Another HD Discussion on The Session!

[Dick Glasgow]

There's another HD related discussion going on right now, over on thesession.org, which you might like to check out.

Surprise! Surprise! ..... the topic of how appropriate an HD really is at an Irish Session, crops up, once again!

Another chance, perhaps, for us to see ourselves, as other folks see us! ;D

Curious: Would you rather have a reasonably good hammered dulcimer player or a very mediocre fiddler show up at your session?

Cheers
Dick

[jack]

Don't get me started, I'm not rising to the bait.

I hardly ever visit that site now. I just can’t be bothered with all the ignorant, uninformed arrogance (and not just towards dulcimers). The thought that these are the kind of people going to sessions would put anyone off going. I realise a lot of the comments are deliberately provocative but that gets a bit tedious after a while.
I’ve been asked, a couple if times, if I’ve ever played in a session in Ireland and if there had been any hostility towards the dulcimer. The answer is yes, I’ve played in sessions in Ireland several times and no I haven’t felt any hostility. I think the only reason I was asked was because some people believe what they read on the Session.org.

[Nikita]

I saw that too, and I ignored it.... not worth the sweat... I use the session site often, but only for a few things that interest me, like serious discussions or things that could help a beginner box player for instance... the rest is just arrogant crap !
And I agree with you Jack !
BTW, met Michael in Skye (he must have told you)... nice fella. I promise I'll try to stop around Glasgow next year, on our way, or back to Ceolas in south Uist. I hope you'll still have the thursday session (is that the old timer session ?), and I'll take me small hackbrett...

[jack]

When I reread my post it seems maybe a bit harsh. It's true there are some interesting and informed contributions but I just got fed up with all the negativity.
Twice last week I had people tell me they were surprised to hear that I play dulcimer in a session.
The first person played mandolin and box. When I asked him why he was surprised about the dulcimer he said, at the sessions he went to, they weren't even all that keen on box. Turned out his favourite set of tunes is The Harvest Home/Boys of Bluehill. Might not be the box they object to.
The second person went on to say that he used to play guitar in session but got fed up with not being heard so he took up Irish pipes. That sums him up!
Neither of them had actually heard a hammered dulcimer, never mind in a session, and, yes you've guessed it, they both read the session.org.

Nikita, Michael told me he had met you. The Thursday afternoon sessions have stopped just now because Jimmy McGuire(fiddle player) and I are both at college. It's on this week because we are off college for a week, so hopefully it will be back on during the summer. It would be great to see you there. The pub is empty on weekday afternoons and we pretty much have the place to ourselves.