Playing for Sets

[Lawrence Reeves]

I had fun playing for some sets this weekend. A throw together of players, and a wing it list of tunes to do so. I even had a chance to get on the dance floor for the Connemara , and Lancers. What tunes would you normally play for the Lancers ( all reel figures) ? Connemara ( 3 reel figures, and a polka figure)? North Kerry( 3 polka , 1 slide and a hornpipe figure ?

I am curious to hear what players are using that really make the dancers smile.

[Guest Peter Laban]

You could do worse than take some inspiration from the 'Music for the Sets' 1980 series from NPU or 'Set dances of Ireland', both came as a series (of 5 and 4 respectively) cassettes. Contents are listed on thesession.org

[Lawrence Reeves]

Thanks Peter, I have seen these before. I have also looked through a book by Larry Lynch, where he lists tunes as played in localities . His sources for Milltown Malbay included Junior Crehan. He even listed the older preferred speeds they were danced. I guess i taking a poll on what is commonly played these days. It is easy enough to figure the number of bars etc if you know the dance, or refer to books such as Toss the Feathers.

[Guest Peter Laban]

The 'Set dances of Ireland' tapes were done by Larry lynch as well, Eamonn McGivney, Tommy McCarthy and Mick Tubridy playing for the Clare sets (with Junior joining for a few tunes).

 

We used to start the set with Boys of Ballysodare, always worked well, any old tune will do though.

[michael sam wild]

The 'Set dances of Ireland' tapes were done by Larry lynch as well, Eamonn McGivney, Tommy McCarthy and Mick Tubridy playing for the Clare sets (with Junior joining for a few tunes).

 

We used to start the set with Boys of Ballysodare, always worked well, any old tune will do though.

 

 

I've got a whole set of CDs off eBay by Matt Cunningham. Also some good books edited by David J Taylor I got in a charity (thrift ) shop in Whitby last year ( but no tapes, anyone know of availability?)

[Guest Peter Laban]

The Taylor books have the tunes notated from the NPU/Brooks Academy set dancing tapes I mentioned above

[michael sam wild]

The Taylor books have the tunes notated from the NPU/Brooks Academy set dancing tapes I mentioned above

 

 

Thanks Peter I'll try to get them. Have you any sources where they might still be available? I'll try the original publishers

Edited August 1, 2009 by michael sam wild

[georgikeith]

I had fun playing for some sets this weekend. A throw together of players, and a wing it list of tunes to do so. I even had a chance to get on the dance floor for the Connemara , and Lancers. What tunes would you normally play for the Lancers ( all reel figures) ? Connemara ( 3 reel figures, and a polka figure)? North Kerry( 3 polka , 1 slide and a hornpipe figure ?

I am curious to hear what players are using that really make the dancers smile.

 

 

I'm a fan of the two Noel Hill & Tony MacMahon CDs, (both of which feature set dancers).

 

Outside of that, I'll second the Matt Cunningham recommendation. His music is very popular with set-dancers--though I suspect it's more the excellent playing, rather than the tune selection. His band has a lovely swing to it.

[michael sam wild]

I had fun playing for some sets this weekend. A throw together of players, and a wing it list of tunes to do so. I even had a chance to get on the dance floor for the Connemara , and Lancers. What tunes would you normally play for the Lancers ( all reel figures) ? Connemara ( 3 reel figures, and a polka figure)? North Kerry( 3 polka , 1 slide and a hornpipe figure ?

I am curious to hear what players are using that really make the dancers smile.

 

 

I'm a fan of the two Noel Hill & Tony MacMahon CDs, (both of which feature set dancers).

 

Outside of that, I'll second the Matt Cunningham recommendation. His music is very popular with set-dancers--though I suspect it's more the excellent playing, rather than the tune selection. His band has a lovely swing to it.

 

 

I got a lot of inspiration from the Michael Sexton band from Ennis, Co Clare but I'm sure there are loads more local bands which give the lift

[Guest Peter Laban]

The Taylor books have the tunes notated from the NPU/Brooks Academy set dancing tapes I mentioned above

 

 

Thanks Peter I'll try to get them. Have you any sources where they might still be available? I'll try the original publishers

 

A set of these tapes has popped up on Ebay Here

[Lawrence Reeves]

If a relaxed dance for hornpipe, we have been playing the peacock's feathers as a set. An tSean Bhean Bhocht not bad either.

My preference of hornpipes to play for solo dancers ( non competitive) are hornpipes like the honeysuckle, or good natured man, tuamgraney castle. They have a kind of built in lift in my opinion. The fact is I am trying to learn the most common sets from a dance perspective as to be able to know all the beats. I like to have a well planned group of tunes to hit the changes of footwork, making it a joy for the dancers.