Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK

Subject: Beginner's Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 07:44 AM

Beginners Tunes Session
Last Tuesday of the Month

The Beech, Beech Road, Chorlton,
Manchester, M21 9EG

Here


At the moment we are Les Jones, banjo,
Ged Gaskell, melodeon,
Kate Reigate, fiddle and whistles,
Ken Deeks, guitar
Bill Mitton, Bodhran.

We are mostly beginners who play Folk Dance Tunes.
We will play slowly and encourage anyone who plays anything to join in.

We will share music freely, on paper and via the web, and use Noteworthy Composer 2, download a trial copy from Noteworthy

to share tunes that can be played and learned by ear or from the dots.

PM me through Mudcat and I will send you the Tune Book

The first Session will be on Tuesday 27 January 2009

Thanks for all good advice and support received in the past couple of months.

Cheers

Les in Chorlton

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Brakn
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 07:55 AM

I'll try my best to get there Les. I'll be bringing a mandolin but I doubt that I'll be able to keep up.

Michael

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 07:57 AM

Thanks Michael, believe me we will be slow and easy with maybe a bit quicker much later and a few daft songs in between

Cheers
L in C

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 12:49 PM

I would hope to be there, Les. What time does it start? Could you send me the tune-book please?

I use Harmony Assistant to play the music so then I learn it by ear as I can't read it quick enough. I'll try Noteworthy (though the link you gave above didn't seem to work) so I'll download it directly. If it can export abc files (or whatever) then maybe I can import them.

Cheers

Ian in Stockport

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 05:35 PM

Noteworthy's not brilliant about exporting to other formats.

Les, could you send me the definitive tune book (I've got most but not all of them)? I'll spend a quiet evening some time putting them into ABC, for the benefit of anyone who prefers it.

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 06:47 PM

Hi Pip,

That's a very kind offer but it may not be necessary in my case. Though 'Export' is disabled on the trial version of Noteworthy Composer (so I couldn't see if it would export in a useable format), a visit to the Myriad website tells me that Harmony Assistant should be able to import Noteworthy (.nwc) files.

What is more it can export .abc files. In theory, therefore, I don't need .abc files and could produce them for anyone who needed them if necessary.

Cheers,

Ian in Stockport

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 04:42 AM

That could be handy! The best way I've found to convert from .nwc to abc is by exporting to MIDI. The trouble with that is that the MIDI to ABC converter doesn't understand repeats, takes a dim view of gracenotes and struggles with triplets, so you end up with a score that looks like the cat's been at it.

(I can use Noteworthy, but like Bartleby I prefer not to. My main computer's a Mac, and Noteworthy is PC-only - plus I'm an ABC convert.)

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 05:07 AM

Th Tune Book should be finalised by the middle of next week. If anybody PMs me with and e-mail address I will send them the lot.

Thanks for the ABC offer Phil we can run with that as well,

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 05:32 AM

Good luck with it! Let us know how it goes, because we can all learn from each other.

The Lewes Favourites monthly tunes practice session is now on the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Elephant & Castle , White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ. This is because a massive rent demand has forced the Lewes Arms Folk Club out of its old home; we've moved our other activities out as well.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 05:47 AM

Thanks Valmai, we live and learn, sometimes

Les

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: TheSnail
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 05:59 AM

Oh My God! It clashes with the first Lewes Favourites at the Elephant and Castle. We'll split the audience. I suppose at 260 miles apart it won't be too much of a problem. I wonder if we could arrange to play the same tune at the same time.

I don't know if it's any use to anyone, but I've just relaunched my ABC to Noteworthy (and back again) converter. It is available at ABaCusMusic. Unfortunately, it only works on Uncompressed Noteworthy Version 1.xx files at the moment. I'm looking into the text files exported from Version 2.

Good luck with the session.

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 06:26 AM

Well Mr Snail, I have had a number of promises from down your way so you could be in for a quiet night!

As for Noteworthy, we are wrestling with Noteworthy2 at the moment. I guess in the end concensus will appear.

L in C

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 07:29 AM

Any beginners in search of a tune in Greater Manchester?

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Vin2
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 08:45 AM

I'll try and make it wiv me Clarke's whistles. I'm currently trying two tunes (or two fab songs) together i.e As i Walked Out followed by
Cold Haily Windy Night'. I'm funny that way!

Vin in Heywood

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Myrtle
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 10:34 AM

How about in Lincolnshire?!! Actually I come to Manchester quite often so might be able to make it occasionally if that would be ok.
I have an English concertina, and I'm not afraid to abuse it!!

Regards, Myrtle.

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 10:42 AM

For anyone who's interested, I've now got all 10 tunes in Noteworthy 2, Noteworthy 1.75 and ABC format - all except Buttered Peas, which for some reason refused to convert from 1.75 to ABC. When I've sorted that out I'll put the tunebook up somewhere ABC users can download it from. You'll get ten tunes in one 4 KB file.

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 11:21 AM

Exlnt,

how recent is your copy of the 10, I get confused. Some earlier versions had dots in one key and they played in another. I think I have cured that now,

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 11:36 AM

First 10, received yesterday - starts with Dorset Four in Hand.

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 11:56 AM

Should be fine

cheers

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 02:01 PM

'Tis here:

http://users.zetnet.co.uk/amroth/BeechFirst10.abc

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 02:06 PM

Ooh, I need to bookmark or otherwise note this.
I'm planning a week in Manchester sometime this Summer (Spleen, expect to be harassed...).

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 04:20 PM

Thanks Pip,

The abc file has loaded easily into Harmony Assistant so I have been able to listen to the tunes, print them out with and without the tablature for a Bulgarian tambura (only kidding - I've printed the tablature for a mandolin but the program will print out tablature for a whole range of stringed instruments and even tell you what holes to suck/blow on a harmonica). How I wish we'd had these aids (and electronic tuners!) thirty years ago.

Ian

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 03:18 PM

Ian, please PM me you e-mail and I will send you the tune book.

Ok this is the plan - advice sort and accepted:

8.30 slow tune session - led by us
915 break
9.30 a bit quicker on tunes requested - led by us
10.00 break 2
10.15 Open floor - tunes and songs led by volunteers - anybody joining in on anything - as volunteers think appropriate.

11.00 stagger off

At the beginning of the first session we will play the tunes a bit quick once or twice through so that people know where we are going.

All are welcome. You don't to play anything but musos will get priority we can only fit about 15 - 30 in the Snug of the Beech


Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Brakn
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 03:54 PM

I'll be there - (as Michael Jackson once sang).

Currently printing off the music.

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 09:31 AM

We are just printing off an A4 "landscape" version of the Tune Book. It will stand up on each of the tables in the Beech and the dots and guitar chords are big enough for most of us to see.

I guess some people will follow the dots and some will join in by ear. Honest this is Beginners - we will play very slowly in the first third of the evening and only faster by request.

If you all play faster than us lot I will encourage a faster - "Improvers Session" on another night.

If you already play in quick sessions please think about the Chorlton Fiddlers Irish Session on Monday nights in the Lloyds, Wilbraham Road, Cholrton. PM me for more details. They are excellent and a bit quick.

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 05:26 PM

Les has been busy. We're now up to 20: http://users.zetnet.co.uk/amroth/BeechSecond10.ABC

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 04:02 AM

Thanks Phil

10 days to go?

Know where's me banjo?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 04:29 AM

No, but you hum it and I'll play along...

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Gedi
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 06:51 AM

Just to keep you informed, all the copying of the tune books is now done, all we have to do now is to make the tent cards so they will stand up on the tables.

Cheers for the ABC conversions Phil, they are really useful.

Ged

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 05:43 AM

I have also found the abc conversions to be very useful and have had no trouble loading them into Harmony Assistant prior to printing.

The Noteworthy file (.nwc) which have also been kindly provided also loaded directly into Harmony Assistant but they produced rather large chords letters directly on top of the staves. A little fiddling sorted this but the abc format was less hassle.

Many thanks to those from whose efforts I am benefiting.

Ian

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:29 PM

Well we roll on. To day Ged, Ken and I glued, punched and ringed 20 copies of the Tune Book and they will stand up by themselves on a pub table.

I guess most of us will be playing by ear on the 27th but we hope the books will support the dottist.

all other electronic versions will be available from me or Pip Raddish via e-mail.

The beech is looking good and the beer tastes excellent

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 03:25 AM

Which should have read:

"The Beech is looking good and the beer tastes excellent"

For those planning next weeks major cultural events, Tuesday could be a bit interesting.

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Brakn
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 08:33 AM

mañana

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 09:19 AM

Si!

The first session will indeed be Tuesday; my whistles and I will be there. ¡Hasta mañana!

Actually this was quite a timely reminder - for some unearthly reason I've been going around thinking it was Wednesday (the day after mañana). I should have remembered the words of the song -

Yes, we have no mañanas,
So get your mañanas today!

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 12:37 PM

I wrestled with memorable titles like Chuesday Chunes in Chorlton but then realised that I would get bogged down with spelling problems.

So tomorrow it is. PM me for further details

Look forward to meeting new tunists and having much fun

Les, still in Chortlon

Although today I cycled to the far famed Saracens Head in Warburton checking out the route for Sundays ride to the Saracens. made most welcome by the Landlord. Anybody up for a few tunes and songs between 1 and 2.30 Sunday?

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: John J
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 03:15 PM

Meeeeeee!

And me and me Ma will be at the Beech tomorrow evening.

JJ

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 06:28 PM

All 20 tunes are now available in a single (small!) file at http://users.zetnet.co.uk/amroth/Beech20.abc.

I've reordered the tunes for my own eccentric purposes - 1-4 are in G, 5-15 are in D, and 16-20 are in G but need to be played on the D whistle (which probably means they're *really* in D mixolydian but keeping quiet about it).

An ignoramus writes: why are low whistles so expensive? Can't you just use a longer tube with a larger bore?

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 03:37 AM

"Can't you just use a longer tube with a larger bore? "

You probably can Phil, but this is not that kind of website.

I have just realised that I didn't mention which Sunday our ride to the Saracen's is - it is a week on Sunday - the 8th. Leaving Chorlton Water park around 10, visiting the edge of Altrincham, Manchester Airport, Ashley, Bucklow Hill, Healtly getting to the Sarecen's around 12.30 - 1.00pm

L in C

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Gedi
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 08:25 AM

Tonights the Night! Looking forward to seeing all you budding tunists.

And remember - 'Lifes a Beech!'

cheers
Ged

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: TheSnail
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 08:35 AM

Have fun. I wonder if we could manage to play the same tune at the same time at the Lewes Favourites.

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 11:23 AM

Well, working towards as they say.

What happened to that national day of Ceilidh when we would all do the Cicassian Circle at 10 O'clock or something?

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: TheSnail
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 11:28 AM

we would all do the Cicassian Circle at 10 O'clock

They renamed it the Large Hadron Collider.

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 11:48 AM

Exlnt!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: JohnB
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 12:53 PM

Please keep it going until the next time I make it to the UK.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 05:57 AM

I think we will John, when are you back?

Thanks to all who came and made for a brilliant night:

Ken, Ged, Kate, John, Ann, Dave, Rosie, Michael, Ian, Ursula, John and Helen - especially Helen for the Clog Dance. I am sure I have missed a few people and I will thank them when the memory cell warms up.

I thought the music was brilliant - I couldn't seem to slow it down so it was a bit more Improvers than Beginners but I will take all advice about what to do next on Tuesday 24th February,

Thanks again

L in C

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:16 AM

Are, Cell warming up, how could I forget Phil an a range of whistles and excellent work on Noteworthy - ABC conversions

Cheers again

L in C

Anyone thinking of coming next time PM me and I will send you the Noteworthy versions of the Tune Book.

PM Pip Radish and he will explain and help with ABC files

L

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Brakn
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:45 AM

Thanks Les for organising this. It was a great night; well worthwhile. Can't wait for the next one.

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Myrtle
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 08:35 AM

Very sorry to miss it, but couldn't get over to Manchester this week, and we did have a great Burns night at Louth FC!

Regards,

Myrtle

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Brakn
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 02:55 AM

Next Tuesday?

Subject: RE: Beginners Tune Session Manchester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 06:32 AM

It is indeed Brakn,

hope you can make it. We will definitely be playing a bit slower this time. Got a bit carried away with the excitement last time.

Cheers

Les