"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