Unwanted Accompaniment

Subject: RE: Unwanted Accompaniment
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 06:10 AM

Explosives. Works for me every time.

Subject: RE: Unwanted Accompaniment
From: GUEST, Hamish again
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 06:08 AM

I remember Steve Knightley of Show of Hands thanking an exhuberant section of their audience for clapping. "Just a suggestion," he says, "but you could try clapping in time with what we're doing."

Subject: RE: Unwanted Accompaniment
From: GUEST, Hamish
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 06:06 AM

It's a no-win situation: you either put up with it and perform worse as a result, or (if you're a sensitive soul like me*) you ask them to stop and feel so bad about it that that puts you off anyway.

*Oh yes, I am. Inside that self-sufficient exterior hides a craven coward.

Subject: RE: Unwanted Accompaniment
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 06:01 AM

Unfortunately too many people think that because a drum or tambourine (etc)does not play different notes, that you don't need to be a musician to play one. This leads to them being given to or bought by those who have no musical ability whatsoever. They think that this allows them to "join in" with any music or song being played.
The fact is that you need to be a real musician to play percussion, because it relies on listening to what others are doing and adjusting what you do accordingly. Often this adjustment should be to put the damn thing away.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Unwanted Accompaniment
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 05:52 AM

"my normal reaction would to ask them kindly to f*** **f,"

you must be a bundle of fun at a session, sessions are about inclusion, try it instead of telling people to f*** **f

Subject: RE: Unwanted Accompaniment
From: Ross
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 05:49 AM

Stop performing and say you've lost it

Then have a flap and get hysterical

Subject: RE: Unwanted Accompaniment
From: jonm
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 05:48 AM

If they are relatively sensitive and observant (not a lot of chance with bodhran players!), they will often stop if you "throw" them - extend the pause between verses and come back in late, singing across their added rhythm. Extending a note to emphasise one of the words works, too. If they then carry on, you will undoubtedly get thrown yourself and have to stop - which should drop the message. Come straight back as soon as they stop.

I have seen one singer, having his free-time singing constrained by a guitarist's unwanted accompaniment, lean backwards against the guitar neck and mute the strings. The ripple of appreciation made the guitarist realise his mistake.

If someone realises their mistake in accompanying you, always thank them for their consideration in stopping playing. I generally make it my fault (I can't keep good enough time to stay with an accompaniment like that etc.).

The bloody-minded ones who will not shut up are nearly always the hopeless cases - incompetent and insensitive musicians with a hide like a rhinoceros! If it is obvious to the rest of the session that what they are doing is inappropriate, a stern remark will garner approval from the crowd and they generally won't retaliate.

....and then there are the noodlers, twiddling with their instruments while you are trying to start a song.....

Subject: RE: Unwanted Accompaniment
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 05:47 AM

Hey Raggy. I think I would have felt inclined to stop altogether and "Apologise" to the person..."Sorry" but I find it very difficult to play with an "UNREHEARSED" accompaniment, would you please allow me to do this on my own"?
That way you save face for yourself and it is also not a put-down for them (although they may feel like it is).
Best wishes.

Subject: Unwanted Accompaniment
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 05:33 AM

How do you (politely) ask someone not to accompany you when you are preforming.
Yesterday I was playing in a session and a chap sitting behind me started playing Bodhran in a different rythym to the one I was singing and playing in. My wife leaned across to quitely ask him to desist upon which his wife picked up a very noisy shaker, the type that has circles of beads round the outside, and proceeded to accompany him, again totally out of sync with myself.
I find it difficult to play in such circumstances being distracted by the noise eminating from behind my shoulder. Not noted for my diplomatic prowess I would appreciate some help in solving this, my normal reaction would to ask them kindly to f*** **f, but as the session was run by a friend, whom I didn't want to upset this was not appropriate.

Cheers

Raggy