"Borrow a chromatic button accordion player and have a few people ready to join in with the Athole Highlanders in A flat using E flat whistles, detuned fiddles and an old Salvation Army concertina?" 'Ringers' in fact? T'would be difficult to find any better or louder than this guy. I did best him just once though. I play bodhran sometimes. I've played it for years, but not very well. Basic stuff. (I'm really a vocalist.) This guy would frown on me if I took it to the sessions. So, one night I found a good demo on YouTube, and I sat up all night and kept going until I could emulate the performances on the screen. It cost me a few blisters, but I did it. I could play in reasonably good Kerry Style, using both ends of the beater at will, (though good Top End is still a skill I covet). Next time at the session I gave it a go when 'he' was playing. Realising that I was now fairly competent he kept increasing the speed, thinking that he would leave me panting behind, but I kept up, all the way until he gave up, when I finished with a double-his-speed flourish. It was a great moment for all there. But, he is so thick-skinned he learned nothing by it! He still belittles anyone else playing at the sessions, especially if they are beginners. Unfortunately, he seems to think musicians' sessions are competitive. Tone
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