Hello , I wondered if you have a favourite recording you play along and practice to, maybe not with a flute on it already? I have begun doing this to see if I can fit in / keep up as I don’t feel ready for sessions with strangers yet , though I often play sessions with a regular bunch of mates. It would be interesting to know who peoples’ virtual bandmates and tracks are.
Best, Fabien
Do you know, I’ve been playing this music (not on flute) for more than 40 years, and that is something I have never ever done. I’m not sure I’d be able to contemplate it, 'cos a recording is … well, complete. So where would I fit in?
I’d be interested to know if other people find it helpful at all …
There is always at least one musical instrument on our coffee table. My family howls with laughter and spins their eyes when I join in on a song on TV. I don’t say anything. I know they’re jealous. They know I know it.
http://www.pgmusic.com/index.html
Go ahead and laugh. Band-In-A-Box has progressed to the point of being outrageously useful, fun and productive for learning to play in time and improvise. It’s also terrific for composing, transposing, notating, etc… Yes, it’s still a computer program, but you might be surprised!
I also play along with all kinds of recorded music, television, etc… Learning to interact and respond to other musical sources is what its all about. It’s the best way to keep out of your self-devised ruts.
Oh … I’d forgotten about that. Yes, I play along to the ads. On my D whistle. Every single ad. No matter what the key.
I’ve posted this before, but it’s been four years
I’d like to recomend a series of CD’s by Dan Compton, Dan teaches a session class in Portland, Or. He plays the fiddle and guitar, and has produce a series of over 25 CDs where he plays the tune at speed on both the fiddle and guitar and sometimes the Box, and then a slow version, fiddle only. Each CDs has 8 to 9 sets of tunes. The quality of the sound is excellent. And Dan is a great musician. You can find his list of CDs on his website. http://www.glencottagemusic.com”
Here is a Quote from Whistlin’Dixie:
“Anyway…
While running the vacuum this morning I have been pondering this question.
I have recently gotten my hands on some “Irish Session Class” CD’s.
All the tunes are trad. They are played on fiddle with guitar accompaniment. (Thus, some of the tunes are in the odd key or go way below the staff, but I digress) The tunes are played in small sets, then each tune played through slowly, several times. I have been working on CD: Class No. 10.
It occurred to me this morning that I can play all the tunes, many of them up to speed now. In going over the slow versions, you can learn the tune. It can be played over and over again! So you never have to tire a friend! You don’t really need the dots. Pretty soon, you can hum the tune, pick out most of the notes, then eventually you find yourself able to play along with some of the faster version, then all of it.
I have been busy at work lately, and haven’t had much chance to play during the past 2 or 3 weeks. But when I put on the CD this morning, it didn’t take me long to get the tunes, and I think it is because I learned them by ear, not eye.
Anyway, it’s just a personal observation. I am trying to commit to learning by ear from CD’s or whatever, and I think there is a pretty steep learning curve at first. But I think the ear has to be trained a bit, first.
But whatever helps, I say go for it.
M"
Tjones
Hi Fabien
Two CD’s come to mind that I particullary enjoy playing along with. “Music From Matt Molloy’s Pub” and “Across the Pond” (with Kevin Griffin et al.). I’d say this is mainly because many of the tunes found on these recordings are common session tunes or tunes that get a lot of play in my neck of the woods.
I’d reccomend that you go to a session and if the sessions leaders don’t object, record some tunes from them that you can practice on your own later. Just because you can play allong when Matty Malloy blazes away on say “Rolling in the Ryegrass” doesn’t necessarily mean you wont be lost when your local sesson players have their way with it.
P
i just play along with anything i like. is much harder to play along with recordings of solo instruments, because they usually put in lots of variations to show how great they are (and they’re great indeed). Groups usually keep the melody more simple, so it’s easier to follow, although they usually like to play really fast, but i can usually manage… i like the altan a lot.
I use the virtual session (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/swf/folkmenu.html) and the Foinn Seisiun MP3s from Comhaltas (http://comhaltas.ie/music/). I purchased the books from comhaltas and then downloaded the MP3s (it took a while).
Pat
Thanks, all , for your kind and useful suggestions, I have just bought some of the session cds from Dan Compton and eagerly await their arrival, thanks Tjones! Yes Comhaltas is an amazing resource, if a trifle intimidating. At least the “Band in a box” would do what you told them, thus satisfying any latent bossy tendencies one might have! Well, time to put in some hours on the Amazing Slowdowner…I’ll put some of everyone’s suggestions through that …
best,
Fabien
I play along with everything I can. Particular favorites are the Mulcahy’s recordings, Kitty Lie Over, The Mountain Road, and Live at Mona’s 
Grianan and Dervish are still a bit brisk for me, but on a good day I can hang in there on some of the tunes.
Oh, and I like “Music at Matt Molloy’s” too. When I can follow Frank Jordan on Garrett Barry’s Reel I’ll feel like I’ve arrived (at least for a brief glorious moment before it all falls apart again).
Hi all.
I’d like to recomend Michael Clarksons podcasts on itunes.
600 odd podcasts of single tunes or small sets played once slow and then at a more realistic pace.
Can be taken where ever you go on you ipod.
Playing along with a REAL flute player with good flute tunes is BRILLIANT.
Picking up some of Michaels flutey twists and turns gives playing another dimension.
Fab. Wonderfull. Superb. Fantastic. Great. Love it.
Cheers
James.
play along with as much as you can of what you enjoy - currently playing along to John Skelton & Keiran O’hare’s ‘Double Barrelled’ and the Tulla Ceili Band ‘A Celebration of 50 Years’.
DOH! You are so right. And when you get thru those 600, try this:
http://claddaghrecords.com/WWW/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2887
Michael is the bomb. (Harry, too 
)
Hope all’s well with you, Jim!
Slow ones.