session tunes
session tunes
HI all....
I've been lurking around here for some time, but this will be my
first posting. (waits for cheers to quiet)
So...I'm a fairly new whistler, and I have a couple tunes under my belt
but my instruction book has very few songs/tunes that spark my interest.
And, since I don't live near any instructors or sessions (that I know of)
I was wondering if you all could suggest some fun, and relatively easy
to learn, tunes I could start on. Some that I might encounter should I
find a session to go to.
One gets tired of playing Frere Jacques all day
Oh...and if anyone knows of a good place on the web to find
some great tunes, that would be great. I'm not good at reading sheet
music, but I can sit down and figure out the notes...a recording of the
tune helps a lot, as I learn better by ear than by the dots.
Sorry this is a bit long winded...will try to keep it more brief next time.
Thanks Everyone!
Drew[/i][/b]
I've been lurking around here for some time, but this will be my
first posting. (waits for cheers to quiet)
So...I'm a fairly new whistler, and I have a couple tunes under my belt
but my instruction book has very few songs/tunes that spark my interest.
And, since I don't live near any instructors or sessions (that I know of)
I was wondering if you all could suggest some fun, and relatively easy
to learn, tunes I could start on. Some that I might encounter should I
find a session to go to.
One gets tired of playing Frere Jacques all day
Oh...and if anyone knows of a good place on the web to find
some great tunes, that would be great. I'm not good at reading sheet
music, but I can sit down and figure out the notes...a recording of the
tune helps a lot, as I learn better by ear than by the dots.
Sorry this is a bit long winded...will try to keep it more brief next time.
Thanks Everyone!
Drew[/i][/b]
- Father Emmet
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There are a lot of good beginner tunes here:
http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/
http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/
- Howlin Hobbit
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There's a potload of tunes available from the C&F site (Tune o' the Month or somesuch). They're what I'm planning on using first.
Howlin' Hobbit (www.howlinhobbit.com)
Got Uke?
Snake Suspenderz (www.snakesuspenderz.com)
Hot Jass, Hokum and Novelty Tunes... with a bite!
Got Uke?
Snake Suspenderz (www.snakesuspenderz.com)
Hot Jass, Hokum and Novelty Tunes... with a bite!
- Darwin
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For tunes, I always promote Mick Woodruff's site at http://fingertrip.net/whistle/ It has good tunes and music notation.
One of the better instructional sites is Brother Steve's, at http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/
Once you start looking for songs by name, try JC's ABC tune finder at http://ecf-guest.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/FindTune.html
All that should keep you busy for at least a week.
One of the better instructional sites is Brother Steve's, at http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/
Once you start looking for songs by name, try JC's ABC tune finder at http://ecf-guest.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/FindTune.html
All that should keep you busy for at least a week.
Mike Wright
"When an idea is wanting, a word can always be found to take its place."
--Goethe
"When an idea is wanting, a word can always be found to take its place."
--Goethe
- jen f
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You should check out BBC's Virtual Session:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/
- michael_coleman
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- Tell us something.: I play the first flute Jon Cochran ever made but haven't been very active on the board the last 9-10 years. Life happens I guess...I owned a keyed M&E flute for a while and I kind of miss it.
- Location: Nottingham, England
The biggest and best resource is probably
http://www.thesession.org
Others include
http://www.gre.ac.uk/~c.walshaw/abc/index/split.html
for all your abc needs, and if you want to convert those over to the dots:
http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html
http://www.thesession.org
Others include
http://www.gre.ac.uk/~c.walshaw/abc/index/split.html
for all your abc needs, and if you want to convert those over to the dots:
http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html
- Bloomfield
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I think the session is pretty unreliable as far as transcriptions go. Best resource if you are looking for the way a tune is most likely played in a session is http://www.norbeck.nu/abc/
/Bloomfield
- BillChin
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Welcome Drew.
Michael Eskin has tips on session etiquette and some suggested songs to learn. The rules are for one particular session, but first time session goers would do well to read them.
from
http://members.cox.net/eskin/acoustic_expressions.html
THE MUSIC
We will be playing tunes in traditional Irish dance styles such as reels, jigs, slip jigs, slides, hornpipes, and polkas. Other styles, such as bluegrass, old-time, and Scottish are discouraged.
Traditional Irish dance style means that tunes are played in unison, with no melodic improvisation other than ornaments. Prospective players are encouraged to seek out and listen to groups like Altan or the Bothy Band for examples of seisiun style playing.
INSTRUMENTS
The early seisiun is intended for traditional Irish melody instruments only.
These instruments include: Fiddle, flute, pennywhistle, low whistle, Uilleann pipes, button or piano accordion, concertina, guitar (melody flatpicking), mandolin, bouzouki/octave mandolin, and tenor banjo.
Non-traditional instruments (such as saxophone, recorder, or trumpet) are not allowed.
There will be no guitar or bouzouki backup or bodhran allowed in the early seisiun without special invitation from the seisiun leader.
TOUCHING INSTRUMENTS
Please do not touch or play other player's instruments without their permission. Musicians can be very protective of their instruments and some are easily damaged.
TUNING
All players are expected to tune their instruments before the seisiun and to keep them in tune. If you need to retune, please do during the breaks between tune sets, and get help if you need it. Be sure to tune to any fixed pitch instruments such as pipes or accordion. Most mass-produced pennywhistles have tuning issues. Whistle players are strongly encouraged to have a tunable whistle before they start playing in seisiuns.
STARTING A TUNE
Seisiun leaders will start most of the tune sets. If you'd like to request a particular set of tunes, or would like to start a set, please ask the seisiun leader.
NO 'NOODLING'
If you don't know the tune, either very quietly work it out while staying in time with the music or you are unable to do so, just sit the tune out. A simple guideline is to play the tunes you know and don't play the tunes you don't know. Do your practicing at home, not at the seisiun.
USING WRITTEN MUSIC IN SEISIUN
While useful for initially learning tunes at home, the use of music books or sheet music during the seisiun is not allowed. Irish music is primarily an aural tradition.
TEMPO
As a courtesy to the other players, please play the tunes at the speed started originally, don't speed up or slow down. This is extremely important for an enjoyable seisiun.
RECORDING
Players are encouraged to record the seisiun and use the recordings to learn the tunes! Recordings made at the seisiun are for your own personal use only.
CHILDREN
Children are welcome and encouraged to actively participating in the seisiun or listen to the music. Any families with unsupervised children will be asked to leave.
RESPECT OTHER PLAYERS
Please don't carry on conversations while others are playing. If you need to talk to someone, go to another part of the room.
Always be courteous to the people around you.
Most important of all - have fun playing, and enjoy the music!
GOOD TUNES TO LEARN
REELS
Merry Blacksmith
Cooley's
Cup of Tea
Tom Billy's
Hunter's Purse
Gravel Walk
JIGS
Banish Misfortune
Lark in the Morning
The Kesh
Morrison's
SLIP JIGS
Kid on the Mountain
Snowy Path
Michael Eskin has tips on session etiquette and some suggested songs to learn. The rules are for one particular session, but first time session goers would do well to read them.
from
http://members.cox.net/eskin/acoustic_expressions.html
THE MUSIC
We will be playing tunes in traditional Irish dance styles such as reels, jigs, slip jigs, slides, hornpipes, and polkas. Other styles, such as bluegrass, old-time, and Scottish are discouraged.
Traditional Irish dance style means that tunes are played in unison, with no melodic improvisation other than ornaments. Prospective players are encouraged to seek out and listen to groups like Altan or the Bothy Band for examples of seisiun style playing.
INSTRUMENTS
The early seisiun is intended for traditional Irish melody instruments only.
These instruments include: Fiddle, flute, pennywhistle, low whistle, Uilleann pipes, button or piano accordion, concertina, guitar (melody flatpicking), mandolin, bouzouki/octave mandolin, and tenor banjo.
Non-traditional instruments (such as saxophone, recorder, or trumpet) are not allowed.
There will be no guitar or bouzouki backup or bodhran allowed in the early seisiun without special invitation from the seisiun leader.
TOUCHING INSTRUMENTS
Please do not touch or play other player's instruments without their permission. Musicians can be very protective of their instruments and some are easily damaged.
TUNING
All players are expected to tune their instruments before the seisiun and to keep them in tune. If you need to retune, please do during the breaks between tune sets, and get help if you need it. Be sure to tune to any fixed pitch instruments such as pipes or accordion. Most mass-produced pennywhistles have tuning issues. Whistle players are strongly encouraged to have a tunable whistle before they start playing in seisiuns.
STARTING A TUNE
Seisiun leaders will start most of the tune sets. If you'd like to request a particular set of tunes, or would like to start a set, please ask the seisiun leader.
NO 'NOODLING'
If you don't know the tune, either very quietly work it out while staying in time with the music or you are unable to do so, just sit the tune out. A simple guideline is to play the tunes you know and don't play the tunes you don't know. Do your practicing at home, not at the seisiun.
USING WRITTEN MUSIC IN SEISIUN
While useful for initially learning tunes at home, the use of music books or sheet music during the seisiun is not allowed. Irish music is primarily an aural tradition.
TEMPO
As a courtesy to the other players, please play the tunes at the speed started originally, don't speed up or slow down. This is extremely important for an enjoyable seisiun.
RECORDING
Players are encouraged to record the seisiun and use the recordings to learn the tunes! Recordings made at the seisiun are for your own personal use only.
CHILDREN
Children are welcome and encouraged to actively participating in the seisiun or listen to the music. Any families with unsupervised children will be asked to leave.
RESPECT OTHER PLAYERS
Please don't carry on conversations while others are playing. If you need to talk to someone, go to another part of the room.
Always be courteous to the people around you.
Most important of all - have fun playing, and enjoy the music!
GOOD TUNES TO LEARN
REELS
Merry Blacksmith
Cooley's
Cup of Tea
Tom Billy's
Hunter's Purse
Gravel Walk
JIGS
Banish Misfortune
Lark in the Morning
The Kesh
Morrison's
SLIP JIGS
Kid on the Mountain
Snowy Path
-
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Those are some great sites that the last several people gave-I'll have to check those out more!-- If you are looking for some tune books with cds there's a couple that I think are pretty good. L.E. McCullough has 2 books that I'd recommend. One is the Tinwhistle Tunebook. The other is 121 Favorite Irish Session Tunes. Both of these are available through amazon though for the second book it's better right now to go through one of their 'used and new' sellers for a cheaper price. The Walton's publishing house has a book and cds of tinwhistle as well as session and slow airs, seperate books. The best place I've found to get them is the Harp and Dragon --lowest price that is-- make sure you order the book and cd unless you just want the book as they are offered seperatly or together. -mike
- Will O'B
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Yeah, what they all said.
Everyone has given you some decent leads, but I think you'll also want to check out: http://www.thewhistleshop.com/slow/session.htm
This slow session site has mp3's of session tunes played at regular tempo, and also slowed down so that you can get a feel for how they are played and gradually work your way up to speed without losing the proper rhythm. I found the hornpipe, "Off to California" the easiest of their tunes to learn.
Oh, btw, welcome to the forum!
Will O'Ban
Everyone has given you some decent leads, but I think you'll also want to check out: http://www.thewhistleshop.com/slow/session.htm
This slow session site has mp3's of session tunes played at regular tempo, and also slowed down so that you can get a feel for how they are played and gradually work your way up to speed without losing the proper rhythm. I found the hornpipe, "Off to California" the easiest of their tunes to learn.
Oh, btw, welcome to the forum!
Will O'Ban
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!
- jkrazy52
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Welcome aboard, Nyte ....
All the information above is enough to keep you busy for a long time -- and I've found a few sites to check out, too --- thanks! One of my favorite books is "110 Ireland's Best Tin Whistle Tunes", with CDs, $36.10 at www.thewhistleshop.com -- a great place to shop, if you run out of free tunes on the web. The book is not a tutorial, but does start easy and work it way up to harder tunes.
Many of us here come from the land of no whistle stores and no sessions. It's nice to find this community to help all of us find our way around the world of the whistle. One word to the wise -- some advice here is worth exactly what you paid for it ....
~Judy
All the information above is enough to keep you busy for a long time -- and I've found a few sites to check out, too --- thanks! One of my favorite books is "110 Ireland's Best Tin Whistle Tunes", with CDs, $36.10 at www.thewhistleshop.com -- a great place to shop, if you run out of free tunes on the web. The book is not a tutorial, but does start easy and work it way up to harder tunes.
Many of us here come from the land of no whistle stores and no sessions. It's nice to find this community to help all of us find our way around the world of the whistle. One word to the wise -- some advice here is worth exactly what you paid for it ....
~Judy