I'm a piano puncher/guitarist relatively new to ITM, at least as it's played in sessions around here (Southeast Michigan, USA), but trying to learn all that I can. I also play some mandolin and a few other things.
I did (and still do, sometimes) the standard rock band thing, and played somewhat successfully in a string band ("somewhat successfully" means that we had a bit of a following, people bought our cassette at gigs, and we made enough to pay for the instruments, including my addiction to synthesizers and other electronic exotica). It also led to opportunities to work in musical theatre and stuff like that.
I think that communal amateur music-making is about as good as it gets.
The two best pieces of musical advice that I've received so far are:
-work with people that are better than you are, whenever possible.
-work on making the *band* sound good, as opposed to just making yourself sound good.
And there's this:
"People have a need for melody, just as they need food or personal contact..." - Richard Rodgers
I heard this recently on the mustard board, but it's been one of my mantras all along: "Am I too loud?"
Tunes in tomw's tunebook: 65
| Detroit Irish | March 12th 2006 |
| Jim's House | June 11th 2008 |
| Midwest Fleadh Cheoil | February 7th 2009 |
| Crossroads Ceili | November 23rd 2008 |
| Midwest Fleadh Cheoil | April 25th 2008 |
| Crossroads Ceili | December 13th 2006 |
| Since the season 'tis upon us... | March 13th 2009 |
| Sets of tunes in ABC | March 8th 2009 |
| Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill - From Clare To Here | February 5th 2009 |
| bouzouki kits | February 2nd 2009 |
| When some eedjit starts playing your instrument without asking... | January 26th 2009 |
| Discussions | Re: Base Accompaniment | April 28th 2009 |
| Discussions | Re: recording at sessions | April 24th 2009 |
| Discussions | Re: Instruments with sentimental value | April 12th 2009 |
| Discussions | Re: Instruments with sentimental value | April 11th 2009 |
| Discussions | Re: What's the worst insult you've ever got? | April 11th 2009 |