Requests at pub sessions

Subject: Requests at pub sessions
From: harmonic miner
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 06:50 AM

This is sort of a rant:

If you play in a pub session you will probably receive 'requests'. I'm talking about the type of session where you play for fun with the consent of the management.

There are a number of ways to react to these (a) Play the request... etc. (b) say "Sorry we don't do requests." (c) say, "Sorry we don't know the song" (d) "Here's a list of songs/tunes we know" (e) if you listen to us play you will find what songs we know.
Requestors in react in different ways to these (a) Thanks, that was a nice version. (b) you don't know my song, you're crap (c) Well, what songs do you know? etc.

You have to take these in your stride if you play in a pub. Last night I was really tested though. One fella kept shouting out random song titles even as we started into playing something else. Luckily he and his gang soon go bored and left us in peace

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Martin Dardis
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 07:36 AM

Send your requests up written on the back of a ten pound note.

If we can't play them we'll pass them on to the band that are playing next week.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Acorn4
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 07:39 AM

Sometimes you sing the request, the person talks all the way through it and later comes up and asks when you are going to play his request.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Grumpyarse
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 09:20 AM

I never leave a guitar in the car but when i take it into a pub some joker always says "play us a tune then"
I always reply - you decorate my kitchen for nowt and i'll play for nowt

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Guest - Betsy
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 11:31 AM

Trouble is when they ask for the F****** - wild rover.
Difficult to get out of THAT one.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 11:51 AM

Sing it as a blues.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 11:52 AM

Playing an evening recently as part of an Arts Festival the local club delivered a good range of tunes and song, sadly we had to field later requests for 'Deliverance' ( Duelling Banjos we assumed ) and The Fields of Athenry - nicely dealt with by Lead Fingers in a parody leaving the requester somewhat confused. You would think people had moved on and might ask for Man of Constant sorrow or even Dark Side of the Moon!

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Big Ellie May
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 11:59 AM

Just because the clique think something has become unfashionable does not stop people from liking it. If we relied on the folk clique most of the peoples songs would have dies out.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 12:18 PM

Jazz singer Lee Gibson always asks for requests for the second half of her gig: but requesters have to know all the lyrics! Her reperoire is very large so she is confident she can fulfil most requests & her various accompanists, being jazzmen, can always busk it.

RtS

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: LesB
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 12:40 PM

We sometimes get " play something Irish", so we just play something / anything, dead fast & that usualy does the job & the punter/drunk, is none the wiser.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 01:09 PM

I remember years ago we were asked for Irish Traditional several times throughout the evening, which made up the bulk of our public repertoire at the time. It was only at closing time that the requester explained that what he meant was C&W!

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 01:18 PM

Does it count if I request the melodic instruments to play a song I know but can't start because I can't play it on guitar?

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 01:56 PM

I always tell people I operate an inverse request system... they tell me the songs they don't like and don't want to hear, and that way, if I don't know them... it doesn't matter!!

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 02:14 PM

If you play at a session in a public bar then you have to put up with playing in a bar - there are no half measures. If you don't like the ambience of playing for yourselves in an atmosphere where the damnable punters might interrupt - then go elsewhere. Sit in your front rooms in peace and quiet.

At the sessions I go to - and particularly at the session I run - punters at the bar might be shouting, swearing, listening or not listening. It's my choice to be there and, if it ever got too much for me, I'd clear off to another pub. The only thing I will not tolerate is swearing and, if it gets too loud and aggressive, I speak to the landlady, and she stops it immediately.

To return to the topic, if someone asks us to play something: if we know it, we do it - if not, we simply say no. If they want to sing it, I usually say, "what key is it in?" If they know the key, they get to sing it - if they don't know they key, they don't get to sing it. If they get stroppy - which is very rare - well, there are ways of dealing with that.

To run a session in an open bar isn't always easy, but it certainly toughens you up. I've spent years playing in bands in working men's clubs, Legions, Trades & Labour clubs, etc. - a hard field sometimes, but you learn very quickly!

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 02:40 PM

Will, there is ambience and there is noise. I've known both - sometimes the same venue on different nights. While there may be little one can do about, as far as I'm concerned, when the background has reached the sort of level where you can't hear Irish pipes 3 feet away from you, I think it's got too much...

As for occasional requests. I think an Irish dance tune that hadn't already been played and was known to some present, there would be a good chance of it being played.

The sessions aren't likely to move away from their Irish instrumental aims though and a request is more likely to be for a song like Wild Rover than something that fits in.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: johncharles
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 02:48 PM

I am with Mr Fly on this one. we have been doing a monthly pub session for last 18 months. If we know a request we play it; and yes it toughens you up.
Anyone in barnsley area welcome.
for details - http://www.facebook.com/pages/String-Theory/176734452873?sk=app_2405167945
john

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 02:51 PM

when the background has reached the sort of level where you can't hear Irish pipes 3 feet away from you, I think it's got too much...

I agree absolutely. We came to near to that at our last session and I made a mental note that, if we get it again at our next one, we pull up stakes and find a more amenable venue. Luckily, the landlady is sympathetic and loves the music, so she says she'll boot out anyone who interferes with our session.

But, in the end, it's our choice. :-)

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 03:08 PM

If we know a request we play it; and yes it toughens you up.

How does it toughen you up?

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 03:31 PM

Playing in bars, pubs, clubs, etc., toughens you up because you learn to project to an audience; you learn to cope with hecklers without going under; you learn to handle an audience; you learn some stagecraft; you learn to perform material off the cuff - which develops an ear for melody and chords; it widens your musical knowledge; it widens your knowledge of people.

That enough to be going on with?

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 04:01 PM

Had missed my name above.

I think a few things may be getting lumped together there and I was just asking how doing any request in a session toughens you up?

But to try to comment on the points you raise.

I actually find the pub session relaxing and sheltered from some of the things I don't get on with. The background ambience and the fact that you rarely really have an audience (although one hopes some in the bar may be enjoying the music while they are chatting) seems to be quite the opposite of giving a performance. The whole thing is (OK maybe within one repertoire, eg. Irish dance tunes) off the cuff, ie. I don't know what's coming next.

I can find the hardest is trying to do something on my own in a folk club where there is the absolute hush. Done it many times as floor spot and in singarounds but I never find it as relaxing as the session scene.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 04:07 PM

I much prefer open sessions in a bar to playing in folk clubs. Nothing wrong with folk clubs, by the way, and I've spent many happy hours in them, but I just prefer the spontaneity and communal music making in a session. I know what you mean about the relaxing nature of a good session.

I think that responding to a request - in whatever way is appropriate at the time - is always a lesson in dealing with people and adds to one's store of knowledge as a performer. "Toughens" is perhaps a slightly extreme word to use! :-)

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: squeezeboxhp
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 04:20 PM

if we know it we will play it at some stage at our session even more chance if a pint accompanies the request.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 04:50 PM

I met the late, great Dave Bryant at a pub sing near Micca's home in London. There was a drunk at the bar who kept requesting Beatles songs. Finally, Dave sang a parody of "Yesterday" that bemoaned the loss of memory that comes with old age. That shut the guy up for a while.
But then during the break, the drunk borrowed Dave's guitar - apparently so he could sing a song. He dropped the guitar.

The moral of the story is that parodies can be temporarily successful in staving off requests - but murder may be more effective.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 08:00 PM

A couple of yeares ago I and several friends were playing in Mary Murphy's in Brandon during our annual tour of Ireland. It was a Sunday afternoon and there were a few visitors and locals in the fairly small bar.

It was considerably noisy so after a few songs and tunes we stopped. Surprisingly, the people at the bar who were doing most of the talking asked us to keep on going as they were listening and enjoying it.

So we did. When it had quietened down a bit later they requested Carrickfergus be played again, so it was.

That said it was not as noisy as trying to play in The Endeavour in Whitby on a Friday or Saturday night!!!!

CC

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 04:31 AM

At least 'Deliverance' ot 'Duelling Banjos' IS a known banjo piece - I get as many requests when I unload my Five String for 'Leaning on a Bloody Lampost or some other George Formby song .

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Nick
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 08:18 AM

I know 'American Pie', 'Fields of Athenrye' and 'The Wild Rover'.

Are you telling me there are other things I need to learn?

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Nick
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 08:19 AM

Sorry - and 'Meet Me on the Corner'

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: TheSnail
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 08:33 AM

"Streets of London", "Dirty Old Town", "The Green Fields of France"...

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Nick
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 08:43 AM

Thanks - I need to learn the words for 'Green Fields of France'

'When I'm Cleaning Windows' is coming on on my mandolin so I'm nearly ready.

I've always found you can get waway with only knowing the first few bars of Duelling Banjos. With a bit of luck noone else knows it and you can just sigh and shrug and go 'if only'

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 11:32 AM

When I visited the Virgin Islands, a country-trad band was playing in the bar of our hotel. They had a list of what they knew, printed small on tall, thin stock and laminated. These lists tucked handily between the salt and pepper shakers and didn't irritate the waitstaff.

There were about 60 songs on the list, and we were invited to ask for any we wanted. That seemed to work for everybody.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: stallion
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 01:51 PM

over the hills and faraway............ four pints arrived on the table one night after I had been cajoled into singing it!

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: John P
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 02:43 PM

If you're going to play in a public place you should expect the public to be there, doing what the public always does in pubs that have music: getting drunk, making noise, and making requests. If you don't want to deal with the public, stay home. If you want to get rude with the public, expect the landlady to chuck you out. Session playing, from the perspective of the musician, may not be a performance, but from the perspective of the audience it IS a performance and they have every right to be treated with respect. If you're not there for the public, why are you there?

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 03:53 PM

???

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 05:56 PM

I'm with Will on this one.

I always manage to get a laugh in a pub with "Yes I do requests, so if I know the words I will do your request, as long as it doesn't end with the word "OFF".

After that I sing the song, and if the noise is too much, I lower the volume (a lot).

You would be surprised how quickly the ones who are listening turn on the noisy ones and tell them to shut up.

I have on occasion succeeded in silencing almost all the clientele in a bar for as much as half an hour at a stretch, which is a big plus, as most of my material requires that the lyrics be heard.

Try to out shout them and you will always lose, not just the sound battle, but most likely your voice too.

I should point out that at in least half of the bars I frequent, I am singing and playing unplugged.

It CAN be done, and you generally only have to do it the first time for the regulars to remember. Subsequent appearances usually begin to a sound similar to a boiler safety valve letting go.

Don T

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 06:30 PM

We seem to be talking about different things. To me a session is an informal gathering of people who get together to play and/or sing in a pub. It is not a performance as such.

Here is a clip from one of the ones I try to get to btw.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 04:22 AM

No cross purpose Jon.

I was talking about singaround/sessions which I regularly attend, though I use the same tactics at open mics or in performance situations.

Instrumentals are rarely a problem, since a group of determined musos can make more noise than most pub crowds.

A singer, however, has to use different weapons and I've simply posted what works for me.

It's been working for many years.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Silas
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 04:57 AM

Hi John

I have been playing in sessions for more years than I care to remember and never play to the public. We play what we want to play and stuff we enjoy playing to and for each other. We are not going out to entertain, if 'the public' find it entertaining then fine, if they don't they usually go somewhere else.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 05:05 AM

I'm sure Geoff the Duck gets his share of requests for "Dueling Banjos" - his second "banjo" is a kazoo.

I can't say I'm tired yet of getting requests for "The Key of R," but I try not to sing it more than about once every 6 months. It would be nice if somebody would ask me to sing something else....

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: harmonic miner
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 05:06 AM

I am talking about "an informal gathering of people who get together to play and/or sing in a pub", as decribed by John. Mainly we're there for our own pleasure and practice. Really we're just customers who have instruments and there's enough room so that the other customers can choose to hear us or not.

I do "...expect the public to be there, doing what the public always does.."

So I have no problem with requests if (a) people are nice about it (b) we know the song/tune or can wing it. It's a long-term musical ambition of mine to be able to play anything convincingly on request (if I chose to)

leeneia, the laminated playlist is a great idea. I pass around my Songbook (form www.chordie.com) for that purpose

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 05:27 AM

So I have no problem with requests if (a) people are nice about it (b) we know the song/tune or can wing it.

I add (c) if it fits in with what the session is about.

In the case of the sessions I mostly try to get to this is Irish instrumental music.

Most of the attendees of these sessions (including me) can and do run to other things but choose not to for these evenings. There are other outlets for these things.

And not that I've anything against free for all/anything goes and do attend that type once in a while, I'd not like to imagine all sessions going that way.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: harmonic miner
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 06:16 AM

Yes Jon, (c) is good too. Ours is best described as a session with a significant Irish Trad content, depending on who turns up to play on a night. Starting with a few trad tunes can set the expectation. But some punters assume that those who play trad also like playing 'Rebel Songs'.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Musket
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 06:16 AM

If I am in a pub / folk club singaround, then of course I don't mind doing requests, flattered even. (Far away, bugger off home, etc. How they bring a tear of joy to your eye.) In a pub of course you may get requests for songs you either don't know, don't do or would rather not. Depends on the nature of the request. I do try to oblige if possible, (or look around to see if anybody else may do it.)

If I am in a concert though, I have normally thought through a set where the talk between songs is part of the "entertainment" whether that be related to the songs or not. Not always easy to cram in a request without buggering up timings or losing the thread.

In those instances, I try to decline.

Nicely.

He who pays the piper calls the tune, after all.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 07:47 AM

I did a pub session and starting singing Hanging Johnny and the pub went from ambient and noisy to silent, and everyone listened.

I'd never been so scared before in my life.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Mo the caller
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 08:14 AM

We sometimes go to the Shroppie Fly near Audlem.
Boxing Day afternoon, a crowded bar. I'm not sure if we were doing requests, but we were certainly 'playing to the gallery' Whiskey in the Jar, and such. Raising the roof, handing out shakey eggs to the kids.
The first session in the New Year was quiet and reflective by contrast. People trying out new tunes.
Both enjoyable in a different way.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 10:27 AM

DrugCrazed, that's because of the kind of voice you have (you lucky devil!).

Joe, I think a link might be appropriate at this point: The Key Of R - Joe Offer sings at FSGW Getaway

I certainly enjoyed your rendition!

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: John P
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 10:29 AM

I still don't understand. Why do you attend a session in a public place if not because there's an audience there? If you don't want/don't care about/are bothered by the public, why don't you just have your friends over and play in the kitchen? Trying to pretend you're playing music in pub for any reason other than to play music in public is kind of silly.

Why on earth would anyone get annoyed because a member of your audience (yes they are, whether you admit it or not) asks for a request? You can say, respectfully, "Sorry, we don't know that tune" or "Sure, we'd love to play it" or "this is an Irish session and we need to stick to Irish music".

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: harmonic miner
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 10:40 AM

I don't think anyone responding above said they would necessarily get annoyed if asked for a request. What could annoy me is the manner in which requests are made.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Vin2
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 10:44 AM

I think it's a matter of proportion. Don't think there's anything wrong with the odd request so long as there's not a continuours chorus or em. The music & song session i attend gets the occasional request and the musicians sometimes oblige but it's up to them.

I like Vin Garbutt's approach to requests where he says he'll do em but it might be one someone asked for three days ago at another gig or he might not remember how it goes at the mo but will learn it for the next time :-)

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 10:58 AM

I still don't understand. Why do you attend a session in a public place if not because there's an audience there? If you don't want/don't care about/are bothered by the public, why don't you just have your friends over and play in the kitchen? Trying to pretend you're playing music in pub for any reason other than to play music in public is kind of silly.

I for one much prefer the atmosphere in a pub and I find being in someone elses house usually feels a bit stuffy. A pub has the advantage of being open to passing players and singers. There's even the off chance that someone hearing the music gets interested enough to learn the music and participate.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Hamish
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 02:47 PM

Depends. Sometimes I say "Would you like me to play 'Far, Far Away'?"

Or "Yeah - that's a great song: I should learn that!"

But if I even half know it I'll give it a bash. It nearly always helps get them onside, even if I mess it up and only know half the words.

Certainly, having a bunch of enthusiastic "normal" people can really spice up a singaround.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 05:51 AM

Dare I suggest requests show the audience is interested?   To comply with the only requests I'm likely to get would be possible, if painful, with the kazoo, but anatomically impossible with the washboard.

RtS

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 06:05 AM

I think amongst other things they can show that someone likes singing (eg.) the Wild Rover after a few jars or perhaps that we're in the wrong venue...

I think the last time I remember the latter followed a change of landlord where the new landlord appeared to bring his customers from a previous pub with him. It was pretty clear from the first night that what was expected/required was an "Irish pub sing-along". Needless to say we didn't last long...

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 06:41 AM

I'm going to be honest, I'd be perfectly happy to hear the Key Of R a fair few times Joe. That's some brilliant lyric writing there to which I'm still laughing now...

I remember my first session at Trippet's (which is playing session), someone people at the end asked for some songs. Seeing as my friends had just sung a song, and we'd had a bit to drink we obliged them. They were drunk, we weren't sober and neither of us cared less that we were singing Wild Rover/Whiskey In The Jar.

Subject: RE: Requests at pub sessions
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 06:49 AM

Having spent 50 of my 70 years building up a repertoire which allows me to do a full guest evening at a traditional or a contemporary folk club, a pub bar, a music session, a song session, or even St Patrick's night at the Irish Club in Dartford, plus fill in spots at a comedy club, it would seem wasteful to be unwilling to give an audience what they want where I can.

Don T.