Got to try an Ormiston flute. Nice nice nice. Lovely tone, responsive. Got to try some very high-end whistles, an Abell, an O’Riordian (sp?), and a Sindt. I loved all three, all three very different whistles. I found the Sindt in particular responds well for me. There was something about the Abell, though, that hint of breathiness on the upper end that can send shivers down the spine…
We had two fluters, two whistlers, fiddle, guitar, zouk, bodhran, a couple of squeeze boxes…a nice collection of folks.
I was struck by how bouncy the music was in person. Also by how softly everyone was playing. The volume was not what I was expecting at all. The whole group together was at just-slightly-louder than normal conversation volume. A nice change; I am used to playing everything right on the breaking edge of volume on both flute and whistle. The tempos were more moderate than I was expecting, and the whole atmosphere was very relaxed.
The players are all wonderfully nice, open, and friendly.
I was made to feel at home. The music was good and the company was better.
That’s just wonderful James, what a way to start a new beginning! How many at the session? Who was at the session in your new home that those great whistles>
I’m still learning names–I’m horrible with names!–so I can’t give you those yet with any accuracy.
There were about 10 people playing on most tunes, a couple more who only played on a few tunes.
There were three people there with whistles, a girl who played a Burke brass wide-bore session (one of the new black-tipped ones, nice nice nice!!!), then beside her a woman who had the Sindt (which I thought a bit of an odd looking whistle, but she could sure lay down a tune on it), then another woman who had several O’Riordans and the Abell (which was an E-flat). She also had the Ormiston flute, which was a very striking instrument both in appearance–very old world design, heavy ornamented silver crown, wide silver bands–and in sound. Kind of at the other end of the spectrum from my Hamilton, its sound wasn’t as reedy but was still overtone-rich and complex, with a low D you could really buzz away on.
They tell me there are about 40 people total in their group (ACMS), and that on St. Patrick’s Day every year in Little Rock almost everyone shows up at once. That would be something!
I seemed to fall about the middle of the skill range of the players that were there last night. There were a couple of them much further down the road than I; yet the session was very open with no set “leader”–they all took turns starting tunes and it was very informal.
I am thrilled. I would not have ever guessed all of this was going on just a few hours drive from where I used to live.
Hey, James, come to the Fort Smith or Fayetteville session sometime, if you don’t mind the drive. Here’s how to get to them from Conway:
Fort Smith session every third Sunday at 2 PM at Sweet Bay Coffee Co.
Take I-40 west to the second I-540 exit (Exit 7) to Van Buren and Fort Smith (it only goes one way).
Take the first Rogers Avenue exit (west). This is the third exit after you cross the Arkansas River.
After you pass Central Mall, you will come to a traffic light at the top of the hill. Continue through this light and the next one. As you go down the hill, look for a strip mall on the left, which is across from Creekmore Park, also on the left. This is where Sweet Bay is.
Fayetteville session every first Sunday at 2 PM at the Perk Cyber-Cafe.
Take I-40 west to the first I-540 exit (Exit 12) to Fayetteville (it also only goes one way).
Go across the mountains into Fayetteville.
Take the Wedington Road exit.
Turn left onto Wedington Road.
Continue west to what I think is the third traffic lignt. There will be a strip mall on the right. This is where the Perk is.
If I’m there, you’ll probably know me by the “acid burn” on my wrists.
My apologies; I’m still trying to sort through the names and faces in my head; you play the Burke, right? What were the names of the others?
It may take me a couple of times to get the names–I’m really horrible at names. I remember Weesa plays flute and whistle…the fiddler, was his name Jim?
It was a wonderful session! You all play very well together, very clean, very tight…it sounds really good. I’m going to have to put in some real practice time–next time I want to be a lot more solid on the tunes.
Yes, I was tooting away on the Burke. The others, going around the circle, were:
Concertina - Alan
Sindt whistle and banjo - Ellen
Mandolin - how embarassing, I forgot! Dan, maybe?
Flute and hammered dulcimer - Weesa
Bohdran - Eddy (married to Weesa)
Button-box - Scott
Fiddle (and usually about half a dozen other things) - Kevin
Guitars - Soichi and two new guys (didn’t catch their names)
Keyboard - Lawrence
I believe the guitar players were all from Conway, but most of the melody players are from Little Rock, and I imagine they will pull out after a while. I’m glad to have a good, strong melody player like yourself in the group! You sounded quite solid to me!
Another great session, this time at Gaucho’s in Little Rock.
About twelve or so players, about a third of which I knew from the first session. Many really great players; this is turning into all I could have wished and then some.
They are friendly, welcoming, and have a knack for quickly putting you at ease.
Good music, good company: it was a good evening.
This Saturday we play at Hot Springs Village. I can’t wait!
I’m going to have to put in some real practice time–next time I want to be a lot more solid on the tunes.