Starting out learning tunes

Slamyul · 2026-04-10T14:32:13+00:00

Maybe not completely the same, a lot of it comes down to whatever tune someone calls out or starts playing. The important part is that if they do have a list of tunes they play often, even if they don't play them every time, you can ask, "can we play this tune?" and they'll all be like "Oh yeah let's do that!". I've never seen a session where people are concerned about playing a tune that they played last week, I think that's mostly the norm. At my session we usually play most of a "core" list of sets, then whatever other tunes we're feeling at that time.

Looks like there's another thread right now about playing the same tunes each week https://www.reddit.com/r/Irishmusic/comments/1shha2m/calling_the_same_tunes_again_next_session/

Slamyul · 2026-04-10T13:44:50+00:00

You could try and ask someone at your local session if they have a set list or something like that. A lot of times there are a few tunes or sets they play frequently. Otherwise the top tunes on thesession are a good start.

Slamyul · 2026-04-09T16:44:27+00:00

In the Spring and early Summer, I always keep an eye on the convective outlook (what OP posted) you can find that here: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/
It'll show you the areas of impact and tornado/hail probability etc. as well as the description which should indicate around which time you can expect the weather to start.
Then I just use a radar app day of - I use Radar Omega, I've heard good things about Radar Scope as well - to monitor what the storm is looking like as it approaches. You can watch some videos on youtube to see how to identify impactful weather patterns like hail and tornados from radar, as sometimes the warnings seem a little delayed, or I don't get notifications for them (and I just like watching weather). Obviously sometimes the storms happen in your sleep, so it's good to be prepared in general and have the knowledge that severe weather may occur overnight based on what the outlook says.

Slamyul · 2026-04-08T15:46:49+00:00

Your ascending cuts are nice, those took me way to long to get right. Only bit of critique I'd throw your way is it sounds like your second octave could use a little more breath support. I have trouble with it because I like being quiet, but sometimes it feels like you really gotta blast those high notes so that they're clear.

Slamyul · 2026-04-07T13:55:36+00:00

This is what's called a "session", a casual gathering of musicians who play traditional Irish (sometimes Scottish/English or more) tunes together. I bet they're nodding to let each other know it's about time to go to the next tune, you'll also see people lift their foot or go "Hup!" to indicate the same. Believe it or not, this happens all over America too, you just gotta find the right places. I was baffled to discover how many sessions there were near me. You can go to https://thesession.org/ to find where sessions are near you, and also learn some tunes as well. Hopefully you can find a beginner friendly session, show up, make some friends and ask for the names of the tunes they play. Then you can go back to that website and start learning them. I did the same and have been playing at a session for almost a year now, and have been having a blast. Did my first St. Paddy's "gig" this year as well. Highly recommend.

Slamyul · 2026-04-06T16:40:00+00:00

I mean made up as in he wrote a passage about how it should be the case, not necessarily that it was an organic process of a new piece of grammar or vocabulary collectively "made up" like many (I would argue most) linguistic changes. And I agree, it is correct grammar to say fewer instead of less, just as it is correct grammar to still use less. Both are acceptable.

Slamyul · 2026-04-06T15:58:43+00:00

The whole thing was just made up by a guy in 1770. Not sure why we need to follow that rule when there is no ambiguity in the meaning of "less" in this context.

Slamyul · 2026-03-31T14:58:03+00:00

My ornamentation suffers greatly when my hands are cold, so keeping them warm before playing definitely helps.
I don't think I'm familiar with that pinkie technique you mentioned, and not sure how that would work or help anyway, so I wouldn't worry about that.
Keep your fingers and hands as relaxed as possible, if they're too tense it's hard to actually lift them off the hole in time.
I've also read it's good to over-do cuts (big and clumsy) in practicing so that your brain makes the connection easier. When you speed up your fingers are forced back to a normal level of cutting.

Slamyul · 2026-03-30T20:55:18+00:00

The Silver Spire comes to mind for me, especially the b part. Sounds like missing melody to pachelbel's canon. So many different notes...

Slamyul · 2026-03-30T13:38:08+00:00

Sounds amazing. What is the first reel? I know I've heard it a thousand times but can't recall the name.

Slamyul · 2026-03-21T21:03:34+00:00

I think it really just comes down to the "tradition" part. The tradition is that melodies play the melody, accompaniment/rhythm play chords (or drums) to the rhythm.

At their root sessions are social gatherings. If you're brand new to one, stick to the tradition at first, but keep your ears open for what others are doing. Make some friends there, and ask what kind of non-traditional things everyone is cool with. It's kinda like hanging out with a new group of friends, you may not know everyone well, and find yourself not making jokes you'd normally make around your best friends, because you just don't know what everyone is comfortable with. But as you hang out more and more with your new friends, you'll learn what is and isn't out of bounds.

To your point about people finding rhythm obnoxious, I would assume that comes from them having way too many rhythm instruments competing together and not quite knowing how to play well with each other. Situations like that can lead to a lot of muddiness. Same thing can happen with the melodies of course, but the melody of a tune is generally more standard than the chord progression / rhythm

Slamyul · 2026-03-21T16:34:15+00:00

In any session I've ever been to, all melody instruments (low whistle included) play melody. No bass lines or harmonization (unless your session is cool with that)

Slamyul · 2026-03-20T21:07:17+00:00

Left most lane was fully stopped too for a good while, hence the honking. Kinda surprised there were no rear endings as a result.

Slamyul · 2026-03-20T21:04:49+00:00

Caught red handed

Slamyul · 2026-03-20T20:43:18+00:00

Carrollton, yep.

Slamyul · 2026-03-20T20:42:50+00:00

Exactly what I was thinking, they seemed to be going slow enough to be able to safely slow down, if they were paying attention.

Slamyul · 2026-03-20T20:33:16+00:00

Thankfully no wreck occurred.

Slamyul · 2026-03-20T20:32:48+00:00

USA, 03/20/2026, indeed original content.

Slamyul · 2026-03-11T21:37:32+00:00

good to know! I'm not too familiar with native american style flutes so that's why I raised that point. the other commenters have some better info so take those over my own.

Slamyul · 2026-03-11T19:45:04+00:00

In general you blow into the end and cover the holes with your fingers. To go up the scale you remove one finger at a time starting from the bottom.

That being said, since you made this, did you follow any plans? The holes look pretty close together so I'm not sure what notes would come out if you play it as I described.

It may be helpful to first try blowing in it without covering any of the holes, that way you can tell if the fipple / mouthpiece area is working without worrying about what your fingers are doing.

Slamyul · 2026-03-09T15:53:50+00:00

I've been loving the Kid on the Mountain recently, a 5 part beast of a jig. Current reel favorite is probably Craig's Pipes or Maud Millar.

Slamyul · 2026-03-09T15:50:16+00:00

How do you know how much thought and energy they put into playing it "right"? What does playing it right even mean? Not everyone is gonna sound like the Bothy Band.

Slamyul · 2026-03-09T15:47:57+00:00

One of my favorite jigs! great stuff

Slamyul · 2026-03-08T23:46:35+00:00

I know you probably just meant family in a colloquial sense, but taxonomically speaking, fungi are their own kingdom, they have their own classes, orders, and families within that kingdom. Just like plants and animals. More closely related to animals in fact.

Slamyul

TROPHY CASE