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Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
... in the Boston area either to play, listen or simply talk to those who can offer guidance. I've wanted to learn how to play the fiddle for years and recently I've been playing at home, but I really want to be able to play with other musicians, jam in sessions, come up with fiddle parts for songs, etc.
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Yes, Mondays at the Green Briar is the place for a beginner. It's on Washington Street, a few blocks east of Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton, near St. Elizabeth's Hospital. The #57 bus from Kenmore Square goes past.
The slow session starts at 7 PM. Usually more than 20 people will show up; often more. Everyone gets a turn to call a tune, so you can call one you are working on or just pass your turn. You will see sheet music, notebooks, and tape recorders on the tables.
At about 9 PM, the regular session begins, in the same room. All books and music disappear; I usually take off by then. Hope to see you there sometime.
In case you have any other sessions, and for those of us who may luck out and happen upon Boston in our travels ~ please add them here under 'Sessions'. Right now there are only two listed for Boston, Massachusetts and I just can't believe ~ that's all there is? Making comments in the 'comments' are also valued...
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
The Boston Comhaltas Music School offers fiddle classes taught by George Keith and Tina Lech for all levels. The fall semester begins on September 6th. See the events page for more details. Hope to see you there!
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ... New York edition
I know you can get crushed for asking this by anti-slow session sentiment (i get it), but this question seemed to work out pretty well for Esther, so I'm going to try it in a different region.
Anyone know of something similar in NY (city)? I've been to Brian Conway's Dunne's session in White Plains but don't really know much about the Manhattan and environs sessions. Any of them have a similar slow-session format?
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Ceolachan,
It's more useful to do a search for "Massachusetts" than "Boston" -- there are a number of sessions taking place in cities and towns that are very close to Boston (such as Waltham, Somervile and Cambridge).
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Good point sts... I'm a bit slow this time of year, more so than usual...
a sheamuis ~ that deserves a discussion on its own. Don't be shy to start one, and you can skip over any anti-slow sesh sentiments... A quote I've taken on from some of my older sources, in one form or another, and taken to heart, is that if you can't play it with Lift, Interest, Life and Timing s--l--o--w ~ you aren't doing any better speeded up. For those so convinced it can't be done slowly ~ speed is just a cheep trick for covering up cack playing. I've never known a really good and accomplished player who didn't also like taking the music at lower than usual tempos, including playing reels slowly. Those same folks were also willing to do so to help others to get a hand on a given melody. Is there really any 'bad' place or way for music? If it is social and someone gets some joy, understanding and advancement out of it ~ bless those that put the effort in to provide such alternatives ~ beginner or slow session... So, just ignore the naysayers, maybe they're beyond hope, hobbled, as far as any future progress, by their need for speed... Speed freaks are the same, whether it's drugs or pushing the music in erratic mad ways ~ they're daft...
So, go ahead, start another discussion for N.Y.C.... Who knows, desperation and passion might get you together with other like minded folks and you could be starting up exactly what you collectively need. If you need this, there are definitely going to be others of like mind and need...
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Esther - I heard a while back that Matt (& maybe Shannon) Heaton were going to be doing some sort of regular workshops at their home. I'll try to find the details.
Good Luck!
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
>I heard a while back that Matt (& maybe Shannon) Heaton were going to be doing some sort of regular workshops at their home.
Well, Matt & Shannon are both going to be teaching at the Comhaltas Music School. Workshops at their house, huh? Bet the neighbors will complain about all the traffic. *wink*
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Hey sts: "Matt & Shannon are both going to be teaching at the Comhaltas Music School"...I attended one of Matt's workshops a couple of years ago, and would definitely show up for more. Unfortunately (for me), there were no workshops or anything of that ilk at my local festival this year. Perhaps I should have bagged him for a private lesson as long as they were passing through. Anyway, I can't find the details about their home workshops, so if you know any details please pass them along to Esther.
Thanks!,
Tom
Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
... in the Boston area either to play, listen or simply talk to those who can offer guidance. I've wanted to learn how to play the fiddle for years and recently I've been playing at home, but I really want to be able to play with other musicians, jam in sessions, come up with fiddle parts for songs, etc.
Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks!
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by EstherRuth0219
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
check out the green briar, i believe its on mondays
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by stevequincy
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Yes, Mondays at the Green Briar is the place for a beginner. It's on Washington Street, a few blocks east of Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton, near St. Elizabeth's Hospital. The #57 bus from Kenmore Square goes past.
The slow session starts at 7 PM. Usually more than 20 people will show up; often more. Everyone gets a turn to call a tune, so you can call one you are working on or just pass your turn. You will see sheet music, notebooks, and tape recorders on the tables.
At about 9 PM, the regular session begins, in the same room. All books and music disappear; I usually take off by then. Hope to see you there sometime.
# Posted on July 23rd 2008 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Thanks Gregg! I hope to meet you soon! Esther
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by EstherRuth0219
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Esther,
check your email
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Green Briar
Making comments in the 'comments' are also valued...
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/35
In case you have any other sessions, and for those of us who may luck out and happen upon Boston in our travels ~ please add them here under 'Sessions'. Right now there are only two listed for Boston, Massachusetts and I just can't believe ~ that's all there is?
Go raibh ma' agat / Thanks
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
The Boston Comhaltas Music School offers fiddle classes taught by George Keith and Tina Lech for all levels. The fall semester begins on September 6th. See the events page for more details. Hope to see you there!
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by SessionMom
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ... New York edition
I know you can get crushed for asking this by anti-slow session sentiment (i get it), but this question seemed to work out pretty well for Esther, so I'm going to try it in a different region.
Anyone know of something similar in NY (city)? I've been to Brian Conway's Dunne's session in White Plains but don't really know much about the Manhattan and environs sessions. Any of them have a similar slow-session format?
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by a sheamuis
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Esther, just sent you an e-mail...
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by sts
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Ceolachan,
It's more useful to do a search for "Massachusetts" than "Boston" -- there are a number of sessions taking place in cities and towns that are very close to Boston (such as Waltham, Somervile and Cambridge).
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by sts
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Good point sts... I'm a bit slow this time of year, more so than usual...
a sheamuis ~ that deserves a discussion on its own. Don't be shy to start one, and you can skip over any anti-slow sesh sentiments... A quote I've taken on from some of my older sources, in one form or another, and taken to heart, is that if you can't play it with Lift, Interest, Life and Timing s--l--o--w ~ you aren't doing any better speeded up. For those so convinced it can't be done slowly ~ speed is just a cheep trick for covering up cack playing. I've never known a really good and accomplished player who didn't also like taking the music at lower than usual tempos, including playing reels slowly. Those same folks were also willing to do so to help others to get a hand on a given melody. Is there really any 'bad' place or way for music? If it is social and someone gets some joy, understanding and advancement out of it ~ bless those that put the effort in to provide such alternatives ~ beginner or slow session... So, just ignore the naysayers, maybe they're beyond hope, hobbled, as far as any future progress, by their need for speed... Speed freaks are the same, whether it's drugs or pushing the music in erratic mad ways ~ they're daft...
So, go ahead, start another discussion for N.Y.C.... Who knows, desperation and passion might get you together with other like minded folks and you could be starting up exactly what you collectively need. If you need this, there are definitely going to be others of like mind and need...
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Esther - I heard a while back that Matt (& maybe Shannon) Heaton were going to be doing some sort of regular workshops at their home. I'll try to find the details.
Good Luck!
# Posted on July 25th 2008 by tomw
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
>I heard a while back that Matt (& maybe Shannon) Heaton were going to be doing some sort of regular workshops at their home.
Well, Matt & Shannon are both going to be teaching at the Comhaltas Music School. Workshops at their house, huh? Bet the neighbors will complain about all the traffic. *wink*
# Posted on July 26th 2008 by sts
Re: Novice fiddler player looking for beginner-friendly sessions ...
Hey sts: "Matt & Shannon are both going to be teaching at the Comhaltas Music School"...I attended one of Matt's workshops a couple of years ago, and would definitely show up for more. Unfortunately (for me), there were no workshops or anything of that ilk at my local festival this year. Perhaps I should have bagged him for a private lesson as long as they were passing through. Anyway, I can't find the details about their home workshops, so if you know any details please pass them along to Esther.
Thanks!,
Tom
# Posted on July 29th 2008 by tomw