Popular English Session Tunes English Pub Session Series CD: Dave Mallinson - TheReedLounge.com

Popular English Session Tunes English Pub Session Series CD: Dave Mallinson

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This isåÊthe CD to accompany the book of the same name.

The tunes are suitable for every instrument associated with traditional music, and only 14 notes are required to play them all. They are eminently suitable for playing at country dances, ceilidhs, barn dances and hoe-downs and most have been recorded by notable bands and personalities.

To facilitate musicians identifying repertoire suitable for their current personal ability, the tunes in each book are presented in order of difficulty, and start and finish progressively harder throughout the series, in the order listed.

Introduction to the series

A friend remarked at Sidmouth Folk Week, ‰ÛÏMally, I‰۪m going to recommend your Easy Peasy book to everybody, it‰۪s great! It reflects very closely the repertoire we play at our local session.‰۝ Another friend commented at Cleethorpes Folk Festival, ‰ÛÏMally, you do a gross injustice to some really good and useful tunes by labelling them ‰Û÷Easy Peasy‰۪, it gives the impression that they are only of any use to beginners to cut their teeth on.‰۝ ‰ÛÏVery true,‰۝ I thought, ‰ÛÏI play many of these tunes myself at dances, in sessions and for the morris dancers. Wouldn‰۪t it be a great to extend Easy Peasy into a series.‰۝ The idea was born, and soon developed into this set of four books which contain the most popular tunes that are played in English pub sessions, at folk festivals and by country dance musicians and morris players. Each book has its own theme and identity. Given average luck, with these tunes under your belt, you‰۪ll be able to join in most of the time.

Because most traditional airs only require the fourteen notes D, E, F sharp, G, A, B, C, C sharp, D, E, F sharp, G, A and B, I decided it would be a good idea to continue the theme, meaning all the tunes can be played in the first position on the top three strings of the fiddle, all the notes are in the range of the wooden flute and tin whistle and all the music is within the scope of the D/G melodeon without accidentals.

Chord arrangements are more or less as played on the soundtrack, but nevertheless, are only suggestions. The dominant chords (i.e. D in the key of G, A in the key of D and E in the key of A etc.) throughout these books are noted as plain major chords, whereas many musicians prefer to play the seventh (D7, A7, E7 etc.). Feel free to play either type of chord as the mood takes you.

You‰۪ll notice many of the tunes are not English. It‰۪s the pubs, sessions, folk festivals, ceilidhs etc. that are English. In, what might be termed, a general English session, melodies from Northumberland, Ireland, Scotland, America, France and Scandinavia are to be heard alongside English airs, which tend to be associated with the more southern regions of the country

Hundreds of personalities, records, bands, books and sessions have, unknowingly, made tiny, almost imperceptible contributions to the settings and choice of the tunes found in these books (some of the more influential are listed below). They have also been moulded further by the limitations of my instrument, the D/G melodeon, and, of course, the fourteen note rule. All the settings are my own versions and every tune has, to a greater or lesser degree, my own personal stamp on it. But, I‰۪m sure you‰۪ll find all the tunes ‰Û÷session friendly‰۪, you can learn them exactly as written and have a perfectly acceptable version. However, I consider it unwise to learn a tune from only one source and I would suggest strongly that, when learning a new tune, you pay heed to other books, recordings and live performances.


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James M.on Mar 9, 2025

Email conversations about fitting an internal audio pickup into a Hohner D/G pokerwork melodeon. Excellent technical advice from Murray, leading to a purchase of the recommended pickup and a fitting date fixed for next month.

Date of experience: March 10, 2025

Jason N.on Feb 24, 2025

Great to deal with, really good advice on best mic set up in the new accordion, Murray certainly knows his stuff, would highly recommend.

Date of experience: February 24, 2025

Andy B.on Mar 15, 2023

Murray has just done a great job repairing and servicing my Dad's melodeon. Excellent job and would highly recommend. Andy and Brian Beal

Date of experience: March 14, 2023

Frank A.on Feb 6, 2023

Thanks to Murray for the excellent Harmonik 5001 accordion pickup, neatly fitted on-time. Outstanding - recommend it to fellow accordionists.

Date of experience: February 7, 2023

Clare R.on Feb 12, 2021

I was struggling to know how best to acquire an accordion that wasn't too expensive, yet would be easy to use as a beginner and would sound good. A friend recommended The Reed Lounge and I left a message on the site, saying what I was after. The next day I had a phone call from Murray saying that he had just got this Hohner Student V in (it hadn't been put up on the site at that point) and I could have first refusal on it.
I had it as a Christmas present from my family (it arrived free of charge to my home in Plymouth in a matter of days) and it has been absolutely perfect. I have played it every day since then and am progressing in leaps and bounds. It is a beautiful instrument and is proving to be excellent for me to learn on - especially as it has just 48 bass keys. I was very intimidated by all those black buttons!
I am so pleased as I would otherwise have probably bought a new Chinese model at a similar price, which I'm sure would have been no where near as good.
Another good thing about the Hohner, Murray says, is that it will hold it's value should I want to upgrade at some point. I can see that after a few months I may well need a few additional keys and bass notes...
I am absolutely delighted and I would heartily recommend putting your trust in the Reed Lounge for finding you the perfect accordion for your needs.

Date of experience: February 10, 2021

Clea R.on Jan 19, 2021

In an ideal world one would pick up and play an instrument before laying out good money. But this is a Covid world and physical contact is a thing of the past so I had to put my trust in Murray.
In phone calls and emails he was most helpful. He made a recording so that I could hear the difference between the two boxes and make my decision.
It arrived, very well packed and I was delighted.
There is, however, a problem with two buttons - one won't sound on the pull and the other is silent on the push. Fortunately neither are frequently used notes - for me at any rate, I am an absolute novice. I called Murray to report the fault and he said he could fix it easily in minutes.
I'm sure he can. When able to, I intend to drive the 200 miles or so to meet Murray. Hopefully I'll be able to watch him do the fix. And I look forward to shaking his hand. I love my Lachenal. Thank you Murray.

Date of experience: January 18, 2021

Terry L.on Oct 29, 2020

Just received a gorgeous Maugein acordion from Murray, excellent condition, beyond my expectations for a small model...
I was quite nervous buying over the Internet with what to me was a large sum of money but Murray never bullied me or used hard sell tactics, he put my nerves re couriers, complaints at rest with his totally professional yet friendly manner and witjin days i am thrilled to be playing such a lovely box, playability and sound perfectly as described... Can't recommended enough especially after some experiences ive had in the past... Many thanks

Date of experience: October 29, 2020

Anony M.on Oct 20, 2020

I think accordions are each rather unique so sound and play very differently. I don't think you can beat trying out as many as possible with different tunings and sizes to narrow the field ahead of making an appointment to try them out at the Reed Lounge before purchase. That was my experience, and Murray was extremely helpful in providing great advice. I'm still getting used to my new accordion, but I think I am already becoming a better player for having it. My audiences love it too, because the tone is very pure and well balanced. I have no hesitation in recommending The Reed Lounge.

Date of experience: October 20, 2020

Estelle R.on Sep 17, 2020

I went to buy a piano accordian for my son. I had no previous idea of what to buy. The owner was extremely knowledgeable and explained all my options very clearly and patiently. No hard sell. The service was excellent would buy from there again.

Date of experience: September 17, 2020

Robert J.on Dec 12, 2019

I ordered (payed via PayPal) Elastic Buckle Cover for Accordion Straps on Oct 3,2019, but it is not delivered yet.
I'm still waiting.

Date of experience: December 13, 2019

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