Well my very first post. What a responsibility. You like questions, so what I would like to know is what would be your least favourite lead instrument to play? Mine would be the pipes and I just can't imagine ever trying to learn them. They just physically don't appeal to me and I can't imagine the coordination involved. I think you have to learn the pipes first then go to workshops on how to keep a deadpan look while playing them. I'm not being sexist but is it more a man's instrument?
I can knock out reels and jigs on the mandolin to session speed but prefer the whistle as it's more subtle and fluid for me (Oh dear, I seem to have hit another recent topic about the hierarchy of how hard instruments are to play). I'm not knocking the mandolin as it's a lovely session instrument and I wouldn't play it if I didn't like it and the limitation is in me, not the instrument. I'm actually a wannabe banjo player but it's just too big a stretch for me but what lovely bass growl it has.
So there it is: If you were forced to play Irish music NOT on the instrument you play but your WORST choice, what would be the worst choice from your point of view and why? Would you hate this last choice of instrument so much that you would give up playing Irish music if you were forced to play it? If this topic has been done before just ignore and move on.
Here are some pointers: lead instruments only; established Irish session instruments not flights of fancy about pan pipes or musical saws etc; The harp and guitar, mandola and bouzouki if used for playing tunes and not backup are legitimate.
Don't forget the humble but versatile mouth organ or jew's harp (the last one's just for you snowy, although you play so many instruments I think this will be too hard a post for you).
You can't use the same instrument, ie: say you would hate to play the polymer flute if you play the flute or a plastic whistle if you play the whistle. Do they make plastic jew's harps? Anyway, it's got to be a different instrument so you can say you're a flute player but would find it nearly impossible to take up the whistle (very, very weird and highly improbable but just on the bounds of the possible and if this applies to you seek immediate therapy as you are deeply depressed). Money is no object and although you might not really want to play a concertina or even hate to play it, you get the top of the range Jeffries or Wheatstone or whatever.
Don't squabble now, and I'll be the adjudicator if need be. There may be an incentive; a whole malteser for the best answer, half a malteser for the 2nd best and a quarter malteser for the third. But maybe not, do you think I'm made of money?
Judge Sally: the people are real; the cases are real; the judgements are final.
Flute.
The thought of spending all evening pulling silly faces and dribbling spit all over the place really puts me off. I do that when I play my Mandola anyway but that's optional, not mandatory as it is with fluters.
Len
I can't imagine not wanting to play an instrument, and yes, I play Jew's harp, and yes, they are made out of nearly everything, from bamboo to plastic, although you won't find those in the stores.
Piano accordion. I acutally love it, but it's too big and heavy to carry around. And you know, it's one of the most underrated instruments in the Irish tradition these days. I don't know how long it would take me to be good enough to be allowed to bring it in a session.
Fiddle. I'm sorry to the eight million fiddlers out there, but... there are already eight million fiddlers out there.... plus, I've just never had any great interest in playing the fiddle.
And no - the pipes are not just a man's instument. There are about half a dozen young women pipers in our part of the world alone, and very fine players they are too.
But I do agree about the pipes - tried to play them myself but gave it up as a bad job!
And least favourite instrument - those really loud piano keyed accordions. Sends shivers up my spine just thinking about it.
Probably the instrument most despised around here [although there are one or two exponents who have earned the respect of the rest of us by being subtle - not the trade mark of most players unfortunately!!].
I think our preferences are related to the physical skills required to get a tune out of the instruments
My faves will always be thinks with strings that need to be plucked or bowed
Second choice goes to things you have to squeeze and - for me - last choice is for anything that you have to blow. Love listening to others play them all though
I'd say, mostly anything that requires great physical effort to play, so Piano Accordion & Uilleann Pipes would be up there, high on the list, not because I don't like their sound, it's just that I like to relax & take it easy at a session.
But the one I would least like to play would be the Flute:
A - cause you have to sit with your arms up in the air all night & B - I just don't have a great affinity with the physical act of playing wind instruments, much as I love the sound of them.
Sorry, no smart answer from me, so I guess, no Malteser. Och well, I'm going on a diet tomorrow, anyway!
Thank goodness tomorrow never comes -
Len, good answer but from what you say of yourself I suspect you would drool the choc out and I can't abide the waste of a good choc. No choc.
Kfg, what a well tempered fellow you are, desiring to play all things equally but as a fencesitter no choc and you owe the pool 10 bags of maltesers.
Slainte, you completely avoided the question. No choc and you owe the pool 1000 boxes of maltesers.
Cath, sorry about the asthma but you can make imaginary choices or state the instrument you could play but would be least likely to. No choc.
Zazz, another fiddle can't harm and don't you love how their tendency to lead sessions? No choc.
Breanden, good answer and nearly a contender as a failed piper but no choc.
Halfirish, you didn't read the pointers about the same instrument. No choc and you owe the pool about 500 family-sized bags of maltesers and 500 boxes.
Geoff, you answered the question in reverse order and I wasn't interested in what you like to play. No choc and you narrowly avoid a fine.
Snowy, almost a sympathy vote for not expecting a choc. But hey, who am I to deprive you of your diet. No choc.
Div (Davy, my hero) good answer and nearly a contender but t'would look too much like favouritism so must fine you 10 ordinary bags of maltesers.
Wormdiet, nearly an answer but for fudging you owe the pool 1200 ordinary bags of maltesers, 300 boxes and 900 family-sized packs.
Jim being picky will cost you 1500 boxes of white maltesers and demanding chocs will cost you 1000 packets of your favourite whites. For going on about banks and reeds another 3000 boxes.
Okay I'll call you Ptarmy but for attempting to bring the judge into disrepute 750 family sized bags. For asking for Jim's chocs (you greedy boy) another 1200 family-size packets.
For not knowing what maltesers are (can't you search the web?) Zazz you have landed yourself in the proverbial and it will cost you 300 boxes of Hershy bars and for not searching the web another 2000. There is that better?
Maltesers are balls of malt covered in chocolate. They tase awesome.
The instrument that would kill my love of ITM would have to be Pipes, the one time i tried them, for about ten minutes, I was sore for at least an hour.
As a fiddler, I woud love to be able to play a box. An instrument where you can concentrate on the music and not on tuning. Playing with a box player who's instrument really needs an overhaul/service, I am aware that I am constantly listening to keep in tune with him as he can't alter his tuning!
I've also just done a gig where I've taken the fiddle from a cold van to a hot, humid hall and spent half the evening re-tuning!
Greg, you answered a question that nobody asked, didn't I specify LEAD instruments. You've obviously been at too many pianos recently. 100,000 boxes for not reading the question properly.
Kjay, nice answer but you narrowly evade a fine for giving away the secret of the malteser.
Tarantula, another naughty boy who didn't read the question but not such an off-the-wall answer as Greg, hence only 50,000 boxes.
Copo, not bad, short but to the point. But it seems too strange to find a banjo player who doesn't like the box, so no choc.
OK - I was looking on the positive side because I would like to be able to play most instruments - but I don't part with Maltesers lightly (especially not the white ones)- so as you have changed my gender, I'm not paying my 50,000 box penalty.
Mea culpa...shoulda read furthur...way too many pianos...way too many 6th graders with drumsticks and saxophones...bring on the Malteasers (I know them by another name) and I'll choose the button accordion as my least likely- it looks too counterintuitive...
'The instrument that would kill my love of ITM would have to be Pipes, the one time i tried them, for about ten minutes, I was sore for at least an hour.'
KJay, where on earth did you stick them?
My least favourite would have to be the fiddle. My last dalliance with this hellish contraption led to six months visiting a physiotherapist every week. And even if you master it, you have to be SO good, otherwise you're just one of a zillion other fiddlers in the second string section ....
I don't understand the problem people have with being "one of a zillion other fiddlers".
Do you want to stand out?
Do you want your music to be individual?
"The world does not need another fiddler"???
"I'm sorry to the eight million fiddlers out there, but... there are already eight million fiddlers out there...."???
Come on now, this is ego talking, not the desire to be an ensemble player.
Do you all want to be soloists that people remember?
You require an individual gimmick?
Ottery suggests that the lesser fiddlers are confined to the "second string sections". Actually, from my experience of participating in fiddlers rallies and the like, I've noticed that it is usually the better players who are asked to play the "second part". Those of us who are visitors to the rally and/or novices in general just get to play the "first fiddle" part which is usually the actual melody or tune. So, it doesn't always pay to be too good in these situations.
Michael, this person doesn't really have a problem with being "one of a zillion other fiddlers" - it was a joke (Ha Ha?) Sorry if it wasn't signalled clearly enough for you
John, the term "second string section" was one plucked out of the air to illustrate the fact that the fiddle was (rightly) a very popular instrument, not anything to do with actual 'fiddlers rallies' whatever they might be (I have a vision of mud-spattered cars whizzing around forest tracks with a fiddler in the navigators seat, shouting "B minor, hard right! faster!)
I thought it was England and America that were supposed to be separated by a common language - not England and Scotland!
Fiddlers rallies are peculiar to Scotland. They can be good fun to play at and a good source for tunes. However, they are very regimented affairs with the musicians playing "off the paper" and there is no scope for much individuality.
They obviously differ to regular orchestras.
My sister plays the bagpipes, grant you her set are the cheapest that money can buy, but she is damn good. Right now though, she is going nuts, she is teaching 7 kids how to play and is trying to be a good pipe major.
I think she is doing a good job.
As for other instruments, I would love to be able to play an accordion, but i think I shall stick to one instrument for now, lol.
I like all the melody instruments used in ITM, especially the pipes which the weak are so intimidated by. All that is except for the piano accordion which is an abomination and hardly wrth mentioning. I woud wince every time I had to play it but. NOTHING absolutely noting would kill my love for playing this music.
Now don't go to hard on me there psyco chick, after all I'm a fellow whistler who play's the whistle not because it's easier than the flute or pipes but because I really would love the sound of the whistle.
Maybe you haven't heard the piano box being played well, Paul. I can assure you in the right hand it can sound really good. I don't think there's any yoke I dislike. Shakey eggs maybe.
I thououghly enjoyed it. I hope everyone else did.
I met a bodharan player that travelled all the way from California. Wow is all I can say. What did the rest of ye think of it?
Tarran - sister - a gross miscarriage of justice and your appeal has been successful. Your fine is reduced to one (small) bag.
Greg, graceful and honest answer and you gain a reduction to only 10 family-sized. You can reduce this to one box if you reveal the other name you know maltesers by.
Ottery for being contrary and controversial you had been nominated for the quarter choc, but later retractions have lost you that and you have been fined 200 packets.
Michael, Michael, you're ranting again and it will cost you 10 boxes. You know it makes sense and that I'm harsh but fair.
John J, you know exactly what you have done. 1900 boxes.
Ptarmy, you're late on the first payment, so with great sorrow I must add another 1000 boxes. There is a payment plan available.
Chef Paul, you have won a top-of-the-range piano accordion.
Danny (or is it DANNY) another one who couldn't be bothered or didn't have enough sense to read the question but I will let you off on that. For mentioning shakey eggs, 1,000,000 boxes.
6tti, you seem to have wandered in from off the street or possibly another planet. You obviously meant to start another thread so please do so.
Phantom, you should know better and for your blatant refusal to follow the rules, 100 boxes.
I've seen bohola nd the great Jimmy Keane a couple of times. It's not that the piano accordian doesn't fit the music. However in my humble opinion the button accordian and concertina are even more suited. Kinda like the whistle is more suited tham the recorder and the octave mandolin more suited that the "blugrass" mandolin. It's perhaps a nit picky and subtle difference. The only piano accordian players I know came to ITM from another musical background. I would assert that there aren't to many people wanting to play ITM picking the piano accordion to be their main axe over the button box or concertina and I think there is a reason for that. I say this meaning no offense to the piano accordiaon players out there.
An easy mistake zazz, but you're right, if we let that go unpunished then we break down and the machine breaks down and so on.
Chef Paul, 6000 boxes added on zazz's point of order and another 6000 for ranting on at Danny and another 6000 for using the phrase "in my humble opinion."
Just change your name to psycho, forget the Sal bit, eh?
:-}
You were right the second time - I don't have any sense. At all.
But really I was just pointing out to Paul my view on piano boxes. I know at least 3 really good players, one of them a regular on this site. And to paraphrase what's on your bio, I'd rather hear a really good piano box player than a crap button box player.
I want to blend into the ensemble, but I also want to contribute to it. What is the point of playing if everybody sounds the same? Around these parts, fiddlers just about always constitute 50% of all instruments, the rest being equal parts rhythm and melody. In a session with 6 or 8 fiddlers and a guitarist, would you prefer to be joined by a sole flute player or the 9th fiddler? THis is my situation probably every other session, so stop pontificating, please.
More to the point, I like the sound of a good fiddle player but have absolutely no desire to learn it, even were I the sole Irish fiddler on the planet. The instrument holds no appeal for me "on anything other than a platonic level," to borrow a dating cliche.
DANNY, you really don't have much sense but there's absolutely no need to point it out.
Contempt of court, 10,000 boxes.
600 packets for going over the same stuff again; it was boring the first time.
For being unoriginal and paraphrasing, 90,000 mixed family-sized and boxes.
I've been lenient because you're a whistle player and because of your previously untarnished record but I hope you take this as a serious warning of where you'll end up if you don't mend your ways me lad.
Wormdiet, reverse order but a good answer and I believe Michael is on another thread having a go at this. A mere 100 boxes.
Read closely I did spell accordion right one out of four times!
I also mispelled other words I know how to spell. I'm asking you to believe me on this I really honestly and truely know how to spell accordiaon. ACCORDEUN! See!
I will however gladly accept the other 1200 demerits on the grounds that a) I was out of order and b) I wouldn't give a humble opinion. I don't know what came over me for a second.
Wormdiet, what does it matter what instrument a person plays?
I'm not defending fiddles here, or MG - he can do that for himself.
I just think I'd prefer to see a good musician join me at a sesssion - rather than a bad one.
& I'd rather see a good person join me at a session - rather than a bad person.
But really, it shouldn't matter what instrument they are playing - & yes, all joking aside, that includes PAs & Bodhrans.
Great recovery Chef Paul and you would automatically get a quarter reduction for spelling accordion correctly 1 in 4 (we all make spelling mistakes). I scrub all your fines and you may be nominated for the quarter choc for ranting on at Danny.
Ptarmy, Ptarmy, Ptarmy, what am I going to do about you?
Off subject, brawling with witnesses and late payments. I’ll have to remand you on bail and give you a court order that you can only take the hammered dulcimer to sessions till further notice. Oh, and a further fine of 150,000 boxes.
I know them as Malted Milk Balls, and they await you (as well as a fresh Guiness) should you ever bring your whistle to the Monday session at the Green Briar Pub in Brighton, Mass. :D
Absolutely, I'd say instrumentation matters. NOt in any grand sense, but variety is the spice of life. 9 fiddlers vs. 2 flutes, a piper, three fiddles, a bodhran, a box, a whistle, and some type of plucked string? Given equally talented players, I'd pick the mixed session just about every single time.
Then again, listening to good players is probably more important. I don't think the priorities are necessarily opposed.
Yeah Jim it's a good con. But for revealing it you owe 5,000,000 boxes.
Ah a another glockenspiel thread. No phantom, we don't want to hear your reminiscences of when you used to play Irish trad on the glockenspiel back in the sixties. A token 10,000 family-size for your lapse into self-indulgent twaddle. This may be a lesson to be less condescending to my hero.
Ptarmy you've been overdosing on illicit hoards of chocolate that you owe as a debt and have become hyperactive and having really bad dreams and too naughty to control. I've brought in an outside contracter called Tony Soprano to make things right between us.
Wormdiet, (Jesus, even the name), I've arranged for some sessions with Dr Melfi and in case that proves not enough then Tony will take care of you on my behalf and with my blessing. Enjoy.
Would you have to fake it? .....
Would you have to fake it? .....
Well my very first post. What a responsibility. You like questions, so what I would like to know is what would be your least favourite lead instrument to play? Mine would be the pipes and I just can't imagine ever trying to learn them. They just physically don't appeal to me and I can't imagine the coordination involved. I think you have to learn the pipes first then go to workshops on how to keep a deadpan look while playing them. I'm not being sexist but is it more a man's instrument?
I can knock out reels and jigs on the mandolin to session speed but prefer the whistle as it's more subtle and fluid for me (Oh dear, I seem to have hit another recent topic about the hierarchy of how hard instruments are to play). I'm not knocking the mandolin as it's a lovely session instrument and I wouldn't play it if I didn't like it and the limitation is in me, not the instrument. I'm actually a wannabe banjo player but it's just too big a stretch for me but what lovely bass growl it has.
So there it is: If you were forced to play Irish music NOT on the instrument you play but your WORST choice, what would be the worst choice from your point of view and why? Would you hate this last choice of instrument so much that you would give up playing Irish music if you were forced to play it? If this topic has been done before just ignore and move on.
Here are some pointers: lead instruments only; established Irish session instruments not flights of fancy about pan pipes or musical saws etc; The harp and guitar, mandola and bouzouki if used for playing tunes and not backup are legitimate.
Don't forget the humble but versatile mouth organ or jew's harp (the last one's just for you snowy, although you play so many instruments I think this will be too hard a post for you).
You can't use the same instrument, ie: say you would hate to play the polymer flute if you play the flute or a plastic whistle if you play the whistle. Do they make plastic jew's harps? Anyway, it's got to be a different instrument so you can say you're a flute player but would find it nearly impossible to take up the whistle (very, very weird and highly improbable but just on the bounds of the possible and if this applies to you seek immediate therapy as you are deeply depressed). Money is no object and although you might not really want to play a concertina or even hate to play it, you get the top of the range Jeffries or Wheatstone or whatever.
Don't squabble now, and I'll be the adjudicator if need be. There may be an incentive; a whole malteser for the best answer, half a malteser for the 2nd best and a quarter malteser for the third. But maybe not, do you think I'm made of money?
Judge Sally: the people are real; the cases are real; the judgements are final.
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by Judge Judy
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Flute.
The thought of spending all evening pulling silly faces and dribbling spit all over the place really puts me off. I do that when I play my Mandola anyway but that's optional, not mandatory as it is with fluters.
Len
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by len
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
I can't imagine not wanting to play an instrument, and yes, I play Jew's harp, and yes, they are made out of nearly everything, from bamboo to plastic, although you won't find those in the stores.
KFG
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by KFG
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Piano accordion. I acutally love it, but it's too big and heavy to carry around. And you know, it's one of the most underrated instruments in the Irish tradition these days. I don't know how long it would take me to be good enough to be allowed to bring it in a session.
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by slainte
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Anything I have to blow into. Can't even fake it.
Got asthma!
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by Cath
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Fiddle. I'm sorry to the eight million fiddlers out there, but... there are already eight million fiddlers out there.... plus, I've just never had any great interest in playing the fiddle.
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by Zazzaliss
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
And no - the pipes are not just a man's instument. There are about half a dozen young women pipers in our part of the world alone, and very fine players they are too.
But I do agree about the pipes - tried to play them myself but gave it up as a bad job!
And least favourite instrument - those really loud piano keyed accordions. Sends shivers up my spine just thinking about it.
Probably the instrument most despised around here [although there are one or two exponents who have earned the respect of the rest of us by being subtle - not the trade mark of most players unfortunately!!].
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by breandan
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Just to reiterate...
The pipes are surely right at home in the lap of someone like Becky Taylor - a lady piper of great reknown and accomplishment.
Least favourite instrument would be a badly played guitar, but I play well!
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by halfirish
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
I think our preferences are related to the physical skills required to get a tune out of the instruments
My faves will always be thinks with strings that need to be plucked or bowed
Second choice goes to things you have to squeeze and - for me - last choice is for anything that you have to blow. Love listening to others play them all though
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by geoffmc
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
I'd say, mostly anything that requires great physical effort to play, so Piano Accordion & Uilleann Pipes would be up there, high on the list, not because I don't like their sound, it's just that I like to relax & take it easy at a session.
But the one I would least like to play would be the Flute:
A - cause you have to sit with your arms up in the air all night & B - I just don't have a great affinity with the physical act of playing wind instruments, much as I love the sound of them.
Sorry, no smart answer from me, so I guess, no Malteser. Och well, I'm going on a diet tomorrow, anyway!
Thank goodness tomorrow never comes -
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
PA. In the right hands a great instrument. There are a lot of wrong hands out there.
Runner Up - Fiddle. The world does not need another.
# Posted on November 13th 2005 by wormdiet
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Okay here's so far:
Len, good answer but from what you say of yourself I suspect you would drool the choc out and I can't abide the waste of a good choc. No choc.
Kfg, what a well tempered fellow you are, desiring to play all things equally but as a fencesitter no choc and you owe the pool 10 bags of maltesers.
Slainte, you completely avoided the question. No choc and you owe the pool 1000 boxes of maltesers.
Cath, sorry about the asthma but you can make imaginary choices or state the instrument you could play but would be least likely to. No choc.
Zazz, another fiddle can't harm and don't you love how their tendency to lead sessions? No choc.
Breanden, good answer and nearly a contender as a failed piper but no choc.
Halfirish, you didn't read the pointers about the same instrument. No choc and you owe the pool about 500 family-sized bags of maltesers and 500 boxes.
Geoff, you answered the question in reverse order and I wasn't interested in what you like to play. No choc and you narrowly avoid a fine.
Snowy, almost a sympathy vote for not expecting a choc. But hey, who am I to deprive you of your diet. No choc.
Div (Davy, my hero) good answer and nearly a contender but t'would look too much like favouritism so must fine you 10 ordinary bags of maltesers.
Wormdiet, nearly an answer but for fudging you owe the pool 1200 ordinary bags of maltesers, 300 boxes and 900 family-sized packs.
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Judge Judy
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Quite correct Jim:
'Snowy Owl' at:
http://www.thesession.org/members/display.php/13211
N.B. - there is also a newer 'Snowy', but no details of gender, at:
http://www.thesession.org/members/display.php/20127
..... just being pickier, 'Sally'
So, can I get Jim's white chocolate Maltesers then?
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Erm... Maltesers?
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Zazzaliss
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Jim being picky will cost you 1500 boxes of white maltesers and demanding chocs will cost you 1000 packets of your favourite whites. For going on about banks and reeds another 3000 boxes.
Okay I'll call you Ptarmy but for attempting to bring the judge into disrepute 750 family sized bags. For asking for Jim's chocs (you greedy boy) another 1200 family-size packets.
For not knowing what maltesers are (can't you search the web?) Zazz you have landed yourself in the proverbial and it will cost you 300 boxes of Hershy bars and for not searching the web another 2000. There is that better?
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Judge Judy
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Two things to add; one an answer and one a question;
1)bodhran (love the instrument but hate the jokes), and
2)what are maltesers??????????????
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Maltesers are balls of malt covered in chocolate. They tase awesome.
The instrument that would kill my love of ITM would have to be Pipes, the one time i tried them, for about ten minutes, I was sore for at least an hour.
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by kjay_bc_box
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
As a fiddler, I woud love to be able to play a box. An instrument where you can concentrate on the music and not on tuning. Playing with a box player who's instrument really needs an overhaul/service, I am aware that I am constantly listening to keep in tune with him as he can't alter his tuning!
I've also just done a gig where I've taken the fiddle from a cold van to a hot, humid hall and spent half the evening re-tuning!
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Tarrantella
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Button accordion. Too awkward looking and not one of my fave instruments
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by copo24
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Greg, you answered a question that nobody asked, didn't I specify LEAD instruments. You've obviously been at too many pianos recently. 100,000 boxes for not reading the question properly.
Kjay, nice answer but you narrowly evade a fine for giving away the secret of the malteser.
Tarantula, another naughty boy who didn't read the question but not such an off-the-wall answer as Greg, hence only 50,000 boxes.
Copo, not bad, short but to the point. But it seems too strange to find a banjo player who doesn't like the box, so no choc.
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Judge Judy
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
OK - I was looking on the positive side because I would like to be able to play most instruments - but I don't part with Maltesers lightly (especially not the white ones)- so as you have changed my gender, I'm not paying my 50,000 box penalty.
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Tarrantella
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Dear psychoSal,
Mea culpa...shoulda read furthur...way too many pianos...way too many 6th graders with drumsticks and saxophones...bring on the Malteasers (I know them by another name) and I'll choose the button accordion as my least likely- it looks too counterintuitive...
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
'The instrument that would kill my love of ITM would have to be Pipes, the one time i tried them, for about ten minutes, I was sore for at least an hour.'
KJay, where on earth did you stick them?
My least favourite would have to be the fiddle. My last dalliance with this hellish contraption led to six months visiting a physiotherapist every week. And even if you master it, you have to be SO good, otherwise you're just one of a zillion other fiddlers in the second string section ....
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Ottery
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
I don't understand the problem people have with being "one of a zillion other fiddlers".
Do you want to stand out?
Do you want your music to be individual?
"The world does not need another fiddler"???
"I'm sorry to the eight million fiddlers out there, but... there are already eight million fiddlers out there...."???
Come on now, this is ego talking, not the desire to be an ensemble player.
Do you all want to be soloists that people remember?
You require an individual gimmick?
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Ottery suggests that the lesser fiddlers are confined to the "second string sections". Actually, from my experience of participating in fiddlers rallies and the like, I've noticed that it is usually the better players who are asked to play the "second part". Those of us who are visitors to the rally and/or novices in general just get to play the "first fiddle" part which is usually the actual melody or tune. So, it doesn't always pay to be too good in these situations.
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Johannes J
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Michael, this person doesn't really have a problem with being "one of a zillion other fiddlers" - it was a joke (Ha Ha?) Sorry if it wasn't signalled clearly enough for you
John, the term "second string section" was one plucked out of the air to illustrate the fact that the fiddle was (rightly) a very popular instrument, not anything to do with actual 'fiddlers rallies' whatever they might be (I have a vision of mud-spattered cars whizzing around forest tracks with a fiddler in the navigators seat, shouting "B minor, hard right! faster!)
I thought it was England and America that were supposed to be separated by a common language - not England and Scotland!
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Ottery
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Fiddlers rallies are peculiar to Scotland. They can be good fun to play at and a good source for tunes. However, they are very regimented affairs with the musicians playing "off the paper" and there is no scope for much individuality.
They obviously differ to regular orchestras.
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Johannes J
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Thanks John, I must confess I've never come across any mention of them before (I think).
Mark
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Ottery
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Fiddlers Rallies - Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! The very thought sends a shudder down my spine..........................
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
My sister plays the bagpipes, grant you her set are the cheapest that money can buy, but she is damn good. Right now though, she is going nuts, she is teaching 7 kids how to play and is trying to be a good pipe major.
I think she is doing a good job.
As for other instruments, I would love to be able to play an accordion, but i think I shall stick to one instrument for now, lol.
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by alpha_girl
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
I like all the melody instruments used in ITM, especially the pipes which the weak are so intimidated by. All that is except for the piano accordion which is an abomination and hardly wrth mentioning. I woud wince every time I had to play it but. NOTHING absolutely noting would kill my love for playing this music.
Now don't go to hard on me there psyco chick, after all I'm a fellow whistler who play's the whistle not because it's easier than the flute or pipes but because I really would love the sound of the whistle.
Malted Milk Balls please!
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Chef Paul
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Maybe you haven't heard the piano box being played well, Paul. I can assure you in the right hand it can sound really good. I don't think there's any yoke I dislike. Shakey eggs maybe.
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
..in the right handS, ie both right and and left!
# Posted on November 14th 2005 by Key Maniac Lad
Ennis Trad Festival
I thououghly enjoyed it. I hope everyone else did.
I met a bodharan player that travelled all the way from California. Wow is all I can say. What did the rest of ye think of it?
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by 6tti
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Last year I traveled all the way from California for it. I had the time of my life. I'm sure it was just as great this year too.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Tarran - sister - a gross miscarriage of justice and your appeal has been successful. Your fine is reduced to one (small) bag.
Greg, graceful and honest answer and you gain a reduction to only 10 family-sized. You can reduce this to one box if you reveal the other name you know maltesers by.
Ottery for being contrary and controversial you had been nominated for the quarter choc, but later retractions have lost you that and you have been fined 200 packets.
Michael, Michael, you're ranting again and it will cost you 10 boxes. You know it makes sense and that I'm harsh but fair.
John J, you know exactly what you have done. 1900 boxes.
Ptarmy, you're late on the first payment, so with great sorrow I must add another 1000 boxes. There is a payment plan available.
Chef Paul, you have won a top-of-the-range piano accordion.
Danny (or is it DANNY) another one who couldn't be bothered or didn't have enough sense to read the question but I will let you off on that. For mentioning shakey eggs, 1,000,000 boxes.
6tti, you seem to have wandered in from off the street or possibly another planet. You obviously meant to start another thread so please do so.
Phantom, you should know better and for your blatant refusal to follow the rules, 100 boxes.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Judge Judy
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Danny
I've seen bohola nd the great Jimmy Keane a couple of times. It's not that the piano accordian doesn't fit the music. However in my humble opinion the button accordian and concertina are even more suited. Kinda like the whistle is more suited tham the recorder and the octave mandolin more suited that the "blugrass" mandolin. It's perhaps a nit picky and subtle difference. The only piano accordian players I know came to ITM from another musical background. I would assert that there aren't to many people wanting to play ITM picking the piano accordion to be their main axe over the button box or concertina and I think there is a reason for that. I say this meaning no offense to the piano accordiaon players out there.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Chef Paul
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
If Psycho Sal isn't offended, I'd like to fine Chef Paul 6000 boxes for mis-spelling 'accordion'.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Zazzaliss
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
An easy mistake zazz, but you're right, if we let that go unpunished then we break down and the machine breaks down and so on.
Chef Paul, 6000 boxes added on zazz's point of order and another 6000 for ranting on at Danny and another 6000 for using the phrase "in my humble opinion."
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Judge Judy
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Just change your name to psycho, forget the Sal bit, eh?
:-}
You were right the second time - I don't have any sense. At all.
But really I was just pointing out to Paul my view on piano boxes. I know at least 3 really good players, one of them a regular on this site. And to paraphrase what's on your bio, I'd rather hear a really good piano box player than a crap button box player.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Michael,
I want to blend into the ensemble, but I also want to contribute to it. What is the point of playing if everybody sounds the same? Around these parts, fiddlers just about always constitute 50% of all instruments, the rest being equal parts rhythm and melody. In a session with 6 or 8 fiddlers and a guitarist, would you prefer to be joined by a sole flute player or the 9th fiddler? THis is my situation probably every other session, so stop pontificating, please.
More to the point, I like the sound of a good fiddle player but have absolutely no desire to learn it, even were I the sole Irish fiddler on the planet. The instrument holds no appeal for me "on anything other than a platonic level," to borrow a dating cliche.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by wormdiet
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
On the PA issue, Karen Tweed; QED.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by wormdiet
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
DANNY, you really don't have much sense but there's absolutely no need to point it out.
Contempt of court, 10,000 boxes.
600 packets for going over the same stuff again; it was boring the first time.
For being unoriginal and paraphrasing, 90,000 mixed family-sized and boxes.
I've been lenient because you're a whistle player and because of your previously untarnished record but I hope you take this as a serious warning of where you'll end up if you don't mend your ways me lad.
Wormdiet, reverse order but a good answer and I believe Michael is on another thread having a go at this. A mere 100 boxes.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Judge Judy
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
C' mon Zazz!
C'mon Psyco!!!
Read closely I did spell accordion right one out of four times!
I also mispelled other words I know how to spell. I'm asking you to believe me on this I really honestly and truely know how to spell accordiaon. ACCORDEUN! See!
I will however gladly accept the other 1200 demerits on the grounds that a) I was out of order and b) I wouldn't give a humble opinion. I don't know what came over me for a second.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Chef Paul
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Wormdiet, what does it matter what instrument a person plays?
I'm not defending fiddles here, or MG - he can do that for himself.
I just think I'd prefer to see a good musician join me at a sesssion - rather than a bad one.
& I'd rather see a good person join me at a session - rather than a bad person.
But really, it shouldn't matter what instrument they are playing - & yes, all joking aside, that includes PAs & Bodhrans.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Great recovery Chef Paul and you would automatically get a quarter reduction for spelling accordion correctly 1 in 4 (we all make spelling mistakes). I scrub all your fines and you may be nominated for the quarter choc for ranting on at Danny.
Ptarmy, Ptarmy, Ptarmy, what am I going to do about you?
Off subject, brawling with witnesses and late payments. I’ll have to remand you on bail and give you a court order that you can only take the hammered dulcimer to sessions till further notice. Oh, and a further fine of 150,000 boxes.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Judge Judy
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
psychoSal,
I know them as Malted Milk Balls, and they await you (as well as a fresh Guiness) should you ever bring your whistle to the Monday session at the Green Briar Pub in Brighton, Mass. :D
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Ptarm,
Absolutely, I'd say instrumentation matters. NOt in any grand sense, but variety is the spice of life. 9 fiddlers vs. 2 flutes, a piper, three fiddles, a bodhran, a box, a whistle, and some type of plucked string? Given equally talented players, I'd pick the mixed session just about every single time.
Then again, listening to good players is probably more important. I don't think the priorities are necessarily opposed.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by wormdiet
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Granted - "Given equally talented players, I'd pick the mixed session just about every single time." I'd go along with that OK.
Now, quick, let's get back on topic, before I suffer any more fines.
Now, where, why, what were we talking about, oh yes, faking it. OK - no psycho, I must admit, I've never faked one yet!
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Now, can I play my Fiddle again? Pleeez?
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Has anyone tried playing ITM on glockenspiel?
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Button, do you mean these dudes?
http://www.festo.com/INetDomino/coorp_sites/en/f53df39aaa4bd16cc1256f5d003d6f17.htm
If so, are you actually suggesting we have a session in a church bell tower?
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Would you have to fake it? .....
Yeah Jim it's a good con. But for revealing it you owe 5,000,000 boxes.
Ah a another glockenspiel thread. No phantom, we don't want to hear your reminiscences of when you used to play Irish trad on the glockenspiel back in the sixties. A token 10,000 family-size for your lapse into self-indulgent twaddle. This may be a lesson to be less condescending to my hero.
Ptarmy you've been overdosing on illicit hoards of chocolate that you owe as a debt and have become hyperactive and having really bad dreams and too naughty to control. I've brought in an outside contracter called Tony Soprano to make things right between us.
Wormdiet, (Jesus, even the name), I've arranged for some sessions with Dr Melfi and in case that proves not enough then Tony will take care of you on my behalf and with my blessing. Enjoy.
# Posted on November 15th 2005 by Judge Judy