In an effort to keep the economy moving, I just ordered and received a book and 2 CD set called Ireland's Best Session Tunes. It has 110 tunes in the book and on the CDs and I think it is pretty good. The tunes are played moderately and are good for practice, especially if you're a fiddle player who wants to work on intonation. I find it good to play along with the CD while listening through headphones (the portable CD kind, not studio headphones). You get a pretty good mix of what is playing on the CD and what you are playing. Just thought I'd pass this on in case anyone was looking for something like this.
It sounds like a good one. I have been using Mel Bay's Complete Irish Fiddle Player book and Cd by Peter Cooper. I find it very comprehensive and helpful. There are loads of tunes on the (double) CD--each played once through at a very moderate pace. Ornaments--rolls triplets, etc. are all slowed down and put as separate cuts on the CD as well.
I have used Cooper's book too, also Matt Cranich's book. Both are good. What I like about this new one is you are playing along with a fiddle, whistle and/or flute and guitar. None of the instruments is overpowering the other, and you get the benefit of hearing how the fiddle fits in with the other instruments. This is also a Mel Bay book, by the way.
Would also recommend a Homespun book and 4 cd set "121 Favorite Irish Session Tunes". The demo playing is good the tune is covered twice; slow and at tempo. My only complaint is each tune is only played through once, so you have to repeat it to cover the territory enough to really get it in your gut. Aside from that minor complaint it's been a good investment.
Session Tunes CDs
Session Tunes CDs
In an effort to keep the economy moving, I just ordered and received a book and 2 CD set called Ireland's Best Session Tunes. It has 110 tunes in the book and on the CDs and I think it is pretty good. The tunes are played moderately and are good for practice, especially if you're a fiddle player who wants to work on intonation. I find it good to play along with the CD while listening through headphones (the portable CD kind, not studio headphones). You get a pretty good mix of what is playing on the CD and what you are playing. Just thought I'd pass this on in case anyone was looking for something like this.
# Posted on October 5th 2002 by pearse
Re: Session Tunes CDs
It sounds like a good one. I have been using Mel Bay's Complete Irish Fiddle Player book and Cd by Peter Cooper. I find it very comprehensive and helpful. There are loads of tunes on the (double) CD--each played once through at a very moderate pace. Ornaments--rolls triplets, etc. are all slowed down and put as separate cuts on the CD as well.
# Posted on October 5th 2002 by Andee
Re: Session Tunes CDs
I have used Cooper's book too, also Matt Cranich's book. Both are good. What I like about this new one is you are playing along with a fiddle, whistle and/or flute and guitar. None of the instruments is overpowering the other, and you get the benefit of hearing how the fiddle fits in with the other instruments. This is also a Mel Bay book, by the way.
# Posted on October 5th 2002 by pearse
Re: Session Tunes CDs
Get the Best Fiddle Tunes one too, Pearse, some good tunes in there.
# Posted on October 6th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: Session Tunes CDs
Session tunes CDs?
Isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?
# Posted on October 6th 2002 by llig leahcim
Re: Session Tunes CDs
Would also recommend a Homespun book and 4 cd set "121 Favorite Irish Session Tunes". The demo playing is good the tune is covered twice; slow and at tempo. My only complaint is each tune is only played through once, so you have to repeat it to cover the territory enough to really get it in your gut. Aside from that minor complaint it's been a good investment.
# Posted on October 24th 2002 by luthier 3