Playing in a session all be it a new or not so frequenly visited on or even one regularly attended has become something of a daunting experience of late. This is particularly noticeable when deciding to play something new or indeed playing a "lollypop" in a different manner. Be it a different style, pace or rythm. Of course it a pleasant feeling playing along with others the same old tunes week in and week out but surely there is more to a session than that. Why not stretch the boundrys and go for something new and fresh. something that may amaze and astound even the regulars in the corner. More often than not I find that when something other than the norm is attempted its a signal to go for a fresh pint. Is this how a session should be I ask myself. Any views?
Well, where to start. I know one musician, who has regularly attended a session for the past 16 years, & probably longer, & he plays exactly the same tunes each time, week in week out, & he gets very frustrated if he doesn't get *all* his tunes out!
Now don't get me wrong here. I mention this musician & his approach because I believe he has the right to enjoy his music his way & if the other musicians in the session are happy to go along with him & his approach, that's fine.
Personally I love the unexpected & I would find his approach musically brain-numbing, but I would of course defend his write ........ etc etc
I simply hate playing the same stuff - week in week out!
On the other hand, I count myself very fortunate now because one of the musicians I play with is, I reckon, a kind of an ITM genius, cause he'll play a 3 hour session this week, leading most of the sets & then calmly stroll in the following week & play a completely different bunch of tunes!
He'll also mix up the sets, change keys for tunes at the drop of a hat, probably just to make sure we're all paying attention! Brilliant!
The the *pushmi-pullyu* version of ITM if you like!
Now that's the kind of session I love - the pure joy of the unexpected! Give me something new to listen to each week & I'm a *happy camper*!
In a session though, we must always be aware that everyone has a right to their musical voice & opinion & a kick of the ball, so i wouldn't take it personally pushme, if some folks wander off to the bar when you play something a wee bit different ..... they're the losers, not you.
Obviously though, I would err on the side of moderation at all times, (except when it comes to drink of course!) & perhaps only one amazing & astounding tune per night is enough for them!
Could it be that your spoiling them?
I know how to play far more tunes than ever come out in our sessions, mainly because I don't meet the other guys between Friday nights and we don't get a chance to discuss anything new. It's a grindingly slow process to introduce new tunes but you have to keep banging away at it. It doesn't help that none of us is exactly a spring chicken any more. But too much new stuff too quickly will mean an increase in noodling and some lousy guitar chords. Go for a new tune per week or something like it. Evolution not revolution.
I love the unexpected. We bring in a revolving guest host each month to our NJ session and the point is to bring in new tunes they know. We always have them do some unusual solos, no noodling along. Nice to go to others in a different area too for the same reason.
I wouldn't take it too personally when folk wander off to the bar, toilet or outside for a smoke. It's only when people stop for a bit that they realise other needs are pressing. It thins the crowd a bit and your new tunes will get a better hearing. And folk coming back refreshed, relieved or replenished, may well cock an ear and ask what that devilishly tasty tune was. Make sure you play them three times, just in case.
The sessions we attend will welcome new tunes. We have brought in tunes that we've picked up from some festival or other. The leaders are very good about picking them up without bias. If they don't join in after the first time we attempt the tune, they will when they have heard it again. That's one reason we travel a ways to get to our sessions. Very friendly and more than just capable leaders are a precious commodity!
What about continuity? Isn't continuity important? How else does anyone learn an unfamiliar tune without hearing it more than once? You can make too much of playing new tunes every week.
I'd rather know 500 old tunes WELL, be able to play them in any context with variations and full ornamentation than know 1000 "new and exciting" tunes half-assed.
I know we've done this one before but I feel your pain, Pushme. Sounds like you play the frying pan (banjo) so at least you've got some volume for when they get distracted. As for me on typewriter (keyed flute), if I occasionally throw in a new set some of the others seem to find this to be the time for a wee fly bit of gossip, so I'm struggling against the yapping. But I suppose it seperates the sheep from the goats. You know that those who are actually still listening are the ones who really have some music in them, whereas the bleaters like more the idea of Being in a session, than listening.
A few new tunes are always welcome at our sessions. The only time they might wear thin is if someone plays too many and it starts to seem like they're performing for the rest of us rather than just sharing a new tune or two.
I only try out new tunes if the session is small - say, five people or less. Any more than that and I try to stick to stuff everyone knows.
Mind you, that works for me because I'm lucky enough to have several sessions to play at....
I think I'd go mad if we only played the same things week in, week out. Plus the only way I get to hear tunes like 'Farewell to Tchernobyl' is when someone introduces them to the session.
Ok if you're not llig, and you're not a windup, then I'll explain to you that the regulars are leaving for the bar because they think you're an idiot and don't like whatever tunes you're pulling out to try and amaze and astound them. You're not there in the session to amaze and astound, you're there to play tunes.
But that includes new tunes. My first reading I missed "amaze and astound", which is an unfortunate phrase to use - best keep any of those tricks for playing the Albert Hall. But new tunes are always welcome here.
couldn't they be leaving for the bar in order to get a drink? Has to be done some time. Crazy idea I know.
Not all pubs have waiter service keeping the free drinks flowing to the cherished sessioneers like Kelly's of Newtown you know. Or a bar like Sandy Bells where you can practically reach across and pick up your pint from the bar with one hand while bowing open strings with the other.
Anyway, I do know that the correct way to learn new tunes is by sitting at home memorising whole tracks off Solas CDs not-for-note but some of us older folk still learn them by hearing them at a session, so more power to you if you're trying out one or two. Just don't be offended if I dash off to the toilet midway through the B part. That's another affliction of us older folk
Just read that, John J. Although I sympathise to an extent, to be honest, if he'd only have been able to read some of his replies BEFORE he went in, he might have fared better. Suss things out, wait at the bar, identify, then nab one of the prominent players and be nice and jokey and friendly but not obsequious, then ask is it ok to join in. Standing up and singing an Aussie song after a couple of tunes in a Glasgow session, especially where there are younger players playing, is not the way to go about it.
I don't think the "amaze and astound" phrase was meant literally as an excuse to show off. I think the poster was simply using a turn of phrase to make a point. I think going to get a pint when an unfamiliar tune crops up is the way some players handle not being able to play every tune. They lack the attention span to just listen to a new tune, which is a sad and rather bigotted attitude IMO. I think you have a responsibility to be fairly good if you are going to risk playing a tune others likely do not know, but if you meet that requirement, others should embrace the opportunity to sit back and just listen now and then.
Yeah, I did already say "amaze and astound" was "unforrtunate".
But as you know careless talk costs lives round here.
Actually, sometimes people - well, me anyway - just need a break. A chance to stand up and walk around, stretch out, especially if you have been blowing down a flute on back to back jigs and reels for the past 3 hours. Maybe when tunes unknown to the listener start up it's a good cue for that break.
Danny ,you have better bladder control than me if you can go three hours without getting up.
You just never know though, do you?
I once got accused of "taking over" a tune when some nervous lass started up and nobody joined in - she was getting shaky so I joined in, for support I thought, and her overprotective (non-playing) boyfriend rounded on me.
Thanks for that f-stompin link John - I suppose my general feelings as to what I enjoy in a session could be summed up by Kris Drever's comments on that thread, but they're all a bit different. Sometimes people who seem rude at a session simply lack social skills to go with their musical ones and don't mean anything hostile - of course other times, they're fervently hoping you'll go away!
A pub is a place for random encounters though - that's what makes it so great to me.
Session Manners
Session Manners
Playing in a session all be it a new or not so frequenly visited on or even one regularly attended has become something of a daunting experience of late. This is particularly noticeable when deciding to play something new or indeed playing a "lollypop" in a different manner. Be it a different style, pace or rythm. Of course it a pleasant feeling playing along with others the same old tunes week in and week out but surely there is more to a session than that. Why not stretch the boundrys and go for something new and fresh. something that may amaze and astound even the regulars in the corner. More often than not I find that when something other than the norm is attempted its a signal to go for a fresh pint. Is this how a session should be I ask myself. Any views?
# Posted on March 25th 2007 by pushmepullme
Re: Session Manners
Dr Doolittle I presume? (pushmi-pullyu)
Well, where to start. I know one musician, who has regularly attended a session for the past 16 years, & probably longer, & he plays exactly the same tunes each time, week in week out, & he gets very frustrated if he doesn't get *all* his tunes out!
Now don't get me wrong here. I mention this musician & his approach because I believe he has the right to enjoy his music his way & if the other musicians in the session are happy to go along with him & his approach, that's fine.
Personally I love the unexpected & I would find his approach musically brain-numbing, but I would of course defend his write ........ etc etc
I simply hate playing the same stuff - week in week out!
On the other hand, I count myself very fortunate now because one of the musicians I play with is, I reckon, a kind of an ITM genius, cause he'll play a 3 hour session this week, leading most of the sets & then calmly stroll in the following week & play a completely different bunch of tunes!
He'll also mix up the sets, change keys for tunes at the drop of a hat, probably just to make sure we're all paying attention! Brilliant!
The the *pushmi-pullyu* version of ITM if you like!
Now that's the kind of session I love - the pure joy of the unexpected! Give me something new to listen to each week & I'm a *happy camper*!
In a session though, we must always be aware that everyone has a right to their musical voice & opinion & a kick of the ball, so i wouldn't take it personally pushme, if some folks wander off to the bar when you play something a wee bit different ..... they're the losers, not you.
Obviously though, I would err on the side of moderation at all times, (except when it comes to drink of course!) & perhaps only one amazing & astounding tune per night is enough for them!
Could it be that your spoiling them?
# Posted on March 25th 2007 by Ptarmigan
Re: Session Manners
I know how to play far more tunes than ever come out in our sessions, mainly because I don't meet the other guys between Friday nights and we don't get a chance to discuss anything new. It's a grindingly slow process to introduce new tunes but you have to keep banging away at it. It doesn't help that none of us is exactly a spring chicken any more.
But too much new stuff too quickly will mean an increase in noodling and some lousy guitar chords. Go for a new tune per week or something like it. Evolution not revolution.
# Posted on March 25th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Session Manners
I love the unexpected. We bring in a revolving guest host each month to our NJ session and the point is to bring in new tunes they know. We always have them do some unusual solos, no noodling along. Nice to go to others in a different area too for the same reason.
# Posted on March 25th 2007 by irisnevins
Re: Session Manners
I wouldn't take it too personally when folk wander off to the bar, toilet or outside for a smoke. It's only when people stop for a bit that they realise other needs are pressing. It thins the crowd a bit and your new tunes will get a better hearing. And folk coming back refreshed, relieved or replenished, may well cock an ear and ask what that devilishly tasty tune was. Make sure you play them three times, just in case.
# Posted on March 25th 2007 by Bren
Re: Session Manners
The sessions we attend will welcome new tunes. We have brought in tunes that we've picked up from some festival or other. The leaders are very good about picking them up without bias. If they don't join in after the first time we attempt the tune, they will when they have heard it again. That's one reason we travel a ways to get to our sessions. Very friendly and more than just capable leaders are a precious commodity!
# Posted on March 25th 2007 by vonnieestes
Re: Session Manners
What about continuity? Isn't continuity important? How else does anyone learn an unfamiliar tune without hearing it more than once? You can make too much of playing new tunes every week.
I'd rather know 500 old tunes WELL, be able to play them in any context with variations and full ornamentation than know 1000 "new and exciting" tunes half-assed.
# Posted on March 25th 2007 by Hanley
Re: Session Manners
I know we've done this one before but I feel your pain, Pushme. Sounds like you play the frying pan (banjo) so at least you've got some volume for when they get distracted. As for me on typewriter (keyed flute), if I occasionally throw in a new set some of the others seem to find this to be the time for a wee fly bit of gossip, so I'm struggling against the yapping. But I suppose it seperates the sheep from the goats. You know that those who are actually still listening are the ones who really have some music in them, whereas the bleaters like more the idea of Being in a session, than listening.
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Session Manners
A few new tunes are always welcome at our sessions. The only time they might wear thin is if someone plays too many and it starts to seem like they're performing for the rest of us rather than just sharing a new tune or two.
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Phantom Button
Re: Session Manners
I only try out new tunes if the session is small - say, five people or less. Any more than that and I try to stick to stuff everyone knows.
Mind you, that works for me because I'm lucky enough to have several sessions to play at....
I think I'd go mad if we only played the same things week in, week out. Plus the only way I get to hear tunes like 'Farewell to Tchernobyl' is when someone introduces them to the session.
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by bc_box_player
Re: Session Manners
pushmepullme, is that you llig?
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Dow
Re: Session Manners
Ok if you're not llig, and you're not a windup, then I'll explain to you that the regulars are leaving for the bar because they think you're an idiot and don't like whatever tunes you're pulling out to try and amaze and astound them. You're not there in the session to amaze and astound, you're there to play tunes.
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Dow
Re: Session Manners
But that includes new tunes. My first reading I missed "amaze and astound", which is an unfortunate phrase to use - best keep any of those tricks for playing the Albert Hall. But new tunes are always welcome here.
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Session Manners
couldn't they be leaving for the bar in order to get a drink? Has to be done some time. Crazy idea I know.
Not all pubs have waiter service keeping the free drinks flowing to the cherished sessioneers like Kelly's of Newtown you know. Or a bar like Sandy Bells where you can practically reach across and pick up your pint from the bar with one hand while bowing open strings with the other.
Anyway, I do know that the correct way to learn new tunes is by sitting at home memorising whole tracks off Solas CDs not-for-note but some of us older folk still learn them by hearing them at a session, so more power to you if you're trying out one or two. Just don't be offended if I dash off to the toilet midway through the B part. That's another affliction of us older folk
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Bren
Re: Session Manners
"Why not stretch the boundrys and go for something new and fresh. something that may amaze and astound even the regulars in the corner."
Indeed, this(attitude) is your problem.
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Johannes J
Re: Session Manners
There's presently a discussion elsewhere
(Smile Alistair
)
http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=79908
re some poor chap who didn't get a great welcome in The Ben Nevis. I don't know this session but I think I can understand how and why this happened.
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Johannes J
Re: Session Manners
Just read that, John J. Although I sympathise to an extent, to be honest, if he'd only have been able to read some of his replies BEFORE he went in, he might have fared better. Suss things out, wait at the bar, identify, then nab one of the prominent players and be nice and jokey and friendly but not obsequious, then ask is it ok to join in. Standing up and singing an Aussie song after a couple of tunes in a Glasgow session, especially where there are younger players playing, is not the way to go about it.
You sure it wasn't you, pushmepullme?
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Session Manners
Love the idea of a 'revolving guest host'! Do they get a special (office) chair? I've never tried spinning round while I play......
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by mehere
Re: Session Manners
I don't think the "amaze and astound" phrase was meant literally as an excuse to show off. I think the poster was simply using a turn of phrase to make a point. I think going to get a pint when an unfamiliar tune crops up is the way some players handle not being able to play every tune. They lack the attention span to just listen to a new tune, which is a sad and rather bigotted attitude IMO. I think you have a responsibility to be fairly good if you are going to risk playing a tune others likely do not know, but if you meet that requirement, others should embrace the opportunity to sit back and just listen now and then.
# Posted on March 26th 2007 by Ailin
Re: Session Manners
Yeah, I did already say "amaze and astound" was "unforrtunate".
But as you know careless talk costs lives round here.
Actually, sometimes people - well, me anyway - just need a break. A chance to stand up and walk around, stretch out, especially if you have been blowing down a flute on back to back jigs and reels for the past 3 hours. Maybe when tunes unknown to the listener start up it's a good cue for that break.
# Posted on March 27th 2007 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Session Manners
mehere..... ha ha, good one... I will bring a chair with wheels in for next time!
# Posted on March 29th 2007 by irisnevins
Re: Session Manners
Danny ,you have better bladder control than me if you can go three hours without getting up.
You just never know though, do you?
I once got accused of "taking over" a tune when some nervous lass started up and nobody joined in - she was getting shaky so I joined in, for support I thought, and her overprotective (non-playing) boyfriend rounded on me.
Thanks for that f-stompin link John - I suppose my general feelings as to what I enjoy in a session could be summed up by Kris Drever's comments on that thread, but they're all a bit different. Sometimes people who seem rude at a session simply lack social skills to go with their musical ones and don't mean anything hostile - of course other times, they're fervently hoping you'll go away!
A pub is a place for random encounters though - that's what makes it so great to me.
# Posted on April 1st 2007 by Bren