Apparently, slow airs will pass inspection if they're classified as "Waltzes" (Ashokan Farewell?, Give Me Your Hand?). So that's where i'll look for airs. It's a weasel.
Both Ashokan Farewell and Give Me Your Hand(bag) ARE waltzes. I like playing GMYH slightly slower than a dance waltz, but it's a waltz. I treat it like a sort of fast air, I guess. But it's still a waltz.
Please read Jeremy's post in this thread: http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/5
And/or click on the "search" tab under "Discussions", and search for "slow airs". This topic comes up from time to time.
Glauber, out of mild frustration that we keep seeing this slow air question rear its head, I just re-read the discussion threads you posted here, and I think part of the problem is that we haven't clearly said that:
The vast majority of slow airs are written in the same meters as any other tune: 6/8, 9/8, 12/8, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, etc. They're just played slowly (hence the moniker) and typcially with more freedom, rather than strictly adhering to the beat. Yes Ashokan Farewell is a waltz. In ITM circles, when it's played at all, it's often played very slowly and freely, as an air.
So Inisheer, for example, is a slow air. It comes out on paper in 4/4, but that doesn't mean it's a reel or hornpipe or barndance. It's an air.
In fact, any melody--any type of tune--can be played as a slow air. Just slow it down and think in terms of phrasing rather than slavish adherence to the beat. Voila, it's an air. Listen to the Bothy Band do Martin Winne's reel #2, rollicking along at session speed. Then listen to Johnny Cunningham's version as a slow air. It's the SAME TUNE.
If you want to post one of the true slow airs (tunes originally written as songs or instrumental airs), all you have to do is figure out it's most appropriate meter and have at it.
Rather than having a "slow air" category for submitting tunes (which would then have to repeat all the possible meters and then some), Jeremy has asked us to simply submit the air under the appropriate meter (sticking with Inisheer for our example, I would click on "reel" for 4/4), and then mention in the comments for that tune that this is actually an air, to be played slowly and with great freedom of expression.
I understand that some people think that this approach "slights" the dignity of airs, but it in no way prohibits people from submitting airs to the tune archives here.
HMMMMM Is that not just a wee bit nippy! Wat if somebody is looking for a slow air to stick in a set or summit, does that mean that they have to search through all the different tune catagories to find one? Its true that a slow air can be derived from other types of tune but thats the same with all tunes: most things can be turned in to reels if you straighten the rhythm out, and if you add snaps then a reel can become a strathspey. (Not trying to b akward *grin*).
Wack, seems to me most people on this site so far have gone looking for tunes by specific name, not so much by general type. And you can find airs that way (e.g., search for Inisheer). We've also listed other sources for airs (O'Canainn's book among them) on other threads. But since this site is, by Jeremy's original decree, dedicated primarily to the *dance* music of Ireland, I don't see why Jeremy should go to any more trouble than he already has to accommodate airs.
Slow airs are an indisputable part of ITM and thank god for this. Over the years, I find myself dedicating more and more time to slow airs mostly for the sake of pure enjoyment. I also find that discovering and learning slow airs to be of unique interest in itself, something like peering into to soul of some ancient civilization. (ah, how romantic of me...)
But for this very same reason I imagine that there will always be a tension here at The Session regarding slow airs and the prospect of accommodating them and so forth. I think it is utter folly to attempt to plug slow airs into ACB format under the rubric of some sort of key signature or what have you. If you want to learn a slow air, it simply MUST be heard, which is to say that you must either have someone sit down and teach it to you or you find a recording of it or ideally both. Reading notes off a page as a strategy for learning slow airs is a complete waste of time. This has all been said before I take it.
Having said that, however, one way in which The Session could accommodate slow airs would be to reference slow airs that are submitted in the recordings sections. I for one would love to be able to search for, say, "Cape Clear", and find who has recorded it. While listening to different versions of tunes is a good strategy for learning tunes in general, it is a particularly good strategy for learning slow airs. I would also like to be able to search for "slow airs" and find a list of all slow airs in The Session and related recordings and comments.
Now, am I going to be in any way unhappy or dissatisfied with The Session if it doesn't implement this or some other method for accommodating slow airs? No, absolutely not. But if Jeremy felt inclined to introduce some function like the one I mentioned, then I for one would be delighted to have it and would take advantage of it.
P.S. And gee wiz, it just occurred to that if someone wanted to put up some ABC rendition of a slow air, well then, who cares? I wouldn't look at it. But reading the comments would be nice and, as said, referencing recordings would be helpful too.
Though there are definitely songs that musicians play as airs and should be definitely learned from singers for phrasing rather than ABCs if you want to be truly authentic about it, there are also tunes (such as Give Me Your Hand and Ashokan Farewell) that never had any words that people sometimes play as airs and are simply tunes of all different sorts that are slowed down and phrased as airs.
We've been over this subject time and time again. We can keep referring people back to those discussions, I suppose, but I also think that it's worth thinking about putting a note up about slow airs (both defining them and mentioning that they don't fit into the charter of this site any more than at any normal session, which is to say, when someone has been invited to take a star turn, it's fine, so they aren't their own category at this session archive), Jeremy, so that we don't have to keep seeing this discussion every few months or so. But, of course, as Benevolent Dictator and long-suffering session host, it is entirely up to you and we'll leave it at that. Please? With sugar on top?
I have nothing further to add than what has been said in previous discussions.
Let me just repeat that there are slow airs at The Session. Anybody can submit slow airs to The Session. Yes, they will be listed as "jig", "reel", "waltz" or whatever because of their meter.
Live with it.
If we start to categorize tunes by the speed at which they're played at, I'd have to have a category for "really fast ones", "moderately paced tunes" and "these tunes will self destruct if played too fast".
My two cents... Brendan suggested that it is necessary to hear somebody play a slow air before learning it, to acquire the correct phrasing, etc. It is it really a form of self expression to borrow so much from another's interpretation of the tune?
I love playing slow airs, and I love to have tunes that are unique, ... tunes that haven't already been over-done by several other musicians,... tunes that I have never heard before. For me, one good source is ancient tune collections. (My personal favourite is The Skye Collection) Further, some of these old tunes have beautiful structures which are seldom played anymore. Every once in a while, I will hear one of these tunes done by somebody like Buddy McMaster, and it gives me a great feeling to hear another fiddler play the same tune with a similar phrasing, similar expression, similar dynamics... It reinforces my own confidence in my interpretation of the tune. It is possible to learn airs from notation, without ever having heard them anywhere before, and there are advantages to doing it, namely it contains a greater degree of ones own self expression.
Gee wiz Will! Its quite funny that you got narky - cause in all honesty - I hate slow airs - I really, really do - it was a simple question that really didnt need to be answered with such spite. But lads just to verify - I really dont care about slow airs!!!!!! I was just asking a question. sorry - no offence to people who love them - just one other thing - there is no point getting so strung up about trad is there? We are not talking politics!
Don't worry about it; just ask again, and someone will send you a link to the old thread. Actually, i think Jeremy should create a new section in this site, for "Discussions about posting slow airs in The Session."
(1) ... are a very important part of the tradition, and a very attractive kind of music for beginners because... they're slow! However, beginners (like me) really should learn how to play the fast stuff first, and learn only very few slow airs. Slow airs, for the non-Irish-speakers, must be learned very slowly. This reflects the balance in most sessions: about 100 reels for each 10 gigs, for each 1 slow air. Polkas at your own risk.
(2) ... are a very important part of the tradition, but not a very important part of www.thesession.org. We just have to live with it. It's not like we're paying a lot of money for this service anyway.
I know slow airs are important - I just dont like em - but all I was saying (sorry to harp on) is that I didnt suggest anything to do with making a new section for slow airs or anything. Anyhow - can we talk about something nice now? (thanks g)
Sorry bb, it wasn't your post that got me going. It was the title of this whole thread....followed by evidence to the contrary. Cliff has raised the issue before, and I realized that we hadn't crossed our t's and dotted the proverbial i's in our previous responses. So I attempted to do so, a little suspcious that Cliff is being stubborn on purpose. And that's not fair of me either. Obviously my morning oatmeal was lacking its usual dose of whatever gets me through the day.... (chagrinned grin.)
So sincere apolopies to Cliff, bb, and anyone else put off by my tone above.
bb, I agree that it's very difficult to search through all the bazillion discussion threads here and keep track of what's already been covered. There are threads that I wish weren't buried so deep (and some I wish were deeper still . But I don't have a clue how to remedy this. Newcomers can always use the search function under Discussions to see what's been previously said on a particular topic, but that seems like a lot of work just to join in a simple online conversation. It's a bit like coming late to a meatspace session and not knowing which tunes have already been played. You start in on the Floating Crowbar and everybody groans.... I guess sometimes we just have to accept these little glitches.
Yup - thats exactly what its like - Ive arrived at 11:30pm at a great session - oh well - I'll never mention slow airs again Thanks though, I can imagine what it must be like to go over and over something...must be very annoying!
Actually, we're all hoping you'll post a few to the tunes archive....
After hanging around a while, you'll also get a better feel for the sense of humor behind some of our names. Glauber's jab at a discussion section just for slow airs is a case in point. Us old timers here heard him laughing away on that one, even without the emoticons. I would say Glauber has a *dry* wit, except that he's a flute player....
Actually, one of the first things i tried to post was a slow air (Staker Wallace). I posted it as a reel, and Jeremy had to axe it (just like the English did to Patrick Wallis, but with much more reason). But i did post O'Carollan's Farewell To Music (reel) and Fairy Queen (waltz). Looking back, i wish i hadn't; they're nice tunes (especially when played by Chris Norman), but they were just a sign of a beginner trying to approach Irish music through the slower and prettier tunes. Today i think this is not a good idea, but hey, one has to start somewhere.
My repertory of slow airs right now is limited to Staker Wallace, Limerick Lamentation, and Easter Snow, and i don't think i'd play either of the latter 2 in front of a knowleadgeable audience, just yet. Give me another 5 years or so.
Whup, go away from your computer, and all this stuff happens! Regretfully, I feel unable to not comment on a thread that most people probably wish would be dropped. It's a character flaw. *grin* Sorry in advance for the mish-mosh of subjects.
bb, DEAR, I have to say, I feel the same way about discussing politics as you do about discussing trad - for me, it would be the other way round! heh
Beating a dead horse, though (and I am not talking at any one person, here, honest), on a subject that hasn't much to do with the subject of this thread, I would like to respectfully point out that this whole thread is demonstrative of why there's such a beast as session etiquette. To walk into a well-established session (and make no mistake, to the regular inhabitants here, this is just as much a session as any meatspace session), you have to watch your step when interacting with the folk who are already there, as they will have an entire back history and political system that you will know nothing about.
Also, I thought it quite gracious of Will to apologize, and would like to point out that (typically of Will, who practises a profession that realizes that sometimes goodwill is more important than feeling blamed) he took on a bigger share of blame than perhaps belonged to him.
Having been around The Session for a bit, I personally didn't actually find Will's original post particularly nippy, since I understand the back history, his motivation and reasoning, and, what's more, happen to agree with them. And it's also true that Will's post was something of an apologia for a policy that he has nothing to do with -- this is Jeremy's session, and Jeremy's policy, and as Jeremy says, everyone has to live with that or leave. Which is not unlike a regular session, either. Long live Jeremy, Benevolent Dictator! Viva! Heh.
Going down the list, Glauber brings up a good point, too, if a little obliquely -- and that is that slow airs are the province of the expert in Irish traditional music, and always have been. It's the showpiece of an excellent player, and a demonstration of his or her prowess and knowledge of the music and tradition. Yet, because they *are* slow, beginners tend to gravitate towards them -- and often play them when they shouldn't be attempting them yet. Backwards and contrary, but hey, it's Irish music, what do you expect? *snicker*
And lastly, I'm glad that we're all pals again. *grin*
I'm going away again from the computer. Try not to get too far ahead of me again, will ya? hehehe
Holy ba-geebers, batman! this thread really took off since checking in last. i don't have much of anything to add, except to extend my apologies for assisting with the beating of the dead and nearly fossilized horse. So: a round of virtual pints for everyone, on me. and if you're going to be at gaelic roots next month, then it'll be a real pint for you and hopefully tunes too...
Gidday bb. Yeah, I know, I owe you an e-mail. But in the meantime ... how about medium-paced airs? Do you know the waltz version of Dance of the Honey Bees? It's on Maire O Keefe's album.
Now I Get It
Now I Get It
Apparently, slow airs will pass inspection if they're classified as "Waltzes" (Ashokan Farewell?, Give Me Your Hand?). So that's where i'll look for airs. It's a weasel.
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by cliff
Re: Now I Get It
I thought Ashokans Farwell was a waltz. Its not like any slow air Ive ever heard if it isnt a waltz
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by bb
Re: Now I Get It
Both Ashokan Farewell and Give Me Your Hand(bag) ARE waltzes. I like playing GMYH slightly slower than a dance waltz, but it's a waltz. I treat it like a sort of fast air, I guess. But it's still a waltz.
Zina
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Now I Get It
thought so. Are there actually any slow airs posted?
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by bb
Slow Airs
Please read Jeremy's post in this thread:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/5
And/or click on the "search" tab under "Discussions", and search for "slow airs". This topic comes up from time to time.
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by glauber
Re: Now I Get It
Oh, and you probably remember this thread:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/474/comments
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by glauber
Re: Now I Get It
Glauber, out of mild frustration that we keep seeing this slow air question rear its head, I just re-read the discussion threads you posted here, and I think part of the problem is that we haven't clearly said that:
The vast majority of slow airs are written in the same meters as any other tune: 6/8, 9/8, 12/8, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, etc. They're just played slowly (hence the moniker) and typcially with more freedom, rather than strictly adhering to the beat. Yes Ashokan Farewell is a waltz. In ITM circles, when it's played at all, it's often played very slowly and freely, as an air.
So Inisheer, for example, is a slow air. It comes out on paper in 4/4, but that doesn't mean it's a reel or hornpipe or barndance. It's an air.
In fact, any melody--any type of tune--can be played as a slow air. Just slow it down and think in terms of phrasing rather than slavish adherence to the beat. Voila, it's an air. Listen to the Bothy Band do Martin Winne's reel #2, rollicking along at session speed. Then listen to Johnny Cunningham's version as a slow air. It's the SAME TUNE.
If you want to post one of the true slow airs (tunes originally written as songs or instrumental airs), all you have to do is figure out it's most appropriate meter and have at it.
Rather than having a "slow air" category for submitting tunes (which would then have to repeat all the possible meters and then some), Jeremy has asked us to simply submit the air under the appropriate meter (sticking with Inisheer for our example, I would click on "reel" for 4/4), and then mention in the comments for that tune that this is actually an air, to be played slowly and with great freedom of expression.
I understand that some people think that this approach "slights" the dignity of airs, but it in no way prohibits people from submitting airs to the tune archives here.
Cliff and bb, does this make it clear?
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Will CPT
Re: Now I Get It
HMMMMM Is that not just a wee bit nippy! Wat if somebody is looking for a slow air to stick in a set or summit, does that mean that they have to search through all the different tune catagories to find one? Its true that a slow air can be derived from other types of tune but thats the same with all tunes: most things can be turned in to reels if you straighten the rhythm out, and if you add snaps then a reel can become a strathspey. (Not trying to b akward *grin*).
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Wackadack
Re: Now I Get It
Wack, seems to me most people on this site so far have gone looking for tunes by specific name, not so much by general type. And you can find airs that way (e.g., search for Inisheer). We've also listed other sources for airs (O'Canainn's book among them) on other threads. But since this site is, by Jeremy's original decree, dedicated primarily to the *dance* music of Ireland, I don't see why Jeremy should go to any more trouble than he already has to accommodate airs.
Humbug...must've missed my meds today....
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Will CPT
Re: Now I Get It
Slow airs are an indisputable part of ITM and thank god for this. Over the years, I find myself dedicating more and more time to slow airs mostly for the sake of pure enjoyment. I also find that discovering and learning slow airs to be of unique interest in itself, something like peering into to soul of some ancient civilization. (ah, how romantic of me...)
But for this very same reason I imagine that there will always be a tension here at The Session regarding slow airs and the prospect of accommodating them and so forth. I think it is utter folly to attempt to plug slow airs into ACB format under the rubric of some sort of key signature or what have you. If you want to learn a slow air, it simply MUST be heard, which is to say that you must either have someone sit down and teach it to you or you find a recording of it or ideally both. Reading notes off a page as a strategy for learning slow airs is a complete waste of time. This has all been said before I take it.
Having said that, however, one way in which The Session could accommodate slow airs would be to reference slow airs that are submitted in the recordings sections. I for one would love to be able to search for, say, "Cape Clear", and find who has recorded it. While listening to different versions of tunes is a good strategy for learning tunes in general, it is a particularly good strategy for learning slow airs. I would also like to be able to search for "slow airs" and find a list of all slow airs in The Session and related recordings and comments.
Now, am I going to be in any way unhappy or dissatisfied with The Session if it doesn't implement this or some other method for accommodating slow airs? No, absolutely not. But if Jeremy felt inclined to introduce some function like the one I mentioned, then I for one would be delighted to have it and would take advantage of it.
P.S. And gee wiz, it just occurred to that if someone wanted to put up some ABC rendition of a slow air, well then, who cares? I wouldn't look at it. But reading the comments would be nice and, as said, referencing recordings would be helpful too.
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Brendan
Re: Now I Get It
I think that Will has it.
Though there are definitely songs that musicians play as airs and should be definitely learned from singers for phrasing rather than ABCs if you want to be truly authentic about it, there are also tunes (such as Give Me Your Hand and Ashokan Farewell) that never had any words that people sometimes play as airs and are simply tunes of all different sorts that are slowed down and phrased as airs.
We've been over this subject time and time again. We can keep referring people back to those discussions, I suppose, but I also think that it's worth thinking about putting a note up about slow airs (both defining them and mentioning that they don't fit into the charter of this site any more than at any normal session, which is to say, when someone has been invited to take a star turn, it's fine, so they aren't their own category at this session archive), Jeremy, so that we don't have to keep seeing this discussion every few months or so. But, of course, as Benevolent Dictator and long-suffering session host, it is entirely up to you and we'll leave it at that. Please? With sugar on top?
Zina
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Now I Get It
I have nothing further to add than what has been said in previous discussions.
Let me just repeat that there are slow airs at The Session. Anybody can submit slow airs to The Session. Yes, they will be listed as "jig", "reel", "waltz" or whatever because of their meter.
Live with it.
If we start to categorize tunes by the speed at which they're played at, I'd have to have a category for "really fast ones", "moderately paced tunes" and "these tunes will self destruct if played too fast".
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Jeremy
Re: Now I Get It
hehehehehehehe. Oh please oh please oh please, Jeremy, can we *please* have a category for "tunes that will self-destruct if played too fast"?!?!?
*giggle snort chortle*
Zina
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Now I Get It
Zina, we've already got that category, and a whole discussion thread dedicated to it. It's called "Common Session Tunes." Grin.
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by Will CPT
Re: Now I Get It
My two cents... Brendan suggested that it is necessary to hear somebody play a slow air before learning it, to acquire the correct phrasing, etc. It is it really a form of self expression to borrow so much from another's interpretation of the tune?
I love playing slow airs, and I love to have tunes that are unique, ... tunes that haven't already been over-done by several other musicians,... tunes that I have never heard before. For me, one good source is ancient tune collections. (My personal favourite is The Skye Collection) Further, some of these old tunes have beautiful structures which are seldom played anymore. Every once in a while, I will hear one of these tunes done by somebody like Buddy McMaster, and it gives me a great feeling to hear another fiddler play the same tune with a similar phrasing, similar expression, similar dynamics... It reinforces my own confidence in my interpretation of the tune. It is possible to learn airs from notation, without ever having heard them anywhere before, and there are advantages to doing it, namely it contains a greater degree of ones own self expression.
Cheers,
Scotty
# Posted on May 16th 2002 by scottythefiddler
Re: Now I Get It
Gee wiz Will! Its quite funny that you got narky - cause in all honesty - I hate slow airs - I really, really do - it was a simple question that really didnt need to be answered with such spite. But lads just to verify - I really dont care about slow airs!!!!!! I was just asking a question. sorry - no offence to people who love them - just one other thing - there is no point getting so strung up about trad is there? We are not talking politics!
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by bb
Oh one other thing - I only just joined the site - so how am I supposed to know that you lads go through this same discussion every couple of months?
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by bb
Repeating discussions
Don't worry about it; just ask again, and someone will send you a link to the old thread.
Actually, i think Jeremy should create a new section in this site, for "Discussions about posting slow airs in The Session."
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by glauber
Slow Airs...
(1) ... are a very important part of the tradition, and a very attractive kind of music for beginners because... they're slow! However, beginners (like me) really should learn how to play the fast stuff first, and learn only very few slow airs. Slow airs, for the non-Irish-speakers, must be learned very slowly. This reflects the balance in most sessions: about 100 reels for each 10 gigs, for each 1 slow air. Polkas at your own risk.
(2) ... are a very important part of the tradition, but not a very important part of www.thesession.org. We just have to live with it. It's not like we're paying a lot of money for this service anyway.
Slowly yours,
g
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by glauber
Re: Now I Get It
I know slow airs are important - I just dont like em - but all I was saying (sorry to harp on) is that I didnt suggest anything to do with making a new section for slow airs or anything. Anyhow - can we talk about something nice now?
(thanks g)
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by bb
Re: Now I Regret it
Sorry bb, it wasn't your post that got me going. It was the title of this whole thread....followed by evidence to the contrary. Cliff has raised the issue before, and I realized that we hadn't crossed our t's and dotted the proverbial i's in our previous responses. So I attempted to do so, a little suspcious that Cliff is being stubborn on purpose. And that's not fair of me either. Obviously my morning oatmeal was lacking its usual dose of whatever gets me through the day.... (chagrinned grin.)
So sincere apolopies to Cliff, bb, and anyone else put off by my tone above.
bb, I agree that it's very difficult to search through all the bazillion discussion threads here and keep track of what's already been covered. There are threads that I wish weren't buried so deep (and some I wish were deeper still
. But I don't have a clue how to remedy this. Newcomers can always use the search function under Discussions to see what's been previously said on a particular topic, but that seems like a lot of work just to join in a simple online conversation. It's a bit like coming late to a meatspace session and not knowing which tunes have already been played. You start in on the Floating Crowbar and everybody groans.... I guess sometimes we just have to accept these little glitches.
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by Will CPT
Re: Now I Get It
Yup - thats exactly what its like - Ive arrived at 11:30pm at a great session - oh well - I'll never mention slow airs again
Thanks though, I can imagine what it must be like to go over and over something...must be very annoying!
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by bb
Re: Now I Get It
Actually, we're all hoping you'll post a few to the tunes archive....
After hanging around a while, you'll also get a better feel for the sense of humor behind some of our names. Glauber's jab at a discussion section just for slow airs is a case in point. Us old timers here heard him laughing away on that one, even without the emoticons. I would say Glauber has a *dry* wit, except that he's a flute player....
Anyway, welcome aboard bb!
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by Will CPT
Re: Now I Get It
Thanks - its nice to know so many of us have a common interest - I'm sure I'll get to know when you are slaggin
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by bb
Re: Now I Get It
Will....can I ask you a quick unrelated question? What time is it where you are?
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by bb
Re: Now I Get It
Actually, one of the first things i tried to post was a slow air (Staker Wallace). I posted it as a reel, and Jeremy had to axe it (just like the English did to Patrick Wallis, but with much more reason). But i did post O'Carollan's Farewell To Music (reel) and Fairy Queen (waltz). Looking back, i wish i hadn't; they're nice tunes (especially when played by Chris Norman), but they were just a sign of a beginner trying to approach Irish music through the slower and prettier tunes. Today i think this is not a good idea, but hey, one has to start somewhere.
My repertory of slow airs right now is limited to Staker Wallace, Limerick Lamentation, and Easter Snow, and i don't think i'd play either of the latter 2 in front of a knowleadgeable audience, just yet. Give me another 5 years or so.
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by glauber
Re: Now I Get It
bb, I'm in Montana USA and it's 9:15 am. Why, do I come across as sleep deprived?
Or are you just wondering why I'm not working....?
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by Will CPT
Re: Now I Get It
No - neither - I was just wondering why - at around 3pm my time - does this site just light up & everyone starts posting messages
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by bb
Yipes
Whup, go away from your computer, and all this stuff happens!
Regretfully, I feel unable to not comment on a thread that most people probably wish would be dropped. It's a character flaw. *grin* Sorry in advance for the mish-mosh of subjects.
bb, DEAR, I have to say, I feel the same way about discussing politics as you do about discussing trad - for me, it would be the other way round! heh
Beating a dead horse, though (and I am not talking at any one person, here, honest), on a subject that hasn't much to do with the subject of this thread, I would like to respectfully point out that this whole thread is demonstrative of why there's such a beast as session etiquette. To walk into a well-established session (and make no mistake, to the regular inhabitants here, this is just as much a session as any meatspace session), you have to watch your step when interacting with the folk who are already there, as they will have an entire back history and political system that you will know nothing about.
Also, I thought it quite gracious of Will to apologize, and would like to point out that (typically of Will, who practises a profession that realizes that sometimes goodwill is more important than feeling blamed) he took on a bigger share of blame than perhaps belonged to him.
Having been around The Session for a bit, I personally didn't actually find Will's original post particularly nippy, since I understand the back history, his motivation and reasoning, and, what's more, happen to agree with them. And it's also true that Will's post was something of an apologia for a policy that he has nothing to do with -- this is Jeremy's session, and Jeremy's policy, and as Jeremy says, everyone has to live with that or leave. Which is not unlike a regular session, either.
Long live Jeremy, Benevolent Dictator! Viva! Heh.
Going down the list, Glauber brings up a good point, too, if a little obliquely -- and that is that slow airs are the province of the expert in Irish traditional music, and always have been. It's the showpiece of an excellent player, and a demonstration of his or her prowess and knowledge of the music and tradition. Yet, because they *are* slow, beginners tend to gravitate towards them -- and often play them when they shouldn't be attempting them yet. Backwards and contrary, but hey, it's Irish music, what do you expect? *snicker*
And lastly, I'm glad that we're all pals again. *grin*
I'm going away again from the computer. Try not to get too far ahead of me again, will ya? hehehe
Zina
# Posted on May 17th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Now I Get It
Holy ba-geebers, batman! this thread really took off since checking in last. i don't have much of anything to add, except to extend my apologies for assisting with the beating of the dead and nearly fossilized horse. So: a round of virtual pints for everyone, on me. and if you're going to be at gaelic roots next month, then it'll be a real pint for you and hopefully tunes too...
cheers
# Posted on May 18th 2002 by Brendan
Re: Now I Get It
Gidday bb. Yeah, I know, I owe you an e-mail. But in the meantime ... how about medium-paced airs? Do you know the waltz version of Dance of the Honey Bees? It's on Maire O Keefe's album.
# Posted on May 20th 2002 by PCL