Topic: I think I've contracted Tunes (Read 6749 times)

William · « **on:** January 25, 2011, 03:36:20 PM »

I like all kinds of music, but nothing has occupied my mind so constantly as the TUNES I’m learning, as I learn to play my melodeon.

I can only compare it to being constantly saturated for weeks by a foreign language that I don’t understand much. That produced an intense ‘word’ version of a vision- if you can understand what I mean.
I think these tunes could well have the same effect. The only way I can banish them from my head is by playing Queen, Beatles or Bach very loudly on the headphones. I think I’ve made it worse by trying to compose a song to a TUNE I haven’t found yet.

I’m worried- I’ve given up alcohol- but now I have TUNES. Is this serious?
Will it last? Will it get worse?

Pete Dunk · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2011, 03:41:51 PM »

Tunes is a dreadful condition closely related to OCD. You're doomed I'm afraid.

Owen Woods · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2011, 03:46:55 PM »

Contracting TUNES can be fun though

When you've got over the initial shock the condition is bearable on a day to day basis. Thousands of people live day to day lives in relative normality with the condition. They will never of course be completely normal, they'll be folkies, but people are beginning to understand better what it means to live with something like that and support is growing.

Alan Morley · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2011, 03:59:43 PM »

Tunes make you breath more easily though....

HallelujahAl · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2011, 04:04:08 PM »

Quote

I’ve given up alcohol- but now I have TUNES. Is this serious?

Look on the bright side - at least the government can't tax tunes!

I've been living with this condition for many years now - and it's not affected me at all

AL

Alison Scott · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2011, 04:38:21 PM »

Quote from: William on January 25, 2011, 03:36:20 PM

now I have TUNES. Is this serious?

Fatal, yes. I have to keep a little notebook by my bed to jot down TUNES when I wake up with them in my head and have no idea where they came from.

Theo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2011, 07:26:51 PM »

Quote from: William on January 25, 2011, 03:36:20 PM

I’m worried- I’ve given up alcohol- but now I have TUNES. Is this serious?
Will it last? Will it get worse?

With careful management most cases of acute TUNES will settle to a simple case of earworm. The treatment is to enjoy playing at least three times a week, preferably in good company, and a small but regular dose of medicinal alcohol helps to relieve the symptoms.

savantuk · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2011, 07:44:42 PM »

I try and get a dose of it specially, if I'm trying to learn a new tune. If it plays in my head all day, I can usually play it when I get the box out at night.

I had it permanently when I was (unsucessfully) trying to learn the guitar. I dreamed chord charts, and during the day, if I heard a tune, I would see the charts for the chords in front of my eyes!

Neil_M · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2011, 08:39:36 PM »

I get the 'Whistles'. Constantly whistling a tune that's stuck in my head, but without even realising it. It takes much nagging by the wife to stop me.

Martin J · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2011, 12:27:31 AM »

Quote from: HallelujahAl on January 25, 2011, 04:04:08 PM

Look on the bright side - at least the government can't tax tunes!
AL

Ssssshhhhhhhuuussss, they might hear you and dream up a way of doing so

Gary P Chapin · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2011, 01:44:06 AM »

It's not a disease, it's an evolutionary adaptation. Those of us who "always have tunes running through our heads" have an evolutionary superiority, we've adapted a way to deal with the stress of modern life.

Wife nagging?

Tune.

Kids screaming?

Tune.

Work bearing down?

Tune.

They can't touch us. Because of our tunes.

(The problem with this theory is that evolutionary adaptations are supposed to make you "more fit" for your environment, and therefore a more attractive mate. ARE melodeonists more attractive as mates? I have five kids ... hm ... who'd have thought it?)

Owen Woods · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2011, 02:15:21 AM »

Quote from: Gary Chapin on January 26, 2011, 01:44:06 AM

It's not a disease, it's an evolutionary adaptation. Those of us who "always have tunes running through our heads" have an evolutionary superiority, we've adapted a way to deal with the stress of modern life.

Wife nagging?

Tune.

Kids screaming?

Tune.

Work bearing down?

Tune.

They can't touch us. Because of our tunes.

(The problem with this theory is that evolutionary adaptations are supposed to make you "more fit" for your environment, and therefore a more attractive mate. ARE melodeonists more attractive as mates? I have five kids ... hm ... who'd have thought it?)

This is actually true. And well said

Kautilya · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2011, 04:09:35 AM »

Quote from: Neil_M on January 25, 2011, 08:39:36 PM

I get the 'Whistles'. Constantly whistling a tune that's stuck in my head, but without even realising it. It takes much nagging by the wife to stop me.

Fearful.... I hope Theo's ear remedy does not produce a great big long beef tapeworm (which attacks the brain and parts that others don't reach) but even more worrying would be the size of your brainbox if one of these** has got inside... My Geordie teacher used to say the problem with local folk was they would turn up and pay to see anything unusual happening, even to watch a flea jumpin' over a blade of grass in a field... we could make a few bob showing your whistle being extracted (plus cash in a hat collection for the musicians playing along!)

**Just look at the pain in Terry's eyes as he pulls his whistle out through his nose! (BTW he is tutoring at Folkus Waddow 2011... so will ask for his suggestions for your plight.)

http://www.folkimages.com/bigwhistle/may08/terrycoyne07.htm

The trivia one picks up as a wandering swami: while billeted at the home of one of the world's tapeworm experts during Roy Jenkin's campaign to win the Glasgow Hillhead by-election in March 1982.
http://www.humanillnesses.com/original/T-Ty/Tapeworm.html

Alan Morley · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2011, 10:10:25 AM »

Tunes In You Head

Just out of interest, what tunes are haunting people at the moment ?

I woke up this morning thinking of a reel called 'Far From Home' one I haven't played for ages - now I'm getting the urge to record it.....

oh - and Coconut Dance + Tip Top Polka - used by Britannia Coconut Dancers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsmCWFNO7oE

Almo

Keithypete. · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2011, 11:12:42 AM »

Quote from: Neil_M on January 25, 2011, 08:39:36 PM

I get the 'Whistles'. Constantly whistling a tune that's stuck in my head, but without even realising it. It takes much nagging by the wife to stop me.

I can't play a tune until I can whistle it!

I got a round of applause once for whistling through a set of polkas whilst glossing the outside of some sach windows.

As for tunes haunting at the mo' - they don't get much more haunting than the first tune the girl plays in the Lootspilla thread. ( recordings & videos )
'The wee man from Skye' is another which has stayed with me.

Owen Woods · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2011, 01:38:13 PM »

Quote from: Almo2504 on January 26, 2011, 10:10:25 AM

Tunes In You Head

Just out of interest, what tunes are haunting people at the moment ?

I woke up this morning thinking of a reel called 'Far From Home' one I haven't played for ages - now I'm getting the urge to record it.....

oh - and Coconut Dance + Tip Top Polka - used by Britannia Coconut Dancers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsmCWFNO7oE

Almo

Ladies Pleasure Fieldtown for me

AnnC · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2011, 02:05:59 PM »

Valse Suedoise Vasterborg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owgjfk2EoKM seems to jump to the front of my mind every time I sit down to run through a few tunes ( on concertina

the melodeon repair fund still hasn't reached the top of the tin yet )

Alan Morley · « **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2011, 02:36:09 PM »

Tunes In You Head

A couple of weeks ago I found a lovely waltz in a wrong key - downloaded the midi - changed the key, and still need to learn it.

'Just As The Sun Was Setting' http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-music-guitar-tab/just_as_the_sun_was_setting.htm

Almo

Martin J · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2011, 04:06:28 PM »

'Just As The Sun Was Setting' lovely JKP tune, fits well on a standard D/G box with accidentals.

TomB · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2011, 10:54:40 PM »

First there was MAD. Now there's TUNES. Once some poor, unsuspecting diatonic devotee admits to another malady, a whole plethora of squeezers want to admit their weaknesses. My name is ***** and I'm a melodeon junkie. But, do we want to reform? Naaaaaa!!.
I just love this thread. I thought it was just me insane but now I realise I'm in good company. Maybe that's what attracted me to the diatonic accordion in the first place. Melodicas would be easier to play, but where's the fun in that. Bring on the chunes

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Author Topic: I think I've contracted Tunes (Read 6749 times)

HallelujahAl