Annoying Bodhran, what to do?

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From:
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 10:29 PM

ask him if he knws why a bodhran playe is like a foot message

ecause a foot masage bucks up the feet

and a bodahn player cks the beat

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 04:20 AM

Ah but can he spell?? ;-)

*BG*

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: jmdornan
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 08:38 AM

John, beside the fact that you handled the situation as a true professional should, don't worry too much about him. You can always ask him up on stage to do a number by himself, so many audiences members think it's cool to play along, but would never get up on a stage themselves. Sometime they need to know why you are the one getting paid to be on the stage :) Of course this is a judgement call, because he may not get it, even if he screws up on stage...but we have all been through this where your audience thinks they can do what you do. I work in interactive street theater, and also am a musician in the forum, THAT gets interesting. Everyone you meet has played some instrument way back in high school, and wants to work with you, you can only be poliet for so long before you have to explain it's your career annd you are very serious about it. I also know it's very hard to be a a musician starting out, because so many people say they can do thing they really can't.

Good luck Jill

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 08:44 AM

Nice words Jill, I've started to blush!

Gratefull thanks & best wishes,

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 08:49 AM

ACK! hi Jill!

She knows whereof she speaks , people, 'cause she has to put up with *me*

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,Shantyman
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 12:23 PM

Jonn

The suggestion that the club organiser should interviene seems a good one! Perhaps he'll then be too busy to play guitar throughout unaccompanied performances. Perhaps the bodhran could be given to the club organiser. On the subject of loosing the thread of the song, I lost it last week due to the intervention of Boddintons Bitter; but I'm not going to ask the landlord to refrain from selling it! By the way thanks for remembering the words for me

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Midchuck
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 12:48 PM

"Boddingtons Bitter"...What a great name! I may have to journey across the Atlantic just to have some.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 12:59 PM

Peter: the reason Allan lost his thread due to Boddington's Bitter was really that he had been out celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife.

I've not seen Allan wearing a tie before, let alone a blazer! Congrats once again Allan! I would agree, the last thing we want is a beer being withdrawn! I'll be on the guest or the Landlord on Thursday 'cos I'm going on my bike. BTW, what time are you arriving at Alderley Edge on midsummer sunrise? And what date do you regard as midsummer? I was going up on Thursday 21st. John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,UB Dan
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 02:00 PM

Hey John J...no offense but it seems like the problem is that you want everyone to sit quietly and pay attention to you performing by your self. I guess this is fine for some sort of pre-arranged song club event, but if this is a session then let him play...or stop performing songs that you don't want anybody to play along on. The other alternative is to sing the song in your car on the way over, and get it out of the way before you show up to a social event. The only other thing I can think of is to get yourself a gig somewhere by yourself where you don't need to be annoyed by other people who also wish to play and can still have everybody pay attention to you.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: jmdornan
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 02:42 PM

MMARIO - you are the least of my worries.. I enjoy performing with you :) and no I 've never been able to spell but can sing in 3 languages does that count for something?

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: sophocleese
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 03:56 PM

UB Dan, that's an assholish thing to say. At a place where other people can take turns being in the limelight its reasonable to wish to have your turn in the limelight. Just because you have an instrument does not mean that it HAS to be played on every song. Sometimes the music is served better when there is less of a musical free-for-all. Listening is part of music. The bodhran player in this instance sounds like the selfish nit who cannot stand to be quiet.

In any group of people there you can have many options from one person singing or playing to everybody singing and playing. Why limit the group to one particular dynamic? It sounds idiotic to me.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,UB Dan
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 04:45 PM

Listening is part of music and it may be true that a musical free for all does not result in the best music...but these sessions are often musical and free for all. I understand the point about the bodhrain not being suited to all songs and that bad playing of any sort is disruptive to the entire dynamic...but, it is a session. I don't see any difference between showing up to a tradition session with a Marshall stack and an electric guitar loaded with distortion and showing up to a session to perform solo. It is a social event which is designed to get people to play together. If people are performing individually, that is called an open mike night or I guess maybe a song circle. Yes people take turns choosing songs or playing leads...but if you want to play alone than go ahead and play alone. There is another thread out now talking about songs that only you like...the guy who started it is talking about songs that he enjoys but doesn't perform much because his audience doesn't react well. He is suiting his music to his audience...this is a good thing. In a session, the audience is also your new band...suit your music to them. I'm not saying every song has to be appropriate for 15 bodhrains joining in, but maybe you could stay away from songs that nobody can join in on.

To be fair, I agree that the drum could sit out slower songs or inappropriate songs, but I also think its silly to shopw up to a session and expect everyone to sit and listen to you...by yourself...get a solo gig, go busking, invite a friend over to watch you, sing in the shower...but if you are at a socail session you should expect to play with people. Teach and learn..teach and learn...but don't exclude. Maybe do a song once and then ask people to join in after they get an idea of the tune, but if nobody can join in, save it for another time.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J at home
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 04:48 PM

Hi UB Dan, and thanks for your input.

Thanks also Sophoclese for your support!

The problems I have with this bodhran player are many, but the main problem I have is he actually puts me off singing.

Last week I completely lost the thread of my song due to the intrusive manner in which the bodhran was played.

In addition to that, the bodhran wasn't played in the rhythm I was singing. When I apologised to the guy later in the evening for having to ask him to stop, and also giving my reasons, his response was that my timing was at fault. I thought that a little unreasonable, but chose not to pursue the matter and to walk away from the situation in an amicable way as possible.

The fact that all other musicians remain quiet when I (or all the other unaccompanied singers at the club for that matter) sing and he chooses to bang away on his bodhran is barely worth mentioning in comparison.

There is no doubt that a bodhran can go really well with many performances, but I'm not good enough a singer to deal with an out of time, interfering noise.

I hope that puts you in the picture.

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,UB Dan
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 05:03 PM

John, I'll be honest, I support you in this matter. I agree with you, completely. I did not read every single post, but from what I read I gathered that everyone was agreeing with you, but not for the right reason. I think asking him not to play on a particular song is perfectly acceptable, but I do not think that it should be expected that every person should take turns playing solo at a session. This is not what I would expect and not what anyone should expect. I guess there are other gatherings where this is perfectly acceptable, but if you walk into a session and say..every body be quiet, its my turn, listen to me...I would think you were in the wrong. You'll notice I didn't post any reply until the thread had grown, and that is mainly because I do agree with how you handled and are planning to handle this specific type of situation. I just take exception to the several posts saying any sort of playing along is rude.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: sophocleese
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 05:50 PM

Okay UBDan I understand what you're saying now. The assholish part, that pissed me off, was the implication of selfisheness and singularity on John's part. I didn't get the same impression of blanket statements about never playing along but that some level of sensitivity is required even in sessions. The way the situation was presented that sensitivity was lacking on the part of the bodhran player. We were responding to John's request for assistance and support we may have answered differently if the bodhran player had posted asking what to do with a singer who cannot play along with his bodhran. Kind of an interesting idea actually...hmmm.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Bernard
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 07:53 PM

With respect, UB Dan, there is a vast difference between a 'session' and a 'singaround'.

A session is an 'all in together' situation, but a singaround is primarily a one-at-a-time scenario where each takes their turn.

I am a 'resident' at the club that JJ is referring to, in case clarification is needed...

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: 8_Pints
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 09:00 PM

John,

Perhaps a little gentle humour might ease the situation ..

"I don't know how I'm going to manage without you, but I'd like to try!" *BG*

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,Paul S
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 12:56 AM

Hey John.

I think you handled the whole situation properly. Since he has stopped playing with you, it would be a little presumptuous to pursue matters any further - others MAY enjoy his accompaniment (doubtful) - and it would probably make you look a little immature and petty.

If you try to do anything else - i.e. talk to the management; talk to the other players; bring up your complaint again; leave the session - you will just remind everybody of an uncomfortable incident, making them uncomfortable all over again.

Speaking to him civilly in the first place, will probably motivate others to do the same, and he may get the message eventually.

In group situations, once is usually enough.

Paul

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J at home
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 04:34 AM

UB Dan, you and I are on a very similar wavelength! I would hate it if I went to a session, played a tune and nobody joined in.

At the end of the day what is needed is consideration for others. Joining in by singing or playing is fine as long as it is appropriate. I suggest that playing a bodhran with virtually EVERY song (mostly unaccompanied) is inappropriate.

Paul S.: Humour is indeed an ideal way to calm things down, if we laugh at the situation together it reduces the potential for further ill feeling and hopefully gets forgotten in the mists of time. Great so long as he doesn't forget to ease off on the bodhran!

Cheers,

John John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 01:50 PM

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,UB Dan
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 02:47 PM

I think Julia said it as succinctly as possible.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:00 PM

John J said...I suggest that playing a bodhran with virtually EVERY song (mostly unaccompanied) is inappropriate.

I know what you MEANT to say. That's why I have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. I'm going to attend one of your sessions some day and bring all three of my Hrans and my bones too. But I will play when asked.

I forget who said it but, "Hran" is NOT "Star Trekkie". I am a Hranner and proud of it. Hey, there's another use for a Hran... in an episode of Star Trek.... the Enterprise goes into a time warp and is set upon by a spaceship with Celtic knotwork all over it, shaped like a Hran... every time the Captain tries to communicate with the bandits, they play Hran along to his message and it drives the crew mad. They even beam Flatley aboard and he taps the crap out of their warp drive.

Flatley ? No, that's getting toooo weird.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J at home
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:08 PM

Gottit Gnu, I read it and couldn't believe what I'd written! Gnu you'd be more than welcome at any session / singaround or whatever: The Bull's Head in Mobberley near Knutsford tonight (Wednesday) or The Railway in Heatley, near Lymm tomorrow night (Thursday). You could always come up to Alderley Edge @ 3.39am tomorrow for Solstice sunrise.

Cheers,

John (just off to the pub for a sing, a play and a pint)

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:23 PM

Sounds rather Brit to me. I am in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Might be a bit too much of a stroll, carrying all me Hrans n all. But, I do appreciate the invite.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J at home
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 07:43 PM

Yes it is Gnu, ah well, perhaps if you're ever over here!

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 12:20 AM

Irish Abroad's website has detailed guide about how to behave at a session. Specifically, they suggest that if you play a Bodhran you are to ask they-who-conduct-the-session if it OK (a yankism) to join in. I got the impression that the answer would probably be no.

I was going to buy this really neat Bodhran with a Celtic knot design (made in Ireland) but realized that in Missouri's humidity it would go: plopp plopp floppitty slopp. This is a problem solver for you though. Have all who are annoyed by the hran player to chip in to send him over here. I live on the banks of the Missouri river where we have 120% humidity on a GOOD day. He'll pack it in, surely. Then, because I am a CLAWHAMMER BANJO player, I could dry it out and make a Boucher style tack-head fretless thumper.

It's been a long week

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 03:02 PM

OK, I've heard some pretty annoying bodhrán from tim to time,and when I started playing sessions I may have even been the annoying bodhrán in question,but this thread is getting to be more annoying than any bodhrán ever could.

Rich

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: gnu
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 03:36 PM

Like I said before, everyone craps on us but still they still ask us to play (on some tunes). In a way, I don't understand. Maybe with me it's different. The lads I play with... I mean, REALLY play with, are Irish Trad and Troubles players. These tunes are suited to Hran.

Anyway, this is about dead. See you all at the session. Rich.... Hran on !!!

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 05:11 PM

Hey there everyone....

Ok, I won't admit to being a bodhran player...well, no I will actually,

I'm proud to be one!!

When people play all the time whether they're welcome to or not it makes me cringe like hell, this bloke sounds like one of those people!!

Many people say bodhrans should be seen and not heard. And in a sense I agree in certain situations. I won't play in songs unless there are ten thousand other people playing instruments and the tune has the right rhythm to play bodhran to.

I'm actually too scared to go into a singing session and play bodhran as I know people would take it off me and fill it with cider...like a replacement for micca's tankard!! No, the truth is I would rather sit and listen or join in singing chorus'.

BOdhrans suit certain situations and certain tunes, but otherwise i think we should just sit back and listen.

I think somebody needs to have a little quiet chat with this bloke, and if he doesn't listen then he obviously doesn't have any feelings relevant to the situation and needs telling firmly.

It is better to say something than to have him drive everybody away from the circle.

GOod luck

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J at home
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 01:54 PM

Well put Emma, I support your views on the use of the Bodhran 100%. You're my kind of Bodhran player!!

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Ditchdweller
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 02:32 PM

Boddington's Bitter?? Thought Boddington's hadn't brewed ale for years since Whitbread took over the brewing!!

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 03:38 PM

Cheers John, has the situation improved yet?

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J at home
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 04:16 PM

Sapper 82: I'm afraid you're right, what is worse is that I know only 2 pubs that keep the Whitbread/Boddington brew in a drinkable state around these parts: The Railway @ Heatley near Lymm (the folk club pub) and the Mark Addy in central Manchester. The only other decent pint I've had is at The volunteer in SIDMOUTH! Emma: well our bodhran man is away in San Francisco (that's in America you know), so things are certainlt temporarily better. The club organiser is going to 'have a word', I just hope it doesn't get anybody's back up too much. I rather fear it might.

Ho hum.

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 01:20 PM

Wow, glad things are turning out. I bet he gets deported from america for playing his bodhran all the time!! That would be funny.

Do u think it mite get the message through?

Tell your organiser good luck with this guy.

Hope it all turns out for the best

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 10:18 PM

if he travels across the Bay to the Starry Plough and does his boor-ran thing... I'll tell my daughter to be alert this Saturday especially. Did he come over on his own? Is there a chance he'll come to Missouri? We have a "blue" grass festival on the 30th at Centennial Farms in Augusta, Missouri. I can imagine him playing "it" at the festival. Perhaps we could get the Missouri Valley Coon Club's dogs, chase him along the Augusta Bottoms road. Then, again, he might just fit in.

Well, I must agree this is enough about boorish bodhran players. If its all the same, I'd like to know more about this Boddingtons/Whitebread thing. It sounds like a Monty Python routine.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John J
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 05:05 AM

This is my understanding of the Boddington's/ Whitbread situation, I'm sure others will correct me where I am wrong and where there are omissions:

Boddington's is (was) a traditional Manchester Brewery of really good beers. Some years ago Whitbread a really major player in the uk brewing industry became a substantial, then a major shareholder. This was financially good news for the brewery but seriously bad news for the drinkers of Manchester. Whitbread it should be said, have a reputation for brewing bland beers with little or no character. In the mid 70s Boddington's had a major quality problem with a huge batch of beer produced for the Christmas rush. They had a new member of staff who unfortunately made a mistake. (In the uk mistakes are not regarded as part of the learning curve.) Since that episode in the 70s, the beer quality / taste has certainly changed for the worst. All very sad. The good news is that such big-brewery antics have spawned loads of small breweries who produce some really excellent beers. Shame about Boddies though. Although they have a very high profile in the uk, I suppose there beer has had to be 'dumbed down' so there is more of a national appeal to it.

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: pavane
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 06:21 AM

Coyote breath: When we bought a bodhran to take out to Dubai, we were advised to take one with a robust, i.e. thickish, skin, as it would be less affected by the humidity. That was in 1979-ish, and we still have it - it did seem to do the trick. (inscribed Nick Driver Goat). No fancy celtic designs though.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,Jude
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 07:35 AM

John J - I wasn't aware that there was such a thing as a drinkable pint of Boddys since Whitbread took over....
Me, if local I'll stick to Speckled Hen, Wadworth's 6X or Flowers Original and in Sidmouth's Anchor Middle Bar ... the Exmoor Gold will do nicely....
.. none of which should be wasted on detuning bodrans
...... Ah - detuning bodrans - that's what its for, I always wondered why people bought Watney's ( it's so awful it couldn't possibly be to drink)

Jude

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: John P
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 07:50 AM

Coyote Breath, Argh! please don't start calling it a hran! It's annoying enough having gnu calling it that all the time!

gnu, how do you pronounce that, anyway? I always hear the word with the "h" (and the "d") being silent or nearly so. In any event, the second syllable of the word would start with the "d", wouldn't it? Or maybe the "r"?

Other annoying shortenings of instrument names:
ano
tar
tern
lo
dolin
bec
pet
ouki
jo
bro
bard
bla
ute
olin
ola
cal
tle

John

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: KitKat
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 08:04 AM

Boddingtons is now manufactured by Interbrew (used to be part of Whitbread but no longer). They are based in Magor, South Wales and pay enormous attention to consistency of flovour and quality. Of course, if you happen to think it's crap, what they make is consistent crap.

pat

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: pavane
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 08:17 AM

I was told by an Irish friend that bodh was like bough and ran has a long a as in the name Sian, or the ar in barn, or alternatively like aw as in lawn. The accent is on the second syllable. SO something like boughRARN or boughRAWN would be an approximation (only). I expect it varies in different parts of Ireland anyway.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: RichM
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 08:54 AM

As a fellow accompanist to Irish music (I'm a guitar player), I'll tell you what I like and don't like about the bodhranists.

I like a bodhran that tasteful, fits in, is in time with the music--and lifts the pulse of the music.

I don't like:

-bodhrans not in time--get with the rythmn!

-bodhrans played too loudly. Fit the volume to the tune.
-bodhrans, conversely, played too softly. I know, I know--some people would consider that a blessing! Again, fit the volume to the tune.
-bodhrans that beat a heavy four-to-the-bar beat. It's an instrument capable of more subtlety than that.
Find the pulse! Pulse goes beyond the signature rythmn of the tune--every tune has its own pulse, which could be longer than the bar, or shorter. Find it. Play it. Don't drag the lead instruments out of THEIR pulse.

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: GUEST,McCracker
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 03:03 PM

Perhaps this person is retarded. The mentally defective are known for doing this type of stuff. But then again, if he is making snide comments about being out of time, probably not. I don't think that it would be out of line to do pretty much what you did. Just what part of "unaccompanied singing' does this cretin not understand.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 06:44 PM

I think Irish drums (whatever you want to call them) are criticised too often. Most of us folkies are only fair musicians (at best, ok. some are great but many are not but can still be enjoyed), and it can look very self aggrandising to put others off or down, and I well remember a rather precious actor-singer telling a very good guitarist that he found his playing "rather distracting".

I think the safest course is to say in advance if you do or don't want people to join in, and to warn them it there are unusual things coming such as an arrangement with a chord that is not the usual one, or an accelerando on a particular part of the song, or if (like me) you do the "Wild Mountain Time" in 4/4 rather than 3/4.

By and large I think of folk music as participative. It may be necessary to vary that but it is probably better to be cautious. Offer to tune the guitar that is driving you mad. Get someone else to tune the banjo that is driving you mad. Point out that you are playing a recorder in medieval pitch and that it is NOT a semi-tone off modern pitch. But if you have to ask someone to stop you have to - once you are sure that you are not being precious and self-important. SOmetimes you have to. But examine your conscience first.

he story that started this thread may well have been one of the occasions when a firm stand was essential - but it could (with the benefit of hindsight, which is always easier) have been avoided by saying in advance that you were doing a song that was not in strict tempo and so was likely to be better without rythm accompaniment. The reaction to such an ADVANCE announcement would warn the alert if they were pushing into a session or being self-important (which some, but not all, unaccompanied singers can be). One reason I tend not to do unaccompanied songs is that you do have to be doubleplusgood to make them a good experience for the listener(s).

Be careful. You probably were. If you were, then you did what you had to do. But in many cases it is not necessary to exclude accompanists. I know one "jam session" (so advertised) when an excellent guitarist thoroughly surprised me by joining "Haul away for ROsie" (which a friend and I were doing unaccompanied, like most shanties, and in B as it happened) and the blues feel to the sequence he added put a whole new light on the song for me and I thought it was great. I might have said that shanties were usually unaccompanied and I woudl have missed a very enjoyable experience.

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 07:35 PM

Just come in on this after being off line for several weeks. I agree with Peg and Rich - the art of playing the Bodhran is knowing when not to play, and/or to play with sensitivity for the music and the other musicians. One player I heard about was causing a nuisance by playing along with everything: when he went out to the loo, leaving his beaters on the table, they were taken outside to a conveniently-placed river to play "Pooh-sticks" with! I also remember my early efforts in one of the Council rooms at Sidmouth FF in Mog's workshop - about 60 of us hammering away, when one of the council workers came in to ask if we could make less noise! Tattie B

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Hawker
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 08:03 PM

Hi
As A bodhran player myself, I get really pissed off with people who give the rest of us a bad name.
I know when to play and when not and it's pretty obvious to me that this chap doesn't. Who MC's the club? perhaps talk to this person, maybe he could start the evening off by saying that it's lovely to have such a wealth of talent in the room, and that it looks like a good night of music and song yet again, however, would participants respect the wishes of singers who prefer to sing unaccompanied.
As a singer also, it is not a case of singing out of rhythm, it is a case of singing with feeling and altering the pace of the song to add expression, if he tries that retort again, suggest that the same is also true of a good bodhran player, which if he was, he would understand.
If all else fails, get a G penny whistle and just blow it, using any fingering, when he "plays" or sings
He may not get the message, but he may begin to understand how you feel!
Last resort - tell a bevvy of bodhran jokes whilst introducing your song, if he then joins in, point to him and say - see, I told you so!
Good Luck
Lucy

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: pavane
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 03:44 AM

CAn you suggest some suitable jokes then? I know several bagpipe jokes, but I haven't heard a bodhran one. (And am I doubly cursed? I play bodhran AND Melodeon, although not at the same time, usually)

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 04:10 AM

Bodhran jokes.

As in any large joke collection most of them are just bad. One missing on that list is:

Why are men better bodhran players than women?
Because they've already mastered the wrist movement.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Finny
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 05:54 AM

This is pretty crass, but maybe you could suggest he use it as a bedpan!

Finnabhair

Subject: RE: Annoying Bodhran, what to do?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 27 Jun 01 - 07:15 AM

All these inappropriate bodhran playing stories reminds me of my favourite. I was sitting in a session in Redcar with Jane Sherburn (one of my all-time favourite bodhran players) and Kate Rusby (what a name-dropper I am). None of us had our instruments with us so we were just listening.

Then this wassack comes in, unraps the bodhran from the brown paper bag (he must've just bought it) sits down in the middle of the session and attempts to play. After indulging in some girlish humour with Kate (that's your boyfriend, that is!) Jane could stand it no longer. She firmly asked 'Could I have a lend of your bodhran, mate?' and then played it brilliantly and handed it back. The chap just got up and walked out, to the relief of the whole session and comments like 'ee lass, you'll go straight to heaven'.

Not that I dispise the bodhran player. I hope he's a brilliant player by now. I offer the story as a cautionary tale. If you're not very experienced, tell the others in the session/singaround/whatever. Sit at the back and do join in quietly. The others will understand. They'll offer help. They were at that stage themselves once.

Les