Three of us have been playing a little session in our respective homes once a week for a couple of months.
We are all still learning and have a long way to go (and what a great resource this site is BTW), but somewhere down the line when we’re better at what we’re doing and the weather is finer, it would be nice to vary our session location and take it up to the pub to be close to a nice gargle.
Does anyone have any experiences to relate (good/bad/otherwise) of approaching pub proprietors about playing an impromptu session in their pub? What is the etiquette? Has anyone just brought their instruments along to a pub and started playing in a quiet corner somewhere, and what kind of response have you received? Asking first I would think would be the right thing to do.
There are a few Irish pubs scattered around our city, but we live kinda out of town. There are two good pubs near us, but they aren’t Irish pubs (actually more English pubs, if anything). Oh, and BTW, we’re in Perth, Western Australia, if that makes any difference, culturally-speaking.
It is best if you already know something about the pub and its patrons. Even better if you've been known to spend a few $$$ there yourself already.
That certainly oils the wheels.
When we do this in Scotland, we just approach the landlord or manager and ask if he minds if we play a few tunes while having a drink.
If it's a pub we don't know well, we look to see if there is a big crowd of regulars, or people watching the telly or playing pool or who like the jukebox on. That is not a good recipe.
I find the best approach is to walk in with your instruments as if you are just stopping in for a drink. Order and pay for some drinks and then ask if it would be OK.
You are fortunate in WA that the traditional style of pub there is a high-ceilinged rabbit warren, so you can often find a quiet back bar where you are not displacing any other activity by playing. If everyone's happy about the situation, then the bar might suggest that you'd like to come back. If you would like it to be a regular session it would be best to invite some players who haven't been playing regularly with you at home as well. That way you will get the social dynamic going and the publican won't mistake it for a *performance*, god forbid. For the same reason, it wouldn't hurt to have some nonplaying friends along who will spend a bit of money at the bar and interact socially, not sit and listen respectfully like an *audience*
Don't get too predictable in your sets or habits or the pub will see it as a free *band* (and . I wouldn't go looking for free drinks or anything until the session becomes a fixture and the pub sees that trade on that day at that time is increasing.
I'd try to choose a pub that is privately owned and where the landlord is involved in the everyday running.
I guess you have already looked at the listed sessions for Perth. You will find the crowd at the Davilak in Sth Freo on a Sunday arvo welcoming. And you get free drink. (It's do-able by train - bus if you don't want to drive. The CAT from Freo station goes there) There is a very good guitarist there who will try to tell you he is just a beginner on the fiddle. They use a nice gig/dining room off the main bar and they even managed to have a good session last year right in the middle of a televised West Coast derby (Freo won) showing in the packed main bar. I'm sure some of the footy crowd thought the music was a celebration once the cheering subsided and they became aware of the sounds through the house.
Note my comments on the Kalamunda pub in the sessions section. Although it is a boisterous singalong mostly, there is room for tune players. And they give you free drink. If that is in your area, you might find one or two folk from there who would come to your session. Given that this is Perth, WA, not Perth, Scotland, and you are out of town (where?), you are going to have to be a bit tolerant of different styles if you want your session to thrive and survive as a fixture.
The alternative to a regular session is just to get a good relationship going with the pub whereby you can turn up for a few tunes when you feel like it, or any musicians who happen to be visiting can give you a call and you can go down to the pub and have a few tunes. For this it's best to be on good terms with the regular patrons as well as the landlord.
I do not know how things work in your part of the world, but I would say go for it and see what developes.
When I lived in NYC, some friends and myself approached a pub owner and simply asked if it would be alright to play there, with the understanding we not be in the way, not disturb the other regulars, and that it only went on as long as it worked.
We also thought to ask the owner which nights were usually slow nights for the pub, as playing on these nights would likely minimize our impact on the more lucrative nights which were his bread and butter. [They were also quieter.]
It worked, the customers liked the music, the group remained small but tight, I learned a few tunes, and it lasted for maybe a year or more. Not a total waste of time, I would say.
Well, I can't add much to the excellent advice given by Bren and Rook, only to say: Go for it, you've got nothing to lose, apart from the price of a few drinks, which it would be diplomatic to spend upon alighting at the bars of candidate pubs. I have done this (asking in pubs for sessions) a fair few times in the past and got both informal and paid sessions from my efforts. I live in London, UK, so I expect that's a bit different from Perth, WA, but they are still anglophone, so some attitudes will be similar, I guess. If anything, I found Australia ten times friendlier than London.
Even so, be prepared to get the occasional rude remark from some grumpy arrogant governor "it's customers we want not musicians" but that should be water off a duck's back. Most pub governors are reasonable people as long as you don't bullsh!t them. I'd just have an honest chat with the governor, tell him/her exactly the score, and see what happens. Once you do get a regular session, **keep it regular** - make sure you can rely on at least three people turning up regularly, and turn up when you say you are going to, eg every Thursday at 9.00pm. The last thing a governor needs to cope with is a haphazard bunch of folkies who only make an appearance when they can be bothered getting out of their kips.
Good luck, and best wishes.
Bindicat - one of the most frequented sessions in our town was started by a group of four beginning whistle players who timidly began asking around for a pub to play in. That was six years ago - they now average 20 people a Sunday. However, Key Maniac makes the most important point - when you get a publican to agree to allow you to play - be consistant - show up. Best of luck to you!
Our favorite session was started in a similar way to what Bren is suggesting. It's a local pub (not an Irish pub, BTW) that we frequent. Over the course of several months of hanging out there, we got to know the staff and the owner. It was mentioned that we play Irish music, and he offered us a St. Pats gig, which went over great. We enjoyed playing there a lot, and approached him with the idea of doing a regular session (explaining the differences between a session and a performance, of course ).
That was 2 1/2 years ago, and we still love it. They take great care of us (free tab - food and drink), and in turn, we take care of them. (We tip heavily, and still frequent the establishment when we're not playing).
One thing that I have noticed here in Denver, at least, is that not all Irish pubs can deal with the music. They *think* they want it, because it's all part of the "appeal", but they don't always support it. A lot of Irish pubs are only "Irish" because it's quaint and gimmicky. The trick is to find a place that appreciates the music for what it is...
Wow, thank you for all the excellent tips and encouragement.
Bren - your sage advice is much appreciated and so locally relevant. I kind-of feel that before we consider playing a session away from home ourselves, we need to explore what's already happing out there in Perth session-wise a bit further and see how others go about it. Davilaks, here we come (ironically, there's another derby this sunday...)
I'm not sure about turning it into a weekly event - the home sessions are fine, so playing up at the pub would be a nice occasional change of venue (and a great way to spend a hot summer's day playing tunes while the pint glasses roll with condensation). Just don't want to tread on anyones toes or be a bother to anyone, or feel under obligation to perform (eek!).
I'm sure it'll be some time away bofore we venture out from the relative safety of our homes, (got a good few more tunes to learn yet!), but it's very encouraging to hear that playing in the pub may perhaps not be the huge hurdle to overcome as I expected.
"I'm not sure about turning it into a weekly event" - weekly was just an example - you could go for monthly or fortnightly, whatever. Personally I prefer sessions to be weekly - otherwise I lose the plot of what week what session is meant to be on...but that's just me.
I wouldn't say it's NOT a hurdle - but it can be overcome.
You should check out existing sessions as well. I think in Perth there's a relaxed session at the Irish Club in Subi and there used to be one at the Kidogo (sp?) arthouse in Freemantle.
It's always good to play at other sessions; I've seen groups of beginners who only learn from themselves start many bad habits that are hard to break - and prevent them from being comfortable when they are in a more "standard" session environment.
In terms of starting a new session, a group of us used to play, years ago, at the "Irish Pub" in West Perth - if it's still there, it's a GREAT place for a session - and they were happy to have us.
Thanks Glenn - yes, point taken about learning in isolation, I can envisage that causing problems in terms of getting stuck into bad habits, or if not that, at least inflexible ones. I'll be happy though when I'm confident to get up to speed - literally - of playing tunes in a session at an acceptable pace. Until then I'm not sure if I would feel comfortable joining in with an existing session. But I'm looking forward to one day getting to that stage - why else persevere?!
Moving a session from home to the pub
Moving a session from home to the pub
Three of us have been playing a little session in our respective homes once a week for a couple of months.
We are all still learning and have a long way to go (and what a great resource this site is BTW), but somewhere down the line when we’re better at what we’re doing and the weather is finer, it would be nice to vary our session location and take it up to the pub to be close to a nice gargle.
Does anyone have any experiences to relate (good/bad/otherwise) of approaching pub proprietors about playing an impromptu session in their pub? What is the etiquette? Has anyone just brought their instruments along to a pub and started playing in a quiet corner somewhere, and what kind of response have you received? Asking first I would think would be the right thing to do.
There are a few Irish pubs scattered around our city, but we live kinda out of town. There are two good pubs near us, but they aren’t Irish pubs (actually more English pubs, if anything). Oh, and BTW, we’re in Perth, Western Australia, if that makes any difference, culturally-speaking.
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by bindicat
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
It is best if you already know something about the pub and its patrons. Even better if you've been known to spend a few $$$ there yourself already.
That certainly oils the wheels.
When we do this in Scotland, we just approach the landlord or manager and ask if he minds if we play a few tunes while having a drink.
If it's a pub we don't know well, we look to see if there is a big crowd of regulars, or people watching the telly or playing pool or who like the jukebox on. That is not a good recipe.
I find the best approach is to walk in with your instruments as if you are just stopping in for a drink. Order and pay for some drinks and then ask if it would be OK.
You are fortunate in WA that the traditional style of pub there is a high-ceilinged rabbit warren, so you can often find a quiet back bar where you are not displacing any other activity by playing. If everyone's happy about the situation, then the bar might suggest that you'd like to come back. If you would like it to be a regular session it would be best to invite some players who haven't been playing regularly with you at home as well. That way you will get the social dynamic going and the publican won't mistake it for a *performance*, god forbid. For the same reason, it wouldn't hurt to have some nonplaying friends along who will spend a bit of money at the bar and interact socially, not sit and listen respectfully like an *audience*
Don't get too predictable in your sets or habits or the pub will see it as a free *band* (and . I wouldn't go looking for free drinks or anything until the session becomes a fixture and the pub sees that trade on that day at that time is increasing.
I'd try to choose a pub that is privately owned and where the landlord is involved in the everyday running.
I guess you have already looked at the listed sessions for Perth. You will find the crowd at the Davilak in Sth Freo on a Sunday arvo welcoming. And you get free drink. (It's do-able by train - bus if you don't want to drive. The CAT from Freo station goes there) There is a very good guitarist there who will try to tell you he is just a beginner on the fiddle. They use a nice gig/dining room off the main bar and they even managed to have a good session last year right in the middle of a televised West Coast derby (Freo won) showing in the packed main bar. I'm sure some of the footy crowd thought the music was a celebration once the cheering subsided and they became aware of the sounds through the house.
Note my comments on the Kalamunda pub in the sessions section. Although it is a boisterous singalong mostly, there is room for tune players. And they give you free drink. If that is in your area, you might find one or two folk from there who would come to your session. Given that this is Perth, WA, not Perth, Scotland, and you are out of town (where?), you are going to have to be a bit tolerant of different styles if you want your session to thrive and survive as a fixture.
The alternative to a regular session is just to get a good relationship going with the pub whereby you can turn up for a few tunes when you feel like it, or any musicians who happen to be visiting can give you a call and you can go down to the pub and have a few tunes. For this it's best to be on good terms with the regular patrons as well as the landlord.
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by Bren
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
I do not know how things work in your part of the world, but I would say go for it and see what developes.
]
When I lived in NYC, some friends and myself approached a pub owner and simply asked if it would be alright to play there, with the understanding we not be in the way, not disturb the other regulars, and that it only went on as long as it worked.
We also thought to ask the owner which nights were usually slow nights for the pub, as playing on these nights would likely minimize our impact on the more lucrative nights which were his bread and butter. [They were also quieter.
It worked, the customers liked the music, the group remained small but tight, I learned a few tunes, and it lasted for maybe a year or more. Not a total waste of time, I would say.
Best of luck.
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by Piece
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
Sorry Bren, I did not see your post before I entered mine.
Uh-huh, what he said, Bindicat.
Good luck.
Rook
Department Of Redundancy Department
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by Piece
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
Well NYC , NY and Perth, W.A. are just about polar opposites on the population density scale, but yeah, the principles are the same
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by Bren
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
Well, I can't add much to the excellent advice given by Bren and Rook, only to say: Go for it, you've got nothing to lose, apart from the price of a few drinks, which it would be diplomatic to spend upon alighting at the bars of candidate pubs. I have done this (asking in pubs for sessions) a fair few times in the past and got both informal and paid sessions from my efforts. I live in London, UK, so I expect that's a bit different from Perth, WA, but they are still anglophone, so some attitudes will be similar, I guess. If anything, I found Australia ten times friendlier than London.
Even so, be prepared to get the occasional rude remark from some grumpy arrogant governor "it's customers we want not musicians" but that should be water off a duck's back. Most pub governors are reasonable people as long as you don't bullsh!t them. I'd just have an honest chat with the governor, tell him/her exactly the score, and see what happens. Once you do get a regular session, **keep it regular** - make sure you can rely on at least three people turning up regularly, and turn up when you say you are going to, eg every Thursday at 9.00pm. The last thing a governor needs to cope with is a haphazard bunch of folkies who only make an appearance when they can be bothered getting out of their kips.
Good luck, and best wishes.
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
Bindicat - one of the most frequented sessions in our town was started by a group of four beginning whistle players who timidly began asking around for a pub to play in. That was six years ago - they now average 20 people a Sunday. However, Key Maniac makes the most important point - when you get a publican to agree to allow you to play - be consistant - show up. Best of luck to you!
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
Our favorite session was started in a similar way to what Bren is suggesting. It's a local pub (not an Irish pub, BTW) that we frequent. Over the course of several months of hanging out there, we got to know the staff and the owner. It was mentioned that we play Irish music, and he offered us a St. Pats gig, which went over great. We enjoyed playing there a lot, and approached him with the idea of doing a regular session (explaining the differences between a session and a performance, of course
).
That was 2 1/2 years ago, and we still love it. They take great care of us (free tab - food and drink), and in turn, we take care of them. (We tip heavily, and still frequent the establishment when we're not playing).
One thing that I have noticed here in Denver, at least, is that not all Irish pubs can deal with the music. They *think* they want it, because it's all part of the "appeal", but they don't always support it. A lot of Irish pubs are only "Irish" because it's quaint and gimmicky. The trick is to find a place that appreciates the music for what it is...
Pete
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by Reverend
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
Wow, thank you for all the excellent tips and encouragement.
Bren - your sage advice is much appreciated and so locally relevant. I kind-of feel that before we consider playing a session away from home ourselves, we need to explore what's already happing out there in Perth session-wise a bit further and see how others go about it. Davilaks, here we come (ironically, there's another derby this sunday...)
I'm not sure about turning it into a weekly event - the home sessions are fine, so playing up at the pub would be a nice occasional change of venue (and a great way to spend a hot summer's day playing tunes while the pint glasses roll with condensation). Just don't want to tread on anyones toes or be a bother to anyone, or feel under obligation to perform (eek!).
I'm sure it'll be some time away bofore we venture out from the relative safety of our homes, (got a good few more tunes to learn yet!), but it's very encouraging to hear that playing in the pub may perhaps not be the huge hurdle to overcome as I expected.
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by bindicat
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
"I'm not sure about turning it into a weekly event" - weekly was just an example - you could go for monthly or fortnightly, whatever. Personally I prefer sessions to be weekly - otherwise I lose the plot of what week what session is meant to be on...but that's just me.
I wouldn't say it's NOT a hurdle - but it can be overcome.
# Posted on August 2nd 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
Bindi,
You should check out existing sessions as well. I think in Perth there's a relaxed session at the Irish Club in Subi and there used to be one at the Kidogo (sp?) arthouse in Freemantle.
It's always good to play at other sessions; I've seen groups of beginners who only learn from themselves start many bad habits that are hard to break - and prevent them from being comfortable when they are in a more "standard" session environment.
In terms of starting a new session, a group of us used to play, years ago, at the "Irish Pub" in West Perth - if it's still there, it's a GREAT place for a session - and they were happy to have us.
Good Luck!
# Posted on August 3rd 2007 by glenn
Re: Moving a session from home to the pub
Thanks Glenn - yes, point taken about learning in isolation, I can envisage that causing problems in terms of getting stuck into bad habits, or if not that, at least inflexible ones. I'll be happy though when I'm confident to get up to speed - literally - of playing tunes in a session at an acceptable pace. Until then I'm not sure if I would feel comfortable joining in with an existing session. But I'm looking forward to one day getting to that stage - why else persevere?!
# Posted on August 4th 2007 by bindicat