My friends. I'm happy to start a thread about the inclusion of non melody instruments in sessions! I rant: I do rhythm. The rhythm is the life and energy of the music. It can be as interesting and certainly as exciting as the tune! I also exist to support the melody! It is my desire and responsibility to listen and respond to the rhythm in the tunes. The bohdran is a "tuned" non melody instrument. It can play pitches in harmony with the tune and can present a varied assortment of incredible sounds. It should be the task of every drummer to know their craft as well as any other instrument player before attempting to participate in a session. Beginners should certainly bring their drums to listen and try things, but always know that the drum will overpower most of the other instruments. Play with courage, sensitivity, style, and precision!
So true! I have a didj that plays a perfect D. I've brought it to school and dabbled with it a bit with our celtic-music ensemble, and with the vocalizations it can add an awesome rhythm and australian feel to the music. It's lots of fun.
If you've heard of the Afro Celt Sound System, you'll know what I'm talking about, if you haven't, you should, but they use African instruments ie. djembes, balafon(african xylophone) & Mbiris\thumb pianos\kalimbas. If you have a kalimba, bring it to a session -- make sure it's tuned in D -- and mike it. It's an AWESOME melody instrument.
Augh. I don't mind didges and kalimbas and djembes and such on a tune here and there, but a whole night (or CD) of them gives me a headache. Just personal choice.
Well, anybody who can keep up with a reel in session time on a kalimba, has attained advanced demigod status and should be allowed to play anywhere (but i haven't met such a person yet).
Have you read the book "The God of Small Things"? How about "The God of Sore Thumbs"?
I heard Afro Celt Sound System on the radio once. Top marks for a cool name, but it was less "Celtic" than i had hoped, more like "world music" stuff. Good sound though.
Here's a little joke, If you have two melody players playing together - you'll have music. If you have one melody player & one percusion player - you still have music. If you have two drummers playing together -you'll have a rainstorm.
The Didjimawhosit is an instrument for people concerned more about branches than roots. I've never seen anyone bring one to a session, but I have seen bodhrans. I posted a history of the instrument here at http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/373
I hate to disagree with you bknjholl, but I think well played Irsh music does not require percussion. It can be a nice bonus - but it is not required.
JOKE ONLY
At the height of the troubles in the seventies a publican noticed a black bag in the corner of his pub getting worried he asked " Whats in the wee black bag in the corner ? " He was answered in a frightened voice its a bomb. Thanks be to God said the barman I thought it was a bodhran.
If I can turn you back to the debate in hand, not that I don't like jokes but........... We have had only two experiences of the Didge. up here in N. Antrim. Firstly, Michael Sands, (sorry - divilthebit), see recent Guitar debate, used to bring one into our session & play his Guitar all night, but now & then, when a tune in D appealed to him in a certain way he would reach for his Didge., & give us a blast. He had the sense to play it only now & then, & so we enjoyed its effect. I'm assuming it was good taste that encouraged him to play it only now & then - who knows what he could have been snorting up that big pipe!! The 2nd time one appeared in a session was when a backpacker whipped out this piece of plastic down pipe, & proceeded to give it the works, & I must say he was very good - for an Aussie! I like to think I keep an open mind, & encourage experiment, good things do come out of it, but I'm affraid certain instruments are definately destined for the now & then category, & while it can lift an occassional track on a CD, or transform an odd tune in a session, I fear, it will never become part of the staple diet at an Irish session. Meanwhile .............Two Cannibals eating a clown, & one turns to the other & says "Does this meat taste funny to you?"
By suggesting that the "rythmn can be as exciting as the tune", you expose a weekness of not understanding diddly music.
The melody AND the rythmn IS the tune.
I'm not saying good percussion playing (I include drums and guitars etc) cannot contribute to the music, I'm just stressing that accompianists know they are accompanying.
If you really are a serious about getting inside the rythmn, your only option is to learn the tunes.
What's the difference between a dead badger and a dead bodhrán player?
Skid marks in front of the badger!
Mind you - a good bodhrán player can add real value to a session. Paul Phillips and Peter McKee from Co Down are two marvellous exponents and give an extra dimension that completes the sound. But I am absolutely pissed off with sessions where 6 drummers are beating the shite out of the pizza box drums and all out of synch with one another - bloody hell on earth!
If you threw a piano key accordeon and a bodhrán off the top of the Empire State Building which would hit the ground first?
Hmmm...The Session becomes ever more like a meatspace session--ganging up on the poor bodhran and didge players as soon as they open the door. I've heard not a few drummers complain about melody players that can't leave a few bars of drumming alone without mucking it up with their "squealing notes." Unfortunately, this thread seems headed in that same direction....
Ah the fray! I fear that the endless debate is proven even more so! Melody and rhythm are ever so tightly linked! Of course, Michael, the tune dictates the rhythm! The drummer must respond in a complementary fashion both reflecting the tune and enhancing it's power! Now It also works in the reverse! The rhythm dictates the tune. The melody player must respond in a complimentary fashion both reflecting the rhythm and enhancing it's power. Consider the freedom of the melody player to determine tempo, style, and embellishment, all of which enhances the rhythm drives the excitement of the music.
I'm a whistle player, recorder, and singer too! I love the interplay that happens with the drum and the melody. Of course either can stand alone and equally, of course, each can be enhanced greatly by the other!
bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
My friends. I'm happy to start a thread about the inclusion of non melody instruments in sessions! I rant: I do rhythm. The rhythm is the life and energy of the music. It can be as interesting and certainly as exciting as the tune! I also exist to support the melody! It is my desire and responsibility to listen and respond to the rhythm in the tunes. The bohdran is a "tuned" non melody instrument. It can play pitches in harmony with the tune and can present a varied assortment of incredible sounds. It should be the task of every drummer to know their craft as well as any other instrument player before attempting to participate in a session. Beginners should certainly bring their drums to listen and try things, but always know that the drum will overpower most of the other instruments. Play with courage, sensitivity, style, and precision!
# Posted on August 25th 2002 by bknjholl
So true! I have a didj that plays a perfect D. I've brought it to school and dabbled with it a bit with our celtic-music ensemble, and with the vocalizations it can add an awesome rhythm and australian feel to the music. It's lots of fun.
If you've heard of the Afro Celt Sound System, you'll know what I'm talking about, if you haven't, you should, but they use African instruments ie. djembes, balafon(african xylophone) & Mbiris\thumb pianos\kalimbas. If you have a kalimba, bring it to a session -- make sure it's tuned in D -- and mike it. It's an AWESOME melody instrument.
# Posted on August 25th 2002 by no longer exists
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
Augh. I don't mind didges and kalimbas and djembes and such on a tune here and there, but a whole night (or CD) of them gives me a headache.
Just personal choice.
zina
# Posted on August 25th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
Well, anybody who can keep up with a reel in session time on a kalimba, has attained advanced demigod status and should be allowed to play anywhere (but i haven't met such a person yet).
Have you read the book "The God of Small Things"? How about "The God of Sore Thumbs"?
# Posted on August 25th 2002 by glauber
Afro Celt Hairdo
I heard Afro Celt Sound System on the radio once. Top marks for a cool name, but it was less "Celtic" than i had hoped, more like "world music" stuff. Good sound though.
# Posted on August 25th 2002 by glauber
The Goat Skinned Ticket to any Session
Here's a little joke, If you have two melody players playing together - you'll have music. If you have one melody player & one percusion player - you still have music. If you have two drummers playing together -you'll have a rainstorm.
The Didjimawhosit is an instrument for people concerned more about branches than roots. I've never seen anyone bring one to a session, but I have seen bodhrans. I posted a history of the instrument here at
http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/373
I hate to disagree with you bknjholl, but I think well played Irsh music does not require percussion. It can be a nice bonus - but it is not required.
# Posted on August 25th 2002 by Mad Baloney
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
My rule of thumb has always been "digeri-don't", but I suppose everyone's entitled to their preference.
# Posted on August 25th 2002 by Jon Kiparsky
Ok, sure, it doesn't work too well in sessions, but hey, if you do ever get bored of ITM(HAHAHAHA) it's a nice change.
# Posted on August 26th 2002 by no longer exists
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
JOKE ONLY
At the height of the troubles in the seventies a publican noticed a black bag in the corner of his pub getting worried he asked " Whats in the wee black bag in the corner ? " He was answered in a frightened voice its a bomb. Thanks be to God said the barman I thought it was a bodhran.
# Posted on August 26th 2002 by Northcregg
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
Haha! Can't make this kind of joke in the US now, the FBI is listening.
# Posted on August 26th 2002 by glauber
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
If I can turn you back to the debate in hand, not that I don't like jokes but........... We have had only two experiences of the Didge. up here in N. Antrim. Firstly, Michael Sands, (sorry - divilthebit), see recent Guitar debate, used to bring one into our session & play his Guitar all night, but now & then, when a tune in D appealed to him in a certain way he would reach for his Didge., & give us a blast. He had the sense to play it only now & then, & so we enjoyed its effect. I'm assuming it was good taste that encouraged him to play it only now & then - who knows what he could have been snorting up that big pipe!! The 2nd time one appeared in a session was when a backpacker whipped out this piece of plastic down pipe, & proceeded to give it the works, & I must say he was very good - for an Aussie! I like to think I keep an open mind, & encourage experiment, good things do come out of it, but I'm affraid certain instruments are definately destined for the now & then category, & while it can lift an occassional track on a CD, or transform an odd tune in a session, I fear, it will never become part of the staple diet at an Irish session. Meanwhile .............Two Cannibals eating a clown, & one turns to the other & says "Does this meat taste funny to you?"
# Posted on August 26th 2002 by Ptarmigan
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
bknjholl
By suggesting that the "rythmn can be as exciting as the tune", you expose a weekness of not understanding diddly music.
The melody AND the rythmn IS the tune.
I'm not saying good percussion playing (I include drums and guitars etc) cannot contribute to the music, I'm just stressing that accompianists know they are accompanying.
If you really are a serious about getting inside the rythmn, your only option is to learn the tunes.
# Posted on August 26th 2002 by llig leahcim
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
What's the difference between a dead badger and a dead bodhrán player?
Skid marks in front of the badger!
Mind you - a good bodhrán player can add real value to a session. Paul Phillips and Peter McKee from Co Down are two marvellous exponents and give an extra dimension that completes the sound. But I am absolutely pissed off with sessions where 6 drummers are beating the shite out of the pizza box drums and all out of synch with one another - bloody hell on earth!
If you threw a piano key accordeon and a bodhrán off the top of the Empire State Building which would hit the ground first?
Who gives a f**k!!
# Posted on August 30th 2002 by breandan
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
Hmmm...The Session becomes ever more like a meatspace session--ganging up on the poor bodhran and didge players as soon as they open the door. I've heard not a few drummers complain about melody players that can't leave a few bars of drumming alone without mucking it up with their "squealing notes." Unfortunately, this thread seems headed in that same direction....
# Posted on August 30th 2002 by Will CPT
Re: bohdrans, digeredoos, and stuff
Ah the fray! I fear that the endless debate is proven even more so! Melody and rhythm are ever so tightly linked! Of course, Michael, the tune dictates the rhythm! The drummer must respond in a complementary fashion both reflecting the tune and enhancing it's power! Now It also works in the reverse! The rhythm dictates the tune. The melody player must respond in a complimentary fashion both reflecting the rhythm and enhancing it's power. Consider the freedom of the melody player to determine tempo, style, and embellishment, all of which enhances the rhythm drives the excitement of the music.
I'm a whistle player, recorder, and singer too! I love the interplay that happens with the drum and the melody. Of course either can stand alone and equally, of course, each can be enhanced greatly by the other!
Play well and freely!
bknjholl
# Posted on August 30th 2002 by bknjholl