Just reading the Ennis trad fest thread got me thinking about something that bothers me.
Why do some people feel the need to cram every tune they know into the 3 hours or so that most sessions last?
I've noticed this particularly with visitors to sessions at which I'm a regular. No sooner have you finished one set (that they started) than they're on to the next one. You've hardly a moment to rest your brain, sip your pint and pass the time of day with the people next to you.
Apart from the fact that you don't get a chance to draw breath, it means they are monopolising the music; a bit like them having sole access to the jukebox in a pub.
How do you deal with this type of behaviour?
Recently I had to tell a protagonist (or antagonist), "will you FFS give someone else a chance", which came across as a tad stroppy.
That is annoying, especially because I'm still in the learning stages for *a LOT* of tunes. Those nights end up being nights I play only 10% of the session. They're made up for by the fact that some nights there are only a few really regular people (who know what tunes I can play!)
So I generally don't do anything about it, but I feel your pain.
Hi Conan - hard to imagine you being stroppy. I thought that was my job.
Yep, I know what you mean. I've of late experienced an individual who plays his repertoire of tunes through. People do or don't join in as they see fit or if they know the tunes. Then he finishes up & packs the (very loud) fiddle away. Only then do I feel like a cloud has lifted and we can get on and play a normal more balanced session. But that's usually only in the remaining half hour. Consequently I've been looking round for somewhere else to play.
Someone once said to someone like that "don't you have an OFF switch". That was precious and did the job. Find one brave soul to do that in a joking/friendly manner.
or the session host should attempt to just say STOP, someone else's turn now to start a tune. I have never seen anyone get too mad over this. Sometimes too people are caught up in the music and too exuberant and don't realize they are monopolizing.
Try going around the circle to start tunes. I know we try, our session is large and each time there is a point where things break down and we try to just say.... OK... YOU over there, want to start one? Etc.
Someone just has to be a little bit of a bad guy if it's annoying everyone.
Conán is totally right on this one. This type of individual can transform a very enjoyable experience (playing a few tunes together) into some kind of marathon or ordeal. You've just finished a set of 3 cracking reels when they'll immediately launch into 3 "four part" jigs - possibly a slight exaggeration but you get my drift! I suppose the answer is a comfort break or trip to the bar at such a juncture but musicians shouldn't have be forced into such actions.
I think seasoned Irish players have a concept of music at leisure which is part of the culture and which a lot of ITM players from abroad - including England - don't have, because they've only started playing it later in life / haven't lived or grown up with it among family and friends / come from some place with draconian opening hours. Hence some of the musical aggression.
There must be any number of young guys wandering over to Ireland with fiddles, in the morning of their lives, each one of whom -
Thinks he is Laurie Lee,
Thinks nobody else except somebody on a record has ever heard "The Silver Spear" or "The Merry Blacksmith",
Is desperate to impress the girl playing whistle three tables away.
The quip mentioned above about the off-switch sounds a model means of kindly restraint of visiting session-goers who are overdoing it.
This is a good point Conan.
I am a banjo player and I do not claim to have a huge no of tunes. When I join in a session I love to play the tunes that I do know. If I do not know a set of tunes I absolutely love to hear these sets.
I remember when I spent some time in Galway there was a lovely session in Tig Coilis where I had the privealige of playing with and getting to know the three musicians who did this session. Mirella Murray, Padraig Rynne and Kevin Dorris. They would spend most of the time talking to eachother and telling storys as if they had not met in years and were catching up. It was very entertaining to listen to their humour and messing. Almost as entertaining as the tunes.
They would have tunes that most people would never have heard. They would play these from time to time even though everybody would not know them but this was my favourite part of the session. They were also so nice that they would every so often ask somebody else to start a set and this could be as common as the lonesome boatman and they would still join in!
There were other sessions in this town with well known musicians that would almost pick up their instrument and start a set as soon as they would think you are about to as to stop you doing so.
Another great session was Paul Bradley and Brian McGrath on Friday nights in the Crane. Now Paul would play set after ste after set without taking any break at all but again I did not get tired of this nor did any of the punters.
The moral of my story is that if its played well....it doesnt matter what type of a session it is. It will be enjoyed because the musicians themselves are enjoying it!
All the session that I go to seem to be like this.I've been playing in sessions in Belgium for more than twenty years now and I don't even know the surnames or anything about most of the regulars.It's not really a social occasion,it's play and play with very litle time for chat,and because there's no closing time here the session never seems to have an official ending,the people just drift away one at a time.I would prefer a more relaxed session,with plenty of time for conversation.
You've hit the nail on the head; as long as the musicians are happy everything works. I know Kevin Dorris well and I can easily imagine the craic with himself, Padraig and Mirella.
With Paul Bradley you would never feel you'd have to join in (and at least some of the time you probably couldn't), whereas the people I'm talking about almost make you feel guilty if you don't play along.
Thats terrible to hear about the musicians you play along with making you feel guilty for joining in.
You should really go to the Wed night Session I was talking about with the 3 lads (well 1 woman). They are so welcoming. The session is so relaxed and all they want to do is enjoy themselves. I miss it much.
Wherever you live Conan....you should try find nicer sessions to play in.
Ah don't worry; it's certainly not like that every week. Nevertheless, it's something I could do without.
It's a coincidence you're talking about Padraig Rynne; I got a message from him on Myspace just a moment ago. He's heading up to see Dodd tomorrow!
Fully agree with Conan´s original point.
Some newcomers to session playing don´t seem to regard the session as a social occasion, which I think it was originally intended to be - and should be.
Between the tunes is the time for chatting to the other musicians, enjoying your drink and generally relaxing for a couple of minutes after an energetic set of tunes.
It´s really irritating when, before the dust of the previous tunes has had time to settle, someone launches into their own repertoire.
I put it down to inexperience and ignorance of what sessions are about, and I´ve seen it sometimes at sessions in Spain and France.
I enjoy the leisurely sessions in Ireland (I know, not ALL of them are like that !) where you can get to know people.
But I´ve also noticed foreigners at sessions in Ireland who, because of a language barrier, are unable to join in the chat. So,rather than staring morosely at their pint, they start tunes themselves and this contributes to the general misunderstanding.
This thread is the true thesis of the discussion board. Although it can be a bit rancerous at times, the end result is usually the edification and education of the musicians coming into the tradition. If one pays attention, and takes the jibes lightly, one begins to look back at the session gaffs we've all been guilty of, and alters future conduct to become an asset rather than a pest.
Once we were haveing a pretty nice session when a couple of guys came over and asked if they could join in with some 'songs'. We said sure. They launched into a 3 hour long playlist with patter and all. I know, I timed it. We waited for a break in the spiel but in the end we all just put our stuff away and sang along with Whisky in the Jar etc. and left early. Happens once in a while. (shrug)
Well in all fairness I hate when musicians stop for ages and someone sings a song its sooo boring! You have to understand in the ennis trad fest the musicians who keep starting up the tunes are the ones who are paid for this session so its their session and they can start up as many tunes as they like!! But i think most musicians are very good about people joining in the sessions maybe not younger one`s as much but da gang are pretty welcoming over in ennis!!
We get paid to play. So if visitors wish to indulge by playing set after set without a pause, the casually spoken "You can play all you want but you are not getting x rayed" seems to curtail their enthusiasm.
Their are people who turn up every week to our main session just to hear us arguing and threatening each other.
Just thought I'd add a slightly different perspective. I'm from the states and will be staying in Ireland two weeks next August. I'll be bringing my fiddle, but promise not to play "The Silver Spear" and try to impress the ladies playing whistle. Of course, that is because my wife will be with me.
I try hard not to fit the ugly American image when I travel and I think I understand how you feel. I've had the same thing happen in the old time jams I go to. But when you get a chance to go to Ireland, which is so rich in musical heritage, I can see where it would be easy to be caught up in the moment. For many of us, it is the trip of a lifetime, and Americans always want to squeeze everything they can into every minute. It's a fault, and most of us have it unfortunately.
For me, I want to meet people, as it's wonderful thing to know people in different parts of the world. So, if anyone is around Puckane next August, I'll buy the first pint.
I guess I am guilty. I like playing the tunes and so drive across town to do it. I could easily find closer places to sit and talk with others. It just seems odd to be sitting there with instruments on your lap, tunes in your heart , drinks given for music and no music.
Imagine getting together a bunch of people at a baseball diamond with all the equipment and fans in the bleachers and stopping after every few pitches to talk and tell jokes!
So when you sit down for a meal with some friends do you just chow down in silence. It must feel odd having all the great food in front of you but stopping your chewing and drinking here and there to talk and tell a few jokes.
Surely all we need is a happy medium. A bit of a tune and a bit of crack. As I said last week, I think you can overdo the gaps but you don't want relentless tunes all night either.
Of course, there's nothing better than one of those great nights when the tunes just seem to flow one after another. It shouldn't be(or feel) forced though.
Just celebrated our first anniversary of the new session. Had a busy time in the days beforehand, didn't get to phone anyone to remind them, and the email only went out in the early afternoon.
Nevertheless eight musicians turned up, we played, we chatted, we drank in various quantities, the odd song was sung.
Result....happiness.
Yes, there are people who feel the need to cram every moment full; sometimes these might be americans - my SO is one so I try not to be judgemental - but I do understand the need when you're in a foreign country and won't be back for a while.
As for impressing that girl with the whistle three places over, good luck if you try.
Ok so I know this sounds bitchy but anyone who feels the need to, as you put in Conán, "cram every tune they know into the 3 hours or so that most sessions last" is probably quite insecure and feels they have something to prove.
It's about quality, not quantity...
It's kind of like the thing where people play really really really fast when they don't need to, just to prove they can. However, most of the time, they can't... and the tune is lost. Nothing annoys me more. As a good friend of mine would say in that case, "why do you hate the music so much?!!"
Ha Ha, Lizzy. You must have been required to take psyche 101 at the University of L. However, I neither feel insecure (I play a little whistle in public, after all) and I really don't feel like I have anything to prove (I agree that my talents lie elsewhere). I couldn't fit all the tunes I know in 3 hours even if I played them once thru each back to back. Quality is not necessarily reduced by quantity (bifurcation: logic 101). In fact, quality is increased by quantity (how many times do you play a tune thru before you are happy with your rendition?).
Naw, I just like to play and listen more than excessive small talk.
Truly, I am trying to understand.
Eating with friends...an analogy I am thinking about, PB.
By the way, Lizzy....wonderful work on your website. really like the "Photo and art montage self portraits"!
Hmm I don't believe I said anywhere in the original post that I preferred chatting to playing tunes;my beef is with those people who can't strike a balance between the two. Small talk is only excessive if it is precisely that - smalltalk. Maybe I'm just lucky but usually the gaps between the tunes are opportunities for me to catch up with friends or share a good story/joke.
It is all about balance......too many tunes, or too few, can rob the evening of its fun. To find the balance, learn not only to hear, but to LISTEN to what is going on around you, and pay attention. Often these off-balance situations occur because someone is missing clues that might keep them on track.
I like to play and chat to those beside me and often introduce myself to new musicians (they appreciate that) before commencing the session.
On Monday night however, I was playing tune after tune at the insistance of our session leader, as there was a drunk man joining in (singing and playing very badly) at our session. So we had to "block" him from joining in by playing "wall to wall" reels. This is the problem with open sessions unfortunately.
Joining in with sessions
Joining in with sessions
Just reading the Ennis trad fest thread got me thinking about something that bothers me.
Why do some people feel the need to cram every tune they know into the 3 hours or so that most sessions last?
I've noticed this particularly with visitors to sessions at which I'm a regular. No sooner have you finished one set (that they started) than they're on to the next one. You've hardly a moment to rest your brain, sip your pint and pass the time of day with the people next to you.
Apart from the fact that you don't get a chance to draw breath, it means they are monopolising the music; a bit like them having sole access to the jukebox in a pub.
How do you deal with this type of behaviour?
Recently I had to tell a protagonist (or antagonist), "will you FFS give someone else a chance", which came across as a tad stroppy.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Joining in with sessions
That is annoying, especially because I'm still in the learning stages for *a LOT* of tunes. Those nights end up being nights I play only 10% of the session. They're made up for by the fact that some nights there are only a few really regular people (who know what tunes I can play!)
So I generally don't do anything about it, but I feel your pain.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Kriana
Re: Joining in with sessions
Hi Conan - hard to imagine you being stroppy. I thought that was my job.
Yep, I know what you mean. I've of late experienced an individual who plays his repertoire of tunes through. People do or don't join in as they see fit or if they know the tunes. Then he finishes up & packs the (very loud) fiddle away. Only then do I feel like a cloud has lifted and we can get on and play a normal more balanced session. But that's usually only in the remaining half hour. Consequently I've been looking round for somewhere else to play.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Joining in with sessions
Someone once said to someone like that "don't you have an OFF switch". That was precious and did the job. Find one brave soul to do that in a joking/friendly manner.
or the session host should attempt to just say STOP, someone else's turn now to start a tune. I have never seen anyone get too mad over this. Sometimes too people are caught up in the music and too exuberant and don't realize they are monopolizing.
Try going around the circle to start tunes. I know we try, our session is large and each time there is a point where things break down and we try to just say.... OK... YOU over there, want to start one? Etc.
Someone just has to be a little bit of a bad guy if it's annoying everyone.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by irisnevins
Re: Joining in with sessions
Conán is totally right on this one. This type of individual can transform a very enjoyable experience (playing a few tunes together) into some kind of marathon or ordeal. You've just finished a set of 3 cracking reels when they'll immediately launch into 3 "four part" jigs - possibly a slight exaggeration but you get my drift! I suppose the answer is a comfort break or trip to the bar at such a juncture but musicians shouldn't have be forced into such actions.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Bannerman
Re: Joining in with sessions
I think seasoned Irish players have a concept of music at leisure which is part of the culture and which a lot of ITM players from abroad - including England - don't have, because they've only started playing it later in life / haven't lived or grown up with it among family and friends / come from some place with draconian opening hours. Hence some of the musical aggression.
There must be any number of young guys wandering over to Ireland with fiddles, in the morning of their lives, each one of whom -
Thinks he is Laurie Lee,
Thinks nobody else except somebody on a record has ever heard "The Silver Spear" or "The Merry Blacksmith",
Is desperate to impress the girl playing whistle three tables away.
The quip mentioned above about the off-switch sounds a model means of kindly restraint of visiting session-goers who are overdoing it.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by nicholas
Re: Joining in with sessions
"in the morning of their lives". Lovely that.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: Joining in with sessions
I laughed at the bit about Laurie Lee!
Nice to know it's not just me who gets a bit wound up at this. I like the "off switch" suggestion though.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Joining in with sessions
I recently ran into a bit of what you are describing here as well. Saps the fun right of out of a session.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by crazy_fingerz
Re: Joining in with sessions
This is a good point Conan.
I am a banjo player and I do not claim to have a huge no of tunes. When I join in a session I love to play the tunes that I do know. If I do not know a set of tunes I absolutely love to hear these sets.
I remember when I spent some time in Galway there was a lovely session in Tig Coilis where I had the privealige of playing with and getting to know the three musicians who did this session. Mirella Murray, Padraig Rynne and Kevin Dorris. They would spend most of the time talking to eachother and telling storys as if they had not met in years and were catching up. It was very entertaining to listen to their humour and messing. Almost as entertaining as the tunes.
They would have tunes that most people would never have heard. They would play these from time to time even though everybody would not know them but this was my favourite part of the session. They were also so nice that they would every so often ask somebody else to start a set and this could be as common as the lonesome boatman and they would still join in!
There were other sessions in this town with well known musicians that would almost pick up their instrument and start a set as soon as they would think you are about to as to stop you doing so.
Another great session was Paul Bradley and Brian McGrath on Friday nights in the Crane. Now Paul would play set after ste after set without taking any break at all but again I did not get tired of this nor did any of the punters.
The moral of my story is that if its played well....it doesnt matter what type of a session it is. It will be enjoyed because the musicians themselves are enjoying it!
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by eurbanjo
Re: Joining in with sessions
All the session that I go to seem to be like this.I've been playing in sessions in Belgium for more than twenty years now and I don't even know the surnames or anything about most of the regulars.It's not really a social occasion,it's play and play with very litle time for chat,and because there's no closing time here the session never seems to have an official ending,the people just drift away one at a time.I would prefer a more relaxed session,with plenty of time for conversation.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by dafydd
Re: Joining in with sessions
You've hit the nail on the head; as long as the musicians are happy everything works. I know Kevin Dorris well and I can easily imagine the craic with himself, Padraig and Mirella.
With Paul Bradley you would never feel you'd have to join in (and at least some of the time you probably couldn't), whereas the people I'm talking about almost make you feel guilty if you don't play along.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Joining in with sessions
Thats terrible to hear about the musicians you play along with making you feel guilty for joining in.
You should really go to the Wed night Session I was talking about with the 3 lads (well 1 woman). They are so welcoming. The session is so relaxed and all they want to do is enjoy themselves. I miss it much.
Wherever you live Conan....you should try find nicer sessions to play in.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by eurbanjo
Re: Joining in with sessions
Ah don't worry; it's certainly not like that every week. Nevertheless, it's something I could do without.
It's a coincidence you're talking about Padraig Rynne; I got a message from him on Myspace just a moment ago. He's heading up to see Dodd tomorrow!
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Joining in with sessions
Fully agree with Conan´s original point.
Some newcomers to session playing don´t seem to regard the session as a social occasion, which I think it was originally intended to be - and should be.
Between the tunes is the time for chatting to the other musicians, enjoying your drink and generally relaxing for a couple of minutes after an energetic set of tunes.
It´s really irritating when, before the dust of the previous tunes has had time to settle, someone launches into their own repertoire.
I put it down to inexperience and ignorance of what sessions are about, and I´ve seen it sometimes at sessions in Spain and France.
I enjoy the leisurely sessions in Ireland (I know, not ALL of them are like that !) where you can get to know people.
But I´ve also noticed foreigners at sessions in Ireland who, because of a language barrier, are unable to join in the chat. So,rather than staring morosely at their pint, they start tunes themselves and this contributes to the general misunderstanding.
I
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by murfbox
Re: Joining in with sessions
This thread is the true thesis of the discussion board. Although it can be a bit rancerous at times, the end result is usually the edification and education of the musicians coming into the tradition. If one pays attention, and takes the jibes lightly, one begins to look back at the session gaffs we've all been guilty of, and alters future conduct to become an asset rather than a pest.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by jtrout
Re: Joining in with sessions
Once we were haveing a pretty nice session when a couple of guys came over and asked if they could join in with some 'songs'. We said sure. They launched into a 3 hour long playlist with patter and all. I know, I timed it. We waited for a break in the spiel but in the end we all just put our stuff away and sang along with Whisky in the Jar etc. and left early. Happens once in a while. (shrug)
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by baglady
Re: Joining in with sessions
Shrug? Peace in our time?
Toss them out on the street, and tell them to take their whisky jar with them.
Sheesh...
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by grego
Re: Joining in with sessions
If we've had a good set and everyone is banjaxed after it, its usually a good oppurtunity to sit back and here a song or slow air.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Joining in with sessions
Well in all fairness I hate when musicians stop for ages and someone sings a song its sooo boring! You have to understand in the ennis trad fest the musicians who keep starting up the tunes are the ones who are paid for this session so its their session and they can start up as many tunes as they like!! But i think most musicians are very good about people joining in the sessions maybe not younger one`s as much but da gang are pretty welcoming over in ennis!!
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by xxfiddler01xx
Re: Joining in with sessions
We get paid to play. So if visitors wish to indulge by playing set after set without a pause, the casually spoken "You can play all you want but you are not getting x rayed" seems to curtail their enthusiasm.
Their are people who turn up every week to our main session just to hear us arguing and threatening each other.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: Joining in with sessions
Just thought I'd add a slightly different perspective. I'm from the states and will be staying in Ireland two weeks next August. I'll be bringing my fiddle, but promise not to play "The Silver Spear" and try to impress the ladies playing whistle. Of course, that is because my wife will be with me.
I try hard not to fit the ugly American image when I travel and I think I understand how you feel. I've had the same thing happen in the old time jams I go to. But when you get a chance to go to Ireland, which is so rich in musical heritage, I can see where it would be easy to be caught up in the moment. For many of us, it is the trip of a lifetime, and Americans always want to squeeze everything they can into every minute. It's a fault, and most of us have it unfortunately.
For me, I want to meet people, as it's wonderful thing to know people in different parts of the world. So, if anyone is around Puckane next August, I'll buy the first pint.
Best regards,
Larry
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by nofrets
Re: Joining in with sessions
Would that be Puckane between Dromineer and Nenagh?
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by Donough
Re: Joining in with sessions
Yes. North Tipperary.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by nofrets
Re: Joining in with sessions
slightly off topic. The ugly american image, I can never get over how its a worldwide phenomenon.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by Joze
Re: Joining in with sessions
What's wrong with the Silver Spear?
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by Q
Re: Joining in with sessions
Although, now that I come to think of it, it is one of the few tunes I can play that I've never had to actually learn, as such.
# Posted on November 17th 2006 by Q
Re: Joining in with sessions
One of the greatest reels of all time as evidenced by the way it invariably gets a great reaction from step (or sean nós) dancers.
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by Bannerman
Re: Joining in with sessions
I guess I am guilty. I like playing the tunes and so drive across town to do it. I could easily find closer places to sit and talk with others. It just seems odd to be sitting there with instruments on your lap, tunes in your heart , drinks given for music and no music.
Imagine getting together a bunch of people at a baseball diamond with all the equipment and fans in the bleachers and stopping after every few pitches to talk and tell jokes!
I will try to understand, tho.
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by feardearg
Re: Joining in with sessions
So when you sit down for a meal with some friends do you just chow down in silence. It must feel odd having all the great food in front of you but stopping your chewing and drinking here and there to talk and tell a few jokes.
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Joining in with sessions
Forgot to put a "?" after "silence" there... sorry.
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Joining in with sessions
Feardeag, Jack, Conan, Everybody
,
Surely all we need is a happy medium. A bit of a tune and a bit of crack. As I said last week, I think you can overdo the gaps but you don't want relentless tunes all night either.
Of course, there's nothing better than one of those great nights when the tunes just seem to flow one after another. It shouldn't be(or feel) forced though.
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by Johannes J
Re: Joining in with sessions
Just celebrated our first anniversary of the new session. Had a busy time in the days beforehand, didn't get to phone anyone to remind them, and the email only went out in the early afternoon.
Nevertheless eight musicians turned up, we played, we chatted, we drank in various quantities, the odd song was sung.
Result....happiness.
Yes, there are people who feel the need to cram every moment full; sometimes these might be americans - my SO is one so I try not to be judgemental - but I do understand the need when you're in a foreign country and won't be back for a while.
As for impressing that girl with the whistle three places over, good luck if you try.
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Joining in with sessions
Ok so I know this sounds bitchy but anyone who feels the need to, as you put in Conán, "cram every tune they know into the 3 hours or so that most sessions last" is probably quite insecure and feels they have something to prove.
It's about quality, not quantity...
It's kind of like the thing where people play really really really fast when they don't need to, just to prove they can. However, most of the time, they can't... and the tune is lost. Nothing annoys me more. As a good friend of mine would say in that case, "why do you hate the music so much?!!"
Hmm. Rant over!!!
# Posted on November 18th 2006 by Lizzy
Re: Joining in with sessions
Ha Ha, Lizzy. You must have been required to take psyche 101 at the University of L. However, I neither feel insecure (I play a little whistle in public, after all) and I really don't feel like I have anything to prove (I agree that my talents lie elsewhere). I couldn't fit all the tunes I know in 3 hours even if I played them once thru each back to back. Quality is not necessarily reduced by quantity (bifurcation: logic 101). In fact, quality is increased by quantity (how many times do you play a tune thru before you are happy with your rendition?).
Naw, I just like to play and listen more than excessive small talk.
Truly, I am trying to understand.
Eating with friends...an analogy I am thinking about, PB.
By the way, Lizzy....wonderful work on your website. really like the "Photo and art montage self portraits"!
# Posted on November 19th 2006 by feardearg
Re: Joining in with sessions
Hmm I don't believe I said anywhere in the original post that I preferred chatting to playing tunes;my beef is with those people who can't strike a balance between the two. Small talk is only excessive if it is precisely that - smalltalk. Maybe I'm just lucky but usually the gaps between the tunes are opportunities for me to catch up with friends or share a good story/joke.
# Posted on November 19th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Joining in with sessions
It is all about balance......too many tunes, or too few, can rob the evening of its fun. To find the balance, learn not only to hear, but to LISTEN to what is going on around you, and pay attention. Often these off-balance situations occur because someone is missing clues that might keep them on track.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Joining in with sessions
I like to play and chat to those beside me and often introduce myself to new musicians (they appreciate that) before commencing the session.
On Monday night however, I was playing tune after tune at the insistance of our session leader, as there was a drunk man joining in (singing and playing very badly) at our session. So we had to "block" him from joining in by playing "wall to wall" reels. This is the problem with open sessions unfortunately.
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by flauta dolce