After reading the threads on session bitches http://thesession.org/discussions/display/9665 and why sessions are bad http://thesession.org/discussions/display/9687 I have come up with an idea of color-coding sessions. This would be similar to the color coding of political parties or political leanings of states in the US or colors of terrorist threats. That way you could know exactly what sessions to avoid or what sessions would fit your particular attitude. Perhaps the session leader could wear a colored ribbon, or if there was no leader each member could wear his or her own particular color. Then we wouldn’t find ourselves in the wrong session or get into arguments with others who did not share our particular point of view. If you were late, someone could put your particular color on your favorite chair to reserve your place, and so that you wouldn’t have to sit next to someone you didn’t’ agree with or didn’t know. So maybe others could suggest certain categories of sessions and the appropriate colors.
“why should they invite you to start a tune if they don't know if you can even play?” Now there is a problem! If you are a visitor or otherwise new to a session how could you possibly ever start a tune? Maybe we need some sort of proficiency accrediting agency that could give you a certificate with a proficiency rating, which you could then whip out to enable you to be considered for starting a tune.
Any ideas for color codes and proficiency ratings?
But what about color-blind and blind musicians? How about a bar code tattooed on each player's forehead that could be read by a hand-held scanner plugged into a laptop that would describe the session in text for the color-blind and speak the text for the blind.
I suppose the bar code could even code the list of tunes that each player knows and how fast they like to play them.
You're so sensitive and inclusive, Gary.
I think the time-honored chevron may be suitable. They can be had at army surplus. Players can work right up to sargeant major. Added ranks from oak leaf clusters made from real oak leaves, or peanut clusters that can be eaten during breaks.
Hahaha... yea... anyone following the threads in here would want to see documents and do background checks of all the players in any session they want to vist. And they will expect Homeland Security type color-coded alerts visible from the street, and pass out instructions to everyone before joining in.
When I visit out-of-town sessions, I always wear my www.thesession.org t-shirt (it's even the same color as the background here) so from a mile away people can start barricading the door, or conversely, packing their instruments and running for cover.
If they're not mustard-cream color blind, that is.
I think with Gary's method, data could be transfered wirelessly to a monitor displayed prominently in a window so that people could decided whether they would be allowed to play, although the accuracy of the displayed data might be compromised by furrowed brows. Of course, that could be mitigated by Botox injections financed by the passed hat. But I'm concerned now that the tone deaf not be excluded after years of participation.
Seriously, Stewart might be on to something here. Here's a simple color scale:
Red=Not very inclusive; very good but very uptight musicians.
Orange=Not very inclusive; very uptight musicians.
Yellow=Pretty inclusive; very good musicians and very mediocre musicians might be found, very uptight and not so uptight musicians may be found.
Blue=Very inclusive; not uptight at all; some good musicians may sometimes be found.
Green=No one is rejected on any grounds, including ability.
Green=Doesn't take him/herself seriously, laid-back, relaxed. Nice person.
Blue=Will not snap at you unless you break the rules waaaaaaay badly.
Yellow=Will redirect you if you're headed in the wrong direction, will try to talk nicely to you.
Orange=Trad policeman. Arsehole.
Red=Has been playing the music longer than you, is better than you, knows it and does not have to put up with your sh*te.
That's it! We could have a flashing light outside the pub with a sign "the session is in session." The color of the light could indicate the type of session. It could even change color as the evening progresses, from red to green or vice versa, depending on who leaves or who comes in.
What about session leaders in black t-shirts ?
And where are the session t-shirts these days - not that I'd have one, I seem to remember they had this infuriating little micro-logo. Not my style - if you can't read it from 25 yards away it's too small, IMNSHO.
Print it big, I say, no subtlety to me.
I like these black ones with the big celtic twirls on.
That's it! We could have a flashing light outside the pub with a sign "the session is in session." The color of the light could indicate the type of session.
Red=Not very inclusive; very good but very uptight musicians.
Red=Has been playing the music longer than you, is better than you, knows it and does not have to put up with your sh*te.
Can we change the “Red” designation? If it could be then I wouldn’t have to worry about my confusing the “Red” light flashing with a pleasant activity.
Color-Coded Sessions
Color-Coded Sessions
After reading the threads on session bitches http://thesession.org/discussions/display/9665 and why sessions are bad http://thesession.org/discussions/display/9687 I have come up with an idea of color-coding sessions. This would be similar to the color coding of political parties or political leanings of states in the US or colors of terrorist threats. That way you could know exactly what sessions to avoid or what sessions would fit your particular attitude. Perhaps the session leader could wear a colored ribbon, or if there was no leader each member could wear his or her own particular color. Then we wouldn’t find ourselves in the wrong session or get into arguments with others who did not share our particular point of view. If you were late, someone could put your particular color on your favorite chair to reserve your place, and so that you wouldn’t have to sit next to someone you didn’t’ agree with or didn’t know. So maybe others could suggest certain categories of sessions and the appropriate colors.
“why should they invite you to start a tune if they don't know if you can even play?” Now there is a problem! If you are a visitor or otherwise new to a session how could you possibly ever start a tune? Maybe we need some sort of proficiency accrediting agency that could give you a certificate with a proficiency rating, which you could then whip out to enable you to be considered for starting a tune.
Any ideas for color codes and proficiency ratings?
# Posted on April 7th 2006 by Stewart
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
But what about color-blind and blind musicians? How about a bar code tattooed on each player's forehead that could be read by a hand-held scanner plugged into a laptop that would describe the session in text for the color-blind and speak the text for the blind.
I suppose the bar code could even code the list of tunes that each player knows and how fast they like to play them.
# Posted on April 7th 2006 by GaryAMartin
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
You're so sensitive and inclusive, Gary.
I think the time-honored chevron may be suitable. They can be had at army surplus. Players can work right up to sargeant major. Added ranks from oak leaf clusters made from real oak leaves, or peanut clusters that can be eaten during breaks.
# Posted on April 7th 2006 by ʎɹoʇısuɐɹʇ
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
Hahaha... yea... anyone following the threads in here would want to see documents and do background checks of all the players in any session they want to vist. And they will expect Homeland Security type color-coded alerts visible from the street, and pass out instructions to everyone before joining in.
# Posted on April 7th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
When I visit out-of-town sessions, I always wear my www.thesession.org t-shirt (it's even the same color as the background here) so from a mile away people can start barricading the door, or conversely, packing their instruments and running for cover.
# Posted on April 7th 2006 by Will Harmon
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
If they're not mustard-cream color blind, that is.
I think with Gary's method, data could be transfered wirelessly to a monitor displayed prominently in a window so that people could decided whether they would be allowed to play, although the accuracy of the displayed data might be compromised by furrowed brows. Of course, that could be mitigated by Botox injections financed by the passed hat. But I'm concerned now that the tone deaf not be excluded after years of participation.
# Posted on April 7th 2006 by ʎɹoʇısuɐɹʇ
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
Seriously, Stewart might be on to something here. Here's a simple color scale:
Red=Not very inclusive; very good but very uptight musicians.
Orange=Not very inclusive; very uptight musicians.
Yellow=Pretty inclusive; very good musicians and very mediocre musicians might be found, very uptight and not so uptight musicians may be found.
Blue=Very inclusive; not uptight at all; some good musicians may sometimes be found.
Green=No one is rejected on any grounds, including ability.
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by Zazzaliss
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
As for session leader T-shirts:
Green=Doesn't take him/herself seriously, laid-back, relaxed. Nice person.
Blue=Will not snap at you unless you break the rules waaaaaaay badly.
Yellow=Will redirect you if you're headed in the wrong direction, will try to talk nicely to you.
Orange=Trad policeman. Arsehole.
Red=Has been playing the music longer than you, is better than you, knows it and does not have to put up with your sh*te.
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by Zazzaliss
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
That's it! We could have a flashing light outside the pub with a sign "the session is in session." The color of the light could indicate the type of session. It could even change color as the evening progresses, from red to green or vice versa, depending on who leaves or who comes in.
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by Stewart
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
Is there really a thesession.org T-shirt?
Looking at the color codes I hope its not orange,,,
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by lamh trom
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
'L' plates for beginners / newcomers?
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by Fred Arley
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
What about session leaders in black t-shirts ?
And where are the session t-shirts these days - not that I'd have one, I seem to remember they had this infuriating little micro-logo. Not my style - if you can't read it from 25 yards away it's too small, IMNSHO.
Print it big, I say, no subtlety to me.
I like these black ones with the big celtic twirls on.
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
CHECK THIS OUT FOR COLOUR CODE.
http://www.adventurersfl.com/hanky.html
It's a thought
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
That's it! We could have a flashing light outside the pub with a sign "the session is in session." The color of the light could indicate the type of session.
Red=Not very inclusive; very good but very uptight musicians.
Red=Has been playing the music longer than you, is better than you, knows it and does not have to put up with your sh*te.
Can we change the “Red” designation? If it could be then I wouldn’t have to worry about my confusing the “Red” light flashing with a pleasant activity.
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by ejsant
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
Green flashing = gobsh*te rebel song singer guitarists tolerated
Green not flashing = only irish tunes must be played
red & white flashing = good english session
red & white not flashing = no irish musicians please
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
Achtun! Papers, I must zee your papers!
(Do not mention the war. I did there for a minute but I think I got away with it.)
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by baglady
Re: Color-Coded Sessions
These would come in handy:
http://www.epartyunlimited.com/litecubex.html
# Posted on April 8th 2006 by Michael Eskin