Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:23 pm
Not sure when we'll be there, could be as early as June 20 and as late as July. I'll make a point of checking out the Britannia Arms session. --Larry
You knew, from this thread and from what I told you before it started, that it's a slow-moderate session with a lot of learners. Have you actually read this thread? There's never been any secret about that (and we make no apologies for it either). We focus on learning to play the tunes well, with good rhythm and lilt, and on learning to play together. As I told you from the beginning, the first half hour or so is slow play, from the play list that we all know by ear. After that, we TAKE TURNS CALLING FOR TUNES, and the person who calls the tune sets the pace...that means that, if I call for "O'Keefe's Slide," I expect to take off and run with it, but if a newbie calls for "Kesh" played at half speed, that's what we play. Generally, as the night wears on, individuals will throw out something they play particularly well for everyone to listen to, or someone will have a bit of song. That's the dynamic at this particular session. We're friends and we have good craic, and it works for us (and, not coincidentally, for the people who come to listen and enjoy the music).Bob Denton wrote:The Aptos session was the weirdest session I have ever been to. I have been to hundreds of sessions around the world, and a good few beginner sessions, but last night’s was the worst.
I have been playing Irish trad since 1970 and have played in sessions with the Chieftains, Planxty, Jackie Daly and Kevin Burke, etc, etc over the years and the Aptos session was like something out of the Vonnegut novel where everyone is handicapped so everyone is equal.
The topper was your bodhran playing Trad Nazi running the session like a middle school music class.
A session is about playing the music with other musicians, listening and attempting tunes you don’t know and all the while remembering this is Irish Dance music. The Trad Nazi clearly hasn’t a clue. The emporer’s clothes came to mind. Drop the lists, the sheet music, listen and enjoy.
If you ever want to get together and play a few tunes, I am always up for it but I'll give the Aptos session a wide berth.
I guess it's San Jose or San Francisco?
Cya
Bob
Whereabouts are you in Mount Hermon? We live on Prospect, a couple of blocks from the Conference Center.lsanger wrote:Hi Bob, I see you are up in Boulder Creek. We (my wife and I) <i>almost</i> rented a place there (way up near Big Basin) but decided to go for a place nearer to civilization, in Mount Hermon (between Felton and Scotts Valley). In fact, we're moving in today. I've played in many sessions myself in many places and I know what you were expecting. I'll be up for heavy tunage myself--maybe we can find some other players beyond the "intermediate" stage. If you're interested in a few chunes, drop me a line at blarneypilgrim at yahoo dot com. I hope the Internet gets hooked up soon.
(I know lots of John Docherty tunes so I appreciate having a room named after him!)
Redwolf, I am very familiar with the sort of session you've got going there (I've attended or started many "slow" sessions--and my Dad played flute in a little-known Anchorage band called the Slow Hands Band). I'll be interested in participating from time to time--I like to support the local scenes.
--Larry Sanger
Well, if you happen to be out walking and hear someone obsessively playing a G scale over and over on a mandolin (or, even more likely, making a total hash of Drowsy Maggie on a whistle), that'll be me!lsanger wrote:Well, howdy neighbor, we're within walking distance! I'm on Manzanita Springs, also just a few blocks from the conference center.
--Larry