We all know that playing in a trad session is very different from playing in a performance/demonstration setting.

This thread is to give an opportunity to discuss how a bodhran player may adapt his/her playing style to suit the need of the 'event'.

P

Hey Paul
thanks for opening up a new thread on this subject...

I was asked this question when we doing our interviews for the Live DVD we did with Cara. And yes, it is a lot different and both can be fun.
In session, I am trying to provide a solid beat, nothing fancy and keep things together. This is how I always try to start. If I am playing with people I know and there are no rhythmical problems in the session it might get more fancy later on. But the goal is always a groovy session. Youtube happens to have this video of Cara playing in a session and I am bringing this in here just to show my ideal session sound and groove. Not provided by me alone, but by the rest of the players. This came close to my ideal session speed and groove:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2EUUwELv4

(embedding isn't allowed for this video...)

In a performance, the spontaneous character is somewhat lost, since there are arrangements and my playing differs a lot even during a performance: Playing drum kit like for some songs, playing bass type stuff for slower songs and playing trad style in some sets.

Just some random thoughts..
All the best
Rolf

Hey Rolf,

the video is showing as 'no longer available' unfortunately.

P

Hey
embedding isn't allowed for this one, so the I edited the link...it says "Embedding disabled by request" on the youtube side. The video is there and working..
All the best
Rolf

Cool, solid session playing all, the change of tune seems to be familiar to the players.

It's a little slow for my personal taste but then again we often have John McSherry in our session group lighting the blue touchpaper so it's not always typical.

I'll certainly hold back to pulse-keeper role in an unfamiliar session but when I'm known or 'accepted' I'll often cut loose a little more.

I think a lot about session playing is about reading the group and knowing what will be acceptable. The pace of the tunes is a good indicator IME, if overall the group goes for faster & more dynamic tunes then I'll feel more free to express myself; if they are more traditional sets as in the above video then I'll focus on basslines and matching the rhythm players (guitar / Mando normally) - If there's a banjo in the session I'll try to compliment the banjo ornamentation.

As I mentioned in the single end / double down video thread, I predict that the dynamic of sessions will change over the next 10 years or so as younger players with different expectations come to lead sessions. Having grown up with the Johnjoes, Eamons & Juniors very much as an integral part of the music, they will have an expectation of a more dynamic rhythm base. IMO this is just 'catching up' and about bloody time; A session IMO is music based in a traditional idiom and representative of a community, moving to keep pace with the community's needs and desires.

But that's the old tradition vs progress debate and that's a whole other thread :) <g>

P

Hey
this session took place in a Sunday lunch/afternoon time, everybody was just awake ;-).

My point was though that it can be groovy without going really fast. East Clare style, so to speak.

Nothing wrong with somewhat faster...but I take more joy if it doesn't get too fast..
All the best
Rolf

PS
Interesting thought about the session changing in the next ten years. I see your point, but then the young ones also see people like Jim Higgings...
I have to muse over the idea a bit and will get back to it later..:-)