I attended my first session last night. Wow! What a good time! I have tons of new tunes I need to learn before the next one but had a great time playing the few I already know.
Hooray! Good for you, and I'm psyched for you that you had a great time! And now you know what all the hullaballoo is about -- and why it's addicting. Congrats on your first session, may there be many many more.
Remember not to load yourself down with too many tunes...when you first start sessions, more than five a week is usually overkill (there are those who say it's wise to limit it to ONE!) unless you're already a really good player. Let the tunes come to you as you get used to the session. It's a little more natural than trying to cram every single tune in. Sooner or later, you'll start hearing tunes in your head that you can't remember the name of or where or when you first heard it, but you can suddenly play it. The most important and useful thing Shannon and Matt taught me was that listening in a session is even more important than playing, especially at the beginning.
Ooops, I used the back button without thinking...sorry about that. Mark, sometimes sessions will allow minors in if it's just to play. If you want to go, call down and find out if they'll let you. A session leader is often able to help you with that, too -- try tagging along with Scotty or something.
Mark
Try rubbing you finger across the top of you wardrobe door and depositing the contents on your upper lip.
It'll get you through the door and no-one at the tune will mind
(apart from not being able to swear)
I know exactly how you are feeling. At my first session there was 2 tenor banjo's, 2 mandolins( me included) ,a bodhran, bouzouki, guitar ,uilleann pipes and accordian.
What instruments were present at yours and what were they like?
What tunes did you play?
Good luck
We had 2 guitars, a couple of drums, a banjo and about 20 fiddles! I had such a good time and can't wait to go again. I was totally comfortable just listening on the tunes I didn't know and felt no pressure to join if I wasn't ready. We played Tam Lynn, Julie Delaney, Kesh, Irish Washerwoman, Morrison's Reel, Call to Dance and too many others to count. Thanks to you guys for having a "virtual session" here that made me feel like I could really do this!
The violin is one of the only instruments in the world that was designed to play with itself.
20 fiddles? Brilliant
20 banjos?
or even 2 banjos?
2 Bodhrans?
Hey, Mark. It may be possible to get another session going in Hamilton, possibly in a small hall, or a church basement, or some 'dry' venue. Monday evenings could work for me. We need to establish a core of 4 or 5 regulars, and everything else will fall into place.
Are there any other Hamiltonians (Hamilton, Ontario) on The Session, who might be interested in getting an open session started?
Mark, I'll make a few phone calls. I am sure that we can easily find another fiddler or two, perhaps a guitar player. I'll see if we can find a suitable place, on a bus route, something central....
bet I know where we can find a mandolin player.... hmmm....
front steps of City Hall seems like a perfect place (to get a "courtesy letter" for violating our noise bylaw #$%$#^).
I'll be out of touch next week, but will get cracking on it (terrible pun intended) right away. Lets aim for a startup for the second Monday evening in September, say 7:00 to 10:00 on Sept. 9.
I'll try to find a location by this Saturday, then we can put some flyers up in the local music stores, and start spreading the word.
Why don't you guys start out at peoples houses, have a pot luck or something along those lines. Mark I don't know your local laws, but where I am folks under legal drinking age are allowed in to most sessions if with accompanied by an adult & you don't try to sneak drinks etc.. Good luck to you guys.
Hey Brad,
I'm pretty sure that I would be able to get in, but I think I'm going to follow Scott's advice and not come...
Scott -- I'm marking September 9 down on my calender. I'll be there! Might we want to set up a list of tunes or something like that? I'll be gone next week too.
See ya,
Mark
Mark, you should get out to as many sessions as you can, though -- once you get to know some players better, they can help squire you about to some of the sessions in pubs. It's actually more important than you may realize, shopping round the sessions...for any number of reasons.
Hey there lads,
I'm in toronto, but close enough that the odd time I could stop by this soon to be legendary session in Hamilton. I'd say a house'd be best... but that would involve someone offereing their place (and putting up with nasty government letters)
Keep me updated,
searaí
We could start out privately, but it is difficult to grow that way. Years ago, I started out a workshop as an offshoot of our local bluegrass club. We held it in a small hall, and for the first year, there were only 3 regulars, and as a special treat, occasionally one or two others would drop in. The consistency of a standard time and location for our workshop proved to be the best thing in the long run. Over time, people began to depend on us being there every Thursday night, and the workshop is now the strongest part of the club, with 20 to 30 people coming each week. The workshop is still going on, even though I haven't been a part of it for almost 7 years. The same thing will likely apply to this session. After a year or two, my role there will be done, and the session will continue to thrive, assuming that there is a need for it in our community. The key is consistency, and inclusiveness (inclusivity?), to make every person feel welcome within the framework of the session.
BTW, Mark, it is well worth it to check out the session at the Lions Head pub. Just make sure that you are accompanied by an
adult. Call ahead, and check with the pub to make sure that it is legal in Hamilton. (Smoking bylaws sometimes prohibit those under the Age of Majority.) The people who organized the session at the Lions Head are Irish born and raised, and are quite talented, as well.
Hey Scott, what night is the Lionshead session on? I might check it out sometime before the end of the summer, we'll see.
If we can get a definite time, place, date, etc. I can make up some flyers & email them to you, and we can put them up... I can get one of my friends to come out too, I know he's interested in going to a session or two here and there, but he's also too young, I'll talk to him about it... I agree\understand everything you said there, and even if we can only pull out 7 or 8 people, we can still have a pretty good session (well... unless they're all fiddlers...) and then we can sort of decide together whether this is something we want to continue... whatever.
Anyways, talk to you later,
Mark
that was kerri (we're confused all of the time - don't worry). And I'm still a bit broken up about it too. I'm still in toronto here. I was a barmaid briefly at the lionshead actually. Not a bad session - it used to be on tuesday nights. Should stop by there again sometime soon.
congrats!! it's was a blast wasn't it? i've been attending a local session for about 7 months now and it has helped my playing tremendusly!! Keep it up! it's worth it! (Also if you're interested in doing gigs, you might get noticed and be asked to do some!)
My First Session!!
My First Session!!
I attended my first session last night. Wow! What a good time! I have tons of new tunes I need to learn before the next one but had a great time playing the few I already know.
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by KP
Re: My First Session!!
Congratulations! Don't give up, it gets easier and better with time.
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by glauber
Siiigh, I have to wait a few years for MY first session, all the sessions in Hamilton are in pubs... oh well, I can wait 5 years... heh...
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by no longer exists
Re: My First Session!!
Hooray! Good for you, and I'm psyched for you that you had a great time! And now you know what all the hullaballoo is about -- and why it's addicting.
Congrats on your first session, may there be many many more.
Remember not to load yourself down with too many tunes...when you first start sessions, more than five a week is usually overkill (there are those who say it's wise to limit it to ONE!) unless you're already a really good player. Let the tunes come to you as you get used to the session. It's a little more natural than trying to cram every single tune in. Sooner or later, you'll start hearing tunes in your head that you can't remember the name of or where or when you first heard it, but you can suddenly play it. The most important and useful thing Shannon and Matt taught me was that listening in a session is even more important than playing, especially at the beginning.
Congrats again, and go have lots more fun times.
Zina
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by Zina Lee
Ooops, I used the back button without thinking...sorry about that. Mark, sometimes sessions will allow minors in if it's just to play. If you want to go, call down and find out if they'll let you. A session leader is often able to help you with that, too -- try tagging along with Scotty or something.
Zina
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: My First Session!!
Mark
Try rubbing you finger across the top of you wardrobe door and depositing the contents on your upper lip.
It'll get you through the door and no-one at the tune will mind
(apart from not being able to swear)
KP
I went nuts after my first diddle too
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by llig leahcim
Re: My First Session!!
Congtrat's on the Session!
Hey pibrochmdj, have a session in yours or a friends home. That's how we started our monthly gathering.
Now we are meeting monthly at a coffee shop called the Celtic Cup. They don't serve Guiness or Beamish, but the music is still great!
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by flyinfiddler
Re: My First Session!!
I know exactly how you are feeling. At my first session there was 2 tenor banjo's, 2 mandolins( me included) ,a bodhran, bouzouki, guitar ,uilleann pipes and accordian.
What instruments were present at yours and what were they like?
What tunes did you play?
Good luck
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by Celtic1234
Re: My First Session!!
We had 2 guitars, a couple of drums, a banjo and about 20 fiddles! I had such a good time and can't wait to go again. I was totally comfortable just listening on the tunes I didn't know and felt no pressure to join if I wasn't ready. We played Tam Lynn, Julie Delaney, Kesh, Irish Washerwoman, Morrison's Reel, Call to Dance and too many others to count. Thanks to you guys for having a "virtual session" here that made me feel like I could really do this!
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by KP
Re: My First Session!!
Ooo, those pesky fiddles. *grin* Twenty fiddles is too many fiddles!
zls
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: My First Session!!
The violin is one of the only instruments in the world that was designed to play with itself.
20 fiddles? Brilliant
20 banjos?
or even 2 banjos?
2 Bodhrans?
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by llig leahcim
Re: My First Session!!
That's wonderful, KP.
Cheers
# Posted on July 30th 2002 by Jill
Re: My First Session!!
No such thing as too many fiddles Michael!! =P
# Posted on July 31st 2002 by KP
Re: My First Session!!
Hey, Mark. It may be possible to get another session going in Hamilton, possibly in a small hall, or a church basement, or some 'dry' venue. Monday evenings could work for me. We need to establish a core of 4 or 5 regulars, and everything else will fall into place.
Are there any other Hamiltonians (Hamilton, Ontario) on The Session, who might be interested in getting an open session started?
Scott Donaldson
# Posted on July 31st 2002 by scottythefiddler
hey Scott,
I'm in for that!
-Mark
# Posted on August 1st 2002 by no longer exists
Re: My First Session!!
Mark, I'll make a few phone calls. I am sure that we can easily find another fiddler or two, perhaps a guitar player. I'll see if we can find a suitable place, on a bus route, something central....
bet I know where we can find a mandolin player.... hmmm....
front steps of City Hall seems like a perfect place (to get a "courtesy letter" for violating our noise bylaw #$%$#^).
I'll be out of touch next week, but will get cracking on it (terrible pun intended) right away. Lets aim for a startup for the second Monday evening in September, say 7:00 to 10:00 on Sept. 9.
I'll try to find a location by this Saturday, then we can put some flyers up in the local music stores, and start spreading the word.
Slainte,
Scott
# Posted on August 1st 2002 by scottythefiddler
Re: My First Session!!
Why don't you guys start out at peoples houses, have a pot luck or something along those lines. Mark I don't know your local laws, but where I am folks under legal drinking age are allowed in to most sessions if with accompanied by an adult & you don't try to sneak drinks etc.. Good luck to you guys.
# Posted on August 1st 2002 by Mad Baloney
Hey Brad,
I'm pretty sure that I would be able to get in, but I think I'm going to follow Scott's advice and not come...
Scott -- I'm marking September 9 down on my calender. I'll be there! Might we want to set up a list of tunes or something like that? I'll be gone next week too.
See ya,
Mark
# Posted on August 2nd 2002 by no longer exists
Re: My First Session!!
Mark, you should get out to as many sessions as you can, though -- once you get to know some players better, they can help squire you about to some of the sessions in pubs. It's actually more important than you may realize, shopping round the sessions...for any number of reasons.
Zina
# Posted on August 2nd 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: My First Session!!
Hey there lads,
I'm in toronto, but close enough that the odd time I could stop by this soon to be legendary session in Hamilton. I'd say a house'd be best... but that would involve someone offereing their place (and putting up with nasty government letters)
Keep me updated,
searaí
# Posted on August 2nd 2002 by searai
Re: My First Session!!
We could start out privately, but it is difficult to grow that way. Years ago, I started out a workshop as an offshoot of our local bluegrass club. We held it in a small hall, and for the first year, there were only 3 regulars, and as a special treat, occasionally one or two others would drop in. The consistency of a standard time and location for our workshop proved to be the best thing in the long run. Over time, people began to depend on us being there every Thursday night, and the workshop is now the strongest part of the club, with 20 to 30 people coming each week. The workshop is still going on, even though I haven't been a part of it for almost 7 years. The same thing will likely apply to this session. After a year or two, my role there will be done, and the session will continue to thrive, assuming that there is a need for it in our community. The key is consistency, and inclusiveness (inclusivity?), to make every person feel welcome within the framework of the session.
BTW, Mark, it is well worth it to check out the session at the Lions Head pub. Just make sure that you are accompanied by an
adult. Call ahead, and check with the pub to make sure that it is legal in Hamilton. (Smoking bylaws sometimes prohibit those under the Age of Majority.) The people who organized the session at the Lions Head are Irish born and raised, and are quite talented, as well.
Best,
Scott
# Posted on August 2nd 2002 by scottythefiddler
Hey Scott, what night is the Lionshead session on? I might check it out sometime before the end of the summer, we'll see.
If we can get a definite time, place, date, etc. I can make up some flyers & email them to you, and we can put them up... I can get one of my friends to come out too, I know he's interested in going to a session or two here and there, but he's also too young, I'll talk to him about it... I agree\understand everything you said there, and even if we can only pull out 7 or 8 people, we can still have a pretty good session (well... unless they're all fiddlers...) and then we can sort of decide together whether this is something we want to continue... whatever.
Anyways, talk to you later,
Mark
# Posted on August 2nd 2002 by no longer exists
Re: My First Session!!
Searaí, didn't you just move? or was that Kerri??
# Posted on August 2nd 2002 by no longer exists
Re: My First Session!!
that was kerri (we're confused all of the time - don't worry). And I'm still a bit broken up about it too. I'm still in toronto here. I was a barmaid briefly at the lionshead actually. Not a bad session - it used to be on tuesday nights. Should stop by there again sometime soon.
ádh mór!
# Posted on August 6th 2002 by searai
Re: My First Session!!
congrats!! it's was a blast wasn't it? i've been attending a local session for about 7 months now and it has helped my playing tremendusly!! Keep it up! it's worth it! (Also if you're interested in doing gigs, you might get noticed and be asked to do some!)
# Posted on August 17th 2002 by Kallie