So I've been dreaming about sitting in on sessions, but when I drop by to listen I get too shy/nervous/intimidated to ask about sitting in.
I'm in Boston, where there's a wealth of sessions (there are at least three within walking distance), but also a tremendous number of people vastly more talented and experienced than me.
There's a pub that has a "slow" session at 7, then a more advanced session at 9. But when I slouch at the bar with my beer and listen to the slow group they sound like they've been playing together for years. Yeah, like I'm going to fit in x-(.
How can I break the ice and get up the nerve to ask about joining in?
I think you're talking about the Greenbriar BOSS session at the Greenbriar, yes? Don't be nervous there. First off, with over 40 people (don't try to buy a round, it'll beggar you) a night, no one's even going to hear you, so not worth the nerves. Second off, they're quite nice people. Strike up a conversation with a few of them -- "Hi! I've been trying to get up the nerve to play with you guys, but you all sound like you've been playing together for years!" Make friends. They'll help you get over any nervousness.
Some of those players hang out here on occasion. Wouldn't surprise me if they contact you (if they see the thread) to say next time to get the instrument out.
Ditto what Zina says--the point behind a slow session is to encourage newbies. Nobody expects you to play like a champion.
On the other hand, if you're really a complete beginner, just getting used to your chosen instrument and with few tunes under your belt, it may be too early to expect to play along. As Jim Troy says, you can learn a lot and have fun just listening and joining in the craic.
Mind you, I'm not trying to discourage you from sitting in. That's your goal. But be patient with yourself and mindful of the process of learning to play music. You'll enjoy it more and get less frustrated if you're ready when you finally take a seat in the circle.
How do you know you're ready? Well, you should be comfortable enough on your instrument to play in tune and with a steady beat. Doesn't have to be perfect--we all make mistakes, and in a larger group, no one will hear yours anyway. You don't need to know a ton of tunes--but you should be able to play a few tunes well enough that other players will recognize them and can join in without derailing you.
One way to prepare for sessioning is to play some tunes with just one or two other musicians, in someone's living room or kitchen where there's no crowd to worry about. It's a lot different playing face to face with someone if you're accustomed to playing alone or with a cd. But once you're used to that, then it's a relatively easy step to sit in at a session.
Once you're ready, don't let other peoples' experience and talent scare you off--the only way to get good at sessioning is to play in sessions. That's how all those Boston hot shots got so talented and experienced. If you play with passion, humility, and respect (for the music and other players), you'll soon be welcome at any good session.
What instrument do you play? What tunes do you know? Are you taking lessons?
Being a newbie myself, I know how you feel. At this festival that I went to a couple weeks ago, I felt kinda nervous even walking up to the session tent. Once I plunged in though, the nervousness was gone, and I had a great time. I listened way more than I played (because I didn't know most of the tunes!), but that's lots of fun too. Also, I find that if you just say that you are a beginner, there are so many nice people that are ready to spend their time helping you out with whatever you need, or just making you feel like you belong.
You'll often find that even the really good players "sit out" many of the tunes. Of course, they might just be having a rest, sipping their Guinness etc but, as often as not, they don't know them either. So, you're not alone.
I'll tell you what. Anyone who is worth caring about will cut a new person a lot of slack, so never worry about being new. You'll get lots of encouragement, not derision. However, if you keep coming back around the same people, and month after month you are playing The Road to Lisdoonvarna at half tempo, the encouragement will dry up, and your company will be shunned. The moral is, if you keep working up new tunes, and improve on the ones you already know, you'll get all the encouragement and advice you can stand. Experienced players like nothing better than to see new blood, especially if you are obviously working on the music on your own. The ones who keep showing up, but never improve or learn anything new are the ones who are the crabgrass on the lawn of life.
Thanks! That's just the sort of information I needed.
Zina, I *was* talking about the Green Briar -- anybody familiar with the crowd that hangs out there please email or post here.
And Will, I think you hit nail on the head. I think I do need to practice with one or two other muscians first. Any similarly inexperienced folks in the B-town area posting or lurking email me if you'd like to do some pre-session practicing.
I play harp (22 strings, 3 full octaves). I guess you'd say I'm an advanced beginner. I'm developing a tidy tune list and am working on my own arrangements, but sometimes my tempo wavers with unfamiliar material or chord changes.
Ailin, I hope I don't become one of those never-improve types! My harp teacher will despair.
I remember going to a session in Greenwich a few years back with a friend and it was he who mentioned to the musicians that we both played an instrument. Every week the session musicians would tell us to bring our instruments and sit with them (the musicians that is), even if we did not play. I waited several months, sweated buckets when I joined it for the first time with My Darling's Asleep, and never again attended this particular session without joining in. Regrettably, the session is no more, it used to be held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month and people kept getting mixed up and turning up every other Sunday, and then there weren't enough musicians to carry it. I met Big Dave for the first time there, but I still have very fond memories of the session, haha - Seriously though, Dave was the person who would turn and look at us and encourage us to start a tune, it helped us get more confident. Cheers Dave and I hope there are others like you at sessions.
I don't go to the Green Briar all that often, but I know several people who do on a semi-regular basis. I also can tell you that the folks who run the session, Larry and Mike Reynolds, are extremely solicitous and supportive of "newbies." So, yeah, keep showing up and do your best -- there are few better places than the Green Briar at which to cut your teeth.
Just out of curiosity, have you gone to any other Boston-area sessions, like Hugh O'Neill's, O'Leary's or The Burren? I don't get out to as them as often as I'd like, but will look for you; not a lot of harpists out there!
Pair up with one or two more newbies and arrange an evening together to play through My Darlings a Sheep and one or two more at home.
Both our local accordion clubs do this and it does the newbies a power of good playing but not playing in public. It works even better when one of the better musos joins them at home as tutor/moral support.
STS, I've been to all those places (ok, for a while I practically lived at the Burren) but haven't played sessions anywhere.
ZL, I will contact Bill Firla - maybe he's had inquiries from other virgins who want some practice before hitting the session.
Geoff, don't know about the sheep (ewe! I'm more like "Maid in a Garret"), but I've download the playlist from the BOSS site, and that will give me plenty of fuel.
There are some newer sessions in Boston area that my friend Rob, a flute player, just told me about at the Plow and Stars in Cambridge and the Crossroads. When I was in Boston last year, I went to 4 sessions in 5 days. Two were led by Larry Reynolds and were very friendly to all. Two were house sessions that Rob pulled together with friends. You might find it easier to get involved with a small group at an informal house session. Contact me directly and I will put you in touch with Rob. Once you get to know some of the regulars, it becomes a lot easier.
Next time you're at the Green Briar contact me before the session. If the room is free, we now have an ultra-slow additional session in the "West Wing" at 7 PM. We call it BUSS!
If that room is previously booked, we have a welcoming committee just for cases like yours. We actually like newcomers but you have to tell us you're here. In any case, as someone said above, with all them musios belting away, no one will ever here you if you play twinkle-twinkle while we're playing "The Lady's Pantellettes". And yes, buying me a beer is a helpful gesture which surely will get my attention!
Bill Firla
Boston's Originally Slow Session
PS: Once a month, we return to our roots and play slowly, usually if there's no ultra slow that night. The way to get your toe wet it to put it in the water.
When I first started going to sessions, I just sat and listened, bringing a tape recorder to capture all the music. Then I'd go home and try to play along. Because it wasn't a slow session, I'd often just get just the skeleton of the song but slowly over time could fill in more and more notes. When I finally was brave enough to pick up my fiddle at the session, I sat at the periphery and played quietly so as not to disturb anyone. Within months I had at least a few tunes I could play with them.
Newbie: how to get up the courage?
Newbie: how to get up the courage?
So I've been dreaming about sitting in on sessions, but when I drop by to listen I get too shy/nervous/intimidated to ask about sitting in.
I'm in Boston, where there's a wealth of sessions (there are at least three within walking distance), but also a tremendous number of people vastly more talented and experienced than me.
There's a pub that has a "slow" session at 7, then a more advanced session at 9. But when I slouch at the bar with my beer and listen to the slow group they sound like they've been playing together for years. Yeah, like I'm going to fit in x-(.
How can I break the ice and get up the nerve to ask about joining in?
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by pakooper
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
I think you're talking about the Greenbriar BOSS session at the Greenbriar, yes? Don't be nervous there. First off, with over 40 people (don't try to buy a round, it'll beggar you) a night, no one's even going to hear you, so not worth the nerves. Second off, they're quite nice people. Strike up a conversation with a few of them -- "Hi! I've been trying to get up the nerve to play with you guys, but you all sound like you've been playing together for years!" Make friends. They'll help you get over any nervousness.
http://www.slowplayers.org/BOSS/index.html
Some of those players hang out here on occasion. Wouldn't surprise me if they contact you (if they see the thread) to say next time to get the instrument out.
Good luck, and have fun -- otherwise why do it?
-Zina
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
Ditto what Zina says--the point behind a slow session is to encourage newbies. Nobody expects you to play like a champion.
On the other hand, if you're really a complete beginner, just getting used to your chosen instrument and with few tunes under your belt, it may be too early to expect to play along. As Jim Troy says, you can learn a lot and have fun just listening and joining in the craic.
Mind you, I'm not trying to discourage you from sitting in. That's your goal. But be patient with yourself and mindful of the process of learning to play music. You'll enjoy it more and get less frustrated if you're ready when you finally take a seat in the circle.
How do you know you're ready? Well, you should be comfortable enough on your instrument to play in tune and with a steady beat. Doesn't have to be perfect--we all make mistakes, and in a larger group, no one will hear yours anyway. You don't need to know a ton of tunes--but you should be able to play a few tunes well enough that other players will recognize them and can join in without derailing you.
One way to prepare for sessioning is to play some tunes with just one or two other musicians, in someone's living room or kitchen where there's no crowd to worry about. It's a lot different playing face to face with someone if you're accustomed to playing alone or with a cd. But once you're used to that, then it's a relatively easy step to sit in at a session.
Once you're ready, don't let other peoples' experience and talent scare you off--the only way to get good at sessioning is to play in sessions. That's how all those Boston hot shots got so talented and experienced. If you play with passion, humility, and respect (for the music and other players), you'll soon be welcome at any good session.
What instrument do you play? What tunes do you know? Are you taking lessons?
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
Being a newbie myself, I know how you feel. At this festival that I went to a couple weeks ago, I felt kinda nervous even walking up to the session tent. Once I plunged in though, the nervousness was gone, and I had a great time. I listened way more than I played (because I didn't know most of the tunes!), but that's lots of fun too. Also, I find that if you just say that you are a beginner, there are so many nice people that are ready to spend their time helping you out with whatever you need, or just making you feel like you belong.
Make the plunge. You'll be happy.
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by Max Becher
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
You'll often find that even the really good players "sit out" many of the tunes. Of course, they might just be having a rest, sipping their Guinness etc but, as often as not, they don't know them either. So, you're not alone.
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by John J.
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
I'll tell you what. Anyone who is worth caring about will cut a new person a lot of slack, so never worry about being new. You'll get lots of encouragement, not derision. However, if you keep coming back around the same people, and month after month you are playing The Road to Lisdoonvarna at half tempo, the encouragement will dry up, and your company will be shunned. The moral is, if you keep working up new tunes, and improve on the ones you already know, you'll get all the encouragement and advice you can stand. Experienced players like nothing better than to see new blood, especially if you are obviously working on the music on your own. The ones who keep showing up, but never improve or learn anything new are the ones who are the crabgrass on the lawn of life.
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by Ailin
Youse guys are great!
Thanks! That's just the sort of information I needed.
Zina, I *was* talking about the Green Briar -- anybody familiar with the crowd that hangs out there please email or post here.
And Will, I think you hit nail on the head. I think I do need to practice with one or two other muscians first. Any similarly inexperienced folks in the B-town area posting or lurking email me if you'd like to do some pre-session practicing.
I play harp (22 strings, 3 full octaves). I guess you'd say I'm an advanced beginner. I'm developing a tidy tune list and am working on my own arrangements, but sometimes my tempo wavers with unfamiliar material or chord changes.
Ailin, I hope I don't become one of those never-improve types! My harp teacher will despair.
Again, thanks folks!
# Posted on July 13th 2004 by pakooper
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
I remember going to a session in Greenwich a few years back with a friend and it was he who mentioned to the musicians that we both played an instrument. Every week the session musicians would tell us to bring our instruments and sit with them (the musicians that is), even if we did not play. I waited several months, sweated buckets when I joined it for the first time with My Darling's Asleep, and never again attended this particular session without joining in. Regrettably, the session is no more, it used to be held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month and people kept getting mixed up and turning up every other Sunday, and then there weren't enough musicians to carry it. I met Big Dave for the first time there, but I still have very fond memories of the session, haha
- Seriously though, Dave was the person who would turn and look at us and encourage us to start a tune, it helped us get more confident. Cheers Dave and I hope there are others like you at sessions.
# Posted on July 14th 2004 by Cath
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
I don't go to the Green Briar all that often, but I know several people who do on a semi-regular basis. I also can tell you that the folks who run the session, Larry and Mike Reynolds, are extremely solicitous and supportive of "newbies." So, yeah, keep showing up and do your best -- there are few better places than the Green Briar at which to cut your teeth.
Just out of curiosity, have you gone to any other Boston-area sessions, like Hugh O'Neill's, O'Leary's or The Burren? I don't get out to as them as often as I'd like, but will look for you; not a lot of harpists out there!
# Posted on July 14th 2004 by sts
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
pakooper, feel free to give Bill Firla an e-mail -- you can find his e-mail at the website I posted for you. They're great folks there.
# Posted on July 14th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
Pair up with one or two more newbies and arrange an evening together to play through My Darlings a Sheep and one or two more at home.
Both our local accordion clubs do this and it does the newbies a power of good playing but not playing in public. It works even better when one of the better musos joins them at home as tutor/moral support.
# Posted on July 14th 2004 by geoffwright
More thanks
STS, I've been to all those places (ok, for a while I practically lived at the Burren) but haven't played sessions anywhere.
ZL, I will contact Bill Firla - maybe he's had inquiries from other virgins who want some practice before hitting the session.
Geoff, don't know about the sheep (ewe! I'm more like "Maid in a Garret"), but I've download the playlist from the BOSS site, and that will give me plenty of fuel.
# Posted on July 14th 2004 by pakooper
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
There are some newer sessions in Boston area that my friend Rob, a flute player, just told me about at the Plow and Stars in Cambridge and the Crossroads. When I was in Boston last year, I went to 4 sessions in 5 days. Two were led by Larry Reynolds and were very friendly to all. Two were house sessions that Rob pulled together with friends. You might find it easier to get involved with a small group at an informal house session. Contact me directly and I will put you in touch with Rob. Once you get to know some of the regulars, it becomes a lot easier.
# Posted on July 14th 2004 by John Conoboy
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
Hey, pa cooper!
which surely will get my attention!
Next time you're at the Green Briar contact me before the session. If the room is free, we now have an ultra-slow additional session in the "West Wing" at 7 PM. We call it BUSS!
If that room is previously booked, we have a welcoming committee just for cases like yours. We actually like newcomers but you have to tell us you're here. In any case, as someone said above, with all them musios belting away, no one will ever here you if you play twinkle-twinkle while we're playing "The Lady's Pantellettes". And yes, buying me a beer is a helpful gesture
Bill Firla
Boston's Originally Slow Session
PS: Once a month, we return to our roots and play slowly, usually if there's no ultra slow that night. The way to get your toe wet it to put it in the water.
# Posted on July 17th 2004 by bfirla
Re: Newbie: how to get up the courage?
When I first started going to sessions, I just sat and listened, bringing a tape recorder to capture all the music. Then I'd go home and try to play along. Because it wasn't a slow session, I'd often just get just the skeleton of the song but slowly over time could fill in more and more notes. When I finally was brave enough to pick up my fiddle at the session, I sat at the periphery and played quietly so as not to disturb anyone. Within months I had at least a few tunes I could play with them.
# Posted on July 19th 2004 by winterhawk