I've read somewhere that musicians of dance events/balls in old times were paid only for reels, and this was the reason that reels are so overwhelming in sessions. If this is true, why only for reels, why not reels+jigs+polkas?
Sounds a bit unlikely to me - what the musicians played depended on what the dancers were dancing. If you were in Clare, you would be playing lots of reels, but not so many jigs, while if you were in Kerry, you'd be playing polkas and jigsand not so many reels.
Which side of the border/water are we talking about ?
I might believe it of Scotland, where they have these manic dances that go on for 20 minutes ( Anyone for an eightsome reel ? ) but anywhere else I'd want chapter and verse to qualify it.
Conversation in noisy bar long ago:
First trad player ever: Landlord, are you seriously offering to pay me to play in here?
First landlord ever: For real [he was American]
TTPE: Oh. OK.
Old musicians paid only for Reels
Old musicians paid only for Reels
I've read somewhere that musicians of dance events/balls in old times were paid only for reels, and this was the reason that reels are so overwhelming in sessions. If this is true, why only for reels, why not reels+jigs+polkas?
Thanks, Miki
# Posted on October 18th 2005 by nemethmik
Re: Old musicians paid only for Reels
Where did you read that, Miki?
# Posted on October 18th 2005 by Ottery
Re: Old musicians paid only for Reels
Sounds a bit unlikely to me - what the musicians played depended on what the dancers were dancing. If you were in Clare, you would be playing lots of reels, but not so many jigs, while if you were in Kerry, you'd be playing polkas and jigsand not so many reels.
# Posted on October 18th 2005 by E
Re: Old musicians paid only for Reels
Which side of the border/water are we talking about ?
I might believe it of Scotland, where they have these manic dances that go on for 20 minutes ( Anyone for an eightsome reel ? ) but anywhere else I'd want chapter and verse to qualify it.
# Posted on October 19th 2005 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Old musicians paid only for Reels
I contacted the owner of the website, I'll let you know when I received answer from him. Miki
# Posted on October 19th 2005 by nemethmik
Re: Old musicians paid only for Reels
Conversation in noisy bar long ago:
First trad player ever: Landlord, are you seriously offering to pay me to play in here?
First landlord ever: For real [he was American]
TTPE: Oh. OK.
It was noisy, you see and... I'll get my coat...
# Posted on October 20th 2005 by hurleystick