Tune Req: Current Session Tunes

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Tune Req: Current Session Tunes

14 Oct 08 - 11:32 AM (#2465347)
Subject: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: strad

Back in the 70's there were about 40 tunes you could reckon on playing at a session, such as The Gravel Walk, The Mountain Road, Silver Spear, Kid On The Mountain, etc. What are the current favourites in sessions these days?

14 Oct 08 - 12:46 PM (#2465428)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: GUEST,Valmai Goodyear

From your list it looks as if you're talking about Irish sessions, but if you're also interested in English ones try the http://www.lewesarmsfolkclub.org/LAFC/Lewesfav.html page of the Lewes Arms Folk Club website. The tunes are available in various computerised forms and also as a book with anecdotes and photographs of the habitats in which they flourish.

There are many excellent collections of English session tunes now.'Hardcore English', published by the EFDSS, is one of the best.

Valmai (Lewes)

14 Oct 08 - 01:01 PM (#2465438)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Jack Campin

Look at my site for abc's of 40 tunes widely played in sessions in south-east Scotland.

http://www.campin.me.uk

I left out a few more recent ones as I didn't want to make a lot of effort getting permission and wouldn't have done it otherwise - Calum's Road, Da Slockit Licht, Memories of Father Angus Macdonell, The Wee Man from Skye, Margaret's Waltz, The Hut on Staffin Island, Jean's Reel, for starters.

Your selection is all Irish, but I hear The Silver Spear and The Gravel Walk reasonably often in the (non-Irish) sessions that I go to. I could probably give you a list of 40 Irish Session Tunes You Only Hear in Scottish Sessions.

15 Oct 08 - 02:10 AM (#2465963)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: stormalong

The Lewes tunes are almost standard in SE England in my experience, but there are some other sets worth looking at:

Numerous books compiled by Dave Mallinson
Nick Barber's English Choice
Greenwich Traditional Musicians Co-op Tune Book

If you want to know what the most popular Irish tunes are, have a look at the most popular downloads at www.thesession.org.

15 Oct 08 - 05:25 AM (#2466064)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Jack Campin

Pointing somebody to a large tunebook like Mally's is exactly the opposite of giving a list of current favourites, which is what "strad" was asking for.

He/she needs to give a geographic location.

15 Oct 08 - 09:28 AM (#2466229)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: strad

I'm UK based. When I'm e.g. in Edinburgh for the fiddle festival I hear tunes in sessions that everyone seems to know except me (cries into beer). Ditto in Ireland and England. Perhaps I don't buy the same CD's that people get their sets from. (God, this beer is watery)

15 Oct 08 - 09:33 AM (#2466233)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: The Fooles Troupe

The 'approved ones'? - you should probably try here then...

15 Oct 08 - 12:50 PM (#2466405)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Leadfingers

One problem with a Definitive List is that the same tune has different names in different location ! We play 'The Swedish Waltz' in Em , and people I know at Sidders play the same tune in Dm and call it 'The Russian Waltz' while a good mate calls it Emma's Waltz !
Redowa Polka is popular here , and The Seven Stars , also Flowers of Edinburg , and a LOT of stuff from The Lewes Tunes book .

15 Oct 08 - 03:46 PM (#2466570)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Jack Campin

With the Edinburgh fiddle festival it shouldn't matter too much if you don't know it in advance because any new tune they've picked up in some visiting star's workshop will be played about 100 times over the weekend and no way will you not know it by the time you go home. (I hung around the festival a lot of the time one year when they had a thing about "Paddy's Leather Breeches". Going home half asleep on the night bus afterwards, it was raining and the windscreen wipers were squeaking it at me).

A few more still-in-copyright tunes very popular in Scottish sessions around here at the moment: The Shore Bar, Islay Rant, The High Drive, Mouth of the Tobique, Crossing the Minch, The Ruby, Brenda Stubbert's Reel, Glencoe March, Stella's Trip to Kamloops.

16 Oct 08 - 10:36 AM (#2467268)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: strad

Thanks for the responses - keep them coming.

Have you noticed that when you're joining a session and putting rosin on the bow, all the tunes being played you know, but when you're ready to go the tunes are all the ones you don't know but everyone else has obviously being playing them for ages. They're the ones I'm after! Is this looking for the Holy Grail?

16 Oct 08 - 11:51 AM (#2467330)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: stormalong

Jack Campin wrote: "Pointing somebody to a large tunebook like Mally's is exactly the opposite of giving a list of current favourites, which is what "strad" was asking for."

A list of 'current favourites' is likely to be true for only one particular session or folk club. Widen your catchment area even to a 'county' and you might as well be looking at a large tunebook. At least the books I mentioned have some currency.

If you wanted to play in sessions in SE England then learning all the tunes in the Lewes tune book would be a good start, but only a start. For my local folk club about 30 tunes would do, but for all I know the next nearest venue favours 30 other tunes. I've been to sessions about 35 miles away where I knew only a couple of the tunes being played...

17 Oct 08 - 06:28 AM (#2468092)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Dave Hunt

Other good sources of tunes are the following recent books -
'Before the Night Was Out' wonderful stuff from East Anglia - produced by the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust (John/Katie Howson) SEE http://www.eatmt.org.uk/News.htm#East%20Anglian%20music%20book%20nears%20completion

'The Coleford Jig' (Paul Burgess/Charles Menteith)
http://www.sjfarthing.free-online.co.uk/folk/tunes/coleford.html

And of course the superb 'Hardcore English' pub. EFDSS [the late Barry Callaghan]

Enough there to keep you going for a while!
Dave

17 Oct 08 - 08:19 AM (#2468160)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: bubblyrat

There's some good stuff in the Hardy Manuscript----I often play Seven Stars ,and the pretty but prosaically-titled "Waltz in G ", plus the Pandon of Tikele and the Pandene Dance (or is it the other way around ?) can be played on guitar. The Canal in October is both topical and popular,as are Jack Robinson,Planxty Miss Frances Poer,Si Bheag Si Mhor, the Tenpenny Bit and the Banshee. Wim's Waltz, or more correctly Wals Voor Polle,used to be more often asked for and heard---I still do it a lot,also Josephina's Waltz (Roger Tallroth) is worth a try.And if you like Scottish music,there's some cracking tunes to be found in "Harp and Claymore"----Try Captain Whites !!

17 Oct 08 - 09:01 AM (#2468194)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Jack Campin

There may well be some good stuff in "Harp and Claymore" (I think it has all of Skinner's Hector Macdonald pieces) but you'd be on your own playing most of it in a typical session in Scotland... has it even been reprinted in the last fifty years?

"bubblyrat", where are you? Most of that list is totally unfamiliar to me.

17 Oct 08 - 12:07 PM (#2468327)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Mo the caller

Then there's whatever is on the cd s of the favoured performers.
E.g. Enrico or Jack Robinson/Ageers/Tom of Oxford from Spiers & Boden.

18 Oct 08 - 11:33 AM (#2469172)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: GUEST,rob smeets

i've found you just have to go out and listen a few times if you can.. and ask or write them down and come back.. I have this problem all of the time too! in ohio- it's mostly songs like lay me a pallet on your floor, old home place, and others... mostly bluegrass related- check here for more:

http://www.bluegrasslyrics.com/index.cfm.htm

good luck!

19 Oct 08 - 08:22 AM (#2469801)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: strad

One thing which is frustrating is not being able to remember the tune names! So you hear a great tune, think I'd like to play that, then no-one knows what it's called. Even worse, you're told the name and have forgotten it by the time you get home. Why don't I write it down? Cos I can't find paper or pen at the time is why!

What do non-musical people do with their spare time? Or is that thread creep?

19 Oct 08 - 02:28 PM (#2470092)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Gulliver

I usually have a pen and a slip of paper with me at a session, to note the name of an unfamiliar tune or song I find interesting. Then I check them out on YouTube afterwards. I might only get the name of one or two tunes each session, but that's enough to keep me going. A lot of young (and really good) players play unfamiliar tunes that they've learnt at Comhaltas or from the top players--can't keep up with them, though.

Don (in Dublin)

19 Oct 08 - 03:01 PM (#2470110)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: bubblyrat

Jack Campin -- I am in Oxfordshire !! Before that I was in Dorset for many years ! Occasionally I come across a banjo-player from Portland called Roger (like me !) ,or Pete Minky from Christchurch, either of whom will happily play " Captain Whites " and probably some of the other tunes I mentioned ! And I too have a bad memory---I quite forgot "Old Tom of Oxford",and " Jacob or Enrico" (Hardy again) which we also play regularly at our weekly sessions of the Marlow Bottom Acoustic Club !! Not forgetting "The Princess Royal","Brighton Camp", "British Grenadiers" "The Curly-Headed Ploughboy" and "The Blue-eyed Stranger" ( Thankyou , Mr H & "Morris On" et al !). !!

10 Sep 09 - 04:54 AM (#2720429)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: sleepyjon

This post (above) seems like the perfect brief response . . .

*********************************************
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Foolestroupe - PM
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 09:33 AM

The 'approved ones'? - you should probably try here then...
********************************************************

"here" is a blue link, but it doesn't work.

Can anyone guess what I'm doing wrong?

SJ

10 Sep 09 - 05:09 AM (#2720437)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Mr Happy

I can hazard a guess that the page's expired?

*****************

Here's links to the Shrewsbury FF's beginners & improvers workshop's tunebooks, containing many've the most popular tunes played in seshes in most parts UK:

http://www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/bm~doc/ssf-improvers-session-tunebook-2009.pdf

&

http://www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/bm~doc/sff-tunebook-2009.pdf

10 Sep 09 - 06:00 AM (#2720472)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Old Vermin

Top of head - top ten

College hornpipe
Soldiers joy
Michael Turners waltz
Morpeth Rant
Dingle Regatta
That incredibly sleazy mazurka [danced if Steve can find a partner]
Bluebells of Scotland
Three around Three
Ain't misbehavin'
"The Halling Polka" - Hallingpolska from Filarfolket

10 Sep 09 - 06:02 AM (#2720474)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Les in Chorlton

Blue clicky things - where it says "cut and paste" - I find it works if you "copy and paste"

L in C

10 Sep 09 - 06:04 AM (#2720475)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Mr Happy

?

10 Sep 09 - 07:05 AM (#2720500)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Les in Chorlton

SJ above:

"here" is a blue link, but it doesn't work.

Can anyone guess what I'm doing wrong?

SJ

L in C

10 Sep 09 - 08:33 AM (#2720559)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: SteveMansfield

We played this game on the uk.music.folk newsgroup in 2006 and came up with a list tune names for English sessions (and a few Irish tunes as well) - this link goes to the abc file I put together of those tunes.

IIRC it was also that very discussion which prompted Jack to put together his similar list for Scottish sessions as already referenced.

Don't think things have changed that much since ...

Steve

10 Sep 09 - 08:43 AM (#2720564)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Mr Happy

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Mr Happy - PM
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 05:09 AM

I can hazard a guess that the page's expired?

12 Nov 10 - 10:55 AM (#3030331)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Mr Happy

Current faves at our weakly sesh are:

For Ireland, I'll not tell her name

Cotillon

Michael Turners Waltz

Carolans Draught

Lord Inchiquin

The Bear Dance

12 Nov 10 - 11:11 AM (#3030346)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Mr Happy

oops, pressed too soon!

Horses Bransle/ Brawl

Rochdale Coconut Dance

Fanny Power

Boulavogue

Grandfathers Clock

Le Canal October

The Sloe

Jump at the sun

Dingle Regatta

Maid of the mill

& many more!!

12 Nov 10 - 11:16 AM (#3030348)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Les in Chorlton

Beech Tunes No.5

Dorset Four Hand Reel
Rakes of Mallow        Three around Three
O'Keefe's Slide        Denis Murphy's Slide
Buttered Peas        Winster Gallop
Peggy Ryan's        John Ryan's
Hundred Pipers        Cock of the North
Speed the Plough        Speed another Plough
Liverpool Hornpipe        Harvest Home
Cumberland Waltz        Westmorland Waltz
Summer, Summer        Planxty Irwin
Dingle Regatta        Merrily Kiss the Quaker

New pairs for dancing
Bear Dance        Horse's Brawl
Moll in the Wood        Fox and geese
Jack Robinson        Old Tom of Oxford
Seven Stars        Haste to the Wedding
Bonny Breast Knot        Uncle Bernard's
Oats and Beans        Fiery Clockface
Walter Bulwer's No 2        Walter Bulwer's No 1
From the New Country        New Rigged Ship No. 1
Harper's Frolic        Bonny Kate

Pairs in the current book
Egan's Polka        The Rose Tree
Buttered Peas        Soldier's Joy
Captain Maguire        Dennis Murphy's
Water of Tyne         Sir John Fenwick's
Shepherd's Wife        The Man in the Moon
Irish Washerwoman        The Kesh Jig
Boys of Blue Hill        Off to California
Harvest Home        Pugwash
Grand Hornpipe        Sportsman's Hornpipe
Roxburgh Castle        Four Poster Bed
McMahon's Reel        Miss McLeod's
Constant Billy        Blue Eyed Stranger
Three Rusty Swords        Dusty Miller
Speed the Plough        Welly Boot

Printed as pairs but played alone
Not for Joe        Bonny Green Garters
Le Canal        Bethanie
Del Carro's        Hewlett

Additions mostly played alone?
The Sloe        Galopede
Cuckoo's Nest        Portsmouth
Twiglet        Jack Lintel's Jig
New Rigged Ship No.2        Staten Island

L in C#

12 Nov 10 - 12:04 PM (#3030420)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Gedi

Strad wrote: "One thing which is frustrating is not being able to remember the tune names! So you hear a great tune, think I'd like to play that, then no-one knows what it's called. Even worse, you're told the name and have forgotten it by the time you get home. Why don't I write it down? Cos I can't find paper or pen at the time is why!"

I recently bought a digital voice recorder, Sony ICD PX720, for about £35 and I can highly recommend it. It will happily pick up tunes over a full session ina crowded room, and you can download it to a pc later in MP3 format where you can chop it up and edit it. Sound repro is very good for a small item, perfectly good for learning tunes from, although not of course CD quality. Battery life is good and it will record around 70 hours or so in medium quality mode.

Dome of the tunes I have found to be common in various sessions are:-
Soldiers Joy
Le Canal en Octobre
John Ryans Polka
Bear Dance
Planxty Fanny Power & Planxty Irwin (also with South Wind sometimes)
Dorset Four Hand Reel

cheers
Ged

13 Nov 10 - 03:52 AM (#3030918)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: GUEST,FloraG

What a useful list. I don't go to many sessions but when I do I tend to play the same 5 tunes. I'm currently putting together a list of tunes I know to prevent this that I can carry round in my fiddle case.

Where can I find Canal in October?

What are your ' must have' waltzes ?
Thanks

FloraG.

13 Nov 10 - 07:39 AM (#3030983)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: GUEST,Noreen at work

JC's ABC tunefinder is as useful as ever, if you know the name of a tune.

13 Nov 10 - 07:43 AM (#3030987)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: GUEST

'Le Canal en Octobre' will find it at JC's tunefinder, Flora.

13 Nov 10 - 07:43 AM (#3030988)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: GUEST,Noreen at work

ooops that was me again.

13 Nov 10 - 08:30 AM (#3031002)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Tootler

Some time ago, someone posted a list of tunes in the concertina.net forum which they claimed formed the core of "any English session".

I think they should have said "Any southern English session" or some such as only about 1/4 - 1/3 were tunes I regularly heard played at sessions in this corner of NE England.

There is no doubt that "standard session repertoire" varies quite considerably round the country.

14 Nov 10 - 08:22 AM (#3031736)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Current Session Tunes
From: Mr Happy

Le Canal en Octobre, played by le composeur!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qt-ohf6jUo&feature=related