Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year

Subject: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 03:32 AM

Well, we have been playing Beginners Tunes at The Beech for a year.

I have enjoyed every minute of every tune, even the ones I have mucked up or forgotten.

Thanks go to:
Ged, Ken, Kate, John, Ann, Dave, Rosie, Michael, Ian, Ursula, John, Helen, Phil, Brakyn, Rob, Micky, Chris, Jen, Helen, Alan, Shelley, Steve, Phil, Brian, Wes, Nimrod, Barry, Cath, Jane, Mike, Sandra, Martin and Jan.

For good company, good music, support and advice please keep coming.

Thanks also to other friends in other Tunes Sessions around Mudcat and beyond for good advice also.

This Tuesday is the first aniversary and Ms Liz caulderbank will dance Lancashire Clog Dances and we will try to put her off by playing tunes at the same time.

I trust lots of people will come including all those friends who don't play, but don't mind being around when it happens and all those others who ahve thraetened to come - make it this Tuesday!

Cheers
L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 05:08 AM

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 05:53 AM

Great stuff! This sort of thing is enormous fun. It's social music, after all.

At the other end of the country, the Lewes Favourites tunes session will also be on Tuesday 26th. January at the Elephant & Castle, Lewes. Andy Warburton will be in the chair.

Valmai

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 08:08 AM

Greetings and best wishes to all at The Elephant & Castle.

Tomorrow will be most social and much fun. i trust we will overflow from the Snug to the rest of the pub

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Will Fly
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 08:21 AM

Well done Les. I think tunes sessions are the stuff that makes the world go round. I'm off to the White Horse in Maplehurst (in deepest Sussex) this evening to join in some mainly French tunes. There'll be at least two fiddles, one or even two players of French bagpipes - a magnificent sound - a hurdy-gurdy or two, a melodeon or two. And we might even get a repeat attendance from the Northumbrian small pipes, whistle and mighty serpent player.

Oh, and there'll be a very quiet mandolin and tenor guitar player noodling away in the background and sipping on a pint of Harvey's Old... :-)

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 08:45 AM

Thanks Will.

We have had a lot of fun, made lots of friends and played some great tunes. A collection of us have played at a few informal events - local festivals, a school and so on. I quite like the idea of a flexible group of whoever can make it with a reasonable collection of tunes and a few songs. It seems more achievable than a dance band.

Now, time to practice a few waltzes on that dreadful banjo.

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Will Fly
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 10:09 AM

Waltzes on a banjo, eh? You brave boy!

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 10:26 AM

Probably missguided! I sometimes feel the need to assert my non-existant musical presence by playing loud and slightly out of tune tenor banjo -maybe it adds an Arabic quarter tone sense to Waltzes from Scan Tester? No probably not. Still when most of the others get going the banjo is clearly out-numbered by melodeons and so on. We have had threats of brass - but none have appeared

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 05:52 AM

Amazing night thanks to Ken, Mike B, Mike C, Ursula, John, Dave, Gordon, Phil E, Josh, Wesley, Rob, Chris, Kate, Shelley, Brian, Phil R and Mickey.

Special thanks to Liz Calderbank for a most exciting night of Lancashire Clog Dancing and for bringing her Dad, Sid Calderbank, who sang a priceless version of John of Greenfield and two versions of 'It's a long way to Tipperary'. They also did a brillaint duet, Sid singing on old Lanchire song and Liz dancing to re-create the sound of the looms at work.

Thanks to all those who came and played this year. Hope to see you all again through the next one

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 10:03 AM

That was an absolutely stonking night. We really hit a groove on some of those tunes - I know I've never played Sir John Fenwick's better. And many thanks to Liz and Sid, whose contributions were unforgettable. Playing for a clog-dancer was something else - Liz's footwork took my breath away (which is a bit of a drawback when you're trying to play the whistle!). File under Why We Do This Stuff.

Will: I think tunes sessions are the stuff that makes the world go round

Nay lad, that's singarounds. Same time next Wednesday?

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 10:07 AM

Next Wednesday, 3 February, it is then the first one in February.

The Band did play well - we must get out more

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: GUEST,Dave Bishop
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 11:30 AM

I'm not sure what a foreigner (or Londoner for that matter) would have made of the Beech last night. They probably would have thought that it was an ancient hotbed of ancient vernacular traditions. Of course, that status is some way off yet (2011 perhaps?).

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 01:27 PM

Thanks Dave. I'm all for hotbeds preferably shared. I feel endlesly blessed by the quality and quantity of music that passes through the Snug of The Beech and that level of excentricty that just takes in one step beyond.

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: GUEST,sid
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 04:24 PM

A good night in good company and my daughter driving me home - what more can a man want? Thanks everybody -- SID

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Brakn
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 05:21 PM

Wonderful singing and dancing. Music was as good as ever; a great night. Looking forward to the next one already.

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: PercyBysshe
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 05:29 PM

It was indeed a cracking evening. I loved Liz's dancing and particularly liked the duet she did with her Dad Sid. Can we invite them back please?

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Folkiedave
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 05:33 PM

Great stuff Les.

(As an aside - two friends of mine had Sir John Fenwick in place of the wedding march when they got married. And it sounded great.

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 28 Jan 10 - 03:46 AM

Thanks Dave,

prehaps I can muster enough troups and head your way on a Singers Night - would you ahve room for us?

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: John Routledge
Date: 28 Jan 10 - 03:37 PM

A full house with great music song and for one night only - dance - for which many thanks to Liz.

The atmosphere was indeed vintage - 1965 or thereabouts :0)

It was great to hear Sid in top form. The fact that Chorlton is on the right side of the Mersey to be in Lancashire may just have been the right catalyst.

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:20 AM

Tuesday will be the last one in February so we shall gather in The Beech and Begin some Tunes and a few songs! All welcome.

How about a night of the wild Morresco Dancing to welcome the Spring - some time in March I believe?

Cheers

L back in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 05:23 AM

I think last night was the fullest(?) night so far. Gordon got up to get a pint and three people pinched his stool - sorry about that Gordon - it's dog eat cat eat dog in these sessions!

Yhanks to Barbara, Phil, Gordon, Barbara, Ken, Wes, his mate, Mickey, those two ladies who played recorders, Ursula, Mick, Kate, Jen and her friend, that bloke who plays amazing blues guitar at other times, Mike, Rob, Chris and Peter Hood from the Midway Folk Club and Stockport Sessions (tonight) and Ged and probably 3 other people who I will remembre once the tablets kick in.

Thanks for a geat night of music and good company.

See yu all and others next Wednesday for songs and a week on Saturday at St Margarets Whalley Range for the Haiti Benefit.

Not forgetting:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=285466650899&ref=ts

Facebook

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Brakn
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 06:23 AM

"those two ladies who played recorders" I think were Jenny and Jane.

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 06:47 AM

Jings and criminy. Vast hordes turned up the last time I missed a sesh, too - I'll have to come more often, just to keep the numbers down.

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 09:19 AM

Thanks Mr Brakn I will address them as such as and when I can.

Mr Radish, it was a bit busy! At one point we had 5 whistle ish things and the threat of people having to play in the bar and dance in The Tandori over the road.

Trust you will have a song and a whistle for next Wednesday and some breath for Saturday March 6?

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 02:32 PM

The benefit for Haiti

Thanks to The Beech Band - Kate, Mike, Phil, Gordon, Wes, Josh, Mickey, Ged, Helen, Steve, Chris, Bill, Ken and Rob.

Also thanks to the extra percussion from the Samba Band, all the Balalika Band who just joined in and played!

The organisers will let us know how much was made early this week

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Gedi
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 08:28 AM

and thanks to you Les, for organising said Haiti Benefit (well our musical bit anyways) : )

For anyone who missed it it was a real good do with plenty of good tunes and help from other people as Les said above. The Balalaika Band were excellent as were the percussionists who joined us. All in all a very enjoyable afternoon, and all in a good cause, which is nice. We should do it again sometime....

cheers
Ged

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Brakn
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 08:53 AM

I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately we couldn't stay for the Balalaika band; the kids' attention span and all that goes with it.

I second what Ged has said - Thanks Les.

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 09:23 AM

I had a letter yesterday from Andrea Boulter, the organiser if the Haiti Benefit, to say they event raised £600! I am amazed, people clearly gave most generously.

She thanked us for our music "it created a lovely atmosphere" which it did.

Thanks again to all those in the informal Beech Band and ti families and friends who came and supported the people pf Haiti. Thanks also to all the other musicians and singers who made such a great day.

The Beech Band or bits of it will be in The Builders Arms, Knutsford, tomorrow around 1pm and in The Beech for nearly St Patrick's Night on Tuesday for an evening of songs and tunes.

Les

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 03:26 PM

Hi Folks, the fourth edition of our song book will be 'launched' at The Beech, and not The Royal Northern College of Music, Tuesday 30 March.

52 tunes mostly in sympathetic pairs. PM me for details or if you are tempted to join this friendly, informal, Beginners Tunes Session.

Last Tuesday of the Month, The Beech, Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester.

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 28 Mar 10 - 07:59 AM

The last Tuesday is the next one, so to speak.

PM me for the latest tune book as dots in PDF files - ie pages of music or Noteworthy Composer 2, ie music that will play itself to you at a speed of your own choosing.

Also available as ABC files when Mr Radish explains a few more things to me

Cheers

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Mar 10 - 12:02 PM

Thanks to Chris for much helpful proof reading and Mr radish for translation into ABC

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 05:11 AM

Why not start the Easter Holiday off tonight with Beginners Tunes at The Beech?

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Brakn
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 05:44 AM

A full house and another cracking night!!

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 06:01 AM

Great stuff - the book is an excellent idea. It would be good if groups in different parts of the country could do the same thing; a valuable snapshot of what's being played here and now.

It would be interesting to see how it compares with the tunes and sets in the Lewes Favourites book.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 10:06 AM

It was a great night! I think that mandolin solo was Hendrix-like in it's execution. Topped only by Jenny and those amazing tunes on the Hammered Dulcimer. Nice to see two Balalikas - wait til the rest turn up!

The Tune Book works well, obviously for people who read the dots. I suspect that those people wouldn't join in a memory only session but they may eventually.

Thanks go to Ken, Jenny, Jenny, Brian, Ross, Mike, Steve, Jenn, Odin (the dog), Phil, Janet, Marie-Clare, Mark, Steve, Ishbel, Phil, Kate, Chris and Ged. Also several people who couldn't squeeze in but stayed in the bar and finished of two lots of cask bitter.

Ged lost his phone and I found me hat.

I can only take so much joy in one week

L in C

Subject: RE: Review: Beginners Tunes at The Beech, First Year
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 01 Apr 10 - 03:53 AM

A Dulcimar solo during our tunes session:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=285466650899&ref=ts

delightful

L in C