I am a guitarist planning to go to Ireland for about a week and I want to sit in on a few sessions. Can someone give me a list of 5-10 tunes that are played very frequently that I can learn quickly as well (and also maybe a spot where I can find lyrics/chords)? I'm a fast learner
I go to a couple of sessions, which are geographically close together. But the 'most played tunes lists' rarely overlap. So any of my lists would probably be useless (especially as I'm not in Ireland).
Don't be afraid to sit and listen, especially since you have no real background in The Music. Unfortunately, there are not any 'siver bullets' that can get you ready in just one day. You can click on my user name, and read the essay I have there on getting started as an accompanist, a lot of advice to get you started down the right track. Good luck and let us know how it went when you get back! Have a safe trip!
Whatever you do, be prepared to stop and change gears to listening. If you are only wanting to learn 5-10 tunes, then you'll be lucky if 1 of them is played at any given session. You can look at several threads on this board, and see how well "feeling your way around" would go over in an open session. If you have musician friends where you are going in Ireland who play tunes, maybe hook up with one of them for some behind closed doors playing,that could prove to be the quickest way to understanding the local sound, and what might be expected of you, and its much less likely to put you at odds with anyone.
Also,if you're an experienced guitarist and like to lug that thing with you on your trips abroad you've probably got some idea what it means to politely fit into a group. This music is cultural property to many, your unsolicited contributions might not be very welcome, where as if you just enjoy the atmosphere, and respectuflly listen, you might be then asked to play... its a funny thing.
Oh no! there are thousands and thousands and thousands of tunes and you think learning 10 will allow you to join in a session?!
Imagine the embarrasment of getting your guitar out of its case and having it sitting there, waiting for a tune you know, that will probably never come. After a while (and a few drinks) the temptation to join in with something you don't know will become overwhelming and that's when you will find yourself at odds with someone.
Please think carefully about this, but if you decide to go ahead let us know what happens. And best of luck to you!
I agree with flossie. I know some great bluegrass players who could not play Irish music if their life depended upon it. Be cool and let the music come to you. There are many great people out there to hep if you show respect for the music. Al Brown's essay is worth the read and very well done. Good luck and listen more than you play.
I am lucky where I am in Americay in that there is a very friendly session that welcomes newcomers openly, with a mixture of skill levels, and some very, very good whistlers. Even then, session ettiquete is needed. I also second the comments about bluegrass. I enjoy bluegrass and though there is some common instrumentation, the two don't exactly translate to one another readily. A good player of one won't necessarily be a good player of the other, and certainly not on the fly. The others here are more experienced than I, so take that into account, but I have no problem with your desire, and I applaud it, but your initial post leads me to believe you have little idea of what you're getting yourself into. But if you make it primarily a "listening" trip, you would be in a better frame of mind. If you find a session with a friendly guitarist, you should consider yourself lucky and use the opportunity to watch and listen, and maybe get a chance to play on a tune or two, because if the three sessions I've witnessed in Belfast and the Antrim coast are any indication, you would be extremely fortunate indeed, as I don't recall seeing a single guitar. This may differ in other regions, however. Again, if you look at it as a learning experience and have proper respect for the music and the session, I don't see any problem with taking your guitar to Ireland, but if it were me, I would probably go sans instrument the first time, try and meet a sessioner or two, and play it by ear (no pun intended).
Recently I've started to listen to Asian music, and thought it would be something different to work on original material with an Asian flavor. I play guitar, and have been tinkering around with the khene and gong. Might do a few Asian and other covers to do an open mike or two, but would like to concentrate more on original material. Have played classic rock/blues, but really want to do something different, and this Asian stuff should be easy to learn in a couple of weeks, right? Looking for someone who sings and/or plays an instument, and isn't interested in actually learning anything about traditional folk music. Thank You!
(Craigslist is a gold mine of humor--look for "re:" in the heading.)
Forget craigslist, we have a rich vein of humour as well ~ http://www.thesession.org/links/display.php/4
Thanks for the correction Forrest. When I copied the comment it seemed funny enough, but slightly off the mark.
Cheers,
Ben
Quick session Intro
Quick session Intro
Hello all
I am a guitarist planning to go to Ireland for about a week and I want to sit in on a few sessions. Can someone give me a list of 5-10 tunes that are played very frequently that I can learn quickly as well (and also maybe a spot where I can find lyrics/chords)? I'm a fast learner
and I'm leaving tomorrow!
Joe
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by joejazz
Re: Quick session Intro
I go to a couple of sessions, which are geographically close together. But the 'most played tunes lists' rarely overlap. So any of my lists would probably be useless (especially as I'm not in Ireland).
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by disillusioned
Re: Quick session Intro
Go to 'members', then tunebook. That could be a good start.
But also what disillusioned says. The 'better sessions' tend to avoid these tunes, considering them as being overplayed.
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by Henk Bos
Re: Quick session Intro
What 'we' call tunes (90% of an average session) are instrumentals, so no lyrics. This site is all about the tunes.
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by Henk Bos
Re: Quick session Intro
Got it. I'm a bluegrass player by background so I think I'll be alright just listening and jumping in, but we'll see...
Thanks all.
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by joejazz
Re: Quick session Intro
Good luck! You left it a bit late.
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Quick session Intro
Don't be afraid to sit and listen, especially since you have no real background in The Music. Unfortunately, there are not any 'siver bullets' that can get you ready in just one day. You can click on my user name, and read the essay I have there on getting started as an accompanist, a lot of advice to get you started down the right track. Good luck and let us know how it went when you get back! Have a safe trip!
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Quick session Intro
Have you listened in on any sessions?
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by Random_notes
Re: Quick session Intro
This music is not so easy that you can just spend a couple of hours on the net looking up chords then jump in and play it.
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by DaveL35
Re: Quick session Intro
Whatever you do, be prepared to stop and change gears to listening. If you are only wanting to learn 5-10 tunes, then you'll be lucky if 1 of them is played at any given session. You can look at several threads on this board, and see how well "feeling your way around" would go over in an open session. If you have musician friends where you are going in Ireland who play tunes, maybe hook up with one of them for some behind closed doors playing,that could prove to be the quickest way to understanding the local sound, and what might be expected of you, and its much less likely to put you at odds with anyone.
Also,if you're an experienced guitarist and like to lug that thing with you on your trips abroad you've probably got some idea what it means to politely fit into a group. This music is cultural property to many, your unsolicited contributions might not be very welcome, where as if you just enjoy the atmosphere, and respectuflly listen, you might be then asked to play... its a funny thing.
# Posted on October 18th 2009 by SandyBottoms
Re: Quick session Intro
Oh no! there are thousands and thousands and thousands of tunes and you think learning 10 will allow you to join in a session?!
Imagine the embarrasment of getting your guitar out of its case and having it sitting there, waiting for a tune you know, that will probably never come. After a while (and a few drinks) the temptation to join in with something you don't know will become overwhelming and that's when you will find yourself at odds with someone.
Please think carefully about this, but if you decide to go ahead let us know what happens. And best of luck to you!
# Posted on October 19th 2009 by flossie
Re: Quick session Intro
I agree with flossie. I know some great bluegrass players who could not play Irish music if their life depended upon it. Be cool and let the music come to you. There are many great people out there to hep if you show respect for the music. Al Brown's essay is worth the read and very well done. Good luck and listen more than you play.
# Posted on October 19th 2009 by CDNMoose
Re: Quick session Intro
Fee, fie, fo, fum... I smell a wind-up.
# Posted on October 19th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: Quick session Intro
My first thought too, Forrest. Same guy who wrote the Craiglist ad, no doubt.
# Posted on October 19th 2009 by ayedbl
Re: Quick session Intro
Oh yeah, "him." (wink wink, nudge nudge)
# Posted on October 19th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: Quick session Intro
what Craigslist ad?
# Posted on October 19th 2009 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Craigslist ad
"Re: tuning up a full step"
September 18th 2009 by Forrest Tucker
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/22667/comments#comment469587
# Posted on October 19th 2009 by Random_notes
Re: Quick session Intro
I am lucky where I am in Americay in that there is a very friendly session that welcomes newcomers openly, with a mixture of skill levels, and some very, very good whistlers. Even then, session ettiquete is needed. I also second the comments about bluegrass. I enjoy bluegrass and though there is some common instrumentation, the two don't exactly translate to one another readily. A good player of one won't necessarily be a good player of the other, and certainly not on the fly. The others here are more experienced than I, so take that into account, but I have no problem with your desire, and I applaud it, but your initial post leads me to believe you have little idea of what you're getting yourself into. But if you make it primarily a "listening" trip, you would be in a better frame of mind. If you find a session with a friendly guitarist, you should consider yourself lucky and use the opportunity to watch and listen, and maybe get a chance to play on a tune or two, because if the three sessions I've witnessed in Belfast and the Antrim coast are any indication, you would be extremely fortunate indeed, as I don't recall seeing a single guitar. This may differ in other regions, however. Again, if you look at it as a learning experience and have proper respect for the music and the session, I don't see any problem with taking your guitar to Ireland, but if it were me, I would probably go sans instrument the first time, try and meet a sessioner or two, and play it by ear (no pun intended).
# Posted on October 19th 2009 by Jimmy B
Re: Quick session Intro
Wrong Craigslist quote, Random, it was
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/22885/comments#comment473896
I posted my own (partly) ad in the same section:
Hey, great idea! Me too.
Recently I've started to listen to Asian music, and thought it would be something different to work on original material with an Asian flavor. I play guitar, and have been tinkering around with the khene and gong. Might do a few Asian and other covers to do an open mike or two, but would like to concentrate more on original material. Have played classic rock/blues, but really want to do something different, and this Asian stuff should be easy to learn in a couple of weeks, right? Looking for someone who sings and/or plays an instument, and isn't interested in actually learning anything about traditional folk music. Thank You!
(Craigslist is a gold mine of humor--look for "re:" in the heading.)
# Posted on October 20th 2009 by tuckered out
Craigslink correction
Forget craigslist, we have a rich vein of humour as well ~ http://www.thesession.org/links/display.php/4
Thanks for the correction Forrest. When I copied the comment it seemed funny enough, but slightly off the mark.
Cheers,
Ben
# Posted on October 21st 2009 by Random_notes