I have recently learned a set of tunes from the Mick McAuley solo Cd, (An Ocean's Breadth)
I have just discovered, well at least I think so, that both the 2nd and 3rd tunes Shifting Gravel also known as Goodmorning Nightcap and The Spindle's Shank also known as Mulqueens start off with the B section first. That is playing the B section before the A.
Having already learned this setting from the CD, is it improper
to play it in a session or at least with some fair warning.
Also was wondering if other recordings commonly incorporate the idea of the B before the A — purposefully.
Well, you now know both parts, right? If other people in your area play the tunes A to B, why not follow suit? 'Course you could ask them to change, if your setting of the tunes is compelling enough, but I wouldn't *expect* them to.
Sometimes it works well to start with the B part for a better transition in a set, and it's not just recording artists who'll do that. I've heard it happen at sessions as well, and it either leaves the person pulling the switch to solo through the B part, or becomes local custom and everybody joins in.
There are a few tunes (The Glass of Beer and The Castle spring to mind) where the A and B parts are sort of interchangeable. As Will says, usually because it might facilitate a better change from another tune. People round here seem to just accept that when it happens. Other tunes are treated in a less flexible manner.
The problem arises not so much at the beginning, as at the end, when no-one knows which part to bow out on....
Mark
There are some tunes that just don't want to end. So somebody has to decide which part to end on. The decision is entirely arbitrary, so, inevitably, there will be some that play it one way round and some that play it the other way. This is fine, as long as everyone in one session has the sme version. But when there are players from both 'schools' present, it is easy to get trapped in a tune. When person X thinks they are on the B-part and ready to finish or move on to the next tune, person Y thinks they are on the A-part, and goes back to what they consider the B-part. Person X then thinks they are back on the A-part and goes to *their* B-part, and so on. After about the 7th time round, someone realises what is happening, gives a bold nod and launches forcefully into another tune.
My personal philosophy is if you start the tune on the "B" part, you should end it on the "A" part. If someone else starts that tune and plays it the other way, you should follow their lead.
In other words, I don't think it is "wrong" to switch the parts, especially if that is the way you learned the tune.
there is a set, played by altan: "tommy people's-the windmill-the guns of the magnificient seven", the first tune ends in A part. when I first try to learn this set there was something that didin't work since I realise I was mecanically ending first tune in B part.
I prefer not to play with the order but there are exceptions if you can build better the set.
Thanx for all the wonderful ideas. I just have to use my best judgement when making that attempt I guess. As far as when to end a tune maybe the ol' eye contact or the raising of a leg/ foot would be helpful.
To B or not to B
To B or not to B
I have recently learned a set of tunes from the Mick McAuley solo Cd, (An Ocean's Breadth)
I have just discovered, well at least I think so, that both the 2nd and 3rd tunes Shifting Gravel also known as Goodmorning Nightcap and The Spindle's Shank also known as Mulqueens start off with the B section first. That is playing the B section before the A.
Having already learned this setting from the CD, is it improper
to play it in a session or at least with some fair warning.
Also was wondering if other recordings commonly incorporate the idea of the B before the A — purposefully.
Raymond
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by Sir Dungsmere
Re: To B or not to B
Well, you now know both parts, right? If other people in your area play the tunes A to B, why not follow suit? 'Course you could ask them to change, if your setting of the tunes is compelling enough, but I wouldn't *expect* them to.
Sometimes it works well to start with the B part for a better transition in a set, and it's not just recording artists who'll do that. I've heard it happen at sessions as well, and it either leaves the person pulling the switch to solo through the B part, or becomes local custom and everybody joins in.
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by Will CPT
Re: To B or not to B
There are a few tunes (The Glass of Beer and The Castle spring to mind) where the A and B parts are sort of interchangeable. As Will says, usually because it might facilitate a better change from another tune. People round here seem to just accept that when it happens. Other tunes are treated in a less flexible manner.
The problem arises not so much at the beginning, as at the end, when no-one knows which part to bow out on....
Mark
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by Ottery
Re: To B or not to B
There are some tunes that just don't want to end. So somebody has to decide which part to end on. The decision is entirely arbitrary, so, inevitably, there will be some that play it one way round and some that play it the other way. This is fine, as long as everyone in one session has the sme version. But when there are players from both 'schools' present, it is easy to get trapped in a tune. When person X thinks they are on the B-part and ready to finish or move on to the next tune, person Y thinks they are on the A-part, and goes back to what they consider the B-part. Person X then thinks they are back on the A-part and goes to *their* B-part, and so on. After about the 7th time round, someone realises what is happening, gives a bold nod and launches forcefully into another tune.
Anderson's Reel is one this often happens with.
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by granama
Re: To B or not to B
My personal philosophy is if you start the tune on the "B" part, you should end it on the "A" part. If someone else starts that tune and plays it the other way, you should follow their lead.
In other words, I don't think it is "wrong" to switch the parts, especially if that is the way you learned the tune.
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by Jode
Re: To B or not to B
there is a set, played by altan: "tommy people's-the windmill-the guns of the magnificient seven", the first tune ends in A part. when I first try to learn this set there was something that didin't work since I realise I was mecanically ending first tune in B part.
I prefer not to play with the order but there are exceptions if you can build better the set.
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by fer
Re: To B or not to B
Thanx for all the wonderful ideas. I just have to use my best judgement when making that attempt I guess. As far as when to end a tune maybe the ol' eye contact or the raising of a leg/ foot would be helpful.
# Posted on January 28th 2005 by Sir Dungsmere