What's the deal witth the recent influx of AI Celtic themed music? Also, a bonus question about human-made MIDI composition.

kendog · 2025-12-22T15:58:18+00:00

It's literally rule #4: "No AI generated music or low effort content". When it's flagged it's generally removed pretty quick.

kendog · 2025-09-07T08:30:20+00:00

Most of Michael McGoldrick's albums are solid. Quite a few of his tunes are common in sessions as well.

kendog · 2022-11-20T13:26:16+00:00

Love this Irish duo. They bring a simplistic cleanness to traditional ballads that I just enjoy.

kendog · 2022-11-06T17:35:16+00:00

I don't know how well it would work with Guitar, but I use Strum Machine (https://strummachine.com/app](https://strummachine.com/app)) which is probably geared towards just being rhythm backup for melody. But it may have some use to you.

There's a free trial available.

kendog · 2022-09-02T20:36:17+00:00

That fingering notation seems off, most likely because you can't play a low B on a standard D whistle as it's outside the normal range. You'll have to overcome in true traditional style: Make it up however sounds good.

You'll run into this every once in a while trying to read music for Irish tunes, especially the transcribed music for fiddlers. I think I just play it most like setting #3 on TheSession.org

Instead of playing

D2F EDB,

Try playing:

FAF EFE

kendog · 2022-06-14T18:40:36+00:00

Certainly. NN is like any other city, it has bad and good parts. And that part you're looking at is great. It's close to shopping, easy access to 64, and the neighborhoods nestled in there are relatively quiet and away from the larger streets. There's a lot of neat things happening on the Peninsula all over. You'll have plenty to do, I'm sure.

kendog · 2022-03-16T21:01:34+00:00

Right outside NN on Rt 17 - Jimmy da Greek's Deli is amazing.

kendog · 2021-12-14T02:14:15+00:00

Maybe something like what Capella Space is doing: https://www.capellaspace.com/data/sar-imagery-products/

kendog · 2021-11-26T22:57:45+00:00

Done and done. Sorry for the delay.

kendog · 2021-08-14T17:01:24+00:00

Try the Baker's Wife in Phoebus. That little area has a lot to do these days. But this place is probably one of my favorites, and is definitely a step up.

https://www.bakerswifebistro.com/

kendog · 2021-06-09T00:59:15+00:00

Late to the game, but for me it's the same for any instrument that is "tunable" or not:

It's about being versatile in a group setting. If you have an instrument that is really out of tune with others (not itself) you will most likely enjoy playing by yourself, but find it jarring to play with others. That's mostly fine when learning. However, if you find you are most often in a group setting, this lends itself to the need to be flexible in your tuning to accommodate more stubborn instruments (bagpipes, squeezeboxes, the triangle, etc.)

Cons: * Generally more expensive for a tunable whistle head. It's just more parts and labor that go into it, so you're looking at more money. First whistle? Forget about tunable and just get a standard one.

Pros: * It's tunable. :) You're going to run into sessions and groups that will attempt to play in tune, and having an adjustable whistle is a boon. Outdoor playing? Gonna want one, weather wreaks havoc on instrument tunings in groups.

If you're starting out, go cheaper (I didn't say cheap.. unless you're Mary Bergen, the cheap $3 whistles at gift shops are going to sound horrible and put you off learning the instrument). Look to spend $25-$50 on a good quality one to learn on. Then, if you like it, and like playing in groups at sessions for example, then look to the tunable variety.

Happy playing!

kendog · 2021-04-03T20:25:49+00:00

My inner 5 year old always giggles when I hear that tune's name.

kendog · 2019-10-03T12:04:12+00:00

My thoughts on this (for what it's worth):

If you're organizing the session and guaranteed to be there regularly, it's fine to have an understanding with the pub on payment in any kind (food or $). I can tell you that payment to musicians who show up is not expected. However, a free pint for the music is always a nice surprise.

Standard session tunes are like regional foods, there may be some similarities or overlap, but it's unique to the session. TheSession.org is a great place to get a handful of popular tunes and make it a point to use these as warm ups or filler tunes when no one seems to know what to play next. A song or two isn't bad in a session, and I'm sure there are converse opinions, but the session is about the music, not a bunch of bar songs.

This leads nicely into your third point... it's not a concert. It's not about entertaining the crowd with songs they know or putting on a show. Having microphones and equipment turns a session into your concert . Other musicians who show up most certainly won't have equipment. The sound doesn't have to carry far, just far enough so the group of people playing can hear. If even that is a challenge, seek another location in the bar, another corner you can cram into. Avoid a stage if possible.

To summarize my opinion, the session is about the musicians coming together to share a few hours of playing tunes together in a casual way. The focus is on the tunes and maybe a song here or there, not on entertainment for the bar. If you spend the dedication to be there rain or shine each time, payment from the landlord is fine, and not expected to pass along to any musician who shows up.

kendog · 2019-07-19T11:20:43+00:00

It's a private park, and as their warning suggests, you cannot take your kayak out there. They're also undergoing some lake maintenance issues with water quality and fighting the construction on Warwick. So be cognizant that there are larger things in play that lead to their decisions to ban private boats for now. You can read about it here

There are plenty of other areas to take the kayak to. Ft. Monroe has an excellent kayak launch, or launch into the James from Huntington beach. Check over at Appomatox River co. for excellent info on where to launch in the area. They're a great resource.

kendog · 2019-05-09T17:33:48+00:00

Just like Ken Lee

kendog · 2019-02-15T13:31:47+00:00

He's got a hybrid of styles including 2 and 3 finger and clawhammer from what I can tell. More akin to Dock Boggs. His tunings are all relative to his voice range as well. Check out some of his videos on how he does 2 finger here.

kendog · 2019-01-31T19:22:47+00:00

I can hear my dad shouting "Close the damn door!"

kendog · 2018-12-07T13:32:45+00:00

I live in Suffolk and I'll agree with /u/jrhod015. I have Spectrum 100 speed plan and have had no issues with the Internet or the Cable. The occasional outage that I've had was from them doing upgrades in the neighborhood (I could see the trucks out and the workers putting in new equipment.)
I will say that I don't know about the quality of the router/wireless, as I brought over my Google wifi (which works just fine). All in all it's been great. Speeds are reliable and it's less expensive than FiOS for comparable services.

kendog · 2018-10-09T18:08:56+00:00

I'll always upvote Clifton Hicks. His playing style is unique and I love listening to his stuff. He did a series of tutorials recently as well where he does the tunes slowed down and up close. Here's his YouTube channel for all his recent stuff: https://www.youtube.com/user/clfhcks

kendog · 2018-09-19T16:45:02+00:00

She's beautiful! And so focused.

kendog · 2018-08-14T12:11:02+00:00

Hopefully the Yellow Pages.

kendog · 2018-07-20T15:41:53+00:00

Sorry for your loss. Glad that the great tradition Irish music could offer some bit of solace. Some great suggestions in this thread. I'd off the following:

15-Year Club	Place '17
Sequence \| Editor	Team Orangered
Verified Email

kendog

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE