Hi. I'm Sue. Being a slow learner I've only just worked out how to get in here!! But I've been reading the posts each week for a few years now and I'm intrigued as to what your sessions are like in your part of the world. They all sound so different. I'd like to know what you all get up too that makes them different. Do you all mostly play Irish? Anything else? What's the mix of song/tunes/instruments?
In East Anglia (in very rural England) where I live, we have sessions in various pubs. OF COURSE..couldn't have a session without a drink!
The mix at these sessions is both singing and tunes. The range of types of music ranges from bluegrass, old timey to skiffle! Somewhere in between some of us play Irish, Scots and English traditional music.
Mostly people play guitar, mandolin, melodeons or whistles. I play flute and fiddle and sadly am the only one of my kind at most of our sessions. So I've learnt a lot form you guys who post here regularly.My bowing has improved a lot reading your ideas.
Mostly our sessions are a good natured, fun social event. Some evenings we just play and play. Others we may chat more. Anyone is welcome. NO one owns the session, which is as it should be, I feel. People don't always play along with each other, we tend to take 'turns' although nothing stops anyone joining in. When we do all get going on something everyone knows, we make a great sound!!
Hi Susie! Where in England is East Anglia? I could check a map...I love rural parts of England--I've been to Cornwall, I really like the West Penwith area. I heard there was a session in St. Just, but I never made it there so I'm not sure.
Anyway, if you go into the sessions part of this site, and check the comments on each one, it will give you an idea of the characteristics of different sessions.
The session I attend pretty regularly here in Philadelphia is at The Blarney South. Often the non trad players there (with the trad ones joining in) will play a rock or folk song, which does not appeal to me at all (in a session, anyway), but I keep going back because it is a session where I feel comfortable to play tunes I am still working on. Also, the man who started the session is a terrific fiddler, and I sometimes tape him. He is encouraging and very sweet and funny.
By the way, I play harp (I have a smaller one I take to sessions) and fiddle. We've got the gamut of usual traditonal instruments at the session, sometimes a classical flute girl shows up.
There are tons of sessions in my area (ketida--are you still out there?) But I've been a little shy lately to attend the other more high-powered ones. I've promised myself that I will do it soon, though. Oh, and we don't take turns (round robin style) Although I've always thought that was quite democratic. It's like, "I'd better jump in there now with a tune, before someone plays that stinking R.E.M. song, again!!"
I've not attended a session in a pub for some time now. The only one I knew of here in West Michigan was pretty tight about what they played and who was invited. Sort of anal-retentive in that way. However, the last jam I was invited to was at a large house where we jammed from noon Saturday until 3:00 am. I finally sacked out on the couch only to be awaken a few by this mad woman who thrust my small pipes into my hands and announced we were going to get things going again. I played while she chucked chocolate at the sleepers. A half hour and a pot of coffee later we were at it again. The main complaint was that I played in B flat and Peg, the chocolate tosser, wanted to sing in C natural.
Any chance Sue you'd want to bring your pub buddies on the road?
Jim HD and absolutely a horrible small pipes player.
One of the most enjoyable is at Durham University during the Folkworks summer school, where around 100 people, though it doesn't seem that many, cram into a small church on the campus. The type of tunes varies, there's always a few Scandinavians, many Scots, English; enough Northerners to sink a battle ship, this year some Australians and The Welsh Girls so there's a lot to choose from. Because there's so many people, individual spots don't happen unless they're asked for. It's great fun though, with an amazing atmosphere and a huge sound.
The most bizarre has to be the session outside the mexican at the top of the campsite at Sidmouth Folk Festival. This occurs after the late night ceilidh, generally starting about 1ish and continuing regardless until the morning. There are no sober people whatsoever and usually completely random instruments, including a pair of bin lids and alcopop bottles *fine tuned* to different notes by precise drinking.
Cait.
Andee, East Anglia is North of London some 70 miles. It's the bit that 'sticks' out into the North Sea.
I've been to the St. Just session on a couple of occasions...not an easy session for me to get to..some eight hours drive (Maybe not much to you in the USA, but our roads, you know!) There are several sessions on the peninsula. One at 'The Dock' in Penzance and another at the Gurnards Head near to Zennor that I know of.
I'm really sad to have missed the Sidmouth Festival session outside the mexican. I can't remember which sessions I went to last time I was there any way!
I agree about the need to have a session to try out new tunes where you feel comfortable. I like the idea of the 'jumping in' type of session. I'll have to revisit some of the back discussions and find out more.
I also quite like svisiting essions outside my area. If you mess up, you don't have to go back.
The session I attend regularly is at a very small pub close to home and generally only the musicians/singers are there. With roughly 15 of us that about fills the place. Singers out number instrumentalists by about 11 to 4, so obviously the sessions tend to be vocal oriented. The comraderie is just as important as the music, though, and I feel like I've found a second family. Most of us went to a more traditional Irish pub type session last week in a nearby bigger town, and it was a wonderful experience. The music (all Celtic traditional) was played on a wide variety of instruments..harp, hurdy gurdy, whistles, fiddle, concertina, mandolin (me!), and guitar...the combination with the large crowd of my regular session singers made for some very very good music, I was proud to be a part of it. And yes, Andee, I'm still here, thanks for asking! Philly is just enough of a drive from me that I wouldn't want to attend a late nite session and then drive home...but isn't one of them an early Sunday evening event? That might entice me...you know, the ITM addiction....
I thnk our session is somewhat unusual. We play once a week in Coventry UK. I say it's unusual as we have the printed music of the sets available. Over time though the sets become learned and most of us dont't need the sheet music. We each take in turn to choose a set to play and set the tempo, so in this way everyone chooses a set they like at a pace they like. Anyone is free to bring a long a set of tunes, we give it a number and it then becomes available to choose. We have the usual Irish and Scottish sets and also sets from America, France, Russia, Israel, Sweden... all over the place really. Our method has the advantage that newcomers can join in pretty quickly if they can read music, and if they cann't, well they are in the same position they would be in at a "normal" session. Some sets become popular and are played regularly, some sets donn't, it's quite democratic. We are at about set number 217 with about 3 tunes in each set. We tend to chat alot at the session and the members have become good friends over the years. Oh of course we have a drink or two during the evening.
It might be a good idea to differentiate between free and easy sessions where anything goes, and more specialist sessions. Admit it, would a trumpet be welcome at a Northumbrian pipes session, and haven't we all been to the folk club with our box where it is patently obvious instrumentalists are barely tolerated? So why do singers want to take over tune sessions and vice-versa?
That apart, being a session animal, my ideal session would be where people know more tunes than me and/or are better musicians than me - there would be lots to learn.
But, I usually have to make do with keeping the sessions fresh and ongoing by 1) turning up and supporting the session 2) encouragement of beginners 3) teaching new tunes/genres/techniques to those that are interested.
MORAL: If you don't like the session - go to another or start your own.
Daver,
I really like your idea of playing the tunes in sets like a workshop. It sounds a bit like a session I used to run where people treated it as a kind of open workshop. Some people liked it and some didn't. If anyone wanted the 'dots' they brought them along.
Most people didn't read music though, so then we listened and tried to learn by ear. I have to say that the tunes I've learnt at sessions by ear have tended to be more enduring than others learnt by reading music.
We're always encouraging to new comers. Some of our 'audience' who turn up in the pub have become good players and singers, which keeps things fresh and alive.
I too would like there to be people who know more tunes than me. I can't understand the conflict between singers and instrumentalists. It doesn't happen here. The sessions are about 50/50 I'd say. I can't sing, but I love to listen and know a lot of songs.
The session that my teacher runs( I should post it), alternates. Every other week is a tunes only week--the other weeks songs are welcome. I think the problem was that there were so many songs, and the session is only a few hours long as it is in a coffee house which closes at 10:00. There just wasn't enough time for all the tunes to be played, and also so many songs tends to break up the flow a little too much.
where is the blarney south in philly? i am originally from philly and i play gigs and sessions there quite often (with john brennan and mcgillian mostly) but i don't think i've ever been to the blarney south. also who is your teacher? just curious - i live in boston but i love playing in philly and i don't like to be out of the loop!
Hello Cara! I am almost sure you are the Cara that taught the fiddle workshop I attended at the Irish Center in Phila. in September. Your performance with John and John the next day was terrific!
I posted the Blarney South session in the sessions part of this site. It's on South St. between 3rd and 4th, on the south side of the street--middle of the block.
My teacher is Kathy De Angelo for harp and fiddle--her session is in Haddonfield NJ. (Sorry Jeremy I know that's what the session section is for--I will post it soon.)
I am still working on Calliope House--it was a tough tune for a beginner workshop, but that's OK--I've got it all on tape!
The session I attend weekly is my idea of a nice session, we have a uillean pipe player, a bazouki player, 2 fiddles, a banjo a guitar and a bodhran and whoever else turns up. We play Irish tunes and there is the very very occasional song, maybe once every few weeks. The standard it quite high and they play really lovely interesting tunes. The one thing is, they are really welcoming - doesnt really sound like they could be, but they are. Sorry - this is going to sound like my old stand for nothing self but - 100 people in one session? Sounds like that nightmare I keep having!
Daver
Your session in Coventry sounds unusual but jolly constructive, I keep half learning hundreds of tunes, forgetting them without ever knowing the names,( to know if I know the tune to play, or have just heard it before).
have you posted the session in the session section?
Do you pay to keep your music sheets? I wish someone could be that orgainised around here, not a million miles from Coventry.
At our session in Coventry UK "with dots", if any one brings a set of tunes we bring enough for us all. Thats the theory anyway, as I seem to end up keeping the store and replenish it as needed. No we don't pay as I'm happy to get copies. I forgot to add that our instruments include fiddles, accordian, concertena, mandolins, flute, whistle, banjo, boran and assorted precussion. We have about 12 fairly regular members some playing more than one instrument.
yeah i remember you now - that weekend was such a blur of fiddling excitement and memory has lapsed a bit. i know kathy - she's da bomb. i will probably be playing around philly at christmas, i'lll let you know!
cara
I haven't been to a session in over a year cause I've been sick but here in Lismore, Australia we play everyhting but mostly Irish. There's a bit of scottish, capebreton, haven't heard any shetland (unfortunately!) but it's pretty casual and if someone's learnt a new tune from some wierd place then they play it.
Our instrumants include fiddle (of course), accordian, concertina, whistle, flute, banjo, harp, bodhran sometimes there's a jews harp or a set of pipes but not very often. They're good sessions though. good for beginners, and advanced muscisions. I like tham and can't wait till I can start going again.
It's been great hearing about what everyone elses sessions are like.
Alyssia
What's your favourite session like?
What's your favourite session like?
Hi. I'm Sue. Being a slow learner I've only just worked out how to get in here!! But I've been reading the posts each week for a few years now and I'm intrigued as to what your sessions are like in your part of the world. They all sound so different. I'd like to know what you all get up too that makes them different. Do you all mostly play Irish? Anything else? What's the mix of song/tunes/instruments?
In East Anglia (in very rural England) where I live, we have sessions in various pubs. OF COURSE..couldn't have a session without a drink!
The mix at these sessions is both singing and tunes. The range of types of music ranges from bluegrass, old timey to skiffle! Somewhere in between some of us play Irish, Scots and English traditional music.
Mostly people play guitar, mandolin, melodeons or whistles. I play flute and fiddle and sadly am the only one of my kind at most of our sessions. So I've learnt a lot form you guys who post here regularly.My bowing has improved a lot reading your ideas.
Mostly our sessions are a good natured, fun social event. Some evenings we just play and play. Others we may chat more. Anyone is welcome. NO one owns the session, which is as it should be, I feel. People don't always play along with each other, we tend to take 'turns' although nothing stops anyone joining in. When we do all get going on something everyone knows, we make a great sound!!
I'd love to hear what your session is like.
Sue.
# Posted on November 9th 2002 by Fiiddle R
Re: What's your favourite session like?
No offence Susie, but have you thought of moving?
# Posted on November 9th 2002 by ...
Re: What's your favourite session like?
Hi Susie! Where in England is East Anglia? I could check a map...I love rural parts of England--I've been to Cornwall, I really like the West Penwith area. I heard there was a session in St. Just, but I never made it there so I'm not sure.
Anyway, if you go into the sessions part of this site, and check the comments on each one, it will give you an idea of the characteristics of different sessions.
The session I attend pretty regularly here in Philadelphia is at The Blarney South. Often the non trad players there (with the trad ones joining in) will play a rock or folk song, which does not appeal to me at all (in a session, anyway), but I keep going back because it is a session where I feel comfortable to play tunes I am still working on. Also, the man who started the session is a terrific fiddler, and I sometimes tape him. He is encouraging and very sweet and funny.
By the way, I play harp (I have a smaller one I take to sessions) and fiddle. We've got the gamut of usual traditonal instruments at the session, sometimes a classical flute girl shows up.
There are tons of sessions in my area (ketida--are you still out there?) But I've been a little shy lately to attend the other more high-powered ones. I've promised myself that I will do it soon, though. Oh, and we don't take turns (round robin style) Although I've always thought that was quite democratic. It's like, "I'd better jump in there now with a tune, before someone plays that stinking R.E.M. song, again!!"
# Posted on November 9th 2002 by Andee
Re: What's your favourite session like?
I've not attended a session in a pub for some time now. The only one I knew of here in West Michigan was pretty tight about what they played and who was invited. Sort of anal-retentive in that way. However, the last jam I was invited to was at a large house where we jammed from noon Saturday until 3:00 am. I finally sacked out on the couch only to be awaken a few by this mad woman who thrust my small pipes into my hands and announced we were going to get things going again. I played while she chucked chocolate at the sleepers. A half hour and a pot of coffee later we were at it again. The main complaint was that I played in B flat and Peg, the chocolate tosser, wanted to sing in C natural.
Any chance Sue you'd want to bring your pub buddies on the road?
Jim HD and absolutely a horrible small pipes player.
# Posted on November 9th 2002 by jrathbun
Re: What's your favourite session like?
One of the most enjoyable is at Durham University during the Folkworks summer school, where around 100 people, though it doesn't seem that many, cram into a small church on the campus. The type of tunes varies, there's always a few Scandinavians, many Scots, English; enough Northerners to sink a battle ship, this year some Australians and The Welsh Girls so there's a lot to choose from. Because there's so many people, individual spots don't happen unless they're asked for. It's great fun though, with an amazing atmosphere and a huge sound.
The most bizarre has to be the session outside the mexican at the top of the campsite at Sidmouth Folk Festival. This occurs after the late night ceilidh, generally starting about 1ish and continuing regardless until the morning. There are no sober people whatsoever and usually completely random instruments, including a pair of bin lids and alcopop bottles *fine tuned* to different notes by precise drinking.
Cait.
# Posted on November 10th 2002 by Caitriona
Re: What's your favourite session like?
Andee, East Anglia is North of London some 70 miles. It's the bit that 'sticks' out into the North Sea.
I've been to the St. Just session on a couple of occasions...not an easy session for me to get to..some eight hours drive (Maybe not much to you in the USA, but our roads, you know!) There are several sessions on the peninsula. One at 'The Dock' in Penzance and another at the Gurnards Head near to Zennor that I know of.
I'm really sad to have missed the Sidmouth Festival session outside the mexican. I can't remember which sessions I went to last time I was there any way!
I agree about the need to have a session to try out new tunes where you feel comfortable. I like the idea of the 'jumping in' type of session. I'll have to revisit some of the back discussions and find out more.
I also quite like svisiting essions outside my area. If you mess up, you don't have to go back.
Thanks for the info ALL.
Sue
# Posted on November 10th 2002 by Fiiddle R
Re: What's your favourite session like?
The session I attend regularly is at a very small pub close to home and generally only the musicians/singers are there. With roughly 15 of us that about fills the place. Singers out number instrumentalists by about 11 to 4, so obviously the sessions tend to be vocal oriented. The comraderie is just as important as the music, though, and I feel like I've found a second family. Most of us went to a more traditional Irish pub type session last week in a nearby bigger town, and it was a wonderful experience. The music (all Celtic traditional) was played on a wide variety of instruments..harp, hurdy gurdy, whistles, fiddle, concertina, mandolin (me!), and guitar...the combination with the large crowd of my regular session singers made for some very very good music, I was proud to be a part of it. And yes, Andee, I'm still here, thanks for asking! Philly is just enough of a drive from me that I wouldn't want to attend a late nite session and then drive home...but isn't one of them an early Sunday evening event? That might entice me...you know, the ITM addiction....
# Posted on November 10th 2002 by ketida
Re: What's your favourite session like?
I thnk our session is somewhat unusual. We play once a week in Coventry UK. I say it's unusual as we have the printed music of the sets available. Over time though the sets become learned and most of us dont't need the sheet music. We each take in turn to choose a set to play and set the tempo, so in this way everyone chooses a set they like at a pace they like. Anyone is free to bring a long a set of tunes, we give it a number and it then becomes available to choose. We have the usual Irish and Scottish sets and also sets from America, France, Russia, Israel, Sweden... all over the place really. Our method has the advantage that newcomers can join in pretty quickly if they can read music, and if they cann't, well they are in the same position they would be in at a "normal" session. Some sets become popular and are played regularly, some sets donn't, it's quite democratic. We are at about set number 217 with about 3 tunes in each set. We tend to chat alot at the session and the members have become good friends over the years. Oh of course we have a drink or two during the evening.
# Posted on November 10th 2002 by Daver
Re: What's your favourite session like?
It might be a good idea to differentiate between free and easy sessions where anything goes, and more specialist sessions. Admit it, would a trumpet be welcome at a Northumbrian pipes session, and haven't we all been to the folk club with our box where it is patently obvious instrumentalists are barely tolerated? So why do singers want to take over tune sessions and vice-versa?
That apart, being a session animal, my ideal session would be where people know more tunes than me and/or are better musicians than me - there would be lots to learn.
But, I usually have to make do with keeping the sessions fresh and ongoing by 1) turning up and supporting the session 2) encouragement of beginners 3) teaching new tunes/genres/techniques to those that are interested.
MORAL: If you don't like the session - go to another or start your own.
# Posted on November 10th 2002 by geoffwright
Re: What's your favourite session like?
Daver,
I really like your idea of playing the tunes in sets like a workshop. It sounds a bit like a session I used to run where people treated it as a kind of open workshop. Some people liked it and some didn't. If anyone wanted the 'dots' they brought them along.
Most people didn't read music though, so then we listened and tried to learn by ear. I have to say that the tunes I've learnt at sessions by ear have tended to be more enduring than others learnt by reading music.
We're always encouraging to new comers. Some of our 'audience' who turn up in the pub have become good players and singers, which keeps things fresh and alive.
I too would like there to be people who know more tunes than me. I can't understand the conflict between singers and instrumentalists. It doesn't happen here. The sessions are about 50/50 I'd say. I can't sing, but I love to listen and know a lot of songs.
# Posted on November 12th 2002 by Fiiddle R
Re: What's your favourite session like?
The session that my teacher runs( I should post it), alternates. Every other week is a tunes only week--the other weeks songs are welcome. I think the problem was that there were so many songs, and the session is only a few hours long as it is in a coffee house which closes at 10:00. There just wasn't enough time for all the tunes to be played, and also so many songs tends to break up the flow a little too much.
# Posted on November 12th 2002 by Andee
Re: What's your favourite session like?
hey andee,
where is the blarney south in philly? i am originally from philly and i play gigs and sessions there quite often (with john brennan and mcgillian mostly) but i don't think i've ever been to the blarney south. also who is your teacher? just curious - i live in boston but i love playing in philly and i don't like to be out of the loop!
thanks
Cara
# Posted on November 12th 2002 by carafiddle
Re: What's your favourite session like?
Hello Cara! I am almost sure you are the Cara that taught the fiddle workshop I attended at the Irish Center in Phila. in September. Your performance with John and John the next day was terrific!
I posted the Blarney South session in the sessions part of this site. It's on South St. between 3rd and 4th, on the south side of the street--middle of the block.
My teacher is Kathy De Angelo for harp and fiddle--her session is in Haddonfield NJ. (Sorry Jeremy I know that's what the session section is for--I will post it soon.)
I am still working on Calliope House--it was a tough tune for a beginner workshop, but that's OK--I've got it all on tape!
# Posted on November 12th 2002 by Andee
Re: What's your favourite session like?
The session I attend weekly is my idea of a nice session, we have a uillean pipe player, a bazouki player, 2 fiddles, a banjo a guitar and a bodhran and whoever else turns up. We play Irish tunes and there is the very very occasional song, maybe once every few weeks. The standard it quite high and they play really lovely interesting tunes. The one thing is, they are really welcoming - doesnt really sound like they could be, but they are. Sorry - this is going to sound like my old stand for nothing self but - 100 people in one session? Sounds like that nightmare I keep having!
# Posted on November 13th 2002 by bb
Re: What's your favourite session like?
Daver
Your session in Coventry sounds unusual but jolly constructive, I keep half learning hundreds of tunes, forgetting them without ever knowing the names,( to know if I know the tune to play, or have just heard it before).
have you posted the session in the session section?
Do you pay to keep your music sheets? I wish someone could be that orgainised around here, not a million miles from Coventry.
# Posted on November 14th 2002 by timjellies
Re: What's your favourite session like?
At our session in Coventry UK "with dots", if any one brings a set of tunes we bring enough for us all. Thats the theory anyway, as I seem to end up keeping the store and replenish it as needed. No we don't pay as I'm happy to get copies. I forgot to add that our instruments include fiddles, accordian, concertena, mandolins, flute, whistle, banjo, boran and assorted precussion. We have about 12 fairly regular members some playing more than one instrument.
# Posted on November 14th 2002 by Daver
Re: What's your favourite session like?
hey andee!
yeah i remember you now - that weekend was such a blur of fiddling excitement and memory has lapsed a bit. i know kathy - she's da bomb. i will probably be playing around philly at christmas, i'lll let you know!
cara
# Posted on November 15th 2002 by carafiddle
Re: What's your favourite session like?
I haven't been to a session in over a year cause I've been sick but here in Lismore, Australia we play everyhting but mostly Irish. There's a bit of scottish, capebreton, haven't heard any shetland (unfortunately!
) but it's pretty casual and if someone's learnt a new tune from some wierd place then they play it. 
), accordian, concertina, whistle, flute, banjo, harp, bodhran sometimes there's a jews harp or a set of pipes but not very often. They're good sessions though. good for beginners, and advanced muscisions. I like tham and can't wait till I can start going again.
Our instrumants include fiddle (of course
It's been great hearing about what everyone elses sessions are like.
Alyssia
# Posted on November 17th 2002 by fiddlefeet