Big thanks to all who posted their tributes to Alan McGregor, his family really appreciated it.
Anyway, it made me realise that playing in a band was like being in a family. Once a week we get together, have a laugh and a joke, play our tunes and then all go our seperate ways. Some people you keep in touch with and some you dont. However, the following week you pick up from where you left off. Just like a family party. Music creates such a strong bond between people.
So to my question. What about sessions? Are they the same or a bit less personal? There will be a wee family unit in there somewhere, I guess it's up to them to welcome others.
Do you actually keep in touch and socialise with your session pals in between sessions? What keeps you going back? Tunes, Drink or Friends? Maybe all three if you are lucky.
Craig, what are you doing up this early on a Sunday morning? :~)
Glad to hear Alan's family received our condolences well.
Yes - I agree. I'd go as far as to say this game becomes a lifestyle! Kind of related to Aidan's recent post - The Music is meaningless without people (to which I disagreed! {slightly}...or at least clarified my viewpoint).
I'm sitting here learning 'toss the feathers'. Probably should have bagged that one by now!.
We played at Alans funeral - oh, what a tough gig that was. When it really hit home though was at the 'party?' afterwards. Right in middle of one of the sets (the wedding reel set from the 3rd Lunasa album) I realised that the whole bass end of the band was gone and I was caught thinking about his part, then I lost my place in the tune. I hadn't appreciated what a bond there was in those tunes that the band members all know so well and have in common. Quite a revelation to me.
So anyway, that'll be you just back from church then eh?
I agree with Danny/Aiden...the music IS meaningless without the people. I'm in college in Boston, but my closest friends here are the ones I play tunes with at sessions. We socialize outside of sessions, of course, but that usually involves tunes in some way or another.
The friends I have that play tunes in Philadelphia, they're probably some of my closest friends. I don't get to see them often during the school year (bar Christmas break, spring break, etc) but we keep in touch through e-mails and phone calls. I wouldn't be where I am today without those guys, they're da bomb.
All I know is that when I go to sessions- I could have had to worst day imaginable, but by the time I go home I'm elated; nothing can possibly bring me down. I have yet to be to any session where anyone will bring you down. When I was first starting to play, I was terrible- but no one said a word. They just told me to keep coming back. Its that atmostphere that makes it feel like a family- acceptance no matter how bad or how good your doing.
I def socialise with some musicians I play with - there is a group of musicians that are great friends -almost like family, some in sydney and melbourne and when we all get together we have a great time. But on the same token there are people that I just have nothing in common with at my own session as well.
I have what is called, in popular parlance, a musical family, and occasionally we have a family session. Between us we can muster (but not all at once) fiddle, piano, guitar, whistle, concertina, button box, harmonica, flute, mandolin, banjolin. (there is also a bowed psaltery on top of the book shelf, but thats a whole nother area). More often its just me and the lad.
Playing in a band is definitely like being in a family, including the bickering & sulking!
More generally speaking, I really love the thing about this music, that once you get involved with it, you're part of a network that goes all around the planet. And you're generally only a few steps away from anybody else who's part of that network, because you'll know someone that knows someone that knows - just about anybody. It gives me a huge kick, that does. The social context of this music sets it apart from *any* other kind of music that I've been involved in, ever.
Musical Relations
Musical Relations
Hi Everyone.
Big thanks to all who posted their tributes to Alan McGregor, his family really appreciated it.
Anyway, it made me realise that playing in a band was like being in a family. Once a week we get together, have a laugh and a joke, play our tunes and then all go our seperate ways. Some people you keep in touch with and some you dont. However, the following week you pick up from where you left off. Just like a family party. Music creates such a strong bond between people.
So to my question. What about sessions? Are they the same or a bit less personal? There will be a wee family unit in there somewhere, I guess it's up to them to welcome others.
Do you actually keep in touch and socialise with your session pals in between sessions? What keeps you going back? Tunes, Drink or Friends? Maybe all three if you are lucky.
Cheers everyone, this is a nice community.
Craig.
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by bouzyboy
Re: Musical Relations
Craig, what are you doing up this early on a Sunday morning? :~)
Glad to hear Alan's family received our condolences well.
Yes - I agree. I'd go as far as to say this game becomes a lifestyle! Kind of related to Aidan's recent post - The Music is meaningless without people (to which I disagreed! {slightly}...or at least clarified my viewpoint).
Danny.
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Musical Relations
Hi Danny,
I'm sitting here learning 'toss the feathers'. Probably should have bagged that one by now!.
We played at Alans funeral - oh, what a tough gig that was. When it really hit home though was at the 'party?' afterwards. Right in middle of one of the sets (the wedding reel set from the 3rd Lunasa album) I realised that the whole bass end of the band was gone and I was caught thinking about his part, then I lost my place in the tune. I hadn't appreciated what a bond there was in those tunes that the band members all know so well and have in common. Quite a revelation to me.
So anyway, that'll be you just back from church then eh?
Cheers mate
Craig.
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by bouzyboy
Re: Musical Relations
Ha ha. I'd just surfaced after a ling night which included playing a gig at a party for free drinks. Can you imagine that?
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Key Maniac Lad
ling night? long night more like. See what I mean...
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Musical Relations
Danny, I quite understand. Egt si rjru [or rgw kwrra bwzr rp rsvj prjwe im yjr lwtvistf?
Trevor
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by lazyhound
Re: Musical Relations
I agree with Danny/Aiden...the music IS meaningless without the people. I'm in college in Boston, but my closest friends here are the ones I play tunes with at sessions. We socialize outside of sessions, of course, but that usually involves tunes in some way or another.
The friends I have that play tunes in Philadelphia, they're probably some of my closest friends. I don't get to see them often during the school year (bar Christmas break, spring break, etc) but we keep in touch through e-mails and phone calls. I wouldn't be where I am today without those guys, they're da bomb.
cara
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by carafiddle
Re: Musical Relations
All I know is that when I go to sessions- I could have had to worst day imaginable, but by the time I go home I'm elated; nothing can possibly bring me down. I have yet to be to any session where anyone will bring you down. When I was first starting to play, I was terrible- but no one said a word. They just told me to keep coming back. Its that atmostphere that makes it feel like a family- acceptance no matter how bad or how good your doing.
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Adela
Re: Musical Relations
I def socialise with some musicians I play with - there is a group of musicians that are great friends -almost like family, some in sydney and melbourne and when we all get together we have a great time. But on the same token there are people that I just have nothing in common with at my own session as well.
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by bb
Re: Musical Relations
looking from the other end....
I have what is called, in popular parlance, a musical family, and occasionally we have a family session. Between us we can muster (but not all at once) fiddle, piano, guitar, whistle, concertina, button box, harmonica, flute, mandolin, banjolin. (there is also a bowed psaltery on top of the book shelf, but thats a whole nother area). More often its just me and the lad.
Dave
# Posted on October 21st 2003 by showaddydadito
Re: Musical Relations
Playing in a band is definitely like being in a family, including the bickering & sulking!
More generally speaking, I really love the thing about this music, that once you get involved with it, you're part of a network that goes all around the planet. And you're generally only a few steps away from anybody else who's part of that network, because you'll know someone that knows someone that knows - just about anybody. It gives me a huge kick, that does. The social context of this music sets it apart from *any* other kind of music that I've been involved in, ever.
# Posted on October 21st 2003 by Nell