All this talk of the pro's and con's of numerous Fiddles at sessions reminded me of this very interesting discussion on The Session, which I read recently on "IRTRAD-L" where it was said that:
"In Cape Breton, which has probably the most conservative tradition in Gaelic music, it was unheard of until quite recently to have more than one fiddler playing at a time. To play while another person was playing would have been considered just as rude as talking while another person was talking."
Does anyone here believe that it would be a good idea for sessions to be policed and for only 'one' fiddle to be allowed to be played at a session at any one time?
Or is it OK for a 'Fiddle Orchestra' to be the core of a session?
If numerous fiddles are OK - how many is too many?
If only one fiddle should be allowed, are there other instruments where one is more than enough?
Or do you feel there should only be one of each instrument being played at any one time?
and finally - Are there any instruments which should be outlawed from ITM sessions, altogether?
I was playing in a session for a while last night with one fiddle, one flute, one concertina and one mandola, and it makes for a nice uncluttered sound, but you don't get that driving, thumping, bounce the pint off the table thing you get with the full monty fiddle and bodhran orchestra.
Important question first - are we talking Mini MIlk or tub of Haagen Daz when you say one ice cream is not enough!!
I've been in sessions with 1-17 fiddles. If all the fiddles are in tune and paying roughly the same version of a tune it can be fun but with umpteen variations of a tune with assorted tunings it is a nightmare scenario!! But with groups like the Strahspey players it becomes more of a regimented orchestra. There is so much interpretation, variations, bowings, styles etc that it takes awhile for groups of fiddle players to gel.
Aye Ottery, I love those wee quiet sessions with 3 or 4 musicians. I always enjoy those best of all in an afternoon session in a quiet pub or in a cottage round a kitchen table or of an evening in front of an open fire.
They, as you say, offer such a nice contrast from the cut & thrust of a full, head on charge that you get from a rip roaring session.
As for Haagan Daz, it really does depend on the size of the tub!
I'm afraid, after spending years enjoying the wonders of Irish Sessions, I now find the music from those Strathspey Orchestra very bland - sorry!
If you do that, it becomes a series of performances like a folk club singaround, and to my mind that's not a session at all.
I suppose sessions ought to be like beehives. When it gets too big, it should split into two sessions, then people have a choice of flavour. There's always a Queen Bee available.
I think that the quality of HB ice-cream has gone down hill, I think that its watery ans not as creamy as it was when I was a kid, so I will pass on the Cornetto!
When someone says "It was unheard of until quite recently" are they speaking about their own direct experience, or alluding to some just-vanished golden era that they weren't actually there to see (and hear), and thus are much more certain about.?
Our memories of our own experiences are elusive by comparison.
In Nova Scotia I found they didn't use the term "session" so much as "kitchen party". I liked that. Maybe there was seldom more than one fiddler available.
Just one Cornetto?
Just one Cornetto?
All this talk of the pro's and con's of numerous Fiddles at sessions reminded me of this very interesting discussion on The Session, which I read recently on "IRTRAD-L" where it was said that:
"In Cape Breton, which has probably the most conservative tradition in Gaelic music, it was unheard of until quite recently to have more than one fiddler playing at a time. To play while another person was playing would have been considered just as rude as talking while another person was talking."
Does anyone here believe that it would be a good idea for sessions to be policed and for only 'one' fiddle to be allowed to be played at a session at any one time?
Or is it OK for a 'Fiddle Orchestra' to be the core of a session?
If numerous fiddles are OK - how many is too many?
If only one fiddle should be allowed, are there other instruments where one is more than enough?
Or do you feel there should only be one of each instrument being played at any one time?
and finally - Are there any instruments which should be outlawed from ITM sessions, altogether?
Oh yes, & is just one Ice Cream ever enough?
To read the full discussion, go to:
http://www.standingstones.com/session.html
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Just one Cornetto?
I just think there should be quiet area for musicians.
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by flauta dolce
Re: Just one Cornetto?
I was playing in a session for a while last night with one fiddle, one flute, one concertina and one mandola, and it makes for a nice uncluttered sound, but you don't get that driving, thumping, bounce the pint off the table thing you get with the full monty fiddle and bodhran orchestra.
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by Ottery
Re: Just one Cornetto?
Important question first - are we talking Mini MIlk or tub of Haagen Daz when you say one ice cream is not enough!!
I've been in sessions with 1-17 fiddles. If all the fiddles are in tune and paying roughly the same version of a tune it can be fun but with umpteen variations of a tune with assorted tunings it is a nightmare scenario!! But with groups like the Strahspey players it becomes more of a regimented orchestra. There is so much interpretation, variations, bowings, styles etc that it takes awhile for groups of fiddle players to gel.
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by Tarrantella
Re: Just one Cornetto?
Aye Ottery, I love those wee quiet sessions with 3 or 4 musicians. I always enjoy those best of all in an afternoon session in a quiet pub or in a cottage round a kitchen table or of an evening in front of an open fire.
They, as you say, offer such a nice contrast from the cut & thrust of a full, head on charge that you get from a rip roaring session.
As for Haagan Daz, it really does depend on the size of the tub!
I'm afraid, after spending years enjoying the wonders of Irish Sessions, I now find the music from those Strathspey Orchestra very bland - sorry!
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Just one Cornetto?
If you do that, it becomes a series of performances like a folk club singaround, and to my mind that's not a session at all.
I suppose sessions ought to be like beehives. When it gets too big, it should split into two sessions, then people have a choice of flavour. There's always a Queen Bee available.
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by LastToFinish
Re: Just one Cornetto?
I think that the quality of HB ice-cream has gone down hill, I think that its watery ans not as creamy as it was when I was a kid, so I will pass on the Cornetto!
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by Fudge
Re: Just one Cornetto?
Is there such a things as too much ice cream? And I think Fudge is right about the Cornettos.
That said, when it comes to sessions, I am seriously into excess. The more, the merrier, I always say. Let's see how high we can crank this thing....
# Posted on November 18th 2005 by cathrynb
Re: Just one Cornetto?
When someone says "It was unheard of until quite recently" are they speaking about their own direct experience, or alluding to some just-vanished golden era that they weren't actually there to see (and hear), and thus are much more certain about.?
Our memories of our own experiences are elusive by comparison.
In Nova Scotia I found they didn't use the term "session" so much as "kitchen party". I liked that. Maybe there was seldom more than one fiddler available.
# Posted on November 18th 2005 by Bren
Re: Just one Cornetto?
Oh yes, I like the idea of a kitchen party - sounds much friendlier.....
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by flying tigerpig