Since i've spent most of my time on this board taking the p**s. I thought I would post a serious question . Over the last few days i've had some mighty tunes in both Sydney and Melbourne. Two sessions in particular one that contained 3 people including myself, and the other that had about 10 players. Both were savage sessions with great tunes, great energy and really on form playing from all concerned. Given the difference in size it got me thinking. What would most of you say is the optimum size for a session?
P.S. This thread is proudly brough to you by Bored At Work Pty Ltd :P
I usually tend to play with anywhere from 1 to 5 other people and I think the size is perfect at any of those sizes (2-6). I think 5-6 is my perfect session. I used to go to a session that could get totally carried away, 15, even 20 people and it was just too big. One side of the group can't hear the other and it gets rather muddy.
Exactly, and you can just have lovely personal moments in a smaller session where you suddenly connect with the person next to you and totally crank it up.
For a beginner like me? 25, minimum. I reckon that "one side of the group can't hear the other" is what keeps me in the good graces of the folks on the other side of the group.
Awesome!
yeah, that was strange the other day wasn't it! Did you ever check out the thread on psychic connections and tunes?
www.thesession.org/discussions/display/11258/comments#comment230436
I think we might have experienced something similar..
Ay, late in the evening - I just got me cds of the nash from SamW! How exciting!!! If you see this- thanks Sam! good on ya and I'll see you if you come to goulburn.
They a present, SirNose, a gift. Ahhh, takes me right back. Actually judging from the quality of my playing on the Thurs night cd I'd say it'd take me right back to too many beers.
Benno I was counting "musicians" present at that session. oooohhhhh burn!!! By the way i'll be back down on the 30th of May for Mandy's record launch. Then road tripping up to Goulburn with the twinnies. Must drop in on you and the D-man again while i'm there.
I have had fun with as few as three (but only two becomes work), and up to 7-9 (even up to 12 with the right instruments and folks involved) is still workable. More than that, and you might as well join an orchestra!
Size doesn't matter!! What's the difference between a session with three piano accordions and one with twelve? Piano accordionists please don't take offence at this question as any instrument could have been mentioned in the same context! It's mainly a question of balance between instruments at the session and the musicality of the players that determines its quality. Any size of session with good musicians will work. However, if you have an indifferent player, the small session will be a disaster but you may get away with it in a bigger grouping where the offending individual can be masked.
i have a bi-weekly session at my house, which consists of 2 to 5 people. that's the way i like. l love playing in duos and trios, with everyone on the melody, no guitars no strummin.
My session size varies according to the seating arrangements. When I'm jammed in between two vigorous fiddlers, I bunch up and get thinner. When I'm playing the box with plenty of room on either side, I get wider.
The ideal session size is one where there's someone to start up a new tune whenever things start to flag. You can't quantify that number, it's just what works on the night.
Session Size.
Session Size.
Since i've spent most of my time on this board taking the p**s. I thought I would post a serious question
. Over the last few days i've had some mighty tunes in both Sydney and Melbourne. Two sessions in particular one that contained 3 people including myself, and the other that had about 10 players. Both were savage sessions with great tunes, great energy and really on form playing from all concerned. Given the difference in size it got me thinking. What would most of you say is the optimum size for a session?
P.S. This thread is proudly brough to you by Bored At Work Pty Ltd :P
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by late in the evening
Re: Session Size.
A'ight LITE - I reckon 3 to 5 players, no bigger- so then you can have a good balance of tunes/backing.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by sneetch
Re: Session Size.
I usually tend to play with anywhere from 1 to 5 other people and I think the size is perfect at any of those sizes (2-6). I think 5-6 is my perfect session. I used to go to a session that could get totally carried away, 15, even 20 people and it was just too big. One side of the group can't hear the other and it gets rather muddy.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Crysania
Re: Session Size.
Exactly, and you can just have lovely personal moments in a smaller session where you suddenly connect with the person next to you and totally crank it up.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by sneetch
Re: Session Size.
For a beginner like me? 25, minimum. I reckon that "one side of the group can't hear the other" is what keeps me in the good graces of the folks on the other side of the group.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Tall, Dark, and Mysterious
Re: Session Size.
El sneetcho you wouldn't be referring to the sponatneous various jinx in the corkman by chance??
Crank it up lads. Looks like the melb/syd/goulburn treck is gonna work out!! Put in my leave forms today.
Cross ye fingers for me.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by late in the evening
Re: Session Size.
Awesome!
yeah, that was strange the other day wasn't it! Did you ever check out the thread on psychic connections and tunes?
www.thesession.org/discussions/display/11258/comments#comment230436
I think we might have experienced something similar..
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by sneetch
Re: Session Size.
oh wait that didn't work- damn I don't know how to use computers!
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by sneetch
Re: Session Size.
3-6
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Donough
Re: Session Size.
Ay, late in the evening - I just got me cds of the nash from SamW! How exciting!!! If you see this- thanks Sam! good on ya and I'll see you if you come to goulburn.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by sneetch
Re: Session Size.
what CDs?!? I wnat CDs!!!
I always miss out...
Heya Lateness, T'was mighty having ye here! I'm still holed-up with the flu, chucking a sickie and just managed to drag meself to the 'puter...
There's no doubt about it, the smaller the better. 3-6 is the best guide i reckon.
BUT arn't you forgetting that one of the sessions you quote (the one i was at) as having three members ACTUALLY had four?!
P.S. Is the spirit of recent thesession-ing, you all suck and i rool.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by SirNose
Re: Session Size.
err, i mean i *want* CDs... "wnat"-ing CDs just sounds saucy rude
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by SirNose
Re: Session Size.
They a present, SirNose, a gift. Ahhh, takes me right back. Actually judging from the quality of my playing on the Thurs night cd I'd say it'd take me right back to too many beers.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by sneetch
Re: Session Size.
Benno I was counting "musicians" present at that session. oooohhhhh burn!!!
By the way i'll be back down on the 30th of May for Mandy's record launch. Then road tripping up to Goulburn with the twinnies. Must drop in on you and the D-man again while i'm there.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by late in the evening
Re: Session Size.
we'll have two dozen and more, for sure
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Session Size.
Personally, I don't mind how big the session is as long I can still hear myself playing. :-0
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by curlew
Re: Session Size.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by curlew
Re: Session Size.
I have had fun with as few as three (but only two becomes work), and up to 7-9 (even up to 12 with the right instruments and folks involved) is still workable. More than that, and you might as well join an orchestra!
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Session Size.
I can remember a number of great occasions when there were only two of us..............
# Posted on May 1st 2007 by oldstrings
Re: Session Size.
Yes, two is often magic. A musical communion.
# Posted on May 1st 2007 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: Session Size.
anywhere from 3-6 is ideal -having said that - I would not snub those big mighty sessions we had at the national this year - eh Sneetch, Sirnose, Dow!
# Posted on May 1st 2007 by shoddy fiddle player
Re: Session Size.
Size doesn't matter!! What's the difference between a session with three piano accordions and one with twelve? Piano accordionists please don't take offence at this question as any instrument could have been mentioned in the same context! It's mainly a question of balance between instruments at the session and the musicality of the players that determines its quality. Any size of session with good musicians will work. However, if you have an indifferent player, the small session will be a disaster but you may get away with it in a bigger grouping where the offending individual can be masked.
# Posted on May 1st 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Session Size.
i have a bi-weekly session at my house, which consists of 2 to 5 people. that's the way i like. l love playing in duos and trios, with everyone on the melody, no guitars no strummin.
# Posted on May 1st 2007 by Mariajef
Re: Session Size.
My session size varies according to the seating arrangements. When I'm jammed in between two vigorous fiddlers, I bunch up and get thinner. When I'm playing the box with plenty of room on either side, I get wider.
# Posted on May 2nd 2007 by nicholas
Re: Session Size.
The ideal session size is one where there's someone to start up a new tune whenever things start to flag. You can't quantify that number, it's just what works on the night.
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by Guernsey Pete