Jeremy following these discussions or do you think I should try to contact him?
Should this not happen I follow your example and encourage everyone passing through to contact me for tunes:
name (member): Irish Trad. Head
town: Nuernberg
country: Germany
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
I think the system works ok as it is. Or should do. You can search out sessions in whatever country, then email the person who posted it. But it's up to the poster to put down as many details as they can if they want other sessioneers to come along. For the Blythe I even put a link to a streetmap, I've put buses, trains etc. It goes without saying that visitors are welcome, but I'll say it anyway: Visitors are wellcome!
For people to put where they live, etc., that surely must get back to one of my old gripes - put all that in your personal profile, if you're a regular user of this site. There's nothing worse than not knowing who you're talking to. There can only be 2 reasons for not putting something down about yourself: fear(paranoia) or laziness, neither of which are commendable.
When I went to the Bent Brief in Southampton, found on this website, they were welcoming and I had a memorable time. I'll use the same method for finding sessions elsewhere also.
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Danny,
that all might be right but it is much more hassle to go through all members to find out where people live and if there happen to be someone living in the town I am visiting. Yes, there is the session list but if I know a musician is around I would gladly organice a special session or play a few tunes even in the flat. Maybe this all is not so interesting for people who live in cities where there is lots of music like Dublin, Galway, London, Glasgow, Sydney... but if you just have a session once a month (which often is not very satisfying) then you don't want to miss a chance of meeting new musicians and having a few tunes. Okay, maybe you are right and all this could happen in the session section - I don't know. I thought it was a nice idea to make personal contact to other musicians.
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Sabine,
I think it's a great idea, although I'm not sure how it would be implemented. This is particularly relevant to me at the moment, as I'll be visiting Wales and England in the next few weeks. Have been trying to search for sessions, but the search facility doesn't seem to be working today. I also like the idea of organizing a session for visitors if none is already available.If anyone knows of any sessions (or folk clubs) on the route from Pembroke to Bristol please let me know!
Marion (Muireann)
Maybe the answer is a couple of new fields in the user profile area
Like city, area, country. Unlike for sessions, this could be optional. And presumably the search logic that's there now for sessions could be re-used for members as well.
I'm sure there are some members who don't have a regular, established, local, open session they can post, but who still would like to be contacted by itinerant musicians passing through town.
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
You can search member profiles from the Members section of the site.
Just recently, someone emailed to ask if I knew people in Glasgow. I suggested they do a search on "Glasgow" in the Members section. They can then go through the results,most of which were people saying "I live in Glasgow" (although some were "I used to live in Glasgow", etc.)
I have thought about re-using the country/area/town logic of the Sessions section in the Members section. The problem is that, because you can not only select areas and towns but also input them if they're not listed, a fair bit of incorrect information gets entered (the town name in the area field, for instance). I can keep a handle on this in the Sessions section where I can see as soon as a new area or town is entered but if this was opened up to the Members section, I fear I wouldn't be able to cope with the rate of entry and the database would fill with bad data quite quickly.
Still, the existing search functionality works reasonably well. Most people who have written a member profile usually mention the town or area where they live so a searches for towns or areas return pretty good results.
I do love the idea of travellong around and meeting up with fellow Session members. What a way to see the world!
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Good idea about looking at members profiles, (why do I smile when I hear that?) but on checking mine, I noticed that I had not given the county I live in. This, I think, is important when looking to find a contact in a new area. I know I base my choosing a holiday on the likelyhood of finding a session nearby.
Can everyone please make sure their location details are as full as possible?
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
This is a good and thought-provoking thread for which thanks, Sabine, although we may have differing opinions. Sure, that's what this is all about. I'm not trying to curry favour with Jeremy by saying 'keep it the same' - I think he knows my e-persona well enough to know that I don't *do* sycophantry.
But, a few things: First, I'm sorry, but I don't find it too difficult or a hassle to click on a few things on a website to find some info. To be brutally frank, there are millions of people in equatorial regions who have to walk several miles to obtain clean drinking water, and here we are moaning about clicking a goddamm mouse a few more times. I think we need to re-assess our priorities on this one. Ok. Rant out of the way (don't mind me - it's a catharsis).
Following on from the above, neither am I a Luddite, ie one who opposes technological advances - so any easily implemented technologically innovatory suggestion, no matter how florid or horrid, has to be considered.
Thus,my suggestion to Jeremy is to rewrite a part of the members introduction thing, to implore members, new and old, first of all to strongly suggest they write a few lines as a bio, then as part of that, to include something about where they currently live.
Thirdly, I admit I am humbled. How dare I forget that many people do live in locations remote from sessions...in fact, probably a higher proportion on this site than real life sessioneers...and many with cabin fever! I've got cabin fever and I go to at least 2 regular sesh's per week! So for you people, not only is this site a musical lifeline, but a means to *Get* to sessions! ....bringing me back to point 2 - if people gave enough info about themselves and their sessions, this whole thing might not have come up.
But, if enough people lobby Jeremy, maybe he'll implement the required changes.
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
I thought the "sessions" section could be used for this purpose? Maybe an overall call out to get folks to post opinions on all the sessions they have been to in their own town? I noticed that a lot of one-time-only visitors post to some session comments, how about we weigh in on our local?
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Jeremy, tried your suggestion about searching the memebers section but if you use a word like 'Ireland' then you get a hit on just about every member who has ever been to the place, loves the idea of it, like the music from it etc.
I know that your time is precious and that you are doing a fab job with the site [grovel, grovel] but a single area field in the members section would be great. Area to cover city, town, townland, etc
What I would say to everyone here that if you are ever coming to County Down then please feel free to drop me an e-mail via the site. If you give me a few days notice then I will organise a session for you if there is none scheduled - so you'll definitely get a tune.
If there's a small number [1 or 2] we'll organise somewhere for you to stay even if it's only a mattress on the floor.
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
I've got no session in the area and I'm definitely no tune addict but now and then I' d like to share a few tunes. I'm not sure if I'd "qualify" for the new section should there be one.
I'd be quite happy for the site to remain as it is. Some members have managed to get together in real life after all.
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Danny,
Point taken! I'm just not long enough using the website to have covered all the angles. But then a discusssion such as this helps one to become aware of all the angles! Thanks to all concerned.
Muireann
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Danny,
just back from a weekend of learning tunes -polkas - for an Irish ceili in Switzerland...
ok. I think I agree that the members section could do the job - if people would use it and write something about themselves. It is a pity there ar so many who don't. And who I am to make suggestions for alterations as just a new comer to the list anyway? Still I am one of those who live in a remote (musicwise) area and though I am not afraid of driving or using my little MAC-mouse for getting information it is difficult and often depressing. I would really prefer to share my music with others more often and so I was looking for a way to do so. I do hope we will get to play a few tunes together one day, Danny - you seem to be a funny guy! I especially liked:
...there are millions of people in equatorial regions who have to walk several miles to obtain clean drinking water, and here we are moaning about clicking a goddamm mouse a few more times
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Breandan,
very kind offer - hope to make it to Co. Down one day. Had a look at your profile. Is it possible that we met at a session in Drumshanbo this summer?
new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
The session idea is a good one. It made me think of something else. I am travelling a lot to play sessions - and not just in Germany. But if you don't know people in a foreign country it tends to be difficult to know where to go. On the other hand I am always delighted if musicians on their holidays in Germany get in contact with me for a few tunes. And I am often wondering how many musicians are passing my area without knowing about music contacts. Sure there are the session lists but it is always nicer to have some personal contacts - maybe even someone who makes you feel welcome in a foreign country/town. In times of cheap flights I often think I could just go to London/Glasgow/Vienna/Rome... just for a weekend but then you really need to know people if it is just for the tunes. I visited Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and fortunately had some contacts but everything could be so much easier. So here is my suggestion: Why don't we start another section where people tell where they live (country, town) and offer to give imformation to travelling musicians? In my case, I would be delighted to do so. A good chance for a few tunes with new people!
Irish Trad. Head (Sabine)
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by Irish Trad. Head
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
That sounds like a fantastic idea! I'm all for it, I'll get in touch with the woman who more or less 'heads' our sessions here, and see if all is good if I devulge our secret hiding place!
I won't be here anymore, but I'm sure that the people of my session would be pleased to have a travelling musician join their ranks for a few rounds!
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by Adela
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hear,hear.
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by snorre
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Country: Norway
Town: Oslo
Welcoming musicians: Yes*
*With a preference to tune addicts
I have gotten in touch with members in areas that I have visited by using the email-functionality, and this works great, allthough it does require some detective work.
As an alternative to this discussion thread I would suggest members to give a comment on the nearest-by session (as some of us have already done)
Of course the optimum way would be if we could access a searchable member-base based on the data elements above, but it would not be fair to ask Jeremy to implement this, would it now...
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by FiddleTramp
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Halldor,
I know it would mean some work for Jeremy but I do think a seperate section would be a good thing. Because in a few days this discussion point will be just away and forgotten. It would just be a pity if I decided to go to Oslo and not find you - another tune addict like myself! Or you visiting Nuernberg and not contacting me!
If we had a section where people could type in their email/name, town, country this idea could grow. Is Jeremy following these discussions or do you think I should try to contact him?
Should this not happen I follow your example and encourage everyone passing through to contact me for tunes:
name (member): Irish Trad. Head
town: Nuernberg
country: Germany
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Irish Trad. Head
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
I think the system works ok as it is. Or should do. You can search out sessions in whatever country, then email the person who posted it. But it's up to the poster to put down as many details as they can if they want other sessioneers to come along. For the Blythe I even put a link to a streetmap, I've put buses, trains etc. It goes without saying that visitors are welcome, but I'll say it anyway: Visitors are wellcome!
For people to put where they live, etc., that surely must get back to one of my old gripes - put all that in your personal profile, if you're a regular user of this site. There's nothing worse than not knowing who you're talking to. There can only be 2 reasons for not putting something down about yourself: fear(paranoia) or laziness, neither of which are commendable.
When I went to the Bent Brief in Southampton, found on this website, they were welcoming and I had a memorable time. I'll use the same method for finding sessions elsewhere also.
Danny.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Danny,
that all might be right but it is much more hassle to go through all members to find out where people live and if there happen to be someone living in the town I am visiting. Yes, there is the session list but if I know a musician is around I would gladly organice a special session or play a few tunes even in the flat. Maybe this all is not so interesting for people who live in cities where there is lots of music like Dublin, Galway, London, Glasgow, Sydney... but if you just have a session once a month (which often is not very satisfying) then you don't want to miss a chance of meeting new musicians and having a few tunes. Okay, maybe you are right and all this could happen in the session section - I don't know. I thought it was a nice idea to make personal contact to other musicians.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Irish Trad. Head
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Sabine,
I think it's a great idea, although I'm not sure how it would be implemented. This is particularly relevant to me at the moment, as I'll be visiting Wales and England in the next few weeks. Have been trying to search for sessions, but the search facility doesn't seem to be working today. I also like the idea of organizing a session for visitors if none is already available.If anyone knows of any sessions (or folk clubs) on the route from Pembroke to Bristol please let me know!
Marion (Muireann)
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Muireann
Maybe the answer is a couple of new fields in the user profile area
Like city, area, country. Unlike for sessions, this could be optional. And presumably the search logic that's there now for sessions could be re-used for members as well.
I'm sure there are some members who don't have a regular, established, local, open session they can post, but who still would like to be contacted by itinerant musicians passing through town.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by pm
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
You can search member profiles from the Members section of the site.
Just recently, someone emailed to ask if I knew people in Glasgow. I suggested they do a search on "Glasgow" in the Members section. They can then go through the results,most of which were people saying "I live in Glasgow" (although some were "I used to live in Glasgow", etc.)
I have thought about re-using the country/area/town logic of the Sessions section in the Members section. The problem is that, because you can not only select areas and towns but also input them if they're not listed, a fair bit of incorrect information gets entered (the town name in the area field, for instance). I can keep a handle on this in the Sessions section where I can see as soon as a new area or town is entered but if this was opened up to the Members section, I fear I wouldn't be able to cope with the rate of entry and the database would fill with bad data quite quickly.
Still, the existing search functionality works reasonably well. Most people who have written a member profile usually mention the town or area where they live so a searches for towns or areas return pretty good results.
I do love the idea of travellong around and meeting up with fellow Session members. What a way to see the world!
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Jeremy
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Good idea about looking at members profiles, (why do I smile when I hear that?) but on checking mine, I noticed that I had not given the county I live in. This, I think, is important when looking to find a contact in a new area. I know I base my choosing a holiday on the likelyhood of finding a session nearby.
Can everyone please make sure their location details are as full as possible?
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by len
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
This is a good and thought-provoking thread for which thanks, Sabine, although we may have differing opinions. Sure, that's what this is all about. I'm not trying to curry favour with Jeremy by saying 'keep it the same' - I think he knows my e-persona well enough to know that I don't *do* sycophantry.
But, a few things: First, I'm sorry, but I don't find it too difficult or a hassle to click on a few things on a website to find some info. To be brutally frank, there are millions of people in equatorial regions who have to walk several miles to obtain clean drinking water, and here we are moaning about clicking a goddamm mouse a few more times. I think we need to re-assess our priorities on this one. Ok. Rant out of the way (don't mind me - it's a catharsis).
Following on from the above, neither am I a Luddite, ie one who opposes technological advances - so any easily implemented technologically innovatory suggestion, no matter how florid or horrid, has to be considered.
Thus,my suggestion to Jeremy is to rewrite a part of the members introduction thing, to implore members, new and old, first of all to strongly suggest they write a few lines as a bio, then as part of that, to include something about where they currently live.
Thirdly, I admit I am humbled. How dare I forget that many people do live in locations remote from sessions...in fact, probably a higher proportion on this site than real life sessioneers...and many with cabin fever! I've got cabin fever and I go to at least 2 regular sesh's per week! So for you people, not only is this site a musical lifeline, but a means to *Get* to sessions! ....bringing me back to point 2 - if people gave enough info about themselves and their sessions, this whole thing might not have come up.
But, if enough people lobby Jeremy, maybe he'll implement the required changes.
Danny
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Rudall the time
...or should I say ' *perceived* required' changes.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
And this from the guy who used to nip at people's heels to fill out their bios, with nary an "I told you so"...yer a hero, Daniel...
zls
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
I thought the "sessions" section could be used for this purpose? Maybe an overall call out to get folks to post opinions on all the sessions they have been to in their own town? I noticed that a lot of one-time-only visitors post to some session comments, how about we weigh in on our local?
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Aine Ni Scully
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Jeremy, tried your suggestion about searching the memebers section but if you use a word like 'Ireland' then you get a hit on just about every member who has ever been to the place, loves the idea of it, like the music from it etc.
I know that your time is precious and that you are doing a fab job with the site [grovel, grovel] but a single area field in the members section would be great. Area to cover city, town, townland, etc
What I would say to everyone here that if you are ever coming to County Down then please feel free to drop me an e-mail via the site. If you give me a few days notice then I will organise a session for you if there is none scheduled - so you'll definitely get a tune.
If there's a small number [1 or 2] we'll organise somewhere for you to stay even if it's only a mattress on the floor.
F
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by breandan
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
I've got no session in the area and I'm definitely no tune addict but now and then I' d like to share a few tunes. I'm not sure if I'd "qualify" for the new section should there be one.
I'd be quite happy for the site to remain as it is. Some members have managed to get together in real life after all.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by kuec
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hey Zina - I told you so! :~)
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
LOL -- you bahstid...
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Danny,
Point taken! I'm just not long enough using the website to have covered all the angles. But then a discusssion such as this helps one to become aware of all the angles! Thanks to all concerned.
Muireann
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by Muireann
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Danny,
- for an Irish ceili in Switzerland...
just back from a weekend of learning tunes -polkas
ok. I think I agree that the members section could do the job - if people would use it and write something about themselves. It is a pity there ar so many who don't. And who I am to make suggestions for alterations as just a new comer to the list anyway? Still I am one of those who live in a remote (musicwise) area and though I am not afraid of driving or using my little MAC-mouse for getting information it is difficult and often depressing. I would really prefer to share my music with others more often and so I was looking for a way to do so. I do hope we will get to play a few tunes together one day, Danny - you seem to be a funny guy! I especially liked:
...there are millions of people in equatorial regions who have to walk several miles to obtain clean drinking water, and here we are moaning about clicking a goddamm mouse a few more times
Cu, Sabine
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Irish Trad. Head
Re: new section: music contacts for visiting musicians
Hi Breandan,
very kind offer - hope to make it to Co. Down one day. Had a look at your profile. Is it possible that we met at a session in Drumshanbo this summer?
Sabine
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Irish Trad. Head