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Morris Karaoke!

19 Jun 17 - 05:31 PM (#3861795)
Subject: Morris Karaoke!
From: Dave the Gnome

On Saturday I was privileged to play concertina for a newly formed Morris side at a local village fete. Now, I am not really good enough to play for dancers but the usual musician really could not make it.

We found what I thought was a good compromise. For the procession I had a bluetooth speaker in my rucksack which played the Winster Processional on a loop. I played along as best I could and by the 27th iteration I think I got the knack :-) At the gala the sound track was played over the PA while I busked along. Constant Billy was fine and I was more than happy with British Grenadiers and Early one morning (for Marloborough Fair). I did struggle with Shooting / Beaux of London Town but vamped along in G and kept time.

I think it worked pretty well and one of the Morris Side used the PA to announce the dances and made a splendid job of it.

Any comments or ideas about using PA and modern(ish) technology for trad Morris?

Cheers

DtG


19 Jun 17 - 07:23 PM (#3861821)
Subject: RE: Morris Karaoke!
From: punkfolkrocker

I'm all in favour of using cost effective technology to enhance and reinforce live sound,
in a responsible manner that is safe for performers and audience' hearing...

Have beeen advocating such ever since I studied Music Tech 20 years ago...

Of course my ideas have been met with hostility by the olde acoustic brigade ever since I first set foot in mudcat.
But I guess their numbers are dwindling as they either move on to fluffier cloudier or hotter flaming pastures...

or hopefully more likely come to realise the posive benefits of technology for themselves...????


19 Jun 17 - 09:03 PM (#3861828)
Subject: RE: Morris Karaoke!
From: leeneia

Good for you, Dave.


19 Jun 17 - 09:40 PM (#3861830)
Subject: RE: Morris Karaoke!
From: GUEST

I misread the title of this thread as "Morris Knockers". Perhaps I've just got used to people unfairly knocking the Morris.

Or maybe I've just been watching too many YouTube videos of ladies' sides....


20 Jun 17 - 03:29 AM (#3861846)
Subject: RE: Morris Karaoke!
From: GUEST,BobL

Not unfairly GUEST, but some Morris knockers need all the support they can get...


20 Jun 17 - 03:39 AM (#3861848)
Subject: RE: Morris Karaoke!
From: Noreen

Well done, Dave for stepping into the breach! That'll work well as long as you have a recorded version of exactly the right tunes required for the dance, at the right speed, et cetera- presumably your regular musician had recorded what was required in advance? Wouldn't be easy to source exactly the right music otherwise.
I hope you will carry on playing for tho side along with the usual musician? That's the best way of becoming "good enough"!

(Speaking as someone who was happy playing along with a Morris side and was thrown in the deep end as solo musician when the LOUD accordion player left suddenly!)

Hope you got good feedback- no, not from the speakers :)


20 Jun 17 - 03:51 AM (#3861849)
Subject: RE: Morris Karaoke!
From: GUEST

Any comments or ideas about using PA and modern(ish) technology for trad Morris?

I think I'd prefer it without but would also say "do what works". I don't think there's any point in creating a struggle for the sake of some "acoustic purity".


20 Jun 17 - 04:28 AM (#3861855)
Subject: RE: Morris Karaoke!
From: banjoman

No problem with making use of technology. Well done.


20 Jun 17 - 02:35 PM (#3861976)
Subject: RE: Morris Karaoke!
From: leeneia

Can we find you on YouTube?


20 Jun 17 - 02:47 PM (#3861978)
Subject: RE: Morris Karaoke!
From: Dave the Gnome

No, not on YouTube leenia but one of my daughters recorded a section and has put it on her FB page. I'll see if she can post it somewhere more accesible but unfortunately it was the worse one - Shooting / Beaux of London.

Noreen - The music had been sourced elsewhere. We have 2 other musicians but one was dancing and one was away! All the downloaded tracks worked well but 'Early one morning' was a bit slow for the Marlborough Fair dance.

Cheers

Dave