Session reel game

[harwilli55]

A "Reel" fun game at the session I've attended from time to time is a home reel that everyone plays (each reel done X2), then heading 'round the circle each player trots out another reel, hopefully one or two of the other lead instruments jump in and then back to the "home" reel and off to the next person in the circle. Backers who are good at catching whatever key you've wandered off into really hold things together"

This comes from another site where the topic was discussing sets. This reminds me of the game of Rythmn we played as children, we sat in a circle and each player was assigned a number then we all would slap knees 2x, clap hands 2x, and on the 2 snaps with fingers, you would say your number on the first snap, then pass it to someone else in the circle by saying their number on the 2nd snap. Anyway...the Reel Game sounds a blast and a grand cause for confusion and mayhem along with good-natured hilarity offering tons of creative learning opportunities.

So have any of you tried this? How does it work? What is your experience with it? Would you do it again? I am also wondering if this could be tailored for other genre's than reels?


Harlan

[John Flynn]

I am intruiged by the idea, but I have a hard time visualizing how the game goes. Can you explain it a bit more? I am confused about who is playing what when. I never played the game you described as a kid. I guess I was deprived!

[steve V. johnson]

One night at the Dublin Irish Fest in Ohio, I was 'trapped' in a room with three tremendous fiddlers and some fine liquid refreshments. The fiddlers decided that they would play reels, no repeats were allowed, and it was like when kids play with balloons when you don't let 'em hit the ground: The music was not to stop. And me with only a bouzouki...

They started at about 12:30am and I got back to our hotel room around 6:30am. Min said that my feet were not touching the ground and that I had a glow about me. And, indeed, I do hope to have that much fun again some time in my life.

But I've not heard of this game, this way. Pretty cool. The key changes would be a wonderful challenge.

Thanks!!

stv

[whistler]

It sounds a bit like 'The Quartermaster's Store' - "There were rats, rats..." etc. Might be fun on long car journeys, but it seems superfluous if you've got a good session going.

I once went to a bouzouki player's 40th birthday party, where we played musical chairs with live music. All the musicians present played the tunes, stopping and starting at the host's signals, whilst the other guests fought over the chairs. On the one hand, it was a bit of fun. On the other hand, there's nothing more annoying than having to stop a tune mid-flow. I think all of us would much rather have been playing a session, letting he tunes flow of their own accord.

[harwilli55]

John,

I read about this on a concertina website and was fascinated as well. I do not have any more information than what was written in my original post. That was part of my desire posting was inquiring of others if they had experience with this and what it was like, how it worked, etc.

Steve,

That sounds like a tremendous experience which I would hope to have such one myself one day. There have been magical times when playing with a group seems to transcend time and place....almost like an out of body experience and I have walked away with that fullfilled glow that lasts a long time( though in my limited experience, those times are rare) Thanks for sharing that.

Whistler,

lol...maybe tis like " 100 Beers on the Wall" which is possibly one of the most annoying adolescent rites here. However, that was not my impression of how it worked, but I could be wrong. I agree, when the flow is flowing, there is no need for any additional structure. Though it sounded like to me, that this was a similar way for friendly sessioneers bring into the music maybe more tunes than might would be played. But that is my take, never having experienced the game.

Thanks for your replies all !!! Mucho Appreciato !! Anyone else have any experience with the Reel Game?

Harlan

[JeffD]

The closest thing I can think of was a jam we had at a party commemorating a fiddler friend of ours who had passed away. We decided to only play tunes that our friend had introduced us to. We went a long way without stopping, remembering some great old tunes.

[harwilli55]

That sounds a neat memoriam Jeff, I can only hope that some day I may be remembered that way.

Harlan

[jmcgann]

This goes back to the Cheiftains (I think using Drowsy Maggie as 'home reel') in the 60's. We did this on the first Celtic Fiddle Festival tour (the one that produced the "Live" Green Linnet CD) using "Music For a Found Harmonium" as the 'home' reel. I've also done this with my Celtic Ensembles at Berklee. It's a crowd pleaser http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[harwilli55]

Arrr, The Cheiftains aye....that would make complete sense ta me, laddie. I would imagine that the circle would need to have more than a couple of reels under their fingers to really make this work huh...so how many is enough http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Harlan