Hi everyone!
I like to put my tunes into sets for when im playing at concerts and suchlike. I was wondering how everyone else does this because I always seem to do the usual set of reels, set of jigs or a March Strathspey and Reel set. I also usually tend to stick to similar keys in the set without much drastic change.
Can anyone give me some helpful hints on tunes which go together or interesting ways to link tunes together?
Thanks!
The Comhaltas Foinn Seisiun Books 1 & 2 contain 74 "ready-made" sets of popular session tunes - there's also a CD to go with Book 1. you'll get more information on these and how to order them at http://www.comhaltas.com/seisiun/foinn.htm
Provocatively.
If the tunes make an exciting transition, then do it.
One of my favourite sets in years gone by went through tunes from Rumania to Applachia to Ireland. The best audience reaction though was not to an irish set.. It was the local Jewish traders at the market loving Hava Nagila (how do you spell it?) then being appalled when it easily slipped into the Mexican Hat Dance. The fiddler just felt like having some fun and the rest of us followed. It worked.
The absolute classic to my ear in the irish 'tradition' is Andy Irvine's arrangement of the Plains of Kildare. He manages to make a series of smooth and exciting transitions through waltz, jig, 7/8 and 13/8 rythyms. It still excites me today.
Listen to as much Celtic (yes, Irish AND Scottish) music as you can and take careful note of how other people put sets together - probably the best way to learn (and eventually develop your own "set style").
To my ear, a set should "flow" from one tune to another. After two or three tunes, you can "divert" this flow by changing key, changing time signature, by going into a tune with an abrupt or striking attack to it - or a mixture of all 3.
Ideally, the set should "do something" and "go towards something" and hopefully, have a flourish to finish it.
Thanks the links have been pretty helpful. I like your ideas geoff - il give that a shot aswell. Now to go look out some CDs and music and get a start!
How do you put tunes into sets?
How do you put tunes into sets?
Hi everyone!
I like to put my tunes into sets for when im playing at concerts and suchlike. I was wondering how everyone else does this because I always seem to do the usual set of reels, set of jigs or a March Strathspey and Reel set. I also usually tend to stick to similar keys in the set without much drastic change.
Can anyone give me some helpful hints on tunes which go together or interesting ways to link tunes together?
Thanks!
# Posted on March 17th 2005 by nicola1
Re: How do you put tunes into sets?
Lots of info on this, almost too much for me to summarize here, in the archives. Try:
http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/794
http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/1795
http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/4947
for starters, but there's lots more. Have fun!
# Posted on March 17th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: How do you put tunes into sets?
Some good ideas were offered here: http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/42/comments#comment504
Try a search for "tunes into sets" and you'll find more advice.
# Posted on March 17th 2005 by Will Harmon
Re: How do you put tunes into sets?
Cross posted, heh. How'd we come up with entirely different threads?
# Posted on March 17th 2005 by Will Harmon
Re: How do you put tunes into sets?
Heh. There's also http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/2123 . It's a subject that we've discussed quite a bit, natch.
# Posted on March 17th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: How do you put tunes into sets?
I think you probably put in "tunes into sets", and I put in "tune sets" and so we got different returns, of course.
# Posted on March 17th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: How do you put tunes into sets?
The Comhaltas Foinn Seisiun Books 1 & 2 contain 74 "ready-made" sets of popular session tunes - there's also a CD to go with Book 1. you'll get more information on these and how to order them at http://www.comhaltas.com/seisiun/foinn.htm
# Posted on March 17th 2005 by Bannerman
Re: How do you put tunes into sets?
Provocatively.
If the tunes make an exciting transition, then do it.
One of my favourite sets in years gone by went through tunes from Rumania to Applachia to Ireland. The best audience reaction though was not to an irish set.. It was the local Jewish traders at the market loving Hava Nagila (how do you spell it?) then being appalled when it easily slipped into the Mexican Hat Dance. The fiddler just felt like having some fun and the rest of us followed. It worked.
The absolute classic to my ear in the irish 'tradition' is Andy Irvine's arrangement of the Plains of Kildare. He manages to make a series of smooth and exciting transitions through waltz, jig, 7/8 and 13/8 rythyms. It still excites me today.
# Posted on March 18th 2005 by NeilBarr
Re: How do you put tunes into sets?
Listen to as much Celtic (yes, Irish AND Scottish) music as you can and take careful note of how other people put sets together - probably the best way to learn (and eventually develop your own "set style").
To my ear, a set should "flow" from one tune to another. After two or three tunes, you can "divert" this flow by changing key, changing time signature, by going into a tune with an abrupt or striking attack to it - or a mixture of all 3.
Ideally, the set should "do something" and "go towards something" and hopefully, have a flourish to finish it.
# Posted on March 18th 2005 by geoffwright
Re: How do you put tunes into sets?
Thanks the links have been pretty helpful. I like your ideas geoff - il give that a shot aswell. Now to go look out some CDs and music and get a start!
# Posted on March 18th 2005 by nicola1